There's a boutique just along in the town not far from where I live, it's a jewellery boutique, (no this isn't exactly a shopping thread and I think that it deserves its place here, in the general section), anyway, I like to call in every now and then to see what they have. They sell costume jewellery, you know the kind of stuff, not grand metal and stones, but cheaper and more sparkly, and what girl doesn't like a bit of bling every now and then? The necklace in my avatar (unless you're reading this in the future and I've changed it, but my current avatar), that's from the same shop, but previously I've always gone in with the other half and she has completed any purchase. This was the first time that I went in alone.
Anyway, I popped along at lunchtime to see what they had. And, yes, they had a lovely necklace, semicircles of blue and white enamel and sparkly bits everywhere, it was as good as I hoped to find and I instantly decided to have it. The shop is quite smart and everything is nicely on display so I had to ask the lass working there to fetch it out for me. The price was as expected and so I said that I'd have it.
She took it back to the counter to remove the price tag and to pop it into one of their little bags for safe storage and as she did this she looked up and asked "Is this a Christmas present?" And without missing a beat I just said "No, it's for me, I thought that I'd treat myself." to which she replied "Oh, how nice, that's really lovely." And yes, it's a small business and it's actually her business and she wants to make every sale that she can, but I could tell that she was both completely unfazed, but also really happy that I could go into her shop and buy something for myself like that. She had a real warmth and acceptance.
And for me, it's a step further forwards, someone else out there knows that I like to cross dress, not that they have seen me do it, but knows that I do it, and when I call in there again she will remember, and I'm getting more comfortable with people knowing and it is mattering less, and I am progressing, slowly and at my own pace to greater openness and acceptance. Maybe I won't always be behind the door.
And if you're interested, this is what I bought, and yes I did go shopping, but this is more about me continuing on my journey than the shopping: