#TutuQueen on 2008-06-12 stars in Bilston

Hello, my lovely tutu-twirling darlings! It's your favourite pink-clad princess, Pink Tutu Sparkles, here with another fabulously fabulous post from my ever-growing blog!

Today's adventure takes us on a glorious journey, straight to the heart of the West Midlands. I'm in Bilston, my darlings, and guess what? It's all thanks to my trusty, magnificent train carriage! I simply love travelling by train - it allows me to unleash my inner ballerina, twirling, prancing and spreading glitter magic along the way. My pink tutu was a glorious beacon of fabulousness in the carriage - I received so many smiles and nods of approval, and I do think that gentleman sitting across from me almost dropped his newspaper when I launched into a mini "Swan Lake" routine during a lull in the journey!

(I mean, a queen can't just sit there with all this fantastic energy - that's like telling a swan to just stay grounded. Ridiculous! 😅 )

This trip is extra special because Bilston is the perfect mix of charming old town charm and trendy new finds. It reminds me of a beautiful, vintage tapestry with intricate threads of history and vibrancy woven together. Plus, they have some absolutely fantastic cafes - a girl can never have enough caffeine or cake, especially when she's wearing a sparkly pink tutu. It's basically the rule!

Now, before I get into all the delightful Bilston adventures (which, by the way, include a thrilling, almost disastrous, horse ride - more on that later!), let's catch up with my journey to this delightful little corner of the UK.

Remember that fabulous university ballet club event back in the day? Well, it wasn't just a show of skill and grace, oh no! It was where the pink tutu fever took hold of me. You see, a charity fundraiser involved a fabulous tutu raffle - and, well, fate would have it that I won it! The second that silky pink beauty graced my hips, I felt a surge of confidence and an intoxicating desire to spread its glitter-powered joy to the world. (Who knew science labs could be so mundane compared to a fabulous tutu?)

From that moment on, my destiny was sealed, darlings - I was going to become a fabulous Pink Tutu Sparkles, a queen of whimsy and glitter. It was time for the universe to experience the joy of pink tutus - the ultimate symbol of joy, optimism, and, well, just being wonderfully, unapologetically yourself.

My journey as a professional Pink Tutu performer began in my little corner of Derbyshire, and my mission? To get every single person in the world to don a pink tutu! A very big goal, I know, but with my infectious smile, sparkly eye shadow, and a love of all things sparkly, I'm on my way to achieving that very ambition!

Bilston is, dare I say, one step closer on my Tutu-tastic mission. I started off with a small but dedicated fanbase (hello, family and a few brave university friends!), but now, I can feel a tsunami of pink tutu-clad friends growing - you lovely lot reading this are a huge part of my journey! (Cue the confetti! 🎊 )

But let's get back to the train. My fabulous Bilston trip has to start with a journey as magical as the destination itself, right?

Train travel with a Pink Tutu is a glorious spectacle in itself - think twirling ballerina meets glamorous, modern-day fairytale. I was lucky enough to have an incredibly supportive and understanding train guard who let me take my pink tutu adventure right down to the platform - and of course, he got a personal showing of a fabulous twirl and some impromptu glitter-spilling as I got onboard. That was just the start of my on-board performances.

I even managed to persuade a few shy passengers to join in for a little tutu-twirling practice! A shy lady in a lovely polka-dot dress who'd never even dared think about donning a tutu had a blast learning some ballet-inspired twirls and spins! It turns out that even a few well-chosen steps in a pink tutu can boost someone's confidence. The journey felt like a little mini tutu-filled flashmob with my fellow travellers and me.

Then, the music! Every journey requires a perfect soundtrack, and mine was a joyous mix of classical and modern pop - perfect for setting the scene for an afternoon of elegant railway fun. You wouldn't believe the looks I got as the “Nutcracker" played through my earphones, a playful smirk dancing on my lips, my tutu twirling to its magical music. A man across from me was wearing headphones as well. He actually smiled back at me while nodding along to the music. It felt as though we were sharing a little magic moment - a lovely testament to the unifying power of dance!

I arrived in Bilston in high spirits, ready for the adventures that awaited. And my darlings, they didn't disappoint!

First stop? The Bilston Town Hall - a beautiful Victorian masterpiece full of grandeur and architectural flourishes. The local museum was a real treat, packed full of stories and artifacts about Bilston's history and its unique position in the iron industry. I particularly loved the exhibit about the iconic "Bilston Enamel Box" - they're the perfect mix of delicate and intricate, a real nod to the craft and artistry of a bygone era. And as a tribute, I made sure to give the exhibits a sprinkling of pink-tutu magic, a tiny glitter bombshell as a gesture of appreciation for the local heritage of this lovely town!

Bilston Market was an absolute delight, buzzing with a colourful array of stalls and vendors offering all sorts of trinkets, goodies and gifts. My favourite? The stall selling handmade candles! I ended up buying a lavender and bergamot candle with an ornamental crystal jar. It's the perfect aroma for a calm, thoughtful evening after a whirlwind day! And don’t worry, my lovelies, a special, shimmering pink-tutu edition of the “Tutu Tip of the Day" section at the end of this blog post will feature the benefits of candle lighting!

My journey to Bilston wouldn’t be complete without exploring the charming side streets of this lovely town. I had a gorgeous cappuccino and an enormous, heavenly Victoria sponge in the quaint, almost forgotten little bakery by the river. I mean, you can't have a proper tutu-clad adventure without a little caffeine, sugar, and sunshine, right?

