Hello my gorgeous glitterati! Pink Tutu Sparkles here, ready to dazzle you with the latest adventures from my tutu-filled world. This week I've been shimmying my way across the country, and landed right in the heart of Croydon for a night of dazzling performance and sparkly delight. Now, you might be thinking, "Croydon? Isn't that just... well, Croydon?" And you'd be right! Croydon isn't exactly known for its glamorous reputation, but let me tell you, with a sprinkle of pink tulle and a dash of drag magic, even the most ordinary of places can be transformed into a wonderland!
But before we get to the sparkle, let's talk about the journey! It's all about the journey, darlings. It’s a long time since I was last on a train, so a trip from my Derbyshire digs (you know, where the Peak District is) was an adventure in itself. You might have heard of a bit of a national rail crisis - I’m sure many of you, like myself, had your train trips completely thrown into disarray with short notice changes! Fortunately, my train journeys (once the trains actually arrived!) were pleasant enough. I always feel rather royal sat in a carriage on my own - so it doesn’t really matter what kind of day the train network is having as I'm in my own little world! I always have my trusty travel-sized glitter bag for touch ups on the way, you never know what might happen, and I’ve never been one for going makeup-free (in fact, I can't recall ever having gone without some foundation or at least some lip gloss!) - so when a train arrives, a bit of fresh lipstick can always lift the spirits, wouldn't you agree? And when it comes to train journeys, