Kandi Robbins
Chief Executive Blogger
Kandi is a wonderful writer and looks pretty cute in the right dress! She struggled for almost 50 years with all of this and once she realized the beauty and wonder of being a woman, she was all in! She is married to the Angel Known as her Wife with two wonderful (grown) daughters. She is one very lucky girl!
She spends her free time shopping, running, writing this blog, running, working, writing this blog, running, volunteering and generally trying to be an example to our community.
In all honesty, I am blessed to have realized the inherent joy of being a woman and to have the love and support of those in my life. I will do my very best to support girls like myself as I understand both the struggle and the wonder.
Be smart, appropriate, confident and visible!
If you read nothing else written by me, read this: https://kandis-land.com/rules-of-the-road/
I post daily on Flickr. Check it out here!
My YouTube Channel can be found here!
I can also be found on Facebook!
Dee (a.k.a. Sun-Dee)
Your Sun-Dee Hostess!
Dee is a long-time aspiring CD and became an active CD beginning October 2016. She’s managed to have fun, make friends, and acquire a suitably large wardrobe in those four years. Besides frequent outings in the St. Louis area, Dee has also enjoyed road trips to Chicago, Cleveland and San Francisco. She’s also treasurer for the St. Louis Gender Foundation.
Her lesser half is a retired professional who enjoys participant sports such as golf and tennis, watching professional and college sports, volunteers as a high school tennis coach, and competes in shorter distance triathlons and running events.
Dee is thankful for those girls who shared their stories over the internet, which gave her courage to get out and about–and hopes her stories encourages others to do the same.
For all of Dee’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/dee/
Read Dee’s Fictional Stories here:
https://literotica.com/s/secrets-150
Dr. Gwen Patrone
Transpreneur Extraordinaire!
Gwen is a peak-performance, personal development bestselling author, speaker and mentor for over 30 years. She’s coined the term TRANSPRENEUR and brings her life-long entrepreneurial spin to our readership. She’s helped over 2 million people across the globe earn hundreds of millions of dollars online. She’s now dedicated to bring these skills to our LGBTQ community and guide them to become the best version of themselves.
Recently Gwen received an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities after 40 years of writing, speaking and mentoring. We congratulate her here in Kandi’s Land!
For all of Gwen’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/gwen-patrone/
Her Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/180504080295750
https://www.facebook.com/gwen.patrone
Her website: https://www.gwenpatrone.com/
Lisa P.
Always Offering Perspective
I am a well-adjusted and accomplished transgender woman of faith who is happily married to my best friend.
I have been aware of my femininity since I was about 9 years old, when I loved to spend time playing with my sister: each time she would say, “I wish you were my sister” I would think “I wish I was your sister too.” Like so many others, I suppressed my sense of self because I knew it was “socially unacceptable” for me to want to be a female. I initially identified as a crossdresser (which is what I told my wife that I was before we were married), but realized later in life that transphobia was holding me back, because I would fantasize about faking my death so that I could live as a woman (even though it would mean abandoning my family), I tried to feminize my body and I even tried limited self-medicating (don’t do that). It was time to wake up and see the roses!
I feel much freer now to see the world in infinite shades of colour and have been enjoying being Lisa for the last 30 years. Recently, I became a life-member of the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond Association, a group of accepting women who operate a year-round, women-only swimming pond at Hampstead Heath in London. I love swimming there! I enjoy beach adventures too, especially along the English Channel and in the US. But, cold water draws me and I have been known to jump into mountain glacier lakes for a dip. In fact, I love all kinds of adventures and have had interesting experiences in places as diverse as Australia, Japan, Italy, France, the UK and at least a dozen states in the US.
The 19th century philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer sums up why I don’t expect to remain in the closet forever: “The closing years of life are like the end of a masquerade party, when the masks are dropped.”
For all of Lisa’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/lisa-p/
Nora A. Simone
My Big Sister and Special Contributor
Nora A. Simone is a happily married bi-gender MtF cross-dresser. Her shape-shifting art form centers on presenting the appearance of a vibrant modern woman who enjoys life.
