Oh my darlings, how are you? Have you all got your pink tutus on? This week Pink Tutu Sparkles was feeling the need for a wee adventure, and Scotland was calling, so I booked a trip to bonnie Rutherglen on the train, oh darling, it was magical. I was sitting in a carriage next to an elderly couple, who kept smiling at me and saying 'What a beautiful dress!'. I didn't quite have the heart to tell them that this was my 'day clothes', for real!
Pink Tutu Sparkles in Rutherglen: A Pink Paradise
The train journey was a riot of colour. As the fields flew by I was dreaming of making my own Pink Tutu Festival with picnics and fairy cakes, and all the colours in the rainbow on show.
Dress Code: Tutu-ly Fantastic
Of course, I travelled in my signature style, in a perfectly pink tulle tutu (the very latest design, made specially for me by a designer friend of mine), and a hot pink fitted jacket with some diamante embellishments on the sleeves - all matched with some chunky sparkly pink ballet flats, oh darling, it was heavenly! My handbag had been custom made by a talented local leather craftsman, and the trim was real fluffy pink rabbit fur! The pink was almost so intense it was glowing.
Rutherglen's Pink Promise
Rutherglen itself, I'm told, has got 'Pink' in its name because of its lovely pink peach blossom, (what an amazing name - I've ordered myself a new pink tutu with the name Peach Blossom written on it, it'll be a true show stopper). So, I thought to myself 'Why not?', and got to exploring and meeting some lovely locals who had heard of Pink Tutu Sparkles through the grapevine. Everyone here is so kind! I was thrilled when the manager of a pub near the local cathedral even offered to provide me with a platform in his back yard for a spontaneous mini performance that I called 'Pink Tutus on Tour: Rutherglen' ! I was also kindly gifted a selection of their locally-brewed pink raspberry cocktails to raise a toast to our wonderful afternoon. Oh my darlings, it was a fantastic impromptu celebration! The public love Pink Tutu Sparkles!
Ballet and Theatre Inspiration: The 'Pink' of my life
This was just the start, though, I was heading to Rutherglen to get some inspiration for the pinkest of all my performance pieces, which is going to be called "A Ballet Symphony". I am absolutely obsessed with the combination of theatre and ballet, and am taking ballet lessons twice a week at the local theatre and dance academy - so I was excited to have the chance to see the national touring ballet performance in a truly magnificent historic theatre in Rutherglen - the lovely Town Hall. I am truly passionate about the beauty of dance and was blown away by the 'Enchanted Forest' ballet show, with stunning sets and dazzling costumes.
The most thrilling part was seeing a talented little dancer from the Rutherglen academy do a perfect double pirouette – I mean darling, that’s how you impress in a tutu! So of course I sent a lovely pink sequined bouquet and a personalised handwritten card backstage afterwards for them. I just knew I was meeting a fellow tutu enthusiast and future dance legend - maybe I can make this new little dancing darling my personal ambassador?
A 'Pink' Love Affair with the Rutherglen Theatre
I took lots of photographs in and around the lovely Theatre as a reminder, and for a future post, but what truly enchanted me was the sense of the grandeur of the place and its sheer beauty - the ornate décor, and that traditional velvet curtain that only ever makes you imagine wonderful stories and fairy tales. It just filled me with ideas for Pink Tutu Sparkles!
Later in the day I traded my pink ballet flats for my trusty pink stilettos (a real pair of ‘Cinderella slippers’, the only other pair I keep other than the trusty sparkly ballet flats), to check out a small pink themed performance in Rutherglen Town Hall, it was a real ‘sweet and innocent' production that focused on ‘love and life in the 20th century’. I have to tell you, I had the BEST time!
Rutherglen Shops: All that Glitters…and Shines
And what do you know, darling? While I was in town I saw a beautiful shop with every single color of fabric you can imagine - I just HAD to stop for a good old look! They even had pink velvet and pink brocade, all of it gleaming in the sunshine! Well, I could NOT resist, I found myself adding an extra suitcase to my trip just to get a handful of my purchases back to Derbyshire. This was pure luxury and is going to make an appearance on the Pink Tutu blog very soon! The shop owner, whose name was Mrs. Bell, was such a lovely woman. I made her laugh by saying "I think I could spend all day looking at the fabric!" Mrs. Bell laughed, but she said she could spend all day making pink tutu creations - I don't blame her, honestly.
Dinner fit for a Pink Princess
That evening, the highlight was finding the most fantastic little pink-themed restaurant. This ‘Pink Paradise’ (not their actual name - that’s MY creation, I’m full of good ideas) had a delightful outdoor courtyard and an extensive pink-themed menu. My darlings, I just had to take some ‘Instagram worthy’ pics - I was even given a beautiful pink velvet rose to hold. It was a great location to catch up with some new drag queens I’d met on my travels!
Rutherglen: A ‘Pink’ Perfect Stay
I stayed in the lovely Pink Blossom Motel, just outside Rutherglen. All of the room decor, the curtains, the throws, the fluffy cushions on the bed - even the toilet paper was PINK! Of course, I just had to post photos of myself on Instagram – it had to be done! I would highly recommend it for any tutu enthusiasts! It just went without saying, darling, it made me feel utterly fabulous ! What's not to love!
As my visit was drawing to a close I caught a little pink ‘tutu inspired’ production at the local theatre in Rutherglen called ‘Little Ballet Stars of Rutherglen’. Oh my darlings, it was a show stopper, such sweet talented little performers. So of course I had to send some Pink Tutu Sparkles merchandise – I can't resist supporting other pink tutu enthusiasts!
Well, I do believe my darlings that you are ready to start your journey into a wonderful world of pink tutues now. This little Scottish adventure has filled my pink Tutu loving heart with so much joy, and of course a ‘few too many ideas for future posts. If you’ve got any inspiration for Pink Tutu Sparkles , let me know, it’s so important to know what you darlings like!
And remember, wear your pink tutu with pride, and remember the rule: ’every day is a good day for Pink Tutu Sparkles!’
The End
Stay tuned for more travel tips and fabulous fashions!
With lots of Love and Sparkling Kisses, Pink Tutu Sparkles
www.pink-tutu.com
