Post #8307
Hello darlings! It's your girl, Emma, back again from the wilds of Derbyshire! You won't believe what adventures awaited me this weekend. This time, I traded the green hills and sheep for a bit of urban grit and... ballet, of course!
Let's just say this, Salford surprised me. I've never ventured this far north before, but when a certain "delux tutu" (more on that later!) called to me, I simply had to answer.
But first, the journey! Oh my, I am so over travelling by car, honestly, it just makes me a grumpy grump. But thank heavens for our trusty steed, the train, whizzing me up north with my trusty carry-on (it's got a special pocket for a tutu, naturally!).
Honestly, I could've spent the whole journey just admiring the landscape, especially after those long dark days back home in Derbyshire. Did you know, even the trees looked happy up here?! Okay, maybe not the actual trees, but you know what I mean, all bright and green and bursting with life.
Speaking of bursting with life... I couldn't leave home without a little surprise for the train journey. Something to brighten up the journey and put a smile on fellow commuters' faces. Imagine, you're tucked in a comfy carriage with a steaming cup of tea, enjoying the views, and suddenly you see a flurry of pink twirling past your window. The power of a pink tutu, eh?
(If you're thinking this is some serious pink tutu magic, well, you're not wrong!) It's definitely a little slice of magic that I like to share, especially with all you wonderful readers out there. Don't worry, there will be plenty of pink tutu inspiration today...
First stop: Salford
Alright, Salford. It's rough and ready, it's got attitude, and honestly, I just couldn't get enough of it. First stop, my hotel... Let's just say it was definitely "urban chic". Think minimalist, sharp lines, lots of dark colours... Not my usual "feminine frills" style, but with my delux tutu suitcase sitting in the corner, it quickly felt a lot more... Emma-fied! I might just be in love with this city, even without a pink tutu!
*(Remember that "delux tutu" I mentioned? Stay tuned... you'll see just why it was delux in a moment! ) *
But my journey to Salford was all about... Ballet, of course!
The show: A Touch of Magic
Tonight, it was time for my first visit to The Lowry - a beautifully grand arts venue. The show? A beautiful mix of classic ballet and contemporary dance, all brought together under the theme, *"A Touch of Magic." * Just what this ballerina needed after a long day on the train, eh?
Don't get me wrong, the "classic ballet" part was perfection, from those gorgeous costumes to the perfectly executed steps and expressive movement. But the modern, contemporary elements of the performance - that really got me buzzing! Some pieces were like watching abstract art come alive... All those swirling patterns, powerful energy, it was captivating, exciting, and a bit surreal. Just when you think you've seen it all in the world of dance, something totally unexpected pops up!
I tell ya, I felt a million miles from the Derbyshire hills! And, honestly, the performance felt like the perfect blend of magic and reality... which is kind of how I see my whole "tutu-inspired" journey, isn't it? It's about bringing those two together, showing everyone just how extraordinary and beautiful everyday life can be...
Delux Tutu Debut
Speaking of extraordinary... It's time for the big reveal: The Delux Tutu!
I actually got this masterpiece made by the incredible team at [insert local ballet supplier or workshop] - and honestly, it's a work of art! It was everything I imagined a delux tutu should be... imagine a rich, shimmering, emerald green, a shade just slightly deeper than a forest at sunset. Then, picture intricate hand-sewn beading that sparkles like tiny gemstones - Honestly, the detail was so intricate it was mind-blowing (just ask the seamstress! I could practically hear the delicate whir of the sewing machine when I saw this beauty! ) And to top it off, the length... I practically danced into the Lowry wearing it!
Now, some of you know me well, and know that my love for a pink tutu is eternal... But I told you it wasn't a "pink tutu day." There's a special kind of magic that happens when a bit of color and whimsy enters the unexpected space... And my oh my, Salford was just the right place to unveil this emerald green marvel!
(Don't worry pink tutu lovers! I have my regular dose of pink in store for my next post, just you wait! )
The Unexpected: Salford’s Wild Side
And, guess what, after all that city life and artsy-fartsy stuff? I ended up in one of *Salford’s nature reserves! * Yeah, I know, pretty amazing, right?
There's this park in the city... It's all waterways and wildlife, and it's just another testament to how Salford balances urban grit with peaceful green space (who knew there could be so much of that?! )
The real gem of my unexpected wildlife excursion was a cute family of swans... Seriously, they were like royalty. I even had a little dance with them! I told you: magic happens even in the most unlikely places!
A Tutu Lesson for Everyone
Salford? You won’t catch me going home anytime soon. There’s too much magic waiting to be found here. So you see, this week has been full of all things beautiful and unexpected. I even spotted an amazing art gallery that will make me blush! What am I saying? With Salford on my mind, my inspiration for "Pink Tutu" just exploded! Just wait for my next posts, they'll have you seeing Salford in a new, sparkly, whimsical light.
And honestly, isn’t that what it’s all about? * Seeing the world with a fresh pair of eyes, letting go of expectations and simply embracing what's right in front of us, no matter how unlikely?* We should all aim to have our "pink tutu moments", where we leave behind the mundane and take that leap of faith into something exciting, be it an unexpected trip, a new creative project, or just simply deciding to dance a little in the middle of a quiet park...
Just imagine, a world where we all had a little "pink tutu moment"... A world where everyone was happy to wear their hearts on their sleeves, or maybe even on their tutus!
So, go ahead, embrace your inner-ballerina, even if you're not wearing a pink tutu.
And don’t forget... magic waits around every corner.
Until next time darlings!
💖 Emma