As an author, Nora’s writings include celebrity interviews, fashion, photography, health, law, and even a cookbook. She’s been a cover girl, calendar girl, runway fashion model, and the subject of a published fashion look-book. Her resume also includes experience as a private jet air-hostess, personal trainer, magician’s assistant, dance instructor, professional boxing ring girl, and TV weather reporter. Though an animal lover, she says “man’s best friend may be a dog, but diamonds are this girl’s bestie.”
For all of Nora’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/nora-simone/
Nora can also be found on Flickr!
Alexandra
Very Special Contributor
I’m a guy. I like women. I like the company of women, I’m married to a woman, and I like to dress up like a woman now and then because it’s fun. For me, crossdressing is an art form and an excuse to meet like-minded folks, not an expression of gender dysphoria. My hope is to share thoughts regarding “The Craft,” or the art of crossdressing. This mainly entails exploring sources of inspiration, conducting self-reflection, and discussing techniques of the tradecraft. I don’t know if I am comfortable calling myself an expert in such things, but I do think about the subject quite a bit even when I’m not gussied up as Alex, which I’m afraid to say takes place twice a year or so. I’m also keen to ponder the nature of sexuality and gender, fashion, and makeup techniques because, well, who doesn’t!
For all of Alex’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/alexandra/
Alex can also be seen on Flickr!
Ana Cristina Garcia
My Friend and Drinking Buddy!
Ana Cristina García is the feminine manifestation performed by a happily married heterosexual male. She never though she would have so much fun and make so many friends all over the world due to this peculiar treat that, she now realizes, is shared, and enjoyed by more men than she could think of.
Cristy has been online since June of 2004 and has shared her thoughts and experiences through different venues. It took close to 30 years for her to accept that she was an essential part of the man that needed to be expressed. Since then, she has not looked back and enjoys every minute she gets to be out although, as of late, not as often as she used to.
She does not like to experiment much in terms of looks and loves simple, yet feminine looks, inspired by women she interacts with or sees around her. Being able to fit in her accepting wife’s clothes makes things easier to look the part, although she wishes she was younger to be able to wear all those cute dresses of today’s fashion.
If you see her at an event, approach her, she might seem serious but she is actually very friendly, caring and often, a clown.
For all of Cristy’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/ana-cristina-garcia/
Cristy is up on the Flickr as well!
Jocelyn Johnson
Our international correspondent!
Jocelyn Johnson is a crossdresser from north of the Great Lakes. She “dressed” for a few years when she was in her thirties. Always going out in the evenings under the cover of darkness, but thoroughly enjoying the thrill of being a woman. She never did much in-house dressing; the need was always to be showing off in public, but with the dichotomy of not being noticed. Unfortunately serious doubts forced “the purge”.
As Jocelyn grew much older (late 60’s) she began seeing on the internet many people crossdressing. YouTube videos by hundreds if not thousands of crossdressers, or Tgirls, brought back the strong urge to present as a woman. Seeing blogs discussing their journey gave Jocelyn the final incentive to come back to life. Of course Kandi’s Land was very inspirational, and so was Stana’s Femulate.
Ms. Johnson has a very limited wardrobe. To her, it is the joy of being out during the daylight hours just being the woman she is. Hopefully some of her adventures and thoughts will bring comfort and joy to “our world”.
For all of Jocelyn’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/jocelyn-johnson/
Amanda J.
Our U.K. Correspondent!
Welcome to my little corner of Kandi’s Land. To introduce myself, I live in the land where the right side of the road to drive on is the left, where words like colour and oestrogen are peppered with unnecessary vowels and where closets are called wardrobes. When I first joined Kandi’s cohort of Contributors, I was so far in the wardrobe (errr, Amanda, it’s ‘in the closet’, not ‘in the wardrobe’) that I was convinced that Amanda would never see the light of day. But things can change.
And things have changed. The ‘cease and desist’ ultimatum given to me by my wife nearly a decade ago has thankfully been consigned to history and, in its place, a DADT arrangement bestowed upon me. That’s not to say that she approves – she most definitely does not – but it’s given me the freedom to embark on a journey of discovery, seeing things that once seemed like impossible dreams turn into mind-blowing yet anticlimactic reality. Anticlimactic not because of any sense of disappointment, just because each new experience just feels like the most natural thing in the world.
