#TutuBlog 2024-01-13 in Longbridge with a nature themed tutu.

Hey my gorgeous TutuTribe! It's Emma, and guess what?! I'm posting from Longbridge, a town nestled amongst rolling green hills, perfect for exploring with my pink-hued tulle skirt. Yes, folks, your favourite pink-loving ballerina has swapped her dance shoes for sturdy walking boots this time! I'm not going to lie, it was quite a wrench leaving my barre for the wilds of Worcestershire, but you see, this adventurous heart of mine wouldn't let me stay in one place too long.

For all those who just caught up with my blog (welcome!), it might be a shock that a tutu-loving dancer like myself is into exploring nature. But there's a beautiful connection, isn't there? The grace of a ballerina mirroring the silent majesty of a soaring hawk. The dedication to perfecting a pirouette aligning with the fierce perseverance of a lion guarding its pride. Besides, how else am I supposed to source inspiration for all my bespoke tutu designs? Nature's colours, textures, and patterns are a never-ending fountain of inspiration!

Anyway, let's delve into my Longbridge adventure!

My journey here was as charming as ever. The journey by train took me through picturesque landscapes. The quaint train carriages painted in cheery pastels with their plush velvet seats just felt right for my sartorial spirit! Then I spotted it - an exquisite old horse-drawn carriage outside Longbridge station. The opportunity to travel in such elegant style was too tempting to resist! My little pink tutu twirled joyfully with me as I stepped into the carriage, the sun warming my face and the wind whispering stories of countryside charm through my hair.

I really believe we should embrace slower forms of travel whenever we can. Travelling by train or horse lets you connect with the natural world more intensely than whizzing past it in a car. And as an extra bonus, you just feel happier. Think about it, TutuTribe - a horse's rhythmic trotting can be almost as enchanting as the rhythm of a graceful pirouette!

Longbridge was alive with vibrant green woods and whispering meadows perfect for a ballerina like me. The first day, I wandered along the riverside. Imagine, watching a kingfisher dive into the water for its meal, its brilliant blue plumage sparkling like a gem in the afternoon sun!

In a quiet glade I came across a family of deer, their sleek coats blending beautifully with the dappled light filtering through the trees. Their gentle gaze as they grazed on lush grasses reminded me of the calm and focus required to perfectly execute a graceful penché. The tranquility of it all inspired a new idea for a tutu, using silvery silk to replicate the shifting colours of their coats in the woodland shadows.

And, you guessed it! The wildlife inspired my daily tutu choices! That evening, I wandered through Longbridge's bustling high street in a dramatic burgundy tulle tutu, reflecting the vibrant colour of the sunsets I saw that evening.

Of course, no journey is complete without a visit to the local markets. Longbridge's market was a feast for the senses - baskets overflowing with juicy, ruby red strawberries, freshly baked loaves of bread that smelled heavenly, and artisan pottery crafted in delicate shades of pink!

I couldn’t resist bringing home a stunning handcrafted teapot - perfect for those morning cups of tea while designing new tutus. You see, my life is all about intertwining beauty and artistry! I truly believe that ballet is about finding those sparks of inspiration in every aspect of life - the elegant sweep of a birds' wing as they fly overhead, the graceful arch of a tree, the way the sunlight falls upon the flowing stream.

My trip to Longbridge wasn’t just about soaking up the beauty of nature. After all, ballet is the heart and soul of this blog! There’s nothing more thrilling than exploring ballet communities around the globe, and Longbridge didn't disappoint. The Longbridge Ballet School was tucked away in a little cobblestone street, surrounded by ivy climbing the walls like twirling dancers. They held an open class where I could have a little dance - a bit of à la seconde here, some elegant port de bras there.

I absolutely loved meeting the local dance enthusiasts - such vibrant personalities and passion! We chatted about their favorite tutus (they were just as excited about their twirly tulle as I was! ) We even did some choreographing together - some of them even dared me to attempt some ballet moves inspired by nature - the graceful swoop of a swan, the powerful spring of a deer’s leap. They got me to embrace my inner animal, unleashing my creativity to the fullest.

I also caught a beautiful performance at the local theatre. The set design reminded me of the swirling branches of the ancient trees surrounding Longbridge, the dancers twirling amongst projected leaves like wood nymphs dancing beneath a starry sky. It was enchanting - a beautiful blending of nature’s majesty with the elegant language of ballet.

It was time to bid farewell to Longbridge, my heart full with inspiring encounters and my sketchbook crammed with new design ideas. Back to my tutu studio in Derbyshire I went, where the journey of transforming those sketches into beautiful new pieces awaits!

My lovely TutuTribe, don’t forget that even though I love the hustle and bustle of the stage, my love for nature always finds a way back into my designs, just like it always finds a way back into my life. Every single tutu is a work of art inspired by my wanderlust, my passion for the world’s beauty.

So, why don’t you join me in your pink tutu for a little ballet inspired journey? It doesn’t matter where you are, the world is waiting to be explored with your inner ballerina, the same grace and strength that makes a tutu such a beautiful thing. And don’t forget to share your own journeys with me on my social media! I love to hear your stories.

Until next time, my dearest TutuTribe. Let your inner ballerina fly! And keep spreading the love for pink tutus all across the globe! See you tomorrow!

Much love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com