Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, back from another whirlwind ballet adventure, this time all the way in Paisley, Scotland! (Just think, all the way up north from my little Derbyshire home!) This is a proper "on the go" post, so apologies for any slightly jumbled thoughts! You know me, though, always on the move, always with a smile on my face, especially when I'm surrounded by all things ballet, and even better when I get to wear my favourite fluffy pink tutu!
Now, if you've been following my blog for a while you'll know my love for train travel is second only to my love for pink tutus (a difficult choice, I know!). The journey was absolutely glorious – countryside whizzing past my window, and oh, those lovely fields full of wildflowers. Honestly, they almost had me reminiscing about those lovely springtime fields back home in Derbyshire – and I even spotted a deer! I was practically mesmerized, until the kindly conductor woke me up with a hot cup of tea and a biscuit! Proper British politeness, eh?
I actually planned this little escapade just so I could see the Royal Scottish Ballet perform their latest show, “The Enchanted Forest.” It sounded like an absolute dream come true! You know me, absolutely obsessed with all things magical, fairies, the whole lot! (Remember those ballerina-themed tea parties I used to throw with all the girls back at school? Those were legendary!) Well, this show didn't disappoint! The costumes were simply spectacular! Seriously, you guys wouldn’t believe the incredible amount of sparkles and layers! They used actual foliage and vines woven into the costumes too, which felt so natural and magical, especially when the lights flickered on and off to make the costumes shimmer.
And the dancing! Oh my word! Just pure joy and elegance. It made me wish I could magically transport myself back to my childhood when I'd twirl around the living room, wearing my tutu (and my mum’s old pearls! I mean, how else would I practice my “Swan Lake” performance in our little Derbyshire living room?!)
After the show, I felt that wonderful buzzing energy you get after a perfect ballet performance, so of course, I decided to head straight to the local dance school. Luckily, it was close by – so I actually had the time to pop into one of those local tea rooms on the way. It was like stepping into a cosy fairy tale! (Who needs “Alice in Wonderland” when you’ve got adorable tea shops serving pink finger sandwiches and fluffy cakes? ) They even had these delightful little teacups painted with pink butterflies. I definitely got my afternoon tea photo, of course, and shared it on Instagram (and I definitely did tag “#tutusofinstagram,” because you guys already know it’s my duty as a pink-tutu-loving ballet aficionado! It just felt wrong to visit Paisley and NOT get a little whimsical.)
After my delicious (and completely necessary!) tea, I hit up the dance studio. I absolutely adore the joy of seeing how diverse and passionate dancers can be across the globe! The class was just lovely! The atmosphere was so relaxed, with all these incredibly talented dancers – they truly gave it their all! The instructor was just divine, a true inspiration. She had the warmest smile, the most delicate touch, and somehow she just managed to pull every little nuance and emotion out of these dancers, it was magical! We even had a fun little "Pink Tutu Party" to celebrate a young girl's birthday – a wonderful reminder that we should all let our inner ballerina shine! Honestly, the girls were so incredibly sweet, I can’t wait to see them all again.
Speaking of inspiring, the highlight of the whole Paisley trip had to be seeing that amazing vintage ballerina collection they have in the museum! Oh my goodness! There was a stunning pink silk tutu, embroidered with delicate silver flowers! I think I nearly fainted! It had been designed by a very well-known fashion designer from back in the day and, get this – it was still perfect after all these years! This amazing old pink silk tutu gave me even more inspiration to chase my own ballet dreams! (You know I always try to mix the old with the new, even when it comes to my style – vintage hats and a bold new pink tutu are definitely my current favourite combo, what can I say? The ballerina must stay fashionable!)
The rest of the day, I spent exploring the lovely little cobblestone streets, stopping at all the local boutiques that carried adorable fluffy pink accessories – even found some gorgeous handcrafted pottery and vintage jewellery, which really adds a touch of sparkle to my travel souvenirs. I was truly living my best ballet-themed fairytale, let me tell you!
As I settled into my cozy hotel room (don’t worry, my tutu is still travelling with me and currently resting upon my suitcase!), I’ve realised that this trip, with all its delightful discoveries, reminds me that ballet and beauty are everywhere. And it doesn’t matter whether you're wearing a fluffy pink tutu, admiring it in a museum, or simply walking along a quaint cobblestone street, enjoying the day. (Don't forget to check out my new YouTube video on how to tie a perfect ballerina bun, perfect for everyday elegance!).
So here’s to more adventures and even more tutus! And as always, I urge all of you – take the leap, wear a pink tutu, join me on this adventure, and find the ballet that sparks a fire in your soul! (Psst…I've got a whole blog post on where to find the most amazing, affordable, and gorgeous pink tutus. Stay tuned for next week!)
Love,
Emma xx
