Helloooo darlings! It's your favourite Pink Tutu Sparkles here, back with another blog post fresh from the glamorous streets of…North Shields! Yep, you heard that right! This week's adventure took me all the way up to the North East coast, a journey filled with windy shores, bustling markets, and a surprising amount of pink, even outside of my own wardrobe! 😉
But let's rewind a little… the journey itself was a bit of a fairytale! Now, I know what you're thinking – how does a pink tutu-clad queen traverse the country? Well, darling, it wasn't a magic carpet or a rainbow unicorn this time! Instead, I opted for the classic, glamorous, and very, very comfy train journey. A first-class carriage with a cup of tea, a slice of Victoria sponge, and my trusty knitting needles – it’s how the queen travels, darling! 🚂🧁
Once I arrived in North Shields, my fabulous friend Daphne (the absolute sweetest drag queen I know) met me at the station. You see, Daphne lives near North Shields and knows every single tucked corner of this charming seaside town. It was Daphne who whispered, “You HAVE to see this market!” She spoke of a market overflowing with delights, hidden treasures, and you guessed it – an absolute trove of pink! Now, I couldn’t very well let my favourite colour escape me, could I? 😉
The market, it turned out, was even better than I’d imagined! A haven of handcrafted goods, fresh produce, and endless quirky stalls that gave me enough inspiration for a hundred new outfits! It felt like I’d stumbled into a fairyland of sequins, feathers, and of course, the most gorgeous, glittering pink fabrics imaginable. It’s like a kaleidoscope of joy, only, you know, for a queen’s wardrobe! 💖
Speaking of wardrobes, this trip to North Shields also reminded me why I absolutely adore theatre! And by “adore” I mean I want to become a fixture in every theatre, dance school, and every stage this little town has to offer. Now, I have to admit, I never really considered North Shields to be a major theatrical hub, but I was so wrong! The place buzzes with such creativity and talent! From dance schools to amateur drama groups, even an entire youth theatre dedicated to the arts – North Shields, you’ve seriously won me over. And the local ballet school? Well, let me tell you, my heart did a literal triple pirouette! They even had a beginner's adult ballet class on a Friday afternoon – so naturally, I had to sign up. Who better to bring the grace and sparkle to North Shields’ beginner's class than your one and only, Pink Tutu Sparkles? 💃💖
Of course, my evening wasn’t all about ballet. North Shields wouldn’t be North Shields without a taste of their iconic local pub, "The Old Mariner." Oh, what a delight it was! Cosy, welcoming, filled with laughter, and, to my surprise, with the best fish and chips I’ve had in… well, a long time! And even though my own hair is fabulous, I can't help but adore the ladies who put their time and skill into crafting amazing up-dos for a few bob! The local pub, complete with a good old fashioned singalong with a delightful pianist and even a few locals doing some rather impromptu “jig-a-ling” steps, definitely stole my heart!
But as they say, all good things must come to an end, darling. As I hopped back onto the train for my journey back to Derbyshire, I was already thinking about my next visit. North Shields has become the perfect blend of coastal charm, artistic creativity, and let's face it, it was overflowing with enough pink to keep even my wildest imagination satisfied. And you know what? There’s no better feeling in the world than leaving somewhere a little bit more sparkling and colourful than you found it.
That's my mission, darlings - spreading the magic and the colour of pink one tutu, one sparkly show, and one town at a time! Until next time, remember: "Life's too short for beige – wear pink, darling, and let your sparkle shine!" 💖
XOXO,
Pink Tutu Sparkles ✨
