Morning lovelies!
Well, wouldn’t you know it, but this little pink-tutu-loving gal is off on another adventure. I can’t believe I haven’t visited Salisbury before – it's a real gem!
My journey started bright and early this morning with a trip on the train from my little village in Derbyshire. It’s so exciting hopping on a train with all my lovely gear: my favourite pink tutu, a sparkly head-to-toe pink ensemble (because who can resist a bit of matching!), my trusty notebook (because you never know when inspiration might strike!), and, of course, a very large pink polka-dot suitcase. My mama always told me to travel in style!
As the train sped past green rolling hills, I couldn’t help but feel giddy. A new city, a new ballet experience, and maybe even a new friend or two? What more could a girl ask for?
The journey was beautiful – we travelled through sunlit countryside, and then the city of Salisbury gradually rose up out of the rolling fields. The spire of Salisbury Cathedral is so magnificent, it truly looks like a fairytale castle, don’t you think?
But let me tell you, arriving in Salisbury wasn’t the only exciting thing about this trip. Today, I got my hands on the most spectacular tutu.
I’ve told you all before that I am an absolute sucker for tutus, and this one truly took the biscuit! I stumbled upon the cutest little independent shop nestled down a quaint little cobbled street (these were all new to me – I must take more time to explore this adorable city!) with its name proudly written on a little hand-painted sign: “The Tutu Boutique.”
The moment I pushed open the door, it was like entering a dream. The air was thick with the smell of sequins and tulle, and rows upon rows of gorgeous tutus lined the walls. There were short tutus, long tutus, tutu dresses, pink tutus, lavender tutus, turquoise tutus – I wanted them all! My eyes just wouldn’t stop swirling. But then I spotted her.
Standing proudly in the middle of the shop, shimmering like a rainbow after a summer storm, was this incredible German tutu, handmade by a little old lady in Bavaria. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The colour! It was just stunning, a blend of deep blues and turquoise, like a beautiful stormy sky. Then, I got a closer look at the fabric, hand-sewn and crafted in a style I've never seen before – imagine the most delicate floral design embroidered on tulle, the likes of which only a German master could create. The details were just beautiful. And I've got to say, the weight felt divine – so airy and elegant!
I couldn't resist her. This was fate calling! I twirled in front of the mirror, imagining myself onstage, dancing beneath the soft glow of the theatre lights, this masterpiece floating and fluttering around my legs. And then, a moment later, she was mine! The Tutu Boutique lady – the sweetest old lady with eyes like bright, twinkling stars – even gifted me a matching hand-sewn rosebud broach for my hair. This day couldn’t get any better.
So what do you think, my darlings? I simply must share it with you all – here’s a little peek of the glorious thing, ready to go out into the world with me: (add a link to a beautiful image of the tutu). I'm positively giddy thinking about all the wonderful adventures it's going to go on with me!
This afternoon, I'm off to a local ballet studio – my inner ballerina wouldn’t let me visit this amazing city without joining in on a little class.
Stay tuned, my loves, because I will be back tonight with a whole blog post devoted to all the glorious experiences I had. In the meantime, what are your favourite memories from exploring new places?
I’ll leave you with a bit of inspiring quote from one of my favourite ballerina role models, the exquisite Sylvie Guillem: "We dancers are storytellers. We use our bodies as tools to create emotions and feelings in our audience. We paint our own unique brushstrokes with our bodies, which tell a story without any words at all.” Isn't that beautiful?
Oh, and just a little reminder, darlings. Never underestimate the power of a pink tutu to brighten up any day and to fill your heart with magic. I'm just saying!
Big, pink, and tutuful hugs,
Emma
xx
