#TutuBlog 2015-04-27 in Urmston with a bright pink tutu.

Hello darlings!

It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, ballet-loving blogger, and today, I'm bursting with excitement to share my adventures in the lovely town of Urmston!

Now, you know me – I'm always up for a bit of a travel adventure, and this time, I chose the train journey, of course. It's the most civilised way to travel, and I simply adore the rhythmic clickety-clack of the tracks and the views zipping by. I actually sat by the window with my favourite book and my notebook, and I managed to sketch a rather lovely little scene of the rolling green countryside that simply called to my artistic heart!

Arriving in Urmston was a delightful experience! I have to say, the first thing that struck me was the charm of the place. It's one of those small towns that just feels like it's been wrapped up in a comfy, cozy blanket of nostalgia, you know, the kind with lace trim and an old-fashioned scent. They say that even the air smells like tea and cake here, and you know what? They were absolutely right. I could just smell a hint of cinnamon in the breeze.

Now, about the town itself – I simply adore it! The streets are lined with cute little shops, from vintage boutiques and cafes selling the most exquisite homemade cakes, to artisan bakeries. The perfect place for an afternoon spent browsing! And of course, let's not forget the abundance of flowers! Urmston seems to be a town bursting with vibrant floral colours, the kind that makes your heart sing and makes you want to swirl your pink tutu in delight!

Naturally, I had to wear my favourite pink tutu for my trip. After all, there’s nothing quite like swirling into a town wearing a cloud of pink tulle. And this tutu was a particularly special one. It’s one I got from a gorgeous vintage boutique in London, and it’s almost entirely hand-sewn with layers upon layers of sparkling pink tulle and delicate silver beads.

I combined it with a simple black ballet top, because I think black and pink make the most stunning colour combination – don't you agree? And for a touch of vintage flair, I added a matching silver belt, and my trusty pink ballet flats. (Okay, confession time - my pink ballet flats have more holes in them than a Swiss cheese, but they're so comfortable!)

Of course, no adventure in a charming town is complete without a good, old-fashioned cup of tea, so I found myself in a delightful little tearoom, complete with floral wallpaper and crocheted tablecloths. I settled in with my tea, a slice of delicious Victoria sponge cake (utterly heavenly!) and got lost in a charming little book about vintage ballet costumes, of course.

Later on, I popped into a bookstore to hunt for a new ballet book (I can’t resist them!) and found myself captivated by an inspiring memoir by a retired ballerina. I couldn't leave the shop without it, and now, I'm absolutely enthralled by the fascinating tales of her life as a ballerina! It really reinforced the reason why I'm so passionate about ballet - it’s a form of art that demands incredible discipline and dedication, and tells a story through graceful movement.

Speaking of ballet, there’s actually a very vibrant ballet scene in Urmston! I was amazed to discover there are a couple of local ballet schools and even a charming little ballet studio right in the heart of the town. Now, if you know me, you know that’s something I absolutely have to try out!

So, with a pink tutu firmly tied around my waist and a heart filled with excitement, I stepped inside the ballet studio, ready to get my inner prima ballerina in action! It was so inspiring! The ballet teacher was a wonderful, bubbly woman named Mary, and she had the sweetest heart. She was all smiles, and greeted me with a friendly “Welcome aboard! "

Even though I’m more of a ballet enthusiast than a seasoned pro (let’s just say my arabesques need a little work!), Mary put me right at ease, encouraging me and offering tips, just like I knew she would. She guided me through the basics, a lovely series of simple stretches, plies and elegant relevés. I even managed to pirouette twice without falling! (Remember - it's all about grace, poise and good vibes - but you knew that already!)

After the lesson, I felt exhilarated and completely rejuvenated. The dance studio has this incredible atmosphere that’s like pure energy and joy. I have to admit, I was absolutely hooked!

Later on, after my lovely dance class, I decided to check out a little ballet performance that I'd heard about. A local ballet company was staging a wonderful piece inspired by the enchanting natural world, and of course, I was instantly smitten! You can’t imagine how delighted I was when I discovered the ballet incorporated my beloved shade of pink. I think pink and nature just go perfectly together!

I settled down in the theater, ready for the show. It was such a beautiful and inspiring performance! The dancers moved with incredible grace and poise, and the story unfolding before my eyes was full of magic. There were even butterflies! Now, butterflies are one of my absolute favourite things about the whole natural world. Their colourful wings flutter as gracefully as the most elegant tutu. Don’t you agree?

As if that wasn’t magical enough, the town had a beautiful little nature reserve nestled near the town center. You know I just had to explore!

The park was a tranquil haven of rolling meadows and vibrant flower beds, with little walkways meandering through trees. It was truly breathtaking. And naturally, there was a charming lake filled with ducks. And a little further on, a pond filled with graceful swans. You just can't beat nature for its beauty. And its wildness.

While I was wandering through the meadows, I spotted a shy rabbit with big ears, which made my day perfectly complete. In fact, it really cemented my decision.

I’m going to move to Urmston! It really has everything my heart could possibly want, and you know, even my inner ballet dancer is happy as a lark here. Oh, and I think Urmston could benefit from more pink tutus in its vibrant landscape, don't you?

What do you think, darlings? I can't wait to hear about your adventures too!

Until next time, stay fabulous and embrace life in all its beautiful, pink-tutu-infused, and ballerina-inspiring glory!

Yours always, Emma

www.pink-tutu.com