I feel privileged to be part of such an amazing resource for the crossdresser community and to be able to share the highs and lows of my feminine life with others. Coming to terms with the inner woman and finding ways to enable her to flourish can be bewildering but I hope that someone, somewhere will draw inspiration from me in the same way that I draw inspiration from all of the other amazing people here. My journey continues and who knows where it will end? I certainly don’t but what I do know is that I’m going to enjoy every moment of it and share as much of it as I can with those enlightened souls who know that their day would not be complete without dropping in on Kandi’s Land!
For all of Amanda’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/amanda-johnson/
Sherry Greer
My BFF!
Ever since I was young I knew I was different. I started dressing at an early age by borrowing my sister’s and mother’s things when home alone. I’m sure that’s no different than most of us! As the years progressed I continued to dress and experiment with different looks but all in the comfort of my own home. Approaching my 50th birthday I knew I needed more and that’s when Sherry walked out the door for the first time!
The four years since that cold January day have been filled with varying emotions but all have made Sherry who she is today. Being Sherry has made me a better person, a person who is more passionate, sympathetic and loving to those around her, especially my wonderful wife of 30+ years.
As luck would have it when I reached out for support in the Cleveland area Kandi answered an email on a whim and we’ve been friends ever since! We even live in the same community and enjoy many of the same activities.
I look forward to contributing more to this blog and helping and giving support to whomever needs it. After all, if it wasn’t for Kandi and a couple others giving me support and don’t know where I would be today! I am here for you!
Stay beautiful-Sherry
For all of Sherry’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/sherry-greer/
Sherry is on Flickr too!
Trish White
Our Living Proof of the Power of Kandi’s Land!
Trish has been a crossdresser ever since she was born!
Of course she didn’t know it from the start but after 68 years she knew she was sharing a body with another man. She came out when she was 16 and enjoyed her time out until she was in her 40’s. Then due to children being in competitive sports and having to hide from her wife, she was put into exile until her late 60’s. At that point Trish could no longer be denied. She came back with a vengeance wanting to make up for all the lost time she’d endured.
Even at that age coupled with living in a small town Trish was a very lonely, very depressed girl. She had no one to talk to, no one to relate to and no one to share her inner feelings with. Then in the past year and a half and the help of Kandi’s Land and some very close internet friends she blossomed! Her wife, who’s known about Trish since before they were married, became more accepting and allowed Trish the freedom to spread her wings and meet new girl friends face to face and do things she’d only dreamt of a few short months earlier. Trish is now a very blessed and happy girl with a lot of girl friends as well as venues that allow her to vent, help and support other girls in the most blessed journey they could ever take.
For all of Trish’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/trish-white/
Maddie Smith
Our New Zealand Correspondent!
I’m the luckiest girl here. I have a partner who is 100% supportive of Maddie, and happy to help her find her way in the world. Mind you, she has no choice! After all, she discovered Maddie a couple of years ago. Up until that point I really had no idea …
In retrospect there were signs. Internally, not externally though; enjoying shopping and people watching, as well as being able to enjoy female company as friends, not just conquests, perhaps indicated I had a side other than the hunting / fishing / rocking one I’m known for.
While those interests haven’t changed, I’ve been able to add new ones to my world – such as makeup and fashion, while extracting and cultivating a feminine side that was always there, even if I didn’t know it!
But that is just for me. Only a select group will know or ever get to meet Maddie in person. It’s not a case of being in the closet but rather one of realizing this is just one part of me and not everyone needs to know. I like and want it that way.
I enjoy the challenge of bringing Maddie into the world. The operative word being challenge! After nearly 40 years of having a beard, lots of body hair and the inevitable body changes with working in an office now rather than on the tools, I have to work hard to get a look that is passable. And that is the goal – to be able to go out with female friends and interact with them without anyone realizing (ok, so I just won’t speak …) is where I want to take this. And while I have been out in public, it wasn’t quite to that level yet. But it’s getting close. Let the adventures begin!
