Oh darling, how divine to be back on the road! It’s a glorious new year, and my pink tutu and I are absolutely buzzing to be venturing into the wilds of Worcestershire for our latest adventure: Stourbridge! Now, let’s be honest, Stourbridge doesn’t exactly scream “fashionable fashionista” like, say, Harrods does, but I’ve always been a big fan of discovering hidden gems, and trust me, honey, Stourbridge’s got a few!
As you know, my lovely blog readers, I absolutely adore exploring new places. There’s something truly magical about the thrill of the unknown, the mystery of what adventures await just around the corner. And I must say, travelling by train this time around felt absolutely dreamy. Nothing beats watching the countryside rush by from the comfort of a carriage window, clutching a cuppa and a copy of "Dance Magazine" (just don't tell anyone I’m a total secret ballet geek, alright?).
Anyway, enough about the journey – let's get back to Stourbridge itself, shall we? This delightful town boasts some rather charming Victorian architecture that gives the whole place a delightfully romantic feel, don't you think? Imagine all those dainty lamp posts, the cobbled streets, the cute little shops… absolutely perfect for a pink-tutu-wearing princess like myself, darling!
But it wasn’t all tea and roses in Stourbridge (well, not literally roses – I did not bump into a florist stall while navigating those cobblestone streets in my tutu, thank the universe!), for it was here that I met my latest drag crush, darling – The Glamorous Gwendolyn! Oh, this queen is something special – a vintage goddess straight out of the 1950s, with hairspray that could literally take off and a wardrobe to rival even the most fabulous fashion show in Paris! We shared stories and laughed and danced, and by the end of the night, we were fast friends, sworn sisters, pinky-swearing to keep in touch! She's actually an absolute sweetheart, and I just know she’s going to go far! (Watch out, Stourbridge, here comes a glamorous diva with a vintage twist!)
Now, I did say I had stumbled upon hidden gems, and Stourbridge absolutely delivered! I spent the day shopping – I mean, you can never have too many pairs of glitter heels, right? – but my absolute favorite find was tucked away on a side street: “The Dancing Ballet Boutique!” It was like entering a magical fairytale shop, darling – all mirrored walls, stunning dancewear, and tutus galore! You can bet I found myself browsing the shelves with childlike glee! In fact, I snagged a beautiful pale pink feather boa with shimmering sequins. My stylist is absolutely going to LOVE it!
Oh, and talking about "magical" ... I even found this wonderful little community theater group, The Stourbridge Stage Players, who invited me to perform with them. It’s always a privilege to be sharing a stage with fellow performers – and they're so lovely, you could have knocked them down with a feather boa! Imagine – performing in a tutu to a room packed with people! It was an absolute delight – not to mention an adrenaline rush that would make a seasoned daredevil blush. They told me they’re putting on a special production of "Swan Lake" in the spring, and let’s just say my diary's now free for the dates – if they need a last-minute "Sparkling Swan" I'm ready!
But my Stourbridge adventure didn’t end there, darling! Because it wouldn't be a real pink-tutu-wearing adventure without some extra sparkle, I also managed to catch a dazzling performance of a new ballet production called "Stourbridge Sunrise," at the town's grand, Victorian theatre. And oh, honey, you HAVE to experience this – the choreography was like poetry in motion, and the costumes were absolutely breathtaking. It's an absolute must-see if you ever find yourself in this magical corner of Worcestershire. I may not be exactly the "Swan Lake" type, darling – although that's definitely a project for a future blog post, wouldn't you agree? – but let me tell you, watching those graceful dancers soar through the air brought me to tears, and those were happy tears, believe me!
Of course, a weekend trip isn’t complete without a proper sit-down dinner. So, with a last flourish of my tutu, I ventured into the bustling streets of Stourbridge in search of the perfect dining experience, and my search was richly rewarded – literally! (Yes, it was that delicious!). I found a darling little Italian restaurant – the "Bella Cucina" – with the most mouthwatering smells that made me go weak at the knees. But honestly, darling, this little restaurant was more than just tasty food. They have a live band, too, a whole band! Now, I do like to shake a leg (especially after watching all those gorgeous ballerinas, I have to admit, the little “tutu twist” started getting a good workout! The locals are so lovely – they even invited me to have a go on their accordion – oh, darling, my voice never sounded more operatic as it did on those buttons! It was truly a beautiful way to end my trip.
Well, there you have it – my magical weekend in Stourbridge! A journey of glitz and glamour, hidden treasures, and fantastic people! (And, let’s not forget the delicious Italian food). So, dear reader, my advice is simple: Embrace your inner sparkle, get ready to spread some pink-tutu-tastic joy, and be sure to check out Stourbridge, darling! You might just find yourself smitten with its charm and energy just as I am.
See you again soon, and until next time, don’t forget to always live your life with a twinkle in your eye and a feather boa draped around your neck,
Love,
Pink Tutu Sparkles (And don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com to keep up to date with all the latest sparkly happenings!)
