Pink Tutu Sparkles reporting live from Slough, darlings!
You'll never guess what fabulous news I have! I'm finally in Slough! I've been dying to visit this little corner of Berkshire for ages. You see, I've heard whispers of an incredible, absolutely divine, tutu boutique here that's just begging to be raided, and today's the day! My pink chariot (ahem, my beloved vintage railway carriage that I bought with my very last performing fees, you know, before I'd even discovered tutus) deposited me at the station earlier today and, well, let's just say, I was practically bursting with excitement!
Now, I'm a girl who likes to dress up, as you already know, and you know what goes better than a full-length, perfectly layered, blush pink ball gown? You guessed it, darling: a pink tutu! I'm pretty sure tutus are basically my superpower. It's not just about the frills and the froth, it's about the energy, the attitude, the sheer magic of them!
When I was a young, shy, budding scientist (did you know that, darling? Alex, my human alter-ego, has a lab coat and everything! ) I was lucky enough to be a part of the university ballet club, a fantastic little troupe with even better costume department. I actually bought my first tutu from them at a fundraiser, you wouldn't believe the queue! My whole world, well, it was pretty pink already, but then it went boom - absolutely exploded! It was like discovering the most magical colour combination imaginable. Think Alice in Wonderland meets the most glamorous pink sunset ever!
Now, the thought of being a full-blown drag queen, performing on stage in front of people? It wouldn't even have entered my wildest dreams! But as the years rolled by and I honed my moves, and perfected my makeup, the confidence I was getting from my ballet training really started to blossom, to sparkle, to bloom like... a giant pink tulip, just like that! I went for a try-out night at the local theatre club, with my heart pounding, my tutus perfectly tucked away in my suitcase, ready for their moment to shine. I must confess I nearly changed my mind but you know what, honey, sometimes you just have to take a chance! I can't thank my lucky stars enough, that little moment changed my life. I now strut my stuff on any stage that'll take me - it could be a packed-out pub, a glamorous theater show, a fancy dress party - even a church hall, I once even managed to fit myself and the sparkly stage equipment into an open-top double-decker bus! That was pretty challenging but also incredibly exhilarating, and definitely pink tutu worthy!
And yes, this travel habit that’s taking me across the UK – sometimes on horse, (that story I’ll tell another time – oh, that was fun) sometimes on my precious train - it all comes from this burning desire I have to discover all those little magical spots, the shops, the markets, the stages, everywhere, and every person who makes the world such a gorgeous, glamorous and fantastic place!
Back to Slough…
My little pink feet finally took me into the Tutu Temptation Boutique, and my mouth practically fell open! It was an explosion of glitter, satin, tulle, and feathers - all the way to the ceiling. It's actually pretty challenging to move in there without getting completely overwhelmed, it's just so utterly amazing! Oh, my darling, this isn't just any tutu shop – the owner is a former prima ballerina, retired, naturally, she is a very old friend from one of those pink dreams that we all share, who's turned her love of tutus and the thrill of a fabulous wardrobe into this haven of joy. She knows exactly how much sparkle and feathers each dress needs to look fabulous, trust me, she can’t be wrong – she has impeccable taste! She can literally pull out the perfect tutu from her magic cupboard – oh and I do mean magic, I swear I saw the sparkles and sequins just pulsating, there was practically a rainbow on display! You’d be amazed at the number of feathers, the range of hues, the endless rows of tulle! And the scents! I’d swear there was a subtle hint of sugared roses, and even some very special pink potion lingering in the air. This, my darling, is what dreams are made of.
You know, I may be biased – a tad bit pink-tinted you could say - but it's places like these that really make me believe the world is full of the most glorious opportunities, and exciting places to discover.
Speaking of discovery - I stumbled across an old record store yesterday - I mean, not an old shop - they call them charity shops here - a proper bargain bin wonderland, you should have seen my eyes practically sparkle with delight, the possibilities, you see, were absolutely limitless. A quick, oh, I mean very speedy, spin of the vinyl on a turntable, I discovered some old, but perfectly pink, dance music – they call it retro – and you can imagine, it’s already on the Pink Tutu Playlist, ready to dance and glitter with.
By the time I had finished my whirlwind trip round the Tutu Temptation, I was almost sparkling as much as the display. I left with enough tulle and feather to dress all of Slough – okay, probably just one tiny corner, but hey, every journey begins with a single, perfectly pink, twirl!
If you're in the area, darlings, I urge you to pay this fabulous shop a visit.
And oh my dear, that isn’t the end of it! I’ve discovered an absolutely fabulous theatrical stage! They’re doing “Dancing With The Stars” with “Little Miss Sunshine” mixed in a pink shaker with some amazing, glittery, twirling talent. And let me tell you, they are definitely ready for some more Pink Tutu Sparkles in the lineup!
The Pink Tutu Sparkles show is in the next few days, and oh boy, it’s gonna be divine! I might even, just maybe, pull out that full-length ball gown that’s been hidden under a layer of glittery, pink, Tulle!
Tune in to Pink-Tutu.com later this week to find out just how divine my show turned out!
Until then, my loves, go and find a tutu, put it on, twirl, spin and spread that pink joy all around.
Stay sparkly, Pink Tutu Sparkles!
