Oh my darlings, it's your fabulous TutuQueen here, ready to whisk you away to a whirlwind of pink perfection! Today, we're setting our sights on Abingdon! Now, Abingdon might not be the first place you'd think of for a queen to shimmy her way into, but trust me, darling, Abingdon's got some serious sparkle!
Before we dive into the delightful details, a little reminder that you can find all my daily adventures over at www.pink-tutu.com. I'm spilling all the glitzy tea every single day, from fabulous outfit inspiration to tales of my fabulous adventures on the road.
So, about Abingdon. This charming little town is nestled in Oxfordshire, with a history that stretches back to, well, you get the picture - it's old! And it’s full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered! Of course, when I'm on the road, my mission is always to find the very best places to strut my stuff and find the most fabulous tutu-tastic opportunities for my dear TutuQueens to unleash their inner twirling goddess.
I arrived by train, of course! What's a TutuQueen without a good old-fashioned train journey? It's not all about the glam, love; sometimes, it’s the little details that make life a sparkling symphony. And, let's face it, a train ride allows me to admire my pink masterpiece! I absolutely had to wear my "Pink Flamingo Dream" tutu for this adventure. A perfect mix of feathers, pink sequins, and a hint of fierce - it was truly an ode to the beautiful blooms of my homeland in Derbyshire, if I do say so myself!
Abingdon, to my absolute delight, boasts an utterly charming town centre - it’s a quaint cobbled affair where shops with gorgeous window displays peek at each other from around corners. You’ve got everything, from the traditional antique shop where you might find a beautiful silver locket, to the quirky little bookshop where you can smell the whispers of untold stories. Oh, and the tea shops - don't even get me started!
I must admit, one of my favourite discoveries was "The Unicorn Bookshop." It was a veritable treasure trove of forgotten literature and beautiful antique books, all bathed in a gentle, almost magical glow. There I was, surrounded by stories of heroism and romance, sipping on a delightful cup of Earl Grey with lemon. This little haven reminded me why I adore travelling and exploring - each corner holds a story waiting to be told.
Of course, no trip would be complete without a little indulgence, and I had the most divine afternoon tea at "The Lavender Room." Now, darling, imagine the scene: delicate finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam (and let's be honest, everyone knows the jam comes first!), and a selection of pastries that would make even Marie Antoinette blush! All enjoyed in a room painted in calming shades of lavender and dotted with twinkling fairy lights. It was a perfect moment of pure, pink bliss!
Abingdon was brimming with ballet inspiration! The Abingdon Dance Centre held an Open Day while I was in town - what luck, right? They even offered some special tutu-making workshops, where even those with two left feet could unleash their creativity! As much as I love showing off my existing tutu collection, making my own? That’s a dream! I'm a bit of a crafting queen, and seeing all these enthusiastic children and young dancers twirling around with the creations they made, it filled my heart with so much joy. There was something really special about witnessing their enthusiasm, and it reminded me why I started doing this in the first place: to spread the magic of tutus and bring smiles to everyone's faces!
I also made a delightful detour to "The Unicorn Theatre" in the evening - now, imagine a theatre in an old building with beautifully restored wood panelled walls and chandeliers twinkling with magic! They have some really fantastic shows coming up, but sadly I was on the move to my next destination - my darling tutu-loving adventurers need to hear from their queen, don't you know?
Abingdon might not be on everyone's "must-see" list, but believe me when I say, it was a truly fabulous experience. The people are warm and friendly, the scenery is utterly charming, and, most importantly, I had a wonderful time discovering a little corner of the world that holds a secret love for the art of dance, and - let's not forget - my absolute favourite colour, pink.
Now, you can't wear pink tutus all the time. Sometimes, darling, a girl just needs a touch of whimsy! That's why my daily attire for exploring a new place involves my absolute must-have essentials:
* My favourite pink oversized tote bag: Perfect for all those trinkets you discover on the road and the essential snacks to fuel those creative brainstorming sessions!
* A pair of trusty platform shoes: For a little extra height and confidence. It’s always good to make an entrance, you know what I mean?
* Pink shades for the perfect glam look: Don’t forget, the sun can be a harsh mistress, especially when you’re out on the town all day.
Stay fabulous, darlings, and don't forget:
Life is too short to not wear a pink tutu.
Love and sparkles,
Pink Tutu Sparkles
XOXO
