Hey everyone! It's Emma here, and guess what? This week, I'm taking you with me on a truly special journey! Today, I’m venturing out of the Derbyshire hills for a proper girly adventure, complete with a sprinkle of feathers and, of course, my favourite pink tutu.
Today's destination? Mitcham, Surrey, home to the renowned Royal Ballet School. It's not just a prestigious ballet institution, but it also has a super lovely old village full of charming cobbled streets and quaint tea shops, just waiting for me to explore! I mean, who wouldn't love to combine a ballet adventure with a spot of delightful countryside charm, all while rocking my feather tutu?
And guess what I decided to do today? That’s right, a ballet class! But not just any class, I’m going to a ‘Beginner’s Ballet for Adults’ at a local dance studio in Mitcham. Yes, it might be my job to stay on top of my own training, but you know me - I’m a huge advocate for getting everyone moving and feeling amazing, even if they've never even tiptoed across a dance floor!
You see, there's something absolutely magical about the combination of a pink tutu, a feather boa (okay, I admit, it’s definitely overkill, but who cares when it's this much fun?) and the sound of the music, starting with the gentle piano chords and then moving into a beautiful, melodic melody. It makes me feel like a princess – okay, maybe a very adventurous princess – embarking on a fantastical journey.
And yes, it’s a real adventure to hop onto the train from Derby to London, then to head further out to the countryside. Honestly, there’s no better feeling than looking out of the train window as the lush green hills, sprawling fields, and charming towns whisk by, each a blur of color and a reminder of just how incredible our world is.
Of course, my pink feather tutu, which I affectionately nicknamed 'The Fuchsia Fantasia' (yes, I know, I need to work on my name-choosing skills, but what can I say, it fits!) had me feeling confident and ready for a ballet class that promised to be full of laughter and learning. After all, what could possibly be more uplifting than feeling like a ballerina princess in the middle of a quiet town, the wind softly caressing the feathers of my tutu and a bright pink smile lighting up my face?
It felt like I was about to become the star of my very own little show, right there in the middle of Mitcham. I actually stopped for a little photoshoot outside the studio, twirling like the prima ballerina I imagined myself to be. There was a group of adorable ladies taking their daily walk in the sun, they even stopped to clap and cheer me on. Such encouragement from local, charming residents was definitely the highlight of my pre-ballet photoshoot. They've earned themselves a little pink tutu emoji for being so wonderfully sweet!
The studio, I have to say, was delightful! And my fellow classmates were fantastic. Honestly, the energy in that room was electric. It was filled with laughter, enthusiasm, and the joyful sounds of ballet steps - the light "tap-tap" of feet on the floor and the graceful "swish" of our skirts as we turned and moved through the exercises. Everyone was so supportive, and I was actually inspired by their dedication. It’s not about being perfect or having the best technique. It’s about moving your body, finding joy in the music and expressing yourself creatively. That, my friends, is the magic of ballet!
We laughed and sweated, practiced our pliés and pirouettes, and felt the thrill of stretching our muscles, building strength, and gracefully gliding across the studio. By the end of the class, my heart was singing and my body was humming with happiness! I definitely went out and bought myself a proper British breakfast - I can't think of a better way to end a day of dancing.
What makes this place so amazing, you ask? It’s not just the dance itself - it's about the entire atmosphere. Mitcham is brimming with a charm that’s hard to describe but incredibly captivating. You can really sense the local community spirit, with residents going about their day, welcoming each other with a smile. You know, it really does make you feel like you're part of something bigger than just a class, or a single moment in time. You feel like you’re woven into the very fabric of this charming little town, which for someone like me, always looking for a sense of belonging, was deeply rewarding.
Speaking of fabric, the charming little boutique shop I stopped by earlier on had some absolutely amazing fabric samples. I just had to take a photo of a deep blue and white floral printed fabric - I’ve been dying to create another new tutu for a while.
I can't even begin to tell you about the delicious cupcake I had from a little local bakery - you know, the ones with the delicious, sugary smell lingering in the air that makes you instantly happy? My cupcake was a delicious and delightfully vibrant raspberry-coconut number, decorated with delicate white frosting. I decided that every trip to Mitcham must include a sweet treat.
I actually bumped into an adorable old couple by the church, and while we chatted about the charm of the church, I managed to work a small tutu fashion chat into our conversation, inspiring them to try out a local dance class. So, that's one more person (plus a cute, sweet little grandpa) on the "Tutu-ly Fabulous!" train. We gotta keep it going, girls, it’s an unstoppable pink tide of ballerina goodness!
By the end of the day, Mitcham had already become a place I knew I wanted to return to - soon! As the sun was setting over the town, painting the sky in vibrant orange and purple hues, I couldn’t resist a final, feather-filled twirl outside my local café before heading back home. The warmth of the day was replaced by a lovely cool evening air.
For me, there’s no feeling quite like being surrounded by nature and feeling a strong sense of connection with a place - Mitcham managed to do just that!
You know, one of the things I'm most grateful for is having a passion for ballet that constantly inspires me to go out, to explore and to share my love of dance with anyone willing to listen, whether they've been doing it for years or if they've just taken their first tentative step. That’s what makes ballet so incredibly magical and so accessible to everyone.
So, what’s my next dance destination? Stay tuned to pink-tutu.com, as my adventures in tutus continue... I'm always searching for new dance studios, charming places to explore and delicious cakes, of course. It’s the whole package! I’m all about embracing life, sharing my love of ballet with everyone I meet, and most importantly, reminding everyone that it’s never too late to try something new and find your inner ballerina.
Oh, and remember to be bold and adventurous and wear a pink tutu! Don't forget to join me on this journey at pink-tutu.com. See you next time, loves!
(Remember to comment on today’s blog on pink-tutu.com and tell me what you’d love to see on my next dance adventure!)