While getting to the point of being out and about is a major part of Maddie’s evolution, it isn’t everything. The planning and organizing (and shopping!) is just as exciting. Finding ways to push the boundaries is also fun, such as having my nails painted almost permanently but without it being really obvious. And also, the conversations I now get to have with my partner and my BFF on their makeup and dress; those too are a lot of fun!
You’ll never see me at a support group, I’d much rather be out with the girls. I’m never going to be other than a heterosexual guy who enjoys seeing the manifestation of his female side within. And I’m totally fine with that!
I also get to live in the best country in the world, New Zealand. And while it, like everywhere else in this changing world, has its challenges, it is still pretty hard to beat. Unlike my sisters ‘across the ditch’ (Australia) we don’t have to deal with snakes or crocodiles!
Hopefully I will be able to contribute worthwhile content to this site. Just be aware that I’m opinionated and sometimes like to play devil’s advocate by arguing a point opposite to my real opinion. Try it; sometimes it’s a great way to get a better perspective! But I can assure you, there is no ego! Rather I’m very much in awe of what you girls manage to achieve.
I’m always up for a conversation or to help if I can (unlikely, it’s me that needs the help …) so feel free to email me at maddiesnz55@gmail.com.
For all of Maddie’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/maddie-smith/
Tina Davis
A woman of few words and fewer outings!
I have been dressing in female clothes for over 40 years, borrowing from my mother and sister at first, then buying a few things in male mode, but remaining inside with no makeup or wig. Only in the last 10 years have I ventured out of my house, starting by attending a few open houses run by a Massachusetts support group, the Tiffany Club of New England. The prospect of going out dressed remained scary until 2016, and since then, every opportunity has led to further outings and more confidence. I do not get many of those opportunities, as my wife and daughter do not know the extent of my wardrobe or the wonderful times I have spent as Tina.
I gravitate to dresses and heels when I dress, but I also recognize the need for blending in with other people. My style has always been businesslike and classic, trends are not something I stay up with too often. Shopping for myself is always fun, whether it is online or in person. Talking with the SA was nerve-wracking until I realized they were generally fine with selling women’s clothes to a man, whether I was dressed or not. Even buying makeup is more fun now!
I “met” Kandi via a forum-based website for CD/TG/TS people, and I immediately felt a kindred spirit with her. When she started this blog, I kept up with it daily, then contacted her about one of her more thoughtful posts. Eventually, I started writing for posting as well. My posts may be infrequent and not as deep, but each one of us has their own experiences and journey to discover. I hope everyone who needs support and examples of living as one’s true self finds it here on these pages. Hugs to you all!
For all of Tina’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/tina-davis/
Teresa H.
Living Life On Her Terms!
Realizing I was transgender really kicked off for me at the age of 8-9, whatever part of my brain induced me to wear female clothes soon showed itself with a cocktail of male hormones and latent female needs. From that point I lived with the feeling that something was not right.
In between to live with the social pressures of being a man I married and had a lovely son and daughter and ran a successful photography business . Like most I was in total denial and tried to bury a part that I was ashamed of and felt guilty about .
The cork finally popped out the bottle in my forties. I had to tell someone, naturally it was my wife hoping for acceptance, but it was short lived. I shall never forget how much I cried, something I’ve never done before or since, but a millstone had been lifted off my shoulders. I also felt rejected and was ceasing to function which almost led to me ending my life.
Finally in my sixties I sought gender counselling, the door began to open and I could see a different person through it. For the first time my wife and I began to talk openly and honestly. We concluded the best action was to go our separate ways, she couldn’t live with my transgender needs and I couldn’t live without them The relief for both of us was incredible . I consider myself lucky we came to an amicable arrangement and split 50-50 , we both felt we should still have family homes to welcome our children and grandchildren.
I now live twenty miles away fully as Teresa (or Terri to most people). I know to some this is not acceptable, the hurt and loss is too great but I have lost so little and gained so much. I go out with my daughter and granddaughter, I have seen my son several times and have lunch with my mother and sister. I now attend two art classes and have recently joined the National Trust, this year I have been invited to attend their annual holiday!
