Oh darlings, what a glorious day it's been! It's the kind of day that makes me twirl just a little bit extra. Upminster, you truly have a special place in my pink tutu-loving heart.
Before I even arrived at the station, I spotted a family wearing matching pink outfits - the mother's pink floral dress, the father's pale pink polo shirt, the little boy in his favourite pink t-shirt. It warmed my heart. We might not have been sporting tutus, but the colour itself spoke volumes about the joy and fun we were ready to embrace.
This journey, though, is a tale of two Alexes. By day, I'm your average lab rat - that's right, Alex the scientist, analysing the structural integrity of fabric for all those gorgeous frocks and frocks-to-be. But come dusk, the spotlight awaits. Then I transform into Pink Tutu Sparkles - the sassy, sparkly, ever-so-slightly fabulous drag queen.
And let me tell you, this journey to Upminster was purely fuelled by pink tulle and sparkling dreams! It's the culmination of weeks of careful crafting - the right shade of pink for my tulle, the perfect tiara that'll sparkle just right under the stage lights, and those sequined ballet shoes. Yes, darling, this TutuQueen has got style - and a sprinkle of scientific knowledge about fabric, of course!
Arriving at Upminster station, the crisp, clean air invigorated me. It's just the sort of energy I need to embrace my day.
As I walked through the town, a familiar feeling of excitement bubbling within, it hit me – I haven't travelled by train for quite some time! My usual mode of transport, for those of you who don't know, is my trusty steed, Belle – the most fabulous, well-trained Shetland pony in Derbyshire! Sadly, Belle doesn't travel well on public transport. Not even with a glamorous pink tutu-covered bridle. Imagine the chaos on a busy train – it's too much even for me!
My day was an eclectic mix of glitter, sequins, and, yes, some real-life science. I had a fabulous encounter at the local fabric store - who knew Upminster had such a trove of sparkling treasures?! A few minutes in there and I was already sketching new tutu designs for future performances. And trust me, those designs involve feathers. You can't go wrong with a bit of fabulous plumage.
But, dear readers, the highlight of my trip? The Upminster ballet school. What a wonderful place! There were little ballerinas, leaping and twirling in the studio, and a class for the slightly older, slightly less graceful among us (let's call us 'passionate enthusiasts'). Let's just say that my tutus, carefully packed away in my luggage, weren't idle! And I have to tell you, after a full afternoon of pirouettes and jetés, I can tell you all with certainty, those darling little ballet shoes they wear make my feet ache just thinking about it. Those girls have real talent.
I joined in the fun, naturally. After all, this queen was practically born to wear a tutu. We danced and we laughed, and a few little princesses, who'd clearly never seen a queen with such extravagant attire before, got a chance to pose with me for photos! The memory of their shining, bright eyes and genuine glee, it's a feeling that truly lights up my world. My day wasn't just about performing for them; it was about sharing a love for dance, for the joy of expressing oneself through movement. That's what it's all about.
As I waved goodbye to Upminster, the setting sun casting a soft pink glow across the horizon, I felt a wave of warmth. A feeling that spread outwards from my pink tulle-enveloped heart. And as I settled into the train carriage, a beautiful thought popped into my head. If everyone embraced a bit of Pink Tutu Sparkles - a little bit of sparkle, a little bit of courage, a little bit of love for the little things that bring us joy – wouldn't the world be a little more fabulous?
To all the little dreamers, to all the aspiring TutuQueens out there – I know you're watching, I know you're dreaming. Keep dreaming big. Believe in your sparkle.
Until next time, darlings.
Keep twirling,
Pink Tutu Sparkles!
XOXO
