Personality in a Bag!

I know that more than a few of you have to be purse addicts. Right up there (or down there) with shoes the right purse can make your outfit and heart sing.
Read what "Rachel Zoe" has to say from Merdith Stebbins article "Your Handbag, Your Self.

What your purse is saying about you.

To assess a lady's character, look no further than the handbag she carries to work. "It is an absolute indicator of who they are and what their style is," says Rachel Zoe, celebrity stylist and entrepreneur. Since a purse's size and shape isn't limiting like a pair of skinny jeans, a bag is an easy way for a woman to express herself -- especially in the workplace. "For the majority of women, the handbag is the most important part of the outfit because it doesn't have to do with your body type," says Kate Schelter, a New York-based stylist and brand consultant. Perhaps that's why the global luxury handbag and accessories market is about $24 billion, according to Coach CEO Lew Frankfort.

Whether it's an oversize carryall or structured satchel, a bag's details -- right down to the buckle -- reveal clues about its owner. Not to mention that "how you wear the bag is just as important as the bag itself," adds Schelter. Slinging it across your body sends a different signal than nestling it on the crux of your arm. Having your assistant tote it for you says something, too.

In order to decode the language of work-bag-speak, Bloomberg Businessweek called on a panel of fashion experts, including Zoe; Schelter; International Best-Dressed List Hall of Fame honoree Amy Fine Collins; and handbag designer Rebecca Minkoff. Next time you're in the elevator, think twice about rifling around that mammoth hobo for your ID badge: You're giving off a disorganized vibe.

All this time you thought all you had to worry about is the way you looked. The way you walked and the way you talked!

Mom never told me this was going to be this rough! Wait, she didn't tell me anything at all!

The "Hotel Trans"

If the Eagle's can forgive me, I need to borrow a line from their "Hotel California" classic tune.
"You can check out, but you can never leave" describes much of the transgendered lifestyle perfectly.
If you are trans and never have "purged" over the course of your life more than once, you are rare! Two days, two weeks or two months later you are kicking yourself in your padded fanny buying more "stuff'!
Nothing is absolute when it comes to dealing with the human spirit but how many trans people do you know that changed? By changing I mean they never went back to the clothes, the makeup or even the lifestyle? I know of none. I found out it is much easier to purge the clothes than the mind.
Much is said about the closet we find ourselves in. Compare that closet to your "Hotel California" room. Many just changed the size of their room and that's OK.  Your transition can start between your ears and that's fine! But somehow, someway it's always part of you. Maybe there is a "trans" DNA molecule somewhere? You check in and you "don't want to leave?"
Several months ago a follower posted one of the more profound comments received here. Her current situation made it impossible to live out her feminine dreams but she was transitioning her mind for the day she could. How strong is that? Putting the finishing touches on her room before she moves out.
Even the most accomplished here inhabit the same hotel as you.We just opened the door and walked out. We never left the hotel though. We are the same as you. We can never really leave. What we can do is help you find the way out of your room.
Even though you can never leave, you just may find some fun and interesting people in a a huge hotel!

Oldies but Goodies!

With all the recent buzz about the new transgender models, it's interesting to learn of some of the pioneers on the runways  Here are just a couple from the 60's!

In the early to mid 60's , April Ashley was not only a glamorous model, but  became a socialite as well, spending time with royalty throughout Europe. 

 In 1965  "Amnda Lear" began to model for the likes of Paco Rabanne and Yves St Laurent, and then became a muse for Salvador Dali.  She appeared on the cover of Brian Ferry's album "For Your Pleasure" in the early 1970s and then later started dating (and lived with) David Bowie. 

 

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