Oh, my darlings, you wonāt believe what a smashing time I had in Small Heath! Iāve been meaning to pop down to Birmingham for ages, and Iām so glad I finally made it. Now, I know what youāre thinking: āSmall Heath? Isnāt that a bit, wellā¦ drab?ā But darling, donāt be fooled! Thereās a certain magic in the air, especially when Pink Tutu Sparkles is in town!
As you all know, I canāt resist a good railway journey. Itās like stepping back in time, especially when youāre dressed to the nines like myself. My beautiful baby-pink tweed coat, matched with a fetching lilac fascinator and, of course, a shimmering, tulle pink tutu, made a real splash in first class. Some chap even said, āYour tutu looks quite comfy for a train ride, darling,ā and bless him, he was right! A girlās gotta be comfortable, especially when sheās embarking on a journey of discovery like mine.
Small Heath itself was a little rough around the edges, to be honest. I felt like I was in an episode of āPeaky Blindersā with all the moody locals and narrow streets. But itās all part of the charm, isn't it? That authentic, slightly-gritty energy gives the place a certainā¦ je ne sais quoi! And hey, every city needs a little bit of grit, even if my sequined shoes don't quite blend in with the cobblestone streets.
So, letās dive into the highlights of my visit.
The Ballet Studio š©°
Now, Iām always on the lookout for a good ballet studio when I travel, and Small Heath did not disappoint. This little gem, nestled in an alleyway just off the main road, felt like it was straight out of a ballet movie. The dusty barres and peeling paint added to its quaint charm, and the aroma of sweat and talcum powder made me feel right at home.
I even managed to squeeze in a little class, where I had the pleasure of learning a few new pirouettes from the sweet lady who owns the studio. It was such a giggle, watching my sequinned tutu whirl around while the rest of the students, all wearing those standard black leotards and tutus, looked on in amusement. But they were all incredibly lovely, so welcoming and supportive, just like my online community!
The Antique Shop āØ
One of the best things about travelling is discovering quirky little gems hidden away in the corners of a town. And my darlings, the antique shop on the corner of Church Street was a total treasure trove! Dusty mirrors reflecting the fading light, porcelain dolls in all their glory, vintage brooches shimmering with hidden magic, and all kinds of lovely clutterā¦ just begging to be turned into the perfect prop for a fabulous performance!
I managed to pick up a stunning pair of earrings, all diamantƩ and vintage flair, and an antique-style, bright-pink compact that perfectly matched my new eyeshadow!
The Theatre š
The Little Theatre of Small Heath, just across the road from the antique shop, was surprisingly fabulous! I felt like Iād been whisked back in time. I swear I saw a few ghostly performers lingering in the shadows - those beautiful ghosts with tragic stories who have been frozen in time by the theatreās magicā¦ Well, maybe that was just my imagination running wild, darlings! š
But it was the production that really stole the show - a contemporary take on Cinderella! The lead, a beautiful blonde bombshell, played Cinderella perfectly, and the prince, all in white velvet and a rather dashing pink shirt, wasnāt bad either! They all did a smashing job and it just made me wish I was on stage in a sparkly pink tutu, twirling my way to a happily ever after! Maybe next time, huh?
The Park š³
Iām a real park girl, and I had to get my fill of fresh air and sunshine. The small but perfectly formed park on the edge of Small Heath, was bursting with vibrant life, like a burst of colour in a slightly subdued town. The sun dappled through the leaves, making everything glow, and a group of children, dressed in matching pink ballet tutus, were practicing their moves. My heart nearly exploded with joy. Imagine! Tiny ballerinas in their tutus, just like me! The future of the world is indeed a sparkling pink tutu-clad one, donāt you think?
I felt my creative juices flowing, already planning a special performance to share this enchanting scene with the world! Oh, darling, itās going to be phenomenal! Iām picturing myself in my shimmering, custom-designed, giant pink tutu, the embodiment of everything good and sparkly! Maybe with a chorus of pink tutu-clad cherubs? Ooh la la!
A Quick Fashion Tip š
I canāt talk about Small Heath without giving you my fashion must-have for the day!
I found this amazing little shop, a real gem nestled between two chip shops! I call it āRainbow Regaliaā, and itās packed full of the most beautiful vintage fashion! From shimmering 70s disco wear to those perfectly draped, dramatic, 90s black dresses, you name it, Rainbow Regalia had it all!
I picked up a beautiful lilac beaded top to wear over a matching lavender chiffon tutu (just because, you knowā¦ why not!) and a pair of pink, sequined cowboy boots to finish off the look. A girlās got to stand out in the crowd, even when sheās tucked away in the most unlikely of places. And if thereās one thing you need to know about Pink Tutu Sparkles, itās that she always puts effort into looking spectacular. Always, my darling!
Food š§
Whatās a journey without a bit of grub, darlings? Small Heath definitely did not disappoint. I found the most amazing cafe just down a side street, run by a lovely woman named Brenda, and tucked away in the most quaint corner. She makes a mean slice of cake (the raspberry and pistachio one was to die for!) and a good cuppa tea. The kind of cafe you could just while away an afternoon in, reading a book and sipping your tea - or maybe crafting a brand new show-stopping costume design. Whatever floats your boat!
Final Thoughts
Oh, Small Heath, what a wild and wonderful adventure. Itās funny, darling, when I think back to all the people Iāve met on this incredible journey - my dear family back in Derbyshire, the fab drag queens on my adventures around the world, all the fabulous artists and theatremakers and performers, and even the ordinary, everyday folks who make our little corner of the world sparkleā¦ I canāt help but feel that thereās this invisible thread of joy that binds us all. Weāre all connected, and we all share the power to create a more wonderful, sparkling world.
And you know whatās the best thing about making that world happen? Itās really quite simple. Just take a big leap, be brave, be you, and do what you love, because my darling, you know what they sayā¦ a girl who puts on a pink tutu, changes the world!
Now, I want to hear from you! What are your favorite places to find inspiration? Tell me all about it in the comments below! ššš
P.S. You can check out my daily dose of sparkly, pink tutu magic on my website, www.pink-tutu.com, and follow me on all the socials @PinkTutuSparkles Youāll also find more fab photos and stories from my amazing trip to Small Heath over there. Now, go forth and sparkle, darling! āØ*
