Darlings, it's a scorcher today, isn't it? Even the pigeons are looking for shade! But don't worry, I'm not going to bore you with the usual weather-related pronouncements. We all know how to deal with the heat – we get ourselves a nice cold Pimms, find a shady spot, and avoid any strenuous activities.
But what if, I ask you, the strenuous activity is what you *live* for? What if you *thrive* on that sense of utter exertion, that glorious ache of pushing your body to the limit? Well then, darling, you must be a ballerina! And, as fate would have it, this very day – **August 16th, 2001**, marks a significant occasion for you, dear ballerinas, for it is the **International Day of the Tutu!**
You've heard of the UN, the WTO, the RSPCA, and all those lovely acronym-based international bodies, right? Well, the International Organisation for Tutus (IOT) – not an acronym, but they really *should* have gone with one, let's be honest! – have decreed that August 16th be a day to celebrate all things tutu-licious!
Oh, the glorious, tulle-clad creations that have brought us both joy and, if we're being perfectly honest, the odd giggle or two. I mean, honestly, let's be real – how many of us can honestly say we've never done the 'ballet' pose in our bathroom mirror with a rolled-up bath towel pretending to be a tutu? It's ok, darling, I'm not judging! It's a rite of passage. It's practically in our DNA!
Here are some fun ways to celebrate the International Day of the Tutu, darling:- Put on your best tutu! It doesn't have to be a *real* one, mind you. Anything goes, even if it's just that old towel we talked about earlier. We're all about inclusive celebrations!
- Post a picture of you in your best tutu on social media. Use the hashtag #InternationalDayOfTheTutu, because why wouldn't you? Spread the tutu love!
- Watch some ballet. Nothing gets those tutu feels going like a good performance. Now's a good time to try a ballet class. Or watch a YouTube video, for all that it doesn't *exactly* make you feel like you're at Covent Garden.
- Bake a cake shaped like a tutu. Because nothing says 'International Day of the Tutu' like cake. (Especially with the "eat a cake" motto I follow! Haha, ok, maybe not *just* cake. And never more than three, of course!) If you're a baking extraordinaire, consider some delicious meringue as a centrepiece!
- Visit a local ballet studio. Say hi to those wonderful, passionate, young ballerinas! Take in the atmosphere, try to not shriek in terror from the sheer volume of pointe shoes in the studio, and maybe have a chat. If they offer a beginner's class, and the tutus don't look like they could give you a nasty nip, take the plunge!
- Donate to a local ballet company. Now that's really going to get them "tu-tued up"! They could use a little love from us.
However you decide to celebrate the International Day of the Tutu, dear, make sure you do it in style! Because what’s more glamorous than a tutu? Just think of the amazing possibilities for tulle, ribbon, sequins, and a good dollop of pink – Oh, it truly makes my heart beat faster with excitement just to *think* about it!
You know what they say, darling: If life gives you tulle, make a tutu!