Hello my gorgeous pink-loving ballerinas! It's Emma here, writing to you from a rather delightful train carriage. My journey today takes me to the quaint town of Bicester, Oxfordshire, and I am brimming with excitement!
It all started with a little dream, a twirling, feather-light vision. A vision of myself performing in a new, fabulous, custom-designed tutu, the colour of the sweetest cotton candy, in a beautiful theatre, maybe with a touch of Art Deco grandeur?
Now, I know what you're thinking. That's an awfully big dream. And yes, it may require a few, very glamorous train journeys and a whole lot of prance-worthy steps to achieve!
This trip to Bicester, you see, is all about the tutus. Not just any tutu, mind you. We're talking the finest tutus. You know, the kind that float and twirl as if they're defying gravity itself, with a splash of pink and a sprinkle of magic. My vision was finally going to become a reality, and Bicester was the stage for it all!
My Derbyshire heart, forever longing for open fields and horse-drawn carriages, took a tiny sigh of delight as the train whisked me past rolling hills and patchwork fields. I could almost picture myself as a dainty ballet dancer, a whimsical flit through the countryside. But for now, my trusty leather satchel and I, armed with my notepad (for those precious thoughts and dance moves!), were heading to Bicester.
Reaching my destination, I stepped off the train and into a world of cobbled streets and quaint shops. This lovely little town felt like it was plucked straight from a fairytale – a haven of charming tea shops, antique boutiques and an atmosphere as delicate as a ballerina's first step. The air hummed with a gentle, enchanting energy, which I quickly decided was perfect for indulging my inner tutu-loving self!
I marched towards "The Dancing Dress" - the renowned shop known for its beautiful collection of tutus, a hidden treasure nestled amidst the charming, rambling Bicester streets. I practically waltzed through the doors, a giddy excitement taking hold. My heart beat a little faster, and for a brief moment, I was back on the dance floor, with a flurry of pink tutus whirling around me.
"Welcome! Welcome!," the lovely owner, a woman named Felicity, greeted me with a warmth that could melt even the most stubborn stage fright. Felicity, a seasoned ballerina herself, knows all the right words for a girl with a head full of pirouettes and a heart full of twirls. She gave me a twinkle in her eye and promised me the time of my life!
And oh my, it was true! From the moment I entered, the room felt like a magical space. It was like entering the world of a thousand tutus – shimmering fabrics of every shade imaginable. It was quite literally a tutu heaven! Every inch of space was brimming with layers of delicate tulle and the most beautiful creations imaginable. Felicity herself felt like an enchantress, weaving through the space with an elegant air. It was like stepping into a ballet fantasy, only even more glorious than I'd imagined.
I was speechless. I looked around, a ballerina in awe, drinking in the spectacle. Felicity started pulling out the finest tutus – whimsical ones, dramatic ones, everything a ballet dancer's heart could ever desire. But I was searching for a special one. My tutu, the pink tutu that would define my Bicester journey and forever etch itself into my ballet heart.
Felicity seemed to sense my deep longing. "Come with me, dear," she whispered with a knowing smile.
And then it happened. My eyes, drawn by a whisper of pink and shimmering with a soft sheen, met its gaze. The pink tutu, perfect in every way. The color was like a soft sunset cloud, each layer of tulle shimmering with a faint blush.
It was my very own ballerina fantasy come alive. The feeling of twirling and twirling was already taking hold as I felt the weight of the delicate material, so soft and graceful. It was a tutu of dreams, a princess in a world of pinks.
Felicity had never seen me move with so much delight. I thanked her for the extraordinary experience with a hug and a flurry of twirls, a gesture that was truly from the heart. This special tutu, I knew, was a masterpiece, crafted with the greatest of care and the most enchanting details.
As I carried my pink tutu out of the shop, a delicate feather of tulle caressing my cheek, the setting sun painting the Bicester sky in fiery orange, I realised this journey was more than just about acquiring the perfect tutu. It was about embracing the beauty and wonder of it all, a whirlwind of creativity, and a dance of pure, pink bliss.
This adventure is far from over. There's a show at the local theatre tomorrow night, with its Art Deco splendor waiting to welcome me, to provide a fitting stage for this magnificent tutu. My steps are light and my heart full. It's the kind of joy that makes a ballet dancer twirl with delight, a feeling that's even better than a perfect plie.
Until then, keep twirling and keep shining, my darling dancers!
And don't forget – every girl can be a ballerina, no matter your age or your size. So, put on a pink tutu and show the world your inner beauty, your inner ballerina!
Love, Emma 🩰💖
