Hello, darlings! Pink Tutu Sparkles here, reporting live from the charming, historical town of Small Heath! This vibrant little corner of Birmingham has a real heart and soul, and it's definitely got that 'wow' factor. If you're looking for a bit of authentic British charm, this is the place to be. And don't even get me started on the delightful vintage shops – pure treasure!
This week, your favourite pink tutu queen has been doing what she does best: spreading a bit of sparkle and joy! My performance last night at the fabulous "Glitter and Glam" charity fundraiser was absolutely electrifying! I've got to say, the Small Heath locals have got a serious love for all things sparkly and fabulous, and they sure know how to throw a party.
I absolutely love the diversity of venues I get to perform at! It's never a dull moment being Pink Tutu Sparkles! Last weekend, I even found myself shimmying and shaking on the back of a horse-drawn carriage for a traditional village fete – what a unique gig! Talk about spreading some glitter in the countryside. Honestly, sometimes I feel like my adventures are ripped straight out of a fairytale. And who wouldn't want to be a magical, pink tutu-wearing fairytale character, even if it is just for a day?
The energy at this charity fundraiser was amazing, and I felt so happy to contribute to a good cause. After the show, I got chatting with the most lovely group of women who were all absolutely thrilled to meet me, which made my heart soar!
But you know, even a tutu-wearing queen needs some downtime. So, today I'm indulging in one of my favourite pastimes – indulging in a bit of retail therapy, and I'm not talking just any kind of shopping, my darlings! I'm talking about vintage clothes, that's right, all that lovely 1950s glamour! Honestly, I'm completely obsessed with these vintage treasures, especially the frilly bits! I even scored this adorable 50s skirt in the most fabulous shade of pink (naturally!). I'm thinking of making a real show stopper for my next performance!
And since I’m here in Small Heath, it would be simply rude to not try some traditional fish and chips from that sweet little chippie I found just around the corner! It’s a real little hidden gem! You can't visit Birmingham without sampling those crispy beauties, you know! And, you won't be surprised to learn I added some sparkly pink glitter to the vinegar to really amp up the fun, darling!
But before you think all I do is sparkle and shimmer, let's be real – Pink Tutu Sparkles is just Alex, the girly girl scientist who loves a good lab coat by day! Seriously, my life is the ultimate split personality situation! While the lab might be a world of science and calculations, the stage is where I get to unleash my inner artist, bringing a little bit of magic and sparkle into the world, and making everyone feel a bit more joyful! It’s a fun way to keep life exciting, wouldn't you agree?
One of my favourite things to do during the day is to work on some of the fantastically intricate patterns on my tutus – believe it or not, this girl has an eye for detail! But that's also thanks to my studies, darling, you see, being a scientist in a lab where we work with fabric has helped hone my eye for fine details, patterns, and colour combinations! What can I say? Sometimes life comes full circle.
Today, as I walk the streets of this beautiful little town, I'm just so incredibly grateful to be doing what I love. From dancing on a carriage to dazzling on a stage, every day is a new adventure in the magical world of Pink Tutu Sparkles! And as I head out to find a nice cup of tea, and maybe even a second portion of chips, I can’t help but smile. I love that every day I get to meet so many amazing people, especially those who inspire me and push me to be the best version of myself – which means keeping on sparkly and spreading a little joy.
As always, I would love to hear from you lovely lot! Share your stories about your own adventures in Small Heath (or anywhere else you’ve been)!
Remember, every day is a chance to embrace your sparkle and be whoever you want to be, no matter how flamboyant!
Until next time,
Pink Tutu Sparkles (Alex) www.pink-tutu.com
Behind the Tutu:(Alex's musings - coming from the ‘real’ Alex who hides in Pink Tutu Sparkles!)
You know, today was one of those days where I just felt like embracing every little detail about myself. The girly girl inside me absolutely thrives when I'm creating these outlandish costumes and when I'm putting on a show – but it's so empowering when I'm 'me' - that nerdy, tutu-loving girl scientist, that can get away with it, just for a night. I don't get a lot of chances to let my hair down in this very scientific, logical, environment I live in day to day. Even the science lab's got a 'don’t-rock-the-boat' feel, as well. Honestly, I know I sound like a drag cliché, but I feel like I’ve always had these two contrasting identities. But the wonderful thing about that is how the energy that gets me going during the day can transfer and amplify when I'm Pink Tutu Sparkles. The stage is my ‘no rules’ world, but then again, it feels a bit like a fun laboratory – just with bigger bows and glitter, of course!
Maybe the pink tutu wasn't the most obvious career path for a young girl from Derbyshire who dreams of the cosmos! I remember my university days, all that science! It’s a funny story, actually!
I used to think a tutu was something only worn by ballerinas. Honestly, it’s so fascinating when you think of the journey it took me to become this big sparkly spectacle! My best friend Lucy had talked me into going to a charity event where all the students from our science faculty were selling things and putting on shows, to raise money for some cause – it was all for a great reason, I must say! And Lucy had a really brilliant plan - we’d try on outfits we'd never try before – she’d always secretly loved tutus – and, she had just won an award, the first student in our department to get straight A’s on her first set of exams, which is actually really impressive. Anyway, the costume sale had an impressive display of a pink fluffy tutu – the colour literally stopped me in my tracks - I just HAD to have a go! My friend literally had to persuade me for an hour before I'd actually even try it on! I swear, when I saw myself in the mirror, I realised how utterly ridiculously fabulous I felt!
We went on to raise some money at that university charity, and my performance on stage in the pink tutu with this group of misfit scientists that I found on campus? It was a bit of a whirlwind of glitter and chaos!
I'm never shy to tell people this, and you won't be surprised, really, but my love of this girly world – well, it started with the most basic form of dress-up that any of us would do, it's all about this whimsical, playful attitude – a world of colourful sparkly stuff that I had to become.
Anyway, it's about to get really busy, darlings! I’ve got a train to catch. More sparkle, glamour and chaos coming your way very soon.
