Hey lovelies! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad ballerina, Emma, here, back from another whirlwind adventure. Today's tale is all about Solihull, a charming little town nestled just outside Birmingham, and a special German tutu that took centre stage in my day.
You see, I'm a firm believer that the world needs more pink and more tutus. It's a mission I take very seriously, my darlings. So, when I got the opportunity to take a little train trip down to Solihull, I couldn't resist the chance to spread a bit of ballerina joy!
I was particularly excited for this trip because Solihull was hosting a truly fantastic ballet festival. It’s an annual event, you see, where dancers from all over the UK come together to share their passion for the art. Can you imagine a better place to wear a tutu, right?!
But wait! There was a twist – a delightful German twist. You see, I’d stumbled upon a darling little shop in a quaint Derbyshire village recently – just a few miles from my home, you see – where they sell all things tutus! They have everything – long tutus, short tutus, fluffy tutus, tutus for ballet, for street performance, and even for the theater! Imagine my delight when I found a beautiful, new, pink German tutu there! A glorious symphony of pink with an adorable little ruffle, I’ve never felt so glamorous!
And the best part? The owners – a lovely mother-daughter duo – told me it was crafted by hand using the most exquisite, fine tulle – delicate yet robust, they assured me – with shimmering sequins woven into its delicate structure. They were so passionate about their craft, and I instantly fell in love with the entire shop. So, naturally, I had to pick this little beauty up.
The train journey was divine, you know? The English countryside was just breathtaking. I swear, it’s always an enchanting spectacle! Every field bursting with wildflowers, every hedgerow buzzing with bees and butterflies – I practically needed a magnifying glass to capture it all. Oh, and the sound of the train tracks was a hypnotic hum that lulled me into a tranquil daze. Of course, I took plenty of pics of my travels, don’t you worry – I'll have them up on my Instagram story. 😉
And oh! The festival was utterly magnificent. So many talented dancers, all ages and skill levels – a testament to the universality and power of ballet. Seeing them pirouette, plié, and soar across the stage – truly inspiring, my darlings. They all moved with such elegance and grace, their energy was so electrifying. You could see the passion for ballet shining through them – it truly was magical.
There was a young boy who really captured my attention. He couldn't have been older than seven, maybe eight. I swear he had been taking ballet lessons his whole life. He had such an amazing grace and poise! He twirled around the stage like he was born to be there, and the whole crowd was spellbound. Oh, how I longed to hop on the stage with him – for a twirl, a quick plié, and a little pose – just for the sheer joy of dancing alongside another soul filled with such passion.
During the day, I did, however, meet a lovely group of ladies who were visiting the festival from Birmingham. They all were keen amateur dancers and thrilled to find another tutu-loving lady in their midst! They told me stories about their favourite ballet performances and shared their tips for the best local dance classes in Birmingham – I definitely plan to pop in sometime next month to explore some of them. You know me, always looking to refine my pirouette!
One of them even showed me a beautiful park where they regularly have their outdoor ballet classes! Just picture this – a sprawling green space under the soft sunlight, beautiful birds chirping nearby, and a group of dancers in their favourite tutus (and a couple of pink ones too, naturally!) moving to the rhythm of beautiful music – doesn’t it sound heavenly? I can’t wait to try it out next week, my dears! I might just wear that special pink German tutu – wouldn’t that be fabulous?
As the sun dipped behind the horizon, the festivities drew to a close. And let me tell you, after such an invigorating day, a good night's sleep was in order. And in the morning, after a sumptuous breakfast (think croissants, scrambled eggs, and copious amounts of strong black tea – a quintessential English treat!), I found myself feeling energized and refreshed. I felt inspired to share the joys of ballet, even more so than usual! So I grabbed my notepad and scribbled down some new tutu designs – my head filled with colour palettes, fabric textures, and just a touch of German influence. 😉
I left Solihull feeling incredibly joyful and empowered – a testament to the beauty of ballet and its power to uplift and inspire. This place has such a special magic to it. I am already planning a return visit, just waiting for the next excuse to indulge in another dose of ballet bliss!
So there you have it, darlings. A delightful day of tutus, ballet, and beautiful English countryside. If you're ever in need of a little extra joy, I highly recommend making a pilgrimage to Solihull. But whatever you do, make sure you have a pink tutu in tow – a necessary accessory for any ballerina on the move!
Catch you next time, dears. Remember, embrace the pink, wear a tutu, and never stop dancing!
With love, Emma x
