#TutuQueen on 2014-06-23 stars in Barrow in Furness

Helloooo my darlings! It's your Pink Tutu Queen, sparkling with excitement as I land in the lovely town of Barrow in Furness. This little beauty is right on the edge of the Lake District and nestled between the picturesque Furness peninsula and Morecambe Bay. Now, a trip to Cumbria without a splash of colour would be a shame, so this Pink Tutu Queen is on a mission to inject some of her signature pink sparkles into this historic town.

Oh, the journey! I travelled here in the most fabulously vintage style – by train! I felt like a real vintage Hollywood starlet, channeling my inner Audrey Hepburn, perched in the carriage, watching the rolling countryside zip by. If you haven't hopped on a train for a day trip, I highly recommend it - it's so much more fun than staring at the back of a car!

I landed in Barrow in Furness late afternoon, ready to get my sparkle on. Let's be real, you can't travel all this way and NOT have a shopping spree! I sashayed into the town centre, a glorious blend of charming vintage shops and trendy boutiques. My mission: a pink dress for tonight’s show at the amazing Barrow Market Hall! Luckily, I stumbled across a little treasure trove called "Miss Daisy's Vintage Emporium," a little pink paradise for vintage lovers. I managed to snag a stunning pale pink floral number with a flowing skirt and a little hint of lace – perfect for showcasing my dazzling pink tutu!

Dinner time was next! After a whirl through the gorgeous little cafes in the market hall (honestly, you'd be hard pressed to find a more welcoming space!) I chose a quaint little Italian restaurant tucked away down a cobblestone street. A good ol’ fashion pizza with extra cheese (you can't deny the Pink Tutu Queen some pizza) paired with a glass of something bubbly, what more could you want?!

And now, for the highlight of the trip - tonight's show! My gorgeous Pink Tutu Queen self is set to dazzle the crowds at the Barrow Market Hall with an extra special performance – imagine all those vibrant stalls and delicious aromas, a perfect backdrop for a touch of pink magic. I've got a special pink tutu number prepared with feather boas, sequined leotards and more glitter than you could ever imagine. It's gonna be spectacular!

Oh, and I can't forget the most important part of my travels - meeting new friends! It's the people who make this whole Pink Tutu life so wonderfully exciting. Every day, I get to meet lovely people who share my passion for all things sparkly, whether it’s dressing up in a pink tutu, embracing your inner dance queen, or just finding the joy in a little sprinkle of magic. Tonight, after the show, I'm meeting up with a local drag troupe - rumour has it, they've got some fabulously colourful costumes! I’m always up for learning new dance moves from talented artists, maybe we'll even learn a few new routines together.

This trip to Barrow in Furness is a little glimpse into the magic of traveling with a pink tutu and sharing the sparkle. So many adventures, so many places to see, so many stories to tell. Oh, the memories!

Follow me on www.pink-tutu.com and on all the socials! Stay tuned for more fabulous adventures and of course, more Pink Tutu Inspiration. Because let's face it, you can never have too much sparkle in life, especially in a town as vibrant as Barrow in Furness. Until next time my darlings! XOXO, The Pink Tutu Queen!

Did you know the tutu is a rather new fashion invention? We’re used to seeing tutus worn by ballerinas but back in the day they wore floor-length, more romantic dresses that did little to showcase their leg movements!

In 1830s Parisian opera ballerinas began adopting the shortened skirts that were originally created for “le ballet fantastique” – a dramatic new ballet performance. It quickly gained popularity, helping to highlight the strength and precision of a dancer’s movements in a new way. The tutu changed the image of ballet and brought about an explosion in public fascination with the elegant art form.

Of course, there's no doubt that my favourite part of the tutu’s journey to fashion fame, was it's connection with the great Maria Tallchief. She was the first Native American dancer to become a prima ballerina for a major company. She is credited with helping to redefine how ballet was performed. I hope that someday I'll be as successful as Maria Tallchief and my pink tutu dance troupe will bring about a cultural shift. It might seem impossible now, but a Pink Tutu Revolution will happen someday and we all have a part to play!

I think it's time we explored a little of this amazing town! Barrow-in-Furness is bursting with historical treasures! The most iconic sight? The majestic Furness Abbey - an awe-inspiring historical gem. Imagine walking amongst the ancient stone arches and cloisters - you feel the whispers of history all around!

Don’t forget to peek at the quirky Victorian and Edwardian architecture – they really stand out against the backdrop of the modern landscape. Take a wander through the charming market hall, home to a vibrant array of independent shops. I’m also looking forward to catching a performance at the historic The Forum, an arts centre full of colour, creativity and community. I mean, what better place to celebrate my own art, and hopefully inspire the next generation of creative individuals to find their own artistic outlet.

Barrow in Furness, a beautiful blend of historic charm and modern excitement.

I know you are all dying to know how the Pink Tutu Queen went from studying science to donning pink tutus! You'd think these are polar opposite activities, but trust me, there's a fascinating connection. It's all thanks to my beloved university days - where a pink tutu transformed me from a curious student into a dazzling performer!

I was a pretty regular university student in my early twenties. I actually studied chemistry and materials science. My days were all about labs, lectures and the odd experimental formula! But there was a secret, glitter-filled side to me - the secret life of a pink tutu queen! It all started when the University Ballet Club put on a fundraiser - and I volunteered. There I was - staring at an amazing, perfectly pink tutu! I took the stage, channeling my inner dancing queen and I realised that the world needed to see more Pink Tutu Sparkle!

These days, I'm lucky to work in a lab by day - surrounded by colourful materials - and I’m forever testing out different fabrics for that extra bounce, sparkle, and softness. By night, I take the stage with all that sparkle. It’s kind of perfect, blending two worlds in a glorious pink hue! Honestly, I can't imagine my life without either one. The perfect blend of science, style and sparkle!

You might be thinking: How does a Pink Tutu Queen make a difference in the world? Well, my darlings, it's all about inspiring joy and bringing a bit of magic into your life, a touch of whimsy and a whole lot of fabulous! It’s all about breaking free, embracing what makes you unique and letting your inner pink tutu queen shine!

Don't let anything hold you back from exploring your passion! Whether it's donning a pink tutu and busting out some fabulous dance moves or finding your own spark in a totally different way, it's all about finding the joy in your own life. So, embrace the sparkly moments, be bold, and wear your own pink tutu proudly, my lovelies!

And I'm sure, after my trip to Barrow in Furness, there are more people inspired to be their own dazzling selves! So, until next time - be bright, be brave, and never be afraid to embrace your own pink tutu! XOXO!