It is wonderful to say living as a transgender woman can be very normal and I am happy to say I have more friends now than ever before. The one lesson to learn is stop being trans and just be you because people really don’t care, genuine acceptance is the key.
For all of Teresa’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/teresa-h/
Lisa Lane
Grace personified!
The clarity of hindsight makes one realise that an early preference for gentle pleasures and an aversion to macho sports must surely have been portents of things to come. From first pubescent sexual stirrings to tactile attraction of female clothing, this T-girl’s early flowering was of the everyday garden variety and, if you’ve read one such story of furtive closeted teenage years, you’ve read them all. I suppose one thing which makes this odyssey stand out, if at all, is that I have always been completely content with the way I came out the factory – no purges or sudden resolves to suppress my femme side. I have long since accepted that gender is a continuum rather than a binary state; that I am placed somewhere in the middle of this spectrum; that I am now at my comfort level; and, because I am a part-time girl, quite content with all my appendages.
Married to a beautiful, loving, completely supportive, classy lady who shares my fashion interests, I am happy, hetero and monogamous. We enjoy travel, theatre trips, dining out and dancing in congenial settings with other sophisticated, interesting, gender-gifted T-girls. Anyone who feels inclined to write may be assured that I will reply promptly and considerately. I can be reached at lisalaneontario@outlook.com.
For all of Lisa’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/lisa-lane/
Cali
Checking in from the West Coast
I have been a practicing cross dresser since I was 8 or 9 years old. Twice married – twice divorced, with two adult kids. (BTW both divorces had nothing to do with my dressing.) For decades I rarely cross dressed due to busy active children, my own active sport activities, and time limitations such as work. In my early 50’s I had a massive injury which included long hospital stays and took 2 years of recovery, but I will never be 100%. Lying there recovering gave me a lot of time to just think. I decided then to start doing things I had always wanted to but always stopped myself. Life is short, why wait to the end to do things you always want to. The one good thing: I’ve never purged.
This photo is from Halloween 2018. I rarely go out “en femme” like this. Not into bars or drinking, just no place to go. I have a large walk-in closet, and since 2014 have rarely bought any “male” clothes. I consider myself more of a blender than a CD. I may look like I’m in somewhat male mode (I’m almost always in high heels), but I will only have on clothes bought in women’s departments.
My interest includes nails (manicures & pedicures), heels (4 inch +), makeup, shopping, clothes … I look forward to commenting on these topics and more.
For all of Cali’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/cali/
Crystal Joens
Jumping Into Kandi’s Land With Both Feet!
Crystal is in her mid 70’s. She is told she is a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, though those telling don’t yet use that pronoun. She has lived in the midwestern U.S., Southwestern U.S. and now Nevada. She has never had a “job” but has enjoyed 4 distinct careers in broadcasting, medicine, economic development, and executive coaching. She includes meditation, health eating and exercise in her personal regimen.
Crystal realized that she is “inter-gendered” and still working through ever-changing labels. To her that means she loves both her masculine and feminine selves. She does not feel trapped in one body or another. The feminine brings out best of her entirety and balances her. She has been working on updating and clarifying her style to be more age appropriate. As the song from the film “The Greatest Showman” says so well, “This is Me”!!
Her contributions are about the side of her that warms her from head to toe, inside and out. The side of her that likes to feel softer. Being Crystal completes who she is and how she serves others. It gives her an inner aura of that feminine mystique that emanates and energy that is incomparable to anything else she has ever known. It is not a matter of who or what she is, but the hope to become a better, more complete person.
For all of Crystal’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/crystal-joens/
Kris Burton
Late Bloomer!
I am a 71 year old, retired music educator/musician who has been married for 42 years, and the father of two sons. I am also a crossdresser, and Kris Burton is my alter ego. It seems I am a unicorn of sorts in that I had no crossdressing experiences as a child or teen, and in fact did not begin to crossdress actively until age 69. Since embracing my crossdressing inclination I now can add happy and well adjusted to my personal description.
