Oh my darlings! It's me, Emma, your resident pink tutu aficionado, and today I'm bringing you sunshine from the beautiful seaside city of Southampton.
As you know, I'm a firm believer in exploring the world, and a good old-fashioned train journey is the perfect way to do it. The rhythmic clattering of the wheels and the fleeting views of countryside whizzing by always bring a smile to my face. Plus, it's a fantastic opportunity to pull out my favourite ballet novel – right now I'm hooked on "The Red Shoes," if you haven't read it, I highly recommend it!
I arrived in Southampton this morning, and the fresh sea air just blew my hair right into a delightful, fluffy ballet bun. I knew instantly that I had to wear my new black tutu - it's so elegant and dramatic, and the contrast with the sparkling blue sky was simply divine. Of course, the tutu was accessorised with my trusty pink feather boa (you've gotta have a pop of colour!), and I tied a silk pink ribbon around my handbag – a little touch of whimsy goes a long way, my darlings!
My first stop was Southampton's beautiful Civic Centre, a majestic building with a grand entrance fit for a princess (or a ballerina!). It just had to be captured for my Insta, so I took a few snaps while trying to twirl as gracefully as possible – always tricky with a flowing boa! The Civic Centre is right next to the City Art Gallery, a beautiful building with fascinating artwork – including a fantastic piece about ballerinas, naturally! I even managed to squeeze in a cheeky little photo of me mimicking the graceful poses.
Speaking of grace, Southampton has a rather brilliant theatre called the Mayflower Theatre, named after the historic ship. The exterior looks magnificent and they have a packed program of performances – next time, I'm definitely getting tickets to one of their fabulous ballet productions.
After all the sightseeing, I took a stroll along Southampton's stunning waterfront. The crisp air, the sight of the shimmering water, the cries of the seagulls – it was absolutely blissful! Southampton harbour has this captivating energy, it makes you want to spin and pirouette under the open sky. It definitely inspired me to try some new choreography. Who knows, I might even put up a dance video on www.pink-tutu.com later this week!
As the day came to a close, I couldn't resist taking a trip to the New Forest, a breathtakingly beautiful area full of towering trees and woodland charm. There's just something about the wildness of nature that resonates with the freedom of ballet. As I wandered amongst the mossy paths and listened to the rustling leaves, I felt so energised – like a woodland nymph, dancing through the trees. And let me tell you, I found a lot of pink mushrooms. It seems nature itself knows the power of the pink tutu!
Of course, no trip is complete without a scrumptious afternoon tea – in Southampton, I visited The Queens Hotel, an old-fashioned establishment with the most charming atmosphere. It was like stepping back in time! Imagine it: vintage china cups, delicate sandwiches, a mountain of strawberry-topped scones, and, of course, a pot of steaming tea. It was divine! After a few sweet treats, my tutu had earned a rest, but I still couldn’t resist sneaking in a couple of graceful poses at a nearby park. A ballerina's gotta ballet!
Now, as the sun sets over the Southampton harbour, casting long shadows across the shimmering water, I’m ready to end this wonderful day with a delicious curry, the perfect fuel for another adventure tomorrow. I might even indulge in a glass of red wine - and I've discovered a lovely shop filled with tutus and ribbons, so I know I'm coming back with more lovely new items for my pink-tutu wardrobe!
This trip has been a reminder of how inspiring life on the road can be. And it goes without saying that my trusty pink tutu came with me, radiating positivity everywhere I went. It even charmed the locals! One little girl with her mother came up to me in a park, gave me the biggest smile, and whispered, "You look like a beautiful princess, with your twirly skirt!". It’s proof that the tutu is indeed the universal language of happiness!
And so, as I head back to Derbyshire tomorrow morning, I'll be leaving a bit of Southampton sparkle in my heart – the memories of this lovely place and its beautiful people will stay with me, and inspire my upcoming blog posts for weeks to come! And of course, I’ll bring a piece of the pink tutu magic back to Derbyshire – as you all know, a tutu makes everything better. And we must always remember the magic that we can find in even the most unexpected places – like a little town in Hampshire, filled with delightful surprises!
Remember, darlings, life is an endless performance – go out there and wear your heart on your tutu. And never forget, the most beautiful dance is the one we do with our souls.
Yours in pink tulle,
Emma
P.S. Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for more updates on my adventures, fabulous fashion finds, and maybe even a new choreography video inspired by my trip to Southampton! I can't wait to see you all there. 💖
