Oh darlings, what a fabulous adventure it’s been, and now, as I sit on the train, heading back to Derbyshire, all the gorgeous glitz and glamour is still sparkling in my mind. I've been to Solihull, the heart of the Midlands, and let me tell you, my darlings, I absolutely sashayed my way through that place!
I'll admit, I hadn't been to Solihull before, but my journey was more thrilling than a ballet pas de deux! I set off from Derby, dressed in my pink tutu, a vintage flower patterned dress and sparkly platform boots, ready to brighten up those Midlands streets. I adore travelling by train; you meet so many wonderful people. There's a man in front of me who keeps nodding along to the classical music playing on my headphones - perhaps he's an undercover fan of my act? The lady sitting opposite has a fluffy white chihuahua tucked inside a pink satin handbag - we are so very much kindred spirits.
Solihull welcomed me with open arms, well, open shop windows at least. I have a confession: I am addicted to shops. Clothes, makeup, trinkets, you name it, I love them all, but let’s be real, there's a certain thrill you get when a shop window screams ‘PINK’ to you. I knew I was going to love Solihull. Every corner was overflowing with vibrant colours.
But this trip wasn’t just about shopping, my darlings! The lovely folks at the Solihull Arts Centre booked me in to perform at their fundraising gala, all in support of local dance troupes and ballet studios. My act was a mix of dazzling showmanship and comedic storytelling, a good old dose of “Pink Tutu Sparkles”. Of course, it wouldn’t be me without a little ballet. I got the whole room to sing along with me - I think my rendition of Swan Lake was a bit different than what the local dance studio kids have been practicing.
The gala went off without a hitch. We raised a record-breaking amount, the champagne flowed, and I got a bouquet of pink lilies! Talk about the perfect ending!
The next day I set out to explore the lovely little town centre. There's something special about a place full of independent stores. My search for vintage fashion items led me down little side streets and back alleys – perfect for hunting for vintage gems. My inner shopaholic was delighted. I came back with some glorious additions for my wardrobe! A pink velvet fascinator with an ostrich feather, a vintage scarf bursting with colour, and, wait for it, a sequined mini-dress with the most beautiful embroidery - I’m going to pair it with a blush pink tulle skirt for my next performance! I swear, you'll die when you see the look.
But it’s not all glitter and glam, my dears. You know I’m all about giving back to the community, so I spent the afternoon leading a "Pink Tutu Workshop" at the Solihull Community Center. Now, this was a giggle-a-minute. The ladies and gentlemen attending were initially quite hesitant. " A pink tutu?" one gentleman said, raising his eyebrows. “Is this really going to improve my life? ” “Oh, my dear," I replied, “You’ll see. A pink tutu is more than just a garment; it's a statement. A pink tutu is a symbol of hope, love, and boundless imagination!”
Well, the rest is history, as they say. They embraced their inner Sparkle with the best of them. We had giggling, twirling, and even some impressive improvised ballet moves! It was truly inspiring, and at the end, each participant had learned that with a touch of pink, they could truly own their confidence and inner Sparkle.
As I boarded the train back home to Derbyshire, my head was spinning with memories, plans, and an endless supply of new ideas. Oh, my darling readers, Solihull has completely stolen my heart. The city embraced me with such warmth and acceptance. And I’m not talking about the temperature either, though the sun did come out and play, showering me with a golden glow! The trip had its ups and downs – remember, life’s like a tutu, full of peaks and dips - but overall, it was a triumph! My message was clear: embrace the pink, live the sparkle, and never, ever forget to unleash your inner “Pink Tutu Sparkles” - even in the heart of the Midlands.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I’ve got some serious sequins to unpack, and a brand new wardrobe to plan! Until next time, darlings, keep those tutus spinning!
Much love and a million sparkles,
Pink Tutu Sparkles xx
