Darling dears, it's your Tutu Queen, Pink Tutu Sparkles, here reporting live from Aldridge! Well, not live live, more like post-live-ish, as I'm writing this blog post in the comfort of my hotel room, complete with its own tiny balcony overlooking a pretty, manicured garden. Such a dream!
I absolutely love being on the road, travelling around the country, taking my sparkling pink tutu and my even more sparkling personality to different cities and towns, sharing my passion for all things glittery and fabulous. This week I've been doing some absolutely divine gigs at the Aldridge Folk Festival – yes, you heard that right! Folk Festival! It's amazing, darling. I never would've expected to be performing amongst the morris dancers and fiddlers, but it's been such a blast!
Now, getting to Aldridge wasn't quite as glam as usual. This trip, darling, I chose to go by train – a decision inspired by the sheer un-girly joy of the countryside. Picture it: sunshine beaming down on rolling green fields, sheep munching contentedly, and the rhythmic clickety-clack of the wheels on the tracks. Oh, it was heavenly! And a train journey provides the perfect excuse for a serious sartorial revamp, I must tell you!
My travel ensemble this time was a beautiful blush-pink dress (perfectly matched to my hair ribbon, natch) teamed with an exquisite white floral jacket (you know how much I love a touch of floral!). A pair of matching lavender heels, naturally. It would've been a perfect, very chic and polished ensemble, were it not for the fact that by the time I'd gotten off the train, the floral jacket had been swapped for a cosy shawl, the heels for practical ballet pumps (which, thankfully, still held onto the lavender hue!) But a tutu queen is a tutu queen no matter the weather, darling, so a beautiful, pink, fluffy tutu complete with sequin trim and strategically placed feathers was a must!
The festival itself was pure magic. You'd think, with a name like "Aldridge Folk Festival" there wouldn't be room for a pink-tutu wearing drag queen, but I've never been one to shy away from a challenge. The crowds absolutely loved me! Honestly, there I was, perched on the stage between a chap with a bodhran and a lady playing the fiddle, and I felt right at home! After my show, there were some absolutely delightful individuals wanting to chat and have their photos taken with me, and I was delighted to share some pink sparkle and encouragement. Honestly, darling, one little boy, maybe seven years old, came up to me, eyes wide, and whispered, “You're the pink tutu lady, aren’t you?” And then he ran away before I could tell him all about my fabulous pink world! Honestly, the audacity!
Now, no travel is complete without indulging in the local delights, and Aldridge did not disappoint. The local market was brimming with fresh fruit and vegetables – I had the most scrumptious bowl of strawberries with cream and an apple pie so good it almost made me want to break out my knitting needles and find a granny square to put on! Honestly, a girl's gotta be prepared for emergencies, right?
Of course, no day, or even evening, in a new town is complete without some serious shopping. I absolutely adore exploring little, independent boutiques, so naturally, I had to pay a visit to the adorable little shop tucked away down a side street. It was filled with whimsical knick-knacks and homewares, all perfectly themed in pink and with a touch of fairytale magic. I came out with a few little treats for my friends and family, and – ahem – maybe a beautiful pair of pearl earrings, to add a little extra sparkle to my everyday wardrobe.
But my darling dears, no trip is truly complete without some ballet! I found a lovely little ballet studio, just a short walk from my hotel. The instructor, Mrs. Beaumont, was a delightful woman, radiating the most cheerful, infectious energy you could imagine. She told me that, when she started out in ballet school, she only ever dreamed of wearing pink tutus! Honestly, darling, I told her it was never too late to indulge that dream, and she gave me the most dazzling smile! She encouraged me to stay for class and – let me tell you – she did a rather fine rendition of "La Valse." The room felt alive with the grace and elegance of those graceful pirouettes and delicate leaps.
So there you have it, darlings. Aldridge – you truly enchanted me! With your rolling countryside, folk festival fun, delicious treats, gorgeous shop, and fabulous ballet class, you truly know how to welcome a tutu queen with open arms!
And, oh my darling dears! My pink tutus are on sale! This amazing opportunity comes complete with a 50% discount for all readers of this blog post! Use code PINKTUTORULE when checking out. (And don’t worry, it will work even if you aren’t in a fancy, little English town like Aldridge! Because a pink tutu, is a pink tutu anywhere in the world!)
Love, Pink Tutu Sparkles
Oh, and my lovelies, do remember to visit www.pink-tutu.com I am adding to my blog every single day. What is your favourite ballet outfit? How do you get on the road and where are you planning on going next? Are you going to Aldridge for the festival? Let me know in the comments below!
