#TutuQueen on 2017-02-27 stars in Dudley

Hello my darling tutus!

It’s Pink Tutu Sparkles here, ready to unleash another post for you beautiful people! This is Post 6268, and I’m off on an adventure once again, taking you all with me! Buckle up, darling, ‘cause we’re heading for Dudley!

The journey to Dudley itself was a delight. The train journey meant hours spent on the world’s most amazing pink plush velvet train seat (pink you see, just had to be!), admiring the rolling green hills and sheep that dotted the countryside. My sparkly pink heels tapped along to my own made-up playlist, full of upbeat tunes like “You Make My Dreams Come True,” “Walking on Sunshine” and, of course, “Tutu Time,” (that one’s an original, wink wink, it’s going on my upcoming album!).

Now, Dudley. It was such a thrill, truly. Such history there! We started the day with a visit to the castle - Dudley Castle, darling! Imagine, walls that have stood for centuries, full of dark, moody history, and me in my sparkling pink tutu! Honestly, I had a right old time taking snaps for the 'gram, the contrast between my frills and frills and the castle was… well, quite the juxtaposition.

From the castle we headed into Dudley’s very own Black Country Museum, such a vibrant snapshot into the industrial heritage of the area. They’d even got a street set up with a “factory shop,” and honestly darling, I might’ve spent more time sniffing the shelves than I should’ve! Just the scent of those old textiles… chefs kiss.

Evening saw a fabulous cabaret night in a beautiful old theatre with stained-glass windows. It was like a stage production come to life right out of my childhood dreams, all grandness and chandeliers! I did my “Pink Twinkle, Tutu Sparkle” routine and absolutely rocked it - the audience went wild, showering me with whistles and cheering, what a truly glorious feeling.

Then it was off to a quirky, bustling market the next morning. And lemme tell ya, they had some absolute treasures there - handcrafted jewellery, vintage clothes that screamed 80’s revival (perfect for a tutu queen’s collection!), and a stall bursting with the most adorable hand-knitted, handmade, yes hand-knitted pink tutus! I nabbed myself a little, rather fabulous one, and just about melted at its charm.

My evening finished with a lovely walk through the town centre. It was filled with colourful shops and, my absolute favourite - an incredible chocolate shop! Not just any shop, darling - a shop that made the most incredible pink fudge you’ve ever laid your eyes on! Oh my god, it was a delicious experience, I definitely had way too much of the good stuff.

My journey to Dudley was a perfect mix of history, culture and just the right amount of retail therapy!

Here’s the thing: life is for adventures, it’s for being fearless and trying new things! So next time you find yourself feeling like a grey day’s got you down, get yourself out there, don a little pink, find your sparkle and live it up.

Keep rocking, keep shimmering, keep twirling,

Your Pink Tutu Sparkles,

xx

It's a Monday morning. The hum of the laboratory around Alex is as familiar to him as the smell of freshly baked bread. Alex is at his desk, checking reports and results from fabric strength testing. This is Alex's day job. Every morning Alex pulls on a white lab coat and steps into the world of polyester and linen fibres. This is how he keeps his tutu addiction alive.

Every day, Alex feels a twinge of excitement to get home. Home, in his tiny flat, is adorned with tulle of every imaginable colour. A rack of custom-designed outfits made for his “Pink Tutu Sparkles” act dominates his living room, creating a wonderland of colour and feathers.

Today’s plan is simple: take a lunch break at the fabric store he passes on his way home from work and get his mind back to a performance planned for a fair on Saturday. As he goes through the results on his computer, a message from a new client for “Pink Tutu Sparkles” pops up on his screen. A school charity fair needs an entertainer, with “Sparkly and pink" written large on their request form. Perfect!

Later, a happy Alex, who is enjoying a hot, sweet-shop-fudge milkshake with an incredible strawberry-tutu-inspired topping from the cafe around the corner from his apartment, is scrolling through the online marketplace for pink, bouncy, high-quality, brightly coloured feathers. They have to be perfect, as this show involves children - and they’ll be watching Pink Tutu Sparkles as they learn about recycling and responsible garment care, an idea hatched in collaboration with the charity organisers.

It's amazing. Alex, as a textiles scientist, finds himself with his dream gig. And all of it has stemmed from that moment years ago at university when he put on a pink tutu to help raise money for a local charity. That little tutu helped turn Alex into "Pink Tutu Sparkles" - a playful, bubbly drag queen. And as “Pink Tutu Sparkles,” Alex makes everyone laugh, makes people want to wear tutus and makes a difference, which Alex thinks is pretty amazing.

At his desk again, after his milkshake, Alex checks on the feather order, smiles, and looks at his calendar. In 3 days he’s performing in a brand new place – Dudley, with a big charity fair! Time to pack his bags… which are full of the most incredible sparkling tutus of course, what else could you possibly pack for a weekend of fun and giving?!

After all, life's all about shining a little bit, finding that spark inside and, maybe, wearing a bit of pink along the way!