It’s time for Glamour Girl 2021!! We thought a great way to celebrate this year’s contest would be to have a long time entrant and contest favorite as this month’s Eye Candy Girl.
Let’s say hello to Veronica Mendes.
Hi Veronica. Thanks for taking the time to do our Eye Candy feature. Let’s start by telling everyone where you are from?
I’m a native of sunny San Diego, CA in the USA. I’ve lived here for all but 4 of my years.
When did you first start dressing and how did it come about?
I started around the age of about 7 with my mom’s shoes and pantyhose. Ironically, I both blame and secretly thank my mom for Veronica’s existence. She wanted a girl and even dressed me in feminine clothing as a young child. She let my hair grow out; which was pretty normal in the 1970’s. She has no clue how that imprinted on my psyche and eventually led to what has manifested as Veronica today.
How did you come up with your Femme name?
My first name, Toni Richards was a take on my real name and in 2013 I went through a self-evolution and reinvented myself as Veronica Mendes. Veronica is a lovely name and the name of my first love. Mendes is the surname of one of my Hollywood idols, the beautiful Miss Eva Mendes.
How often do you dress?
Not often enough. Family, fatherhood, job, partial closet status and general life make Veronica time a scarce commodity. I dress probably on the average once to twice per month, but I sometimes go months without it. Sometimes the long droughts are by choice, and that’s ok. It’s just part of being a CD. My desire to let Veronica out sometimes takes a back seat to “life” and there’s nothing wrong with that. The long gaps often makes me really enjoy the times when I do get to dress even more.
Are you married/in a relationship? If yes, are you able to share your female self with your partner?
I am happily married to an amazing woman. However, due to my own self esteem issues and fear of consequences, I kept this from her for the first nine years of our marriage. I have an amazing story about this experience and my coming out to her at my blog (https://missveronicamendes.blogspot.com). She has been a blessing in my evolution and maturity as Veronica.
What are some of your favorite outfits/fashions?
I love to change it up as much as possible, because it’s fun to try as many different looks as possible. But I suppose my go-to involves long-sleeved bodycon dresses (to cover my “manly” arm tan lines, LOL) and stiletto heels. My fashion likes have evolved along with me and now have just as much fun in swimsuits and sexy sleepwear as I do in formal party dresses or tight pants outfits.
Stockings or pantyhose?
Definitely pantyhose up until about a year ago, and now, for unknown reasons, I’ve developed an equal love of sexy stockings as well.
Heels or flats?
Heels, heels and more heels…preferably stilettos, but again, my maturity has brought on a small pocket for appreciation of cute ballet flats or flat boots.
Favorite places to go when dressed?
Until about 3 years ago, my favorite places were outside San Diego such as Hamburger Mary’s in Long Beach and various places in Las Vegas. Having met some amazing local friends (Bella Amri, Jennifer Collier, Aliya Casari and Natasha Romanoff) has opened me up to my own city’s spots such as Gossip Grill, Urban Mo’s and SRO Lounge.
Go to accessories for a night out
Cute clutch or purse, pearl necklace or thin gold necklace and thick hinge bracelets since most regular bracelets won’t fit over my hands (sad face).
Who is/are your female role model(s) and why?
The beautiful Amanda Edwards, who is a San Diegan as well, but whom I’ve never had a chance to meet in person has been an inspiration to me for a long time. Her mind is even more beautiful than her appearance and that’s saying a lot. She is so genuine and comfortable in writing about her experiences as a CD in her life. I enjoy reading her experiences as much as I enjoy admiring her photos. She is the epitome of class and sophistication. Also, my besties Natasha Romanoff and Jenn Collier, who I blame for my newfound love of going out in my hometown. They gave me the courage to further embrace myself and eradicate the fear of going out locally here in San Diego.
Tell us some fun facts about yourself. What are your hobbies (either when dressed or not), likes, things you do in your spare time, or anything else you would like to share?
Veronica is, to my pleasure, the complete social opposite of my male self, Rick. He is mostly introverted, nerdy and reserved. She is quite extroverted and loves being in front of the camera and socializing with friends at girls night out. I just enjoy being in the company of others who make me feel comfortable and accepted. I love travelling by cruise ship and have so enjoyed the couple of cruises when I was able to let Veronica out. I am a certified bartender and amateur chef. I get a thrill out of people’s reactions to my culinary or mixology creations.
Any stories you would like to share about yourself and your journey?
My journey has been one of education, self-discovery and learning to accept and embrace both sides of myself as one beautiful being. Most of my journey has been one of admiration and attempted emulation of my idols and trying to establish my own identity in this community, I cannot express fully the feeling of humility and honor that I’ve had in recent years when others compliment me as a source of inspiration for them. It’s almost like a rite of passage where I can now learn to be the one to offer advice, strength and motivation to others who are at the various stages I’ve already traversed.
You are a regular in our annual contests and a fan favorite. Can you offer any advice to girls looking to enter next year?
My advice is to embrace one of today’s millennials’ favorite creeds and that is #yolo. You only live once so don’t let it go to waste. To be asked to do this profile by Glamour Boutique is something that I am deeply honored by and that would not have happened if I did not persist in participating in these amazing contests. I don’t know how far this will reach or what will come of it, but I am honored nonetheless.
If you have social media, what is the best way for others to follow you?
There are quite a few ways to find me on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/veronica.mendes2013
https://missveronicamendes.blogspot.com/
https://www.instagram.com/veronica_mendes_2013/
https://www.reddit.com/user/VeronicaMendes2013
https://twitter.com/veromendes2013
https://onlyfans.com/veronicamendes2013
https://www.flickr.com/people/veronica_mendes2013/
Before we go, would you like to send a message to your fellow girls out there or a closing statement.
Honestly, as I approach the mid-century mark in age this year, I don’t know how much more time I will have, or want, with Veronica. As such, I hope I get to enjoy it as much as I possibly can while I still can or while I still want to. I always say that each one of us, regardless of the label you identify with, have the right to express our femininity in our own unique way. Some of us are fully in the closet, some are partially out, while others are fully out. Regardless, don’t let anyone dictate to you how you should or should not live your life and how you should or should not express your femininity. If you like it and you feel comfortable, then do it. You do you.
Great words of advice Veronica. Thanks so much for sitting down with us. And good luck in this year’s Glamour Girl Contest!!
Would you like to share your story and become an Eye Candy Girl?
Let us know by emailing us at glambmarketing@gmail.com or by messaging us on our Facebook Page. For more Eye Candy head over to our blog and meet more amazing ladies.