Kris is a product of my imagination, embodying as best I can the characteristics that I always admired in women I have known, my lovely and supportive wife among them. A work very much in progress, this is the image I strive for in my presentation. Beyond my enjoyment of all things feminine, a significant part of my overall CD experience is the expression and sharing of thoughts, ideas and philosophies regarding our wonderful community. It is my hope that you will find relevance and relatability in the words I write, and look forward to reading and hearing your thoughts as well.
For all of Kris’ posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/kris-burton/
Fiona Black
Making Up For Lost Time!
I am a retired business executive who spent many years working for a large international corporation whose headquarters was based overseas. I worked closely with people from a vastly different culture and found it to be an extremely interesting experience. I was lucky to have visited many parts of the U.S. as well as a number of foreign countries in both my business and personal travels.
I am also a lifelong crossdresser who discovered ladies lingerie in my early teen’s and spent many subsequent decades as a closeted lingerie dresser. It was not until April 2022 that I started to fully dress followed shortly thereafter by my first venture out in public. In the year since then, things have quickly progressed to the point where I now lead the majority of my life in public dressed en femme. I am confident, comfortable and happy when out and am very pleased with the new direction my life has taken. Dresses are my big weakness especially chiffon dresses, both long and short. I absolutely love wearing cocktail and evening dresses along with the occasional evening gown. Add some makeup and jewelry and, for this girl, it does not get any better. That is when I feel my most feminine.
Kandi and I knew each other somewhat through online responses to some Kandi’s Land posts and a few exchanged e-mails. We finally met at this past Keystone, hit it off, had a nice time and now here I am. I find the crossdressing world endlessly fascinating, somewhat complex and very rewarding and will occasionally write about my my own experiences along with other subjects of interest to crossdressers. I look forward to getting your feedback and opinions and getting to know you all a little better.
For all of Fiona’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/fiona-black/
Shelley Anne Baker
Interviewer Extraordinaire!
Shelley Anne Baker has been part of the cross dressing community for more years then she can remember. As she often says, “one day the sun came out and so did I.” Based in Northern California, her preferred fashion shopping is at Nordstrom, H&M and Torrid. She always enjoys a good glass of red wine, especially Silver Oak or Jordan. A lifestyle, health, and wellness journalist, her interviews appear in numerous publications. She’s always on the look out for the next paid gig.
For all of Shelley’s posts: https://kandis-land.com/author/shelley-anne-baker/
Rachael L.
Frequent and Valued Comments!
My life has had its ups and downs over the years and while some has not always been related to my gender identity, a lot of it has been the reasons for how things turned out.
I accepted myself as trans several years ago and began my journey to socially transition and also began a path toward HRT. I had second thoughts however for many reasons and realized being a girl full time was not going to be practical. So I allowed myself to find different ways to express who I am and as a result, I am now much more gender fluid and still have my full on girl days as well. I found this blog to really inspire me to be the best me I can be. I’ve also found that my faith in God has strengthened me throughout this process .
My family really doesn’t see me in this way and I no longer try and get them to accept this side of me so I don’t mention it to my children. I was divorced a few years ago so now I’m on my own and Rachael is all but full time when I’m home.
Julie Day
Offering Additional Perspective to Our Community!
Julie Day is on a journey of feminine discovery. She is a bi-gendered girl. She has discovered the joy of her feminine side late in life, although those feelings have always been there. Her goal is to present as the best women she can be.
She has two passions in her life, crossdressing and hiking in our National Parks. Julie loves the excitement of the transformation from guy to gorgeous women. She loves spending time going out in the world and spending time with girlfriends and feels very comfortable and confident in femininity.
Julie loved to experiment with different looks, finally finding the look she loves. At 69 years, as Julie I feel confident in who I am, and my feminine side feels so right to me. Julie enjoys women’s fashions and makeup.
Although it is difficult and challenging to find time to spend as Julie, it has made her the person she is. Julie biggest challenge is that her wife of forty years is opposed to her lifestyle. She is in the process of opening communication with her wife. She is not sure if her wife will ever be accepting, but she loves her wife and hopes for the best.
Even with all the ups and downs Julie has experience, she loves who she is and can’t wait to see where this journey takes her. She is so happy to be a part of this community, and has meet so many lovely friends.