Darling Divas,
Another day, another tutu! It's your girl Emma, your favourite Derbyshire ballerina, ready to paint the town… or should I say, the city… pink. Yes, my dearest, I've ventured beyond my usual leafy Derbyshire haunts and ventured into the heart of the Midlands, Birmingham, to be precise. And let me tell you, this city has stolen a little piece of my heart.
I do love my quaint Derbyshire village, nestled amongst the green rolling hills. It's full of cobbled streets, quaint cottages and friendly locals who greet me with a cheery "Good morning, love" even when I'm out in my "Pink tutu of the Day" which is normally a fluffy bright pink number that even my grumpy neighbours have gotten used to. But Birmingham, my dear, Birmingham has something else…
The Grand Theatre – a Fairy Tale in Stone
Now, a ballerina without a good theatre is like a cupcake without frosting. And Birmingham's Grand Theatre is not just a theatre, it's a dream spun from stone! It's grand, opulent, with that air of old-world charm and a captivating sense of history. I wandered through the marble halls and gazed at the stunning chandeliers like they were the jewels of some ancient royal court. I felt like I had walked into a real-life fairytale.
A Tumbling Tale of Two Tutus
I, of course, had my trusty pink tutu in tow. A canary yellow number, all soft layers and tulle with sparkling sequins, my Birmingham special. And let me tell you, darling, it really did make me feel like I was dancing right out of the pages of a storybook. I knew Birmingham would embrace my tutus, because this city pulsates with an energy that welcomes all forms of expression, even the sparkly, feminine, fabulousness of a pink tutu-wearing ballerina!
Birmingham's Ballet Brilliance
Speaking of dance, Birmingham Royal Ballet held my breath and left me gasping for air, with their ethereal grace, the way they leaped, the powerful storytelling through their silent ballet, oh, the beauty! I’ve fallen in love with a couple of dancers; let’s just say I’ll be stalking the Royal Ballet stage from now on.
A Trip by Train: Elegant, Fast & Fun
No horse today, my darlings. I'm channeling my inner Jane Eyre and travelling in style by train, speeding through the countryside, with my big vintage trunk crammed full of tulle, makeup and ballet shoes. It felt like stepping into one of those vintage Hollywood films with Audrey Hepburn, full of romance, elegance and of course, a glamorous touch of "tutufying" - even the carriage felt a little more luxurious and my tutu-wearing made it even more fabulous.
Lunch by the Canals - Water & Wildlife Wonders
Birmingham, as it turns out, has a fascinating love affair with water. The canals wind through the city, creating this beautiful and calming ambiance. We had the most delightful lunch by the canals, the gentle lapping of water, the swans gliding, the gentle buzz of life – I can’t think of a more perfect way to re-energise after the ballet. Nature always helps my muse. Oh, darling, I just had to have a photograph with the most adorable swan family – it was all very elegant!
Fashion Inspiration in the City of Steel
This city, so full of character and life, is overflowing with style too. The shops in Birmingham, dear readers, are not only plentiful but brimming with the most incredible fashion finds. Even the street style is unique and bold; it was like watching a parade of sartorial delights as I strutted along with my pink tutu of course. I even managed to snag myself a divine pink handbag, perfect for my future tutu outings!
Birmingham’s Spirit – Embrace Your Inner Dancer
You know, my darlings, the more I explored this city, the more I understood its true magic. It’s a combination of toughness and beauty, a city built from steel but overflowing with artistic grace, a place where anything seems possible and creativity explodes in all directions. In a way, Birmingham reminded me so much of my mission in life… to get everyone to try ballet!
And you know what, my lovelies? Birmingham helped me achieve that too. It started when I bumped into a little girl in the street – her face was filled with pure adoration for my tutu. Then she took a hesitant step, lifted her skirt and gave me this glorious twirl. I could tell, darling, it was pure joy. You see, that's what my tutu is about; It's about empowering girls, helping them find the dance inside.
Birmingham, with your charm, your beauty and your steel, you've captured my heart and inspired my soul. It’s time to go back to my lovely village but I promise I’ll be back. You are more than a city of steel, you’re a city of dreams. I’m taking this passion for dance and life to the streets of my Derbyshire village! See you tomorrow, my darling readers, for my adventures in tutus continue on www.pink-tutu.com until next time!
Yours in sequins and grace,
Emma xx