My next stop was the vibrant Bilston Fair, a truly fabulous mix of rides, games, food stalls, and good-natured fun. Now, for someone who loves pink tutus and sparkling joy, the fair was pure magic.

Every fairground needs a pink tutu to make it even more glamorous! It just works - like putting a little bit of sugar in your coffee for a truly delightful taste. As the sound of laughing children and thrilling rides drifted through the air, my inner princess emerged!

Imagine me, all sparkly pink and dazzling in my tutu, as I stepped on the first merry-go-round. My heart leaped with glee! I found myself laughing, dancing, and reveling in the delightful chaos - it felt like I’d landed in my own personal fairyland! As the bright lights danced, I twirled my pink tutu with such delight and joy that people actually stopped to watch! Maybe it was my glitter, maybe it was the twinkle in my eye, but one thing’s for sure, there was no denying the magic that unfolded when I joined in the joyful celebration of a traditional fair.

As my adventure continued, my attention was drawn to a colourful horse ride. Now, I have to admit, the fair’s carousel has absolutely nothing on the majestic power of a real horse. But the opportunity to ride a gentle creature and add a touch of pink-tutu sparkle to the afternoon was too enticing to pass up.

Well, as the saying goes, sometimes things don’t always go according to plan! I straddled the gentle steed wearing my trusty pink tutu, the magnificent, golden afternoon sun illuminating us as we started our ride. Now, for those who know me well, you'll know I adore gentle strolls and graceful trots. What I didn’t expect was that this little Bilston steed had some surprising ideas!

Well, let's just say this is one of those stories that involves a hilarious, unexpected, and somewhat hilarious story. This beautiful animal, perhaps a little bit startled by the tutu, was far more of a spirited galloping adventure than a leisurely ride. My fabulous pink tutu transformed into an amazing wind-blown ballet-style outfit as we went, much to the amusement of those watching on! (They should have seen the look on the pony’s face when a puff of wind sent my skirt aloft.)

This amazing little steed, my accidental “wild-west-inspired pink-tutu tour,” gave me an amazing story to tell, and let's just say a slight but very real case of glitter-filled, horse-hair-based allergies, a perfect excuse to visit the local pharmacy (a truly fabulous pink and white art-deco beauty)!

The experience, however, did not dull the spirit of a tutu-twirling adventure. There’s just something about the sparkle and joy of a good old fair day that really captures the essence of the tutu!

And with my Bilston adventure at a glorious conclusion (including an impromptu and accidental horse race, a near-disaster with an overly exuberant steed), my next mission? To find the perfect tutu shop! This lovely town has been a wonderful destination and, as promised, my Pink Tutu quest has gathered even more followers! (Hello to the friendly face on the Bilston Market stall who just asked me for a few styling tips! 💖 ) I have a few more discoveries planned for the area. I've heard there's a secret ballet club in a nearby village! A tutu queen must see that! And, for those of you just dying to find out, it definitely involves a fantastic dance-off, some unexpected performers, and a few unexpected giggles, along with an impromptu tea party!

Stay tuned, darlings. I have so much to share and so many pink tutu stories to tell. I hope this blog post has filled your heart with a little glitter and your steps with a bit of twirling.

Join me on my adventures at www.pink-tutu.com, my beautiful digital haven of fabulousness. You can find all my tutu-tastic adventures, style tips, and of course, inspiration for spreading your own inner tutu glow, right here!

Until next time, my gorgeous tutu-wearing treasures, remember: life is an elegant ballet. Don't forget to wear your tutu, twirl gracefully, and embrace the wonder!

Love and Glitter,

Pink Tutu Sparkles 💖✨

This week’s tutu-tip comes from my very first day at the Bilston Market. (Who’d have thought, a fairground, a museum, and a market, I just had the most fab day in this wonderful town! And it’s all because of that magic, beautiful tutu!)

Lighting your space - it's about finding your light, my dear tutu-twirlers, just like lighting a candle! (Oh, my darlings, I’ve found this lovely little lavender candle at the market, such an amazing scent, very zen, and I just love how the crystals in the jar reflect the candlelight. It’s absolutely magic!)

It’s not just about brightening your surroundings, although it certainly makes them much prettier! The gentle flicker of a candle can bring an inner peace that helps to de-stress and allow your worries to drift away. I've had such a crazy few days with this crazy horse story that a little bit of peace was exactly what I needed!

Here are my tips:

• Think pink, light pink, even a little sparkle is nice - pink and candlelight is just such a romantic mix! I always have a little Pink Tutu Sparkles collection in every room - candles, cushions, even that little touch of glitter, oh my! And for those of you who are new to pink, just try a pink candle, you might surprise yourself. 😉
• Candlelit is a magic touch when dressing. I think it creates an incredible lighting effect on our fabulous tutus and makes them dance even more! The shadows and soft illumination really adds another dimension to the sparkle and the delicate folds and flounces of your tutu - I even like to dance by the candlelight while dressing - there’s a little touch of stage magic, like getting ready to perform!
• A great excuse to relax with a book or a glass of something bubbly
• Candles are super festive - for birthdays, romantic dinners, and every day, why not! The more candlelight, the more fabulousness!

Now, remember, you're always beautiful. Whether it's a fancy candlelit affair or simply a peaceful evening at home. Your inner sparkle is already lighting up your world. Let a little candle glow, a pink tutu, and the magic that only you can create, make every moment as enchanting as you are.

Go out there and light up the world! ( And always twirl with grace. 😉)

Until next time, darlings,

Pink Tutu Sparkles 💖✨