Hello darlings! Emma here, and I'm so excited to share my latest adventure with you all! I've just arrived in Bradford, and the city's buzzing! The sun is shining, the air smells of fresh baked bread, and the sound of music wafts through the streets, promising a day of delightful surprises.
Today, I decided to wear my vibrant orange tutu - it just seemed right for this vibrant city. You know me, always matching my outfit to the mood, especially if it involves a splash of colour. This little beauty is from my favourite vintage store, a gem in Bakewell tucked away in a cobbled back street. (I shall tell you all about this lovely shop soon). Paired with my vintage lilac cardigan, it really adds a 'va-va-voom' factor, don't you think?
Speaking of a "va-va-voom" factor, Bradford, you are quite the delight! It has a certain "whimsical" feel to it, with all its grand Victorian architecture and cobblestone streets. There's an energy, a buzz about the place, like it's ready to spring into action at any moment. I can feel myself feeling very much inspired and energised by it all.
Now, onto the reason for this grand trip! Bradford is famous for its stunning theatres and dance venues, and this weekend is home to an incredible showcase of contemporary dance. As soon as I heard about it, I had to be there! Can't you imagine me twirling down the street to some toe-tapping, rhythmic contemporary masterpieces? And yes, I will, of course, be posting a review of the performance on www.pink-tutu.com later, so do stay tuned! You know, I'm all for supporting the arts, and supporting dance especially!
To get here, I took a journey that felt straight out of a whimsical Jane Austen novel, if she loved ballet and riding trains, that is. I started in my charming Derbyshire village, hopped on a sleek, scarlet train to Chesterfield, and then onward to Bradford. All the windows of the train were frosted with the morning dew, creating such an ethereal glow over the Derbyshire landscape - pure magic!
Speaking of magical, one of my very favourite places on this little trip was my local equestrian centre. On my way out of Derbyshire, I couldn't resist swinging by to greet the magnificent horses! It's an absolute dream of mine to have my own riding horse; the majestic elegance, the feeling of freedom as they gallop across open fields, just pure bliss! I was able to sit on one of their stunning black geldings and simply be at peace. The horses really do have such an aura of magic about them, and you feel it too! I've always said, "When you can't travel on a train, you travel on a horse." (Oh! Maybe that should be my new travel motto!). They take me on such wonderful journeys, and to beautiful destinations, which always sparks some sort of inspiration and a good old-fashioned creative frenzy in my soul!
By the way, a couple of days ago I decided to switch things up! You know me, always on the lookout for new ideas! Instead of "just" heading straight for a class at my local ballet studio in Derbyshire, I swapped my usual route. I grabbed my bright pink ballet shoes, a vintage scarf to cover my hair in case of wind, and took a beautiful, scenic detour through the Derbyshire Peak District. Walking through nature is such a great way to clear my head. Plus, the birds were singing such amazing tunes as I waltzed my way through the meadows! Honestly, the way I was moving, I wouldn't be surprised if people mistook me for a fairy, twirling around! It's something I love to do before every class! It just helps ground me in myself, you know? The perfect combination of beauty and a workout! And besides, there’s no better preparation than dancing under the sunshine, amidst a glorious symphony of nature!
By the way, did I tell you all about my little discovery during my trek through Derbyshire? It's about a secret, tucked away just beside the local bakery, in a tiny alley that looks almost invisible to anyone rushing by. But it's magical! The scent of lavender, rosemary, and chamomile, fills the air and fills your heart with an intense, yet calm sort of energy. An artist’s haven for sure. (You'll be seeing more about this in my next blog, darlings.)
There’s so much beauty in this little part of Derbyshire! Everything is like a small piece of an ancient fairytale. Even if you just walk for 5 minutes, you always find something wondrous hidden, waiting to be discovered.
And speaking of discovery, let's talk about pink tutus! There's something special about them, don’t you agree? They make you feel like a ballerina, ready to take on the world! And believe me, you should definitely be ready! There is no better feeling than stepping onto a dance floor or stage in a tutu and knowing you've got it. I'm on a mission to get everyone in a pink tutu! Imagine everyone just getting on board! That’d be fantastic! Everyone has an inner ballerina within, it just needs to be discovered and let loose!
Speaking of that, did you all see the incredible production of "Swan Lake" I reviewed last week? I was simply enthralled. The ballerina was absolutely graceful; she floated like a feather in a dance of purity and emotion, each movement telling a story.
I always get inspired by the amazing stories they weave with each dance! Each piece feels so personal to me. That's what I love most about ballet - it tells stories with every twirl, every leap, and every bend of the knee! Ballet isn’t just an art, it’s a world, a symphony of emotion that can make your heart soar. And you never know how one performance will inspire the next one - a true expression of life in its most elegant, flowing form. It’s not just the ballet I love. I also find myself glued to the streets for those incredible outdoor performances in the summertime. There's magic in the open-air, the mingling of energy from both the dancers and the audience creates an electricity you simply can't find anywhere else.
You know, this whole experience is just the beginning! There are so many adventures to be had, so much to explore, and so many pink tutus to be worn!
I can't wait to share my next journey with you. Until then, remember: life is a beautiful ballet, so make it as inspiring and exciting as you can. And if you need a little boost of confidence or magic, just put on your pink tutu and dance your way through life!
Until next time, darlings, have a wonderfully bright and stylish day.
P.S If you have any wonderful, quirky places that are must-sees, please do share them with me.
Love always,
Emma
