Hey darlings,
It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, bringing you post number 7768 from the magical world of pink tutus and twirling! Today, I'm whisking you away to Ilford, a charming little town just outside London, for a whirlwind of ballet adventures.
You see, my heart always leaps with excitement whenever I have a chance to visit a new place. It’s amazing what hidden gems you can find, even right on your doorstep. Ilford may not be known for its ballet scene, but today I’m going to try and change that. Or, at least I'll be attempting to change my ballet scene with a whirlwind of pink!
This morning, I woke up feeling the urge to dance, which of course meant only one thing - fluffy tutu time! I slipped on my most adorable pale pink tutu, its tulle cascading like a cloud around my legs. You can never have too much tulle, darlings!
And then, what could be more fitting for my transport than my trusty steed, Duchess! You might remember my gorgeous grey mare from my adventures last summer, the one with the beautiful soft eyes. She loves a trip to the countryside and she certainly seemed to relish the brisk autumn air this morning. It was a beautiful journey, with crisp autumn colours surrounding us. Even the leaves were a shade of pink! Well, perhaps they were more red than pink, but it felt like pink, you know?
After a short gallop, Duchess delivered me safely to Ilford station. Luckily for me, the train was surprisingly empty today, giving me plenty of room to spin and pirouette my way to the station, much to the delight of fellow commuters. Why is it so thrilling to make other people smile?! My motto: always add a dash of pink and sprinkle some twirling into your daily routine!
The reason for my visit to Ilford? Well, what else could it be? I was lured by the irresistible draw of a ballet class, held at the Ilford Cultural Centre, right in the heart of the town. They said it was a "beginners' class," but darlings, as far as I'm concerned, anything involving dancing and a tutu is never beginner’s material!
Walking into the dance studio felt like stepping into a magical haven. The sun was streaming through the windows, illuminating the polished floor with a golden glow. It was warm and welcoming, with a lovely group of other dancers already stretching and warming up.
I felt right at home! Of course, a few of the other ladies did raise an eyebrow or two when I walked in sporting a pink tutu and a grin wider than the River Thames. I mean, you could say my presence certainly added a touch of...dare I say...“sparkle" to the proceedings?
But really, everyone was so welcoming, even though I had my fluffy tutu on, I actually ended up feeling quite shy at first. I thought my usual bright-pink attire would make me stand out, but it was almost like they were expecting it! My blush pink tutu suddenly seemed rather tame. Perhaps it is my overly enthusiastic, pink-tinged personality? The world does need a bit of pink sparkle sometimes, after all. I'll certainly continue adding mine to the mix!
My favourite part? The actual class itself, of course! It was filled with the kind of fun, energetic energy that could only come from a group of dedicated dancers. We all learned a simple combination that combined strength and elegance. It was such a delight to connect with the other dancers, their enthusiasm for the art form just as infectious as mine. There was even a 12-year-old in the class with bright pink shoes, so I knew we were already on the right wavelength!
But that wasn't the only excitement that Ilford had to offer. Right outside the Cultural Centre was the beautiful Ilford Public Library, an architectural gem. What do you think is the perfect match for books and stories? Yep, that’s right – pink tutus and ballet! I mean, a tutu isn’t actually going to be good for hiding a late return fee, so maybe not, but the concept works!
While I didn’t actually have the time to sit and read – let's face it, who wants to just sit and read when you have so many tutu-wearing adventures to embark upon?! – I did wander through the aisles for a little while, admiring the bookshelves stacked high with stories from all around the world. I couldn’t help but imagine all the wonderful tales of ballet and grace that must be tucked away in those pages, waiting to be discovered. Maybe in another life!
Next up was the lovely Ilford town centre, its Victorian streets teeming with charm. It felt like stepping back in time, and of course, every town needs a ballerina to twirl it into the 21st century! I mean, if one thinks back to those Victorians, those poor souls were only wearing corsets! You wouldn't even find a single tutu among the Victorian ladies, would you? The pink tulle revolution has a long way to go, darling, so I’m all in!
And, let's be honest, I needed to take a selfie to document my visit to Ilford – just me and my fluffy tutu in front of a charming floral backdrop! I also decided to pick up a hot cuppa from the Ilford Town Tea Rooms, the best place to indulge in delicious cakes, scones and a cup of tea! I'm talking seriously cute, vintage furniture and teacups that you'd want to just keep. If the walls could talk, they would probably be telling stories of ballet, wouldn't they? At least, they would have been if I had only been able to get the wifi password and shared them on my social media! Ah, technology, can't you be as delightful as a pink tutu?
But even without the internet, there's something special about experiencing new places firsthand.
To be honest, with every place I visit, I get a growing urge to take on a grand mission. Imagine if everyone in Ilford were to start twirling in pink tutus. The Ilford Town Council, the police officers directing traffic, everyone in their fluffy tutus! What an amazing sight, what a colourful world! Imagine! Now there’s an image! That’s the life of Emma! Inspiring and getting everyone to wear a pink tutu and have a go at ballet!
Speaking of adventures, have you been following my journey? Where should I visit next? Let me know in the comments! I can't wait to hear your suggestions!
As I twirl off into the sunset, pink tutu shimmering, I can’t help but feel the sheer joy of dancing through life, discovering the beauty in the ordinary, and inspiring others to embrace the joy of movement! Until next time, darlings, stay fabulous, wear pink tutus, and don’t be afraid to twirl!
Love, Emma 💖
www.pink-tutu.com
