Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, bringing you another dose of pink and pirouettes straight from the heart of Derbyshire (and sometimes, far, far away!). Today, I'm taking you on a little trip with me to the charming town of Laindon.
You might be thinking, "Laindon? Why Laindon?" Well, my lovelies, Laindon has a certain charm about it. It's a little less grand, a little less flashy than, say, Paris or London, but it holds a special place in my heart for its quiet elegance. You know, the kind of place where a pink tutu feels right at home.
I was in Laindon on a mission, you see, to explore a little vintage clothing shop that caught my eye while scrolling through Instagram. It was filled with treasures from the 1950s and 60s, and I had a feeling I might stumble upon something extraordinary – perhaps a vintage tutu! Now, I'm a girl who loves a good old-fashioned tutu, but there's something special about a vintage one. They have a history, a story to tell, and a kind of magic that modern tutus just can't replicate. And believe me, I had visions of a European-style tutu, you know, with all the lovely, layered frills and the delicate floral patterns – the kind of tutu that screams “Ballet Diva" without actually saying a word!
But alas, my mission was slightly sidetracked by an encounter with the most adorable Shetland pony you ever did see! Now, let’s be honest, horses are one of my absolute weaknesses. Just something about their big brown eyes and velvety noses that melts my heart.
This pony, however, was a tiny ball of fluff with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. His name was Pipkin, and he had a soft, velvety nose and a coat of fluffy caramel hair, with a bit of ginger thrown in for good measure! I ended up spending quite a while chatting with his owner, who happened to be the daughter of the vintage clothing shop owner.
She had lovely rosy cheeks, and we bonded over our love for all things girly and a passion for vintage fashion. Turns out Pipkin is her riding partner in crime, and she showed me some of her favourite spots for exploring the countryside on horseback. Honestly, riding a pony in the sun dappled woodland feels almost magical! I’d highly recommend it! Pipkin even tried on my pink tutu for me - he loved it! (Just imagine how lovely he would have looked in a pair of ballet shoes!) We even had a photo shoot - you’ll have to check my Instagram for the cutest shots!
Now, where were we? Ah, yes, the tutu! Pipkin and I finally did make it to the shop. And wouldn’t you know it, the shopkeeper had saved something for me - a beautifully delicate, floral-patterned, European-style tutu in shades of blush and pale pink! I didn’t even need to try it on; it felt like it had always been mine, meant to spin in my dreams, and now I was actually holding it!
Of course, I didn’t let it get away. I snapped it up instantly. The moment I got my hands on it, a beautiful daydream of tutus and sunshine, ponies and wildflowers took over, and I decided, there and then, that this was my dream. A day full of ponies, pink tutus and perfect sunny skies felt truly magical.
Laindon may not be a Parisian or Londonian destination, but this tiny little town taught me that sometimes, the magic lies in the simple things. And it reinforced the truth that wearing a pink tutu, even if you are in Laindon, England and not Laindon, France, will always bring a little sparkle to your day.
Now, my darlings, I leave you with this question: what are your little dream days? And don't be shy - share with me in the comments section below! Let's all spread the joy of pink tutus and ballet dreams!
Love and Tutu Wishes,
Emma
(Ps. You can follow my latest adventures and find all the best places for pony rides on my social media – @PinkTutuGirl on Instagram!)
