Northampton, Here I Come! (Blog Post #18)
Oh, darling, you wouldn't believe the adventure I had this week! I've been feeling like a whirling dervish of excitement, all thanks to a magical trip to Northampton! It was simply divine. You see, Northampton is just a short hop away from my Derbyshire base and as you all know, darling, I'm all about embracing those picturesque train journeys, taking in the scenery with a big old pink tutu, of course!
Now, you're probably wondering why I journeyed to this particular town. Well, you know I'm a massive fan of everything ballet, right? So when I heard about the amazing dance performances going on there at the Royal & Derngate Theatre, I knew I had to go! It's simply a sin to let a show go by, especially when there's a tutu-clad ballerina on stage!
And let me tell you, darling, these ballerinas were nothing short of incredible! It was the Northampton Ballet's new production of Swan Lake and, let me tell you, I've never seen such beautiful grace and artistry. Each movement, each pirouette, every single thing was pure magic! My favourite was the grand finale, when the entire company took the stage in a shimmering, white-feathered tutu extravaganza! Honestly, darling, I almost fainted! They must've used a ton of feathers for those gorgeous costumes - it made me wonder if I could add a touch of feather embellishment to my own tutu. You've got to watch out for some major sparkle in my upcoming performances!
Before I saw the show, I even popped over to a little ballet studio near the theatre for a little private session. Yes, darling! This fantastic dance teacher - she calls herself 'The Dancing Queen' - took me through some basic moves. Of course, my tutu got in the way a little (always a bit of a struggle to get it right!) But it was fun! It was like something straight out of a fairy tale! A truly magical afternoon, I must say. This trip has definitely rekindled my passion for the ballet. I've already got a whole new set of steps I'm dying to try in my next show!
And if the ballet wasn't enough, Northampton proved to be an absolute gem of a town for shopping! It’s all so beautifully charming, full of independent shops and vintage boutiques. And what better way to explore those quaint alleyways than on the back of a trusty steed, right? I found the most wonderful little horse and carriage tour, where you could wind your way through the streets, taking in all the gorgeous sights. I’ve got to say, there’s something so delightful about getting around on a horse, the feeling of the wind in your hair, and the elegant, leisurely pace… it’s almost as if you’re transported to a different time! The horse’s name was Penny and she was beautiful. A proper fairytale pony - sleek black coat, big kind eyes, she just felt so lovely under my touch! I could tell she appreciated my shimmering pink tutu too - a kindred spirit!
While we were driving around town, I was particularly drawn to one charming shop called "The Enchanted Closet". I knew I had to step inside. Honestly, darling, it was like stepping into my very own fairy tale. All those gorgeous dresses and sparkly accessories – I was completely in heaven! You wouldn’t believe the adorable hat I found! It was pink with little tiny feathers all around. Of course, I snapped it up straight away. And imagine my delight when the kind shop assistant gave me a complimentary feather boa to go with it! It was love at first sight! And you know, she was absolutely right to encourage me to go the whole hog with the matching shoes, it looked spectacular! I do like to be a true ensemble-style kinda queen.
Speaking of ensemble, that brings me to my very own sparkly secret. Remember I told you about my upcoming performances, right? I've got some big plans, darling! But this time, I want to bring my fabulous look to a whole new level. This time, it's not just a pink tutu – it’s a total transformation! A whole ensemble, and I mean the works. Think dramatic headpieces, feathered fan, glittery make-up, you name it! It's going to be nothing short of dazzling!
The show is a bit of a hush hush at the moment, but let's just say it's all about embracing your inner sparkledream. Think glitz, think glamour, and think lots of pink… that’s all I can tell you right now, but I’ll keep you all updated on the official details once everything is in place. One thing I can tell you, darling: it's going to be something special. A real feather in my cap, so to speak!
So darling, that’s it for now! Remember, if you are thinking of taking a trip, do it in a pink tutu, the world looks a little bit brighter when you're surrounded by beautiful pinks. Keep on sparkling and stay tuned for my next big adventure!
Don't forget to check out the Pink-Tutu website every day for all my latest adventures!
Until next time, darling!
Pink Tutu Sparkles (aka Alex)