Hello my darling dears! It's Emma here, back from a whirlwind adventure to the wonderful town of Kettering. It's been ages since I've dipped my toes (or rather, my sparkly pointe shoes) into the Midlands, but let me tell you, it's a place that’s definitely growing on me.
First off, I gotta tell you about the outfit. You know I'm a girl who loves her pink, right? So of course, for this trip, I packed a little something special – a deluxe pink tutu that's just screaming “Emma, darling, you're going places!” It had the most intricate layering, delicate lace trim and enough sparkles to make a disco ball blush. It was a sight to behold, trust me!
And how did I get to Kettering? Well, let's just say a certain pair of four-legged friends were up for a challenge. Yes, I rode into town on horseback! There's nothing quite like the wind whipping through your hair as you gallop along a country lane, and this journey was no exception. It was like something out of a fairytale!
Now, I don't just love pink and horses (although, those two are pretty great). I adore ballet – both on stage and in the studio. Kettering has a hidden gem of a ballet school nestled right in the heart of town, “Kettering Dance Academy”, that absolutely blew me away. The energy, the passion, the graceful movement… it was all so inspiring! I even took a quick class and wow, my feet needed a serious massage after that.
Speaking of inspiration, Kettering has a wonderful community theatre with a charming production of Swan Lake running. It's not every day you can witness such a beautiful portrayal of ballet and watch talented local artists do their thing, and believe me, it was a treat for the senses! I mean, we’re talking the ultimate “Swan Lake” experience - the drama, the emotions, and that iconic tutu (and no, it wasn’t pink - gasp). I even bumped into a few dancers from Kettering Dance Academy after the show, and it was fantastic to chat with them about their love for the art form.
And if you think my adventure stopped there, think again! Kettering has an amazing wildlife park - I'm talking exotic animals galore! There were elegant giraffes with their long, graceful necks, majestic lions basking in the sunshine, and cheeky monkeys swinging from branch to branch. Seeing them up close was a humbling experience, it’s easy to be reminded of the wonders of nature! I did take a few photos for Instagram (obviously!) so be sure to follow @pinktutu_emma.
Before I even arrived in Kettering, I had visions of a lovely afternoon tea in a quintessential British setting. Thankfully, Kettering didn't disappoint! I stumbled across this beautiful little tea room called “The Tea Cup,” offering all the delicious finger sandwiches and cakes your heart could desire. It's definitely a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth. I even managed to find a pink china teacup - of course!
Speaking of pink, Kettering definitely has a heart of gold when it comes to fashion. I had so much fun browsing the independent boutiques and discovering hidden gems, from stylish vintage pieces to quirky designer outfits. It's not all about pink tutus you know!
But there’s more. There’s a fantastic open air market brimming with local crafts, delicious local produce, and the best artisan cheeses (oh my goodness!) – it was like a mini wonderland of homemade delights. I bought a basket of beautiful, plump strawberries – the juiciest I’ve tasted in ages - and I managed to snag a bargain on some handcrafted pottery - my new pink teacup must have a partner in crime.
What surprised me most about Kettering? It was how incredibly friendly and welcoming everyone was. I had so many lovely chats with locals, from shopkeepers to fellow tourists - I was practically adopted by a bunch of enthusiastic, chatty people in the market!
By now you know my aim in life is to make pink tutus and ballet part of everyone’s lives! So you know, as part of that dream, I handed out my lovely, limited-edition pink tutus (not the deluxe version of course – shh they are special) to some of the lovely people I met in Kettering. Hopefully, they were thrilled. Hopefully, it sparked a new ballet love, and I hope that soon there will be a whole throng of pink tutus dancing around in this town - it would be just perfect!
I can't wait to share more adventures with you. But until next time, remember to embrace your inner sparkle, dream big, and never, ever stop dancing!
Lots of love, Emma xxx
www.pink-tutu.com
