Hello, my gorgeous dancers! Emma here, back from a whirlwind trip to the fabulous city of Birmingham – or rather, Longbridge to be exact. Yes, a rather different day for me than usual! I'm swapping my usual ballet slippers for trusty walking boots, but you'll never catch me without a tutu, darling! This time it's a vintage creation I found in a little shop in Bakewell - pink, obviously, and full of tulle. I call it "The Butterfly" - perfect for flitting about like a graceful bird (well, more like a very, very glamorous, tulle-clad bird).
As always, you can see what I'm talking about by heading to www.pink-tutu.com - but first, let me tell you all about the fantastic adventure that took me from my beloved Derbyshire countryside to the heart of Brum!
So, I decided to ditch the usual train journey to the big smoke, and embrace the romantic side of travel. Who doesn't love a bit of horsepower, right? This time, it was all about riding to Birmingham with my dearest friend, Penelope, a charming and very enthusiastic owner of a chestnut mare called Poppy. It's amazing how much peace you can find galloping through the fields, breathing in the fresh air and admiring the picturesque countryside – with just a hint of wind whipping my "Butterfly" tutu. Now, that's true freedom!
And you know what else I adore? Wildlife! As I was galloping along, we met a rather majestic fox with the most incredible emerald eyes, I felt an unexpected urge to twirl for him. It's all about bringing ballet into the wild, my darlings!
Now, let me get to the heart of Longbridge, and why I swapped ballet for a horse ride this week! It wasn’t all about nature's beauty, though – Longbridge has some lovely dance-related treats! For starters, there's a magnificent theatre, tucked away in a quaint corner. You'll find it nestled next to a gorgeous garden - the perfect combination for a culture and nature enthusiast like me! I decided to skip the traditional ballet and go for something a little different. Instead, I experienced a fascinating contemporary dance performance at this theatre. The company showcased an incredible mix of talent and athleticism - their movement, their expressions! Simply breath-taking!
You'll be delighted to know that they were wearing beautiful costumes! The dancer's graceful silhouettes were illuminated in bright spotlights that gave off such an ethereal glow, you could have mistaken it for the stage lighting from one of the many incredible ballets I've been to over the years!
Afterward, it was off to an enchanting little café just a stone's throw from the theatre. They serve the most divine afternoon tea! Now, who needs sugar plums when you've got tea, finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream (lots of cream, of course!), and exquisite cakes? You better believe I twirled with excitement! I don’t think anyone had ever seen tea enjoyed with such passion before - but who’s going to stop a dancer, right?!
It wouldn't be a true Emma trip without some ballet, wouldn't it? While Longbridge might not have been on my regular ballet circuit, they actually had a beautiful dance school with fantastic ballet classes, and I simply had to get my feet moving. My ballet teacher, Mrs. Evans, was lovely. She had the sweetest smile and encouraged everyone to find their own sparkle.
And sparkle I did! Just like the city of Birmingham, this dance school burst with vibrant energy. We practiced with the passion and grace of any world-renowned ballerina. Of course, we also talked about tutus! The little ones were enthralled by my "Butterfly" creation – such joyous, twinkling eyes! They were delighted by the colour, the texture, the whole fairytale concept!
As I said, I really believe that everyone needs a tutu in their life. The tutu’s magical, don't you think? There is something utterly joyful about putting on a tulle masterpiece and knowing that for a moment, you've escaped to a magical realm, where everything is beautiful and a bit extraordinary! Just imagine what the world would be like if we all wore tutus... imagine the possibilities!
On that note, it's time to head off to my next adventure. I can’t say what it will be just yet, but rest assured it will be fun, pink and tutu-filled!
Until next time, keep dancing! Remember, you don’t have to wait for an invite, go find your tutu, and dance your heart out! And don't forget to let me know about your adventures – send me an email to
Much love,
Emma
xxx
