Hello my darlings! It's Emma, and today's post is all about a recent trip to the wonderful, vibrant town of Paisley in Scotland. Paisley, as many of you know, is famous for its beautiful architecture, its fascinating history, and yes, its connection to that lovely little piece of fabric known as the paisley pattern! And trust me, a pink tutu just screams paisley vibes!
I made the journey up north in style, naturally - on the train! I adore travelling by train, watching the scenery whisk past my window as I sip on a cuppa and lose myself in a good book. It's a lovely way to feel like you're stepping back in time and connecting with a slower pace. It's especially romantic if you happen to be travelling with your very own Prince Charming!
I'd be lying if I said I hadn't dressed the part for my trip. Now, I know some of you think I'm a bit 'extra' with my outfits, but let's face it, what's life without a little extra sparkle? I decided to don my new pink tutu (it's got a slight rainbow effect - can you say, 'extra sparkly'?) and paired it with a crisp white blouse, and my trusty pink boots with a comfy but fashionable wedge heel. The look, as you can imagine, was a total hit with all the fellow train passengers! You should have seen the smiles on their faces. They all seemed so delighted by my fabulous, fluffy ensemble.
My first stop was the Abbey, a majestic building with incredible history woven into its very walls. The abbey's architecture was a true feast for the eyes - a kaleidoscope of history and intricate detail that made me feel like I was in a fairytale. Honestly, I felt like I had wandered onto the set of a Disney movie! And what better place to pirouette a bit, wouldn't you agree? I felt inspired to add some moves to my usual walk around the site, you know, just to get that fabulous energy flowing. I even struck a pose in front of the abbey gate, which looked absolutely divine in my pink tutu.
After exploring the abbey, I indulged in some retail therapy at a delightful vintage shop called 'The Paisley Princess'. It was like stepping into a time capsule! They had an amazing collection of clothing, jewelry, and all kinds of gorgeous vintage trinkets, some dating back decades. It was like rummaging through a forgotten treasure chest! The shop itself is quite small, crammed full of lovely, mismatched vintage furniture and the owner is lovely, wearing a quirky beret and chunky glasses, she looks just like the kind of person you'd see in an Agatha Christie novel! I left with a beautiful hand-knitted wool cardigan and a pair of sparkly hair clips with a charming flamingo design. I just couldn't resist those.
A trip to Paisley wouldn't be complete without experiencing the ‘Thread Story’ exhibition at Paisley Museum. This museum celebrates the long history of thread and textile in the town and beyond! It tells the fascinating story of thread's journey from ancient times to present day - it's quite a journey! And as a huge fan of tutus and everything fluffy and twirly, the textile exhibit was fascinating, giving a glimpse of how thread is woven into everything around us, from fashion to technology, from simple clothing to incredible works of art!
Speaking of thread, Paisley is famous for its intricate ‘Paisley pattern’. It’s beautiful - like swirls of delicate art with roots that go back centuries. And this town has an incredible heritage of weaving and fashion. This has just inspired me to make a trip to ‘The Wee White Shop’ (who can resist a shop with a name like that?!), it’s a treasure trove of all things yarn! There is a huge selection of yarn and wool, all beautifully displayed - a treat for my eyes. And I think I might be creating some new pieces in my pink and fluffy world…watch this space for future tutu designs.
While wandering around the charming streets of Paisley, I stumbled upon the cutest little café, tucked away on a side street. I popped in for a bite to eat and a cup of tea - you can’t go anywhere in the UK without having a proper cuppa! It was beautifully decorated with vintage china, fairy lights and fresh flowers, I think it may have been my favorite cafe ever, ever! It was such a sweet little place and made me feel like I was on a picnic, but without the wind in my hair! And what's a good day trip without a bit of deliciousness? The cake was divine, especially the ‘Victoria sponge’ and a fluffy pastry filled with something called 'cranachan', a classic Scottish delight. The baker had added little raspberry designs on the top making them a true work of art!
I think every trip needs an element of wildlife watching, so I ventured into the enchanting surroundings of the 'Gleniffer Braes'. I loved strolling through the park. The peace and quiet, watching birds darting through the branches, it truly felt like I was far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I found myself admiring the intricate patterns of flowers, a kaleidoscope of colour and form, the sheer variety of colours and designs was incredible, like nature’s own tapestry.
So that was my day in Paisley. The charming town of Paisley has given me much inspiration, and it will go down as one of my favourite day trips ever. I must confess I found myself looking at my own outfit, and feeling pretty confident I may have influenced people in my unique style of tutus, because there were quite a few outfits with an extra 'twirl'. I’m not sure how the people who usually wear beige would take to the bright pink and sparkle but you never know… As usual, I left with a new collection of pictures, a new inspiration for my designs and a few lovely trinkets that made my pink-tutu-loving heart very happy.
Do you love tutus? Would you love to try out ballet? What did you think of the paisley pattern?
Head over to www.pink-tutu.com and tell me your stories! I’d love to hear them. And don't forget, I post daily so check in every day for my latest fashion and ballet adventures!
Lots of love and sparkly wishes, Emma xx
