Getting Ready

This week, I’ve handed the reigns of the blog over to two of my Inner Beings… Thomasina, my Inner Woman, and Tomanova, my Inner Romantic. In today’s post, I’ve asked them to answer a few simple questions.

Do you have a ritual when getting ready to go out?

Thomasina: I do. Firstly, I like to arrange everything just so, from the clothes in the dressing room to the shoes and handbags in the shoe room. I then arrange scented candles and night lights all around the bathroom, and sip a glass of apple juice while I wait for the bath to fill. I don’t drink too much before taking the bath, as I like to have a sip or two as I relax in the luxurious bubbles in the bath. I turn down the lighting, so the bathroom is lit mostly by the candlelight, and can sometimes spend a good hour or two relaxing. I top the hot water up every now and again, and play calming, relaxing music as I slowly get myself bathed.

Tomanova: I arrange the chaise longue in the bathroom so I can see myself in the mirrored wall. I sort my hair out so it’s just right – that isn’t a big job – and then I pop on a pair of silk boxer shorts and matching silk dressing gown. The fact that they match is very important. I then position myself on the chaise, so my legs are outstretched, with one leg bent at the knee. Part of the dressing gown drapes over the side of the chaise. I then watch myself in the mirror, admiring every inch of my body as I eat grapes and have a glass of champagne. Sometimes, I’ll hold a single red rose – thorns removed! – in my mouth, and look longingly into the mirror. I can spend hours doing this, and then jump into the shower for the final five minutes. Relaxing like this ensures that I look good.

How do you decide what to wear?

Thomasina: Because I’m so organised, I have my clothes arranged long in advance – sometimes a week early. The clothes I wear also depend on how my hair is styled, so I have more than one outfit or gown readily available. If my hair’s up, I can wear thicker, frillier and brighter clothes, and if I wear my hair down I tend to go for the more plain blacks, blues and whites. And depending on what clothes I choose to wear, which I decide on the night of getting ready after taking my bath and styling my hair, I then turn my attention to make-up. A bit of lippy can totally transform an outfit, don’t you know?

Tomanova: I look good in anything, it’s just a natural flair I have. Once I’ve showered and shaved, I just grab the first shirt and pair of trousers from the wardrobe and throw them on. Depending on where I’m going, I may take a short while choosing the right shirt… I mean, if I’m going to the shop I don’t want to be wearing the black silk shirt, do I? Basically though, everything just sorts itself. All I need to do is look good, concentrate on my smile, and prepare to sweep whoever I meet off their feet. It’s really all about them.

Is there anything you particularly dislike about the whole getting ready process?

Thomasina: Two things, although really it’s only one thing. Sometimes, I find myself so relaxed when I take my bath I drift off to sleep. My head is propped up on a bath pillow, so I wouldn’t slide under the water or anything like that – see, always prepared! I don’t like it when I awaken and the water’s gone cold. This also causes my skin to shrivel, and I have to do my bath exercises to stretch it out. And apply moisturiser afterwards, but I quite like doing that.

Tomanova: With me, it’s just the time. I wish there was more of it so I can work on my admiring looks, my pose, and keeping my body in the fine masculine form that it’s always in. I just added that last bit to come across as humble – I don’t really need to do anything with my physique. And apart from the time, how could I dislike anything else about the getting ready process? I’m spending time on me!

How long does it take you to get ready for a big occasion?

Thomasina: It depends on the occasion. If I’m getting ready for a really big event, I can start to arrange my clothes anything up to two months in advance. If it’s just for a night out, or a trip to the cinema, say, a day / day and a half will do.

Tomanova: The thing about always being ready means it takes me next to no time to get ready. I just go through the process to look good, more for something to do rather than what the process is for. I’m already there!

Are you ready on time or do you like to be fashionably late? 

Thomasina: Oh, dahling! Always be fashionably late! How can you be the belle of the ball when there’s nobody else there?

Tomanova: I’m always ready, so I’m always ready on time. Early or late it doesn’t matter. I don’t mind my companion for the event being early or late either – that’s up to them. I’m ready to make them look and feel good, and that is really all that matters.