Hello my darling tutufarians! 👋
Emma here, back from my travels to the wonderful, slightly rainy, slightly windy (but still totally awesome!) town of Blackburn. It feels like ages since my last post - I’ve been a busy bee getting my pirouettes perfect and organising my life like the meticulously organised ballerina that I am. But never fear! My pink tutu adventures are never truly over!
As some of you know, I’m absolutely mad for train travel. The clackety-clack of the wheels, the feeling of the carriage swaying slightly, and the glimpses of passing landscapes never fail to inspire me. I started my trip from Derbyshire, nestled in my comfy carriage seat, already daydreaming about my adventures. My mind was filled with visions of twirling under a starry Blackburn sky, perhaps even spotting a little wildlife… You never know what magic awaits on the railways!
And oh my goodness, my outfit for the journey was simply divine! It started with my gorgeous coral-pink tutu (I found this treasure in a vintage shop in London - talk about a steal!). A little bit of shimmer on the layers adds a touch of glam that takes it from ballerina chic to ‘ready for the evening performance’ extravagance! I paired it with my favourite sparkly white t-shirt - gotta keep those abs nice and toasty. Of course, no outfit is complete without the ultimate ballerina accessories: a chunky pink ballet cardigan, my favourite pair of ballet flats (I simply cannot live without my sparkly flats!) and my pink polka-dotted scarf. A few layers make for a delightful combo for the varying train temperatures. Speaking of scarves, did I mention mine is hand-knitted by my lovely Gran? You see, my love for pink tutus comes straight from the heart - literally!
Blackburn was as bustling as a Swan Lake finale. So many people out and about! It seemed like everyone had popped out to enjoy a bite to eat. Now, you might be wondering why a little pink tutu enthusiast like myself would find her way to Blackburn. I tell you, it's for the ballet, of course! The Blackburn Theatre puts on the most fabulous shows - imagine 'Swan Lake' with stunning costumes, intricate choreography, and even a few hilarious surprises to keep the crowd giggling! The whole town seemed to have put on their dancing shoes for the night!
Speaking of the theatre, have you seen how the interior design of Blackburn Theatre is breathtakingly beautiful? It makes me want to throw on my pink tutu and dance around like a mad ballerina, even if the stage is empty! I did, though, indulge in a little rehearsal session backstage – a quick barre routine, you understand! The old wooden floors are absolutely perfect for a few grand jetés.
Before the show, I popped into a gorgeous tea shop near the theatre – the smell of cakes almost made me do a grand jeté straight into the display! It was simply irresistible – all pink and sparkly and… Oh, did I mention the cakes were almost too pretty to eat? They really lived up to their names, ‘Dreamy Pink Cake’ and ‘Berrylicious Dream’ - what’s not to love?! My favourite thing was definitely the adorable teacups! Tiny pink teacups for my pink tutu! It truly made me feel like I was living in a fairytale!
While the ballet performances always steal the show, there's more to Blackburn than you'd think! For example, did you know that it's home to some pretty stunning Victorian architecture? I found myself admiring the grandeur of the buildings, their intricate details almost like a delicate ballet performance sculpted in stone.
It wasn't all tutus and theatres though. After a quick ballet class, I had the opportunity to visit Blackburn's wonderful parks - a ballet dancer's haven, don't you know! Soaking in the fresh air with a ballet playlist and a delicious pink cupcake - you see, you don't always need to be in a studio or theatre to experience the joy of ballet! My afternoon was dedicated to peaceful reflection in the midst of nature - ballet has always helped me stay calm, especially when life throws a few fouetté turns at me!
Before I knew it, the sun was beginning its ballet of setting over the city. I'm not ashamed to admit that I sat at a café overlooking the bustling town square, sipping on pink lemonade (it's the pinkest lemonade in Blackburn!), lost in my own thoughts. Watching the sun paint the sky in a range of shades was magical, and you know what else is magical? Wearing a pink tutu. It truly adds a dash of wonder to everyday moments!
You guys already know that a love for the pink tutu goes hand in hand with an adoration for wildlife. So of course, I had to squeeze in a visit to the beautiful local wildlife park! The adorable red pandas are so graceful - they could teach us all a thing or two about balance and elegance. The animals are always such a pleasure to see! Their presence reminds me that the world is filled with wonders, each one more enchanting than the last!
Blackburn's really something else! It's full of vibrant energy, beautiful architecture, friendly locals, and delicious food, and don't even get me started on the park - a place I definitely plan to return to for some much-needed ballet practice! But, it wasn't just Blackburn - the whole journey itself was absolutely magical!
I've made it my life's goal to get everyone in a pink tutu - you just can't beat it for adding a touch of glamour and fun to any day! Why not embrace your inner ballerina, embrace a pink tutu and give ballet a try? Who knows, you might even discover a hidden talent you didn't even know you had!
Until my next adventure, tutu much!
Lots of love, Emma xx
