Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, fresh from a whirlwind weekend in the beautiful spa town of Harrogate. You guys know my love for travel, and combining that with ballet is my ultimate joy! And this trip? Well, it was positively pink-tastic.
I hopped on the train from Derbyshire - yes, the train! Such a lovely way to travel, you get to watch the countryside whizz by and enjoy a proper cuppa with a scone, all while the world goes by.
Speaking of which, wouldn't it be delightful if we could bring a little bit of the countryside into the city? I was inspired this weekend by the fields of pink wildflowers that greeted me at Harrogate Station. I've already got my team working on a brand new pink tutu with a wildflower print - just wait till you see it!
Anyway, back to my adventure. Harrogate is bursting with charm, and it turns out, it's absolutely brimming with ballet-loving folks! The whole town felt like one big, beautiful tutu party, honestly!
First up was a visit to the Harrogate Theatre. They're actually holding a special ballet season, with three weeks dedicated to showcasing amazing local dancers! Now, I can't share too much about it just yet - you'll have to read all about it next week, darling! But I'm telling you, this show was the definition of 'elegance' with all the right sparkles and a plot that melted my heart. You'll want to get tickets now!
After the show, a little birdie (don't worry, it wasn't one of the ballerinas - but it might as well have been!) told me about a beautiful ballet class at the Harrogate Ballet School. I just had to join in, right?
Well, this class, my lovelies, was magic. The teacher was an absolute sweetie and reminded me so much of my dear Grandma Agnes - same bubbly energy and the loveliest of smiles. We were dancing to the most wonderful music, everything from Tchaikovsky to The Beatles.
And yes, of course, I rocked my favourite pink tutu! It twirled perfectly as we were taught some lovely graceful movements, all about feeling the flow and elegance of ballet. It wasn't all serious though, we had a few good giggles too, who wouldn't with a group of fellow tutu lovers?
One thing that struck me in Harrogate was the sense of community. Everyone was so kind, from the café staff serving up the most delicious, light-as-air pancakes (which of course, inspired me to whip up my own Pancake Tutu costume... it was a sensation!) to the lady in the local bookstore who, without fail, remembered me from last year's visit! I felt right at home!
Later, as the afternoon sun began to paint the sky in the most gorgeous shades of orange and pink (how's that for an impromptu colour scheme for my next tutu collection?!), I found myself exploring the Harrogate Valley Gardens. This place was a total paradise! The smells of fresh roses filled the air and, the beautiful flowers, with their intricate details, reminded me of the tiny jewels sewn onto my own tutus!
It wasn't all about twirls and floral beauty, though. I managed to sneak in some proper wildlife-spotting too, something that always keeps me grounded! Spotting a pair of majestic deer grazing near the river, all bathed in the warm sunset light, really took my breath away. The beauty of nature, isn't it simply stunning?
The weekend came to an end all too soon. As I waved goodbye to the rolling hills, my mind was brimming with new ideas. I had so many happy thoughts about my trip, and now I'm back in Derbyshire with a head full of inspiration.
I’ve realised the most important lesson of this trip: it’s not about just wearing a tutu, it’s about finding those moments of joy, beauty, and connection. It's about being kind, about appreciating the natural world around us, and most importantly, embracing the magic in every day!
So, how can you find a little bit of ballet magic in your life? You know I believe everyone can find their own inner tutu dancer. Why not sign up for a class, try on a pink tutu and dance around your living room, or even simply enjoy a graceful moment of silence with a cuppa and a good book?
Whatever your own ballet journey, remember this: a pink tutu and a twinkle in your eye can take you anywhere. And just like me, you can find magic waiting in every corner of the world.
Until next time, darling, keep twirling!
Love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
