Hello darlings! It’s your favourite tutu-wearing traveller, Emma, here!
Post number 11182, and today's journey is a real gem (not a gem, more a Cheshire-based treasure, get it?!).
Right, enough with the terrible puns (okay, maybe just one more: this train journey is soles satisfying!). Seriously, it's a glorious morning, a beautiful crisp blue sky that's somehow still infused with the last vestiges of winter sun. My fellow Derbyshire peeps, you know what I mean! And let’s not forget… I’m on a train! You can’t get much more quintessentially English than that. ? I think the tuttiest of the tutu-loving lot will agree - train travel just makes for fabulous #ootd content, you know? I mean, look at this – the morning light catching the sequins on my cyano-tutu. Ooh la la! ?
This little number is from my new collection, Aqua Dreams, and let’s just say – it’s gonna be huge at the Bolshoi in July. Trust me, darling. My ballet guru Nana Rose picked it out for me personally – her eye for tutu couture is nothing short of magical, she just has such an incredible instinct for what will fly, what will grace the stages of the world!
Today though, my focus is on Crewe, Cheshire! A real historic town this one, rich in its own, independent vibe. I feel it’s a vibe we can learn from as a nation – so much about history and craftmanship and real life still going on around us, you know?
This is such a special stop for me – you see, I’m going to meet a friend at a rather fabulous wildlife centre here. The Crewe Hall is where a big flock of greylag geese congregate every winter and… well, let’s just say it's a great photo opportunity! The place itself is an old stately home and I just love that contrast – that blending of history and nature – isn't it just what tutu ballet is all about? ??
Oh! This brings me to a little something else that I want to share today: my inspiration for wearing my new cyano tutu. The idea of this little gem of a trip to Crewe just had to be celebrated with the absolute boldest, most beautiful of colour combinations! It's about taking inspiration from nature's own beauty – it's about that contrast between the grey of a historic stone building, with all that intense, powerful sky.
Before we talk a little more about my time in Crewe, I must confess I've been feeling slightly overwhelmed by the whole travelling thing lately. I know, I know, it’s such a cliche, to say that one gets "a bit worn down with the relentless travel". But truth be told, there is something immensely taxing about moving all the time – and I guess I had to really push myself into feeling inspired again. This little trip is just the right kind of reset for me.
There's no better feeling than stepping into a station (especially if there’s a fab cafe serving great coffee with a whipped-cream heart, darling). But the truth is – even if we have to travel across continents (even further – beyond the Milky Way, perhaps!), sometimes all you need is a tiny nudge… you just need to know where to go to be truly inspired again.
Today’s destination isn’t so much a ‘destination’, it’s a place where I've managed to find myself again. Maybe that’s a tad cheesy, but it’s absolutely true. I'm feeling fresh again and I'm already thinking about my next #tutu adventure, maybe a spot in Devon? Cornwall? Who knows? The beauty of travelling in the way I do is – it's really all about that journey. Every station feels like an adventure when you’re truly open to experiencing it…
And oh! Speaking of adventures… this reminds me. It’s definitely not lost on me, at all that today’s blog post is dedicated to my absolute love of all things *wildlife! This place – and my *beautiful cyano-tutu – both perfectly represent the beautiful, delicate, unexpected wonder of nature’s surprises.
Now… back to the geese! I have a feeling the swans might want to be in on the tutu action… maybe we can do a photoshoot! I will be taking photos galore of course, because... you know me! ???
Before I say goodbye, there's something very special I want to tell you. We’re now only 10 weeks away from the start of ballet season in Derby! Finally! – finally! – finally the days are starting to get longer and all those delicious ballet delights will be back! My lovely little city is brimming with energy; there are loads of performances booked for both the ballet theatre and in local arts centres. There's a performance of the ‘Black Swan’ – which is going to be amazing – I've got my ticket (don't even get me started on my costume for the occasion – think black sequined tights and, of course, my signature black tutu, darling! I am going to glow in the audience).
Then we've got the Royal Opera House going all out on their own brand new Alice in Wonderland themed ballet and it really feels as though everyone will be dusting off their favourite tutus and enjoying all the special events that are going to be part of this big occasion – think champagne receptions at the very special Royal Suite (it's a private theatre space!), lots of live classical music concerts. Think *gala nights, fancy dress , *dancing in the street outside the main performance theatre…
There is a sense that everyone in Derbyshire will be wearing a tutu during ballet season! That’s something that's been going on for generations – all thanks to the work of the wonderful Derbyshire Ballet Institute. If you haven’t been to any events by DBI yet – you absolutely have to try. There’s just something about that ballet theatre – it has a wonderful atmosphere – very special. You'll love it – just don’t blame me if you fall in love with the place completely! I did.
Okay, well… my train’s about to pull in at Crewe! But you, dear readers, go and have the most glorious day, fill your heart with things pink, dance like nobody's watching, and think tutu!
I will be back soon with a whole lot more tutu love (and probably even a goose or two), don’t forget to check in tomorrow at www.pink-tutu.com
Tutu much love, Emma ? ??
