Hello my darling tutus! It's Emma here, bringing you the latest from my ballet-filled life. Today's adventure? Burton upon Trent! The historic heart of brewing, but for me, it was all about the tutus and the ballet, of course!
As a Derbyshire girl, I love nothing more than exploring our lovely county, and hopping on a train (or a trusty horse, if the journey's not too long!) is my favourite way to do it. This time, it was a whistlestop visit to Burton, just a quick journey from my home town. The railway station was such a beautiful Victorian building, and the little tea room just outside was like stepping back in time - perfect for a cheeky scone before I hit the town!
Speaking of tutus, I had a delightful dilemma this morning - which tutu to wear? I debated between my vibrant, sunshine yellow tutu (perfect for a summer day!) and a delicate, vintage-inspired cream lace tutu with the sweetest floral embellishments. I finally decided to go bold and wear a gorgeous hot pink number, perfectly matching the colour of my little handbag and the dainty pink roses I had in my hair. I felt like a ballerina straight out of a storybook, and believe me, when you feel confident in your tutu, the day feels brighter!
My first stop? The Brewhouse, Burton upon Trent's fantastic theatre! This Victorian beauty is one of the finest examples of an industrial building turned arts space I've ever seen, and the foyer is stunning - a true architectural marvel. The lovely receptionist (who, of course, looked fantastic in a ballet-inspired floral dress, thank you very much!) told me about their upcoming ballet season, and I just had to snag tickets for their "Giselle" performance in October. I just adore the classic ballets - there's something truly magical about them, isn't there?
After a quick peek at their exhibition, showcasing some of Burton's brewing history, it was off to explore the town itself. A little side street led me to the most delightful, whimsical independent shops! From charming cafes serving the most delicious scones and cream, to little vintage clothing stores bursting with tutus (oh yes!), and beautiful handmade jewelry, I could have spent hours browsing. And the best bit? Everyone was so friendly! I met the sweetest lady at the antique store, who told me about the incredible history of Burton upon Trent, and even shared a story about her time dancing ballet in the 60s. What a truly inspirational woman!
No trip to Burton would be complete without a stop at one of its famous breweries. So, I took a quick detour to the "Bass" brewery, famous for its heritage and connection to the town. Now, I'm not exactly a beer aficionado, but the imposing red brick building, with its ornate, old-fashioned sign, was absolutely stunning, a true landmark in the heart of Burton. And the sight of all those enormous vats of brewing beer just makes me think of giant ballerina tutus, full and flowing! Isn't it funny how the most unexpected things can spark our imagination?
The rest of the day was a blur of vintage shopping, discovering delightful street art, and enjoying the beautiful, riverside walk - such a perfect escape! As the afternoon faded, I found a bench beside a quaint canal bridge, took out my notebook, and scribbled down all the ideas for my next tutu creations that popped into my head.
But of course, no tutu-ful day would be complete without a ballet class, and I was lucky enough to find a delightful ballet school right in the heart of Burton. Their lovely studio was small but cosy, and their warm, welcoming vibe reminded me of my old dance studio in Derby. I had the best class with a talented instructor, who was also a fellow tutu enthusiast! We were both excited to share stories about our favourite ballerinas and our upcoming performances. The lesson flew by, and before I knew it, I was leaving the studio, feeling revitalized and inspired!
On my way back to the train station, I caught a glimpse of the glorious sunset, painting the sky with breathtaking shades of pink and orange. I can't think of a better way to end a day of ballet, beauty, and memories than a gorgeous sunset.
And guess what? My day just kept getting more perfect. On the train home, I met a delightful woman who was wearing a vintage tutu and told me about her upcoming performance at the Royal Opera House. What an inspiration! We talked about our shared love for ballet, the thrill of performing, and the joy of dressing up in the most magnificent, flowing tutus. It's amazing how often life throws those incredible surprises your way when you're embracing the magic of ballet and wearing your favourite tutu, wouldn't you say?
Well, my darlings, that was my day in Burton upon Trent! I hope it has inspired you to grab your pinkest tutu, hop on a train (or your favourite steed!), and embark on a little ballet-inspired adventure of your own.
Remember, darling, it's not about where you go, but how you embrace it! Embrace your love for ballet, embrace your tutu, and most importantly, embrace your joy for life!
Until next time,
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
