Hello darlings! It's Emma, your favourite tutu-toting travel blogger, coming at you live from the beautiful town of Solihull. This little corner of the West Midlands is seriously charming, and as you know, I love discovering hidden gems across the UK. So, hop onto my imaginary pink tutu-mobile, we're about to take a whirl through a weekend filled with twirls, train journeys, and all things pink!
It all started on Friday, as I boarded the train from Derbyshire with my trusty companion – a beautiful hand-crafted German tutu. You know me, I can't resist a bit of foreign flair! It's an absolute dream to travel by train; something about watching the countryside whiz past just takes me to another world. This time, however, I had an added bit of magic! I brought my knitting, and you know what I made? A mini pink tutu, complete with miniature sequins for my furry travelling companion – Percy the miniature dachshund! (Don't worry, it was the softest wool you ever did see. He was a real good boy the whole journey!)
Reaching Solihull was like stepping into a storybook! The quaint, cobbled streets lined with shops showcasing all the colours of the rainbow, the gorgeous little parks with the cutest squirrels ever, it's just a pure delight. And I immediately spotted the cutest little vintage boutique – called 'The Pink Ribbon'! I had to dash inside, obviously. Can you even imagine my excitement?! My heart fluttered like a butterfly in flight when I saw their collection of vintage pink ballet shoes and silk tutus – oh, the sparkle! It felt like the entire shop had been designed just for me!
My mission was to find a new pink tutu, and of course, I couldn't resist a new pair of sparkly pink ballet shoes to match! (Who needs sensible footwear, when you can dance in glittery pink heaven? I’ll tell you, NOBODY!).
Saturday morning was all about ballet! You guessed it - I found the most enchanting dance school hidden down a narrow street, called the "Twirling Swans Academy." The teacher, a graceful lady called Mrs. Elara, gave me the warmest welcome you ever did see. I spent the morning doing a quick barre class and, of course, some grand jeté across the beautifully polished wooden floor! You bet I wore my new pink shoes and tutu for the class, much to Mrs. Elara’s delight. We laughed so much as she taught me some new steps and, oh, the fun! (I even took a cheeky peek in the mirror and snapped a selfie for the ‘gram. 💅🩰) It felt wonderful to be surrounded by all those beautiful, talented dancers, young and old, united in the pure joy of dance!
After a fabulous ballet lunch – strawberry and cream, because I'm not normal, and that's OK – it was off to see a local ballet show. The stage was set in the grand, historic Town Hall. Oh, my goodness! The performance was truly captivating; the story was woven through elegant movement and the most gorgeous costumes I have ever seen. It really was an evening of magic. It inspired me so much. It was as if the dancers were soaring on invisible pink clouds - literally dancing on air!
Even better, I chatted to a group of delightful local dancers afterward and we all decided to grab some pink fro-yos and have a little impromptu tutus and tea party. Now that’s a true dance enthusiast’s life for you!
Sunday was all about discovering hidden beauty. Solihull is brimming with gorgeous gardens and secret parks that make your soul happy. So, we set off for a picnic adventure! My beloved Percy, sporting his tiny, hand-knitted tutu, enjoyed the scenic route immensely. He loves exploring and we had to chase him off chasing the ducks in the lake, a real handful that one. (But hey, I love my furry little companion! I’m glad he makes every outing so much more adventurous!)
The perfect ending to my weekend in Solihull? A beautiful sunset stroll across the local bridge with my new sparkly pink ballet shoes gleaming in the dying light. A bit of quiet reflection, a few gentle pirouettes in the stillness, and then a lovely long train journey back home to Derbyshire.
What a weekend! Solihull, you’ve charmed your way into my heart, just like those little vintage pink ballet shoes I bought. You know me – all things pink are right up my alley! It’s truly a town that inspires, that warms you from the inside out with its beauty and the kindness of its people.
I just love discovering these hidden gems tucked away in Britain. It's reminded me why I do this blog: to share my love for ballet, to show everyone that it's never too late to twirl, and to encourage everyone to find their own sparkle, no matter what shape or size.
Stay twirly,
Emma 💖🩰
www.pink-tutu.com
