Hey my darlings!
It's Emma here, ready to take you on another exciting adventure! Today's journey takes us away from the cobbled streets of my Derbyshire home and into the heart of Birmingham, specifically the quaint, chocolate-scented town of Bournville! Yes, that's right, Bournville, home to the famous Cadbury factory and the inspiration for my current, delicious-smelling (and admittedly a little messy) pink tulle creation!
Now, I know what you're thinking, "Emma, isn't that a little bit, shall we say, unconventional?" Well, darlings, if you know me, you know that the word "unconventional" is just my middle name! My life motto is to bring a splash of pink tutu magic wherever I go! So, when the chance came up to explore Bournville and, naturally, share my experience with all of you lovely people, it just felt like fate, or perhaps a deliciously crafted chocolate fate!
I decided to honour this chocolatey haven with a bespoke pink tutu made of layers upon layers of the softest tulle, all adorned with the most delicate silver sparkles. Imagine the most exquisite, bubbly, shimmering chocolate milk, captured in fabric form – that’s the vibe I was going for, and let me tell you, it really turned heads! The ladies at the Cadbury World even complimented my tutu and asked if they could use me for a chocolate advert! They were joking, of course (I think?), but wouldn’t it be wonderful to be the face of chocolate in a pink tutu? I can dream!
So, picture this: the sun peeking through the trees, the crisp air buzzing with the chatter of visitors, and me, twirling happily amongst it all. I couldn’t help but imagine all the little girls watching me and seeing a pink tutu not as just a costume but as a symbol of fun, creativity, and joy. Because that’s what ballet is to me! It’s about the freedom to express yourself, to find joy in movement, and to wear your heart on your sleeve (and sometimes, on a sparkly tutu).
We started our day by touring the iconic Cadbury factory. The air was a fragrant mix of chocolate and vanilla. I, of course, couldn't resist taking a bite out of the giant Cadbury Dairy Milk! Oh, my sweet tooth was absolutely delighted! And speaking of delights, let's talk about Bournville itself!
This charming town, created by the Cadbury family in the late 19th century, has a distinctly idyllic vibe. Everything is meticulously maintained, adorned with lush greenery and the most gorgeous floral arrangements, and a sense of community that warmed my heart. I especially loved strolling through the Bournville Village Green. It was such a picture-perfect scene, almost straight out of a storybook. The beautiful Victorian houses lined up with the picturesque green were truly a sight to behold.
I took this moment to share my pink tutu love with everyone around. "Have you ever tried ballet?" I asked, "Because anyone can be a ballerina!" and before they could say "no, that sounds crazy", I whipped out some impromptu pirouettes! Luckily, they were pretty good for a "crasher" - let’s just say those long journeys by train do wonders for the body! And you can’t go to Bournville without trying a local chocolate confection, so naturally I took everyone in my path up on their kind offer to "sample the local fare." There was plenty to be savoured, and of course, all of the yummy snacks gave me a much-needed energy boost before embarking on my next "Pink Tutu Adventure"!
The highlight of the day? Oh, that would have to be the Bournville Art Gallery. They were showcasing a collection of modern art, and I must admit, I was surprised to see such a wonderful collection nestled amongst the chocolate shops! The exhibition featured paintings and sculptures that I felt were infused with a sense of hope and wonder.
Of course, after such a culturally enriching experience, a good ol' fashioned ballet session was in order! Thankfully, I had a wonderful opportunity to teach some kids in a small local studio – it was a lovely way to round off the day and inspire those young dancers. Seeing their eyes sparkle as they pirouetted in their sparkly pink tutus was truly magical, reminding me why I love what I do.
Speaking of sparkles, it’s not just me and the pink tutu that gets all the shine in Bournville! You could say that the wildlife there, from the beautiful birds in the park to the squirrels playing hide-and-seek amongst the trees, seems to enjoy showing off their own bit of "glitter". If anything, it’s this, that inspires me the most, to wear pink, embrace glitter and bring some magic into everyone’s lives.
Well, darlings, there you have it! Another successful "Pink Tutu Adventure" to add to the books. Now, excuse me while I retreat to the quiet corners of my room and soak in the sweetness of the day while penning this blog post, perhaps with a bit of chocolatey inspiration and the sound of graceful ballet music playing softly in the background!
Until tomorrow, don't forget to spread the love of ballet and wear your pink tutus proudly. We might not all be in Bournville, but with a sprinkle of pink magic and a generous dash of passion, we can make every day an adventure, just like this one.
Lots of love, Emma xoxo
P.S. I'll be sharing my secret for the delicious Cadbury-inspired pink tulle creation later this week! You're all going to want to get your hands on this DIY recipe. Be sure to follow my instagram for updates! @Pink_tutu 🩰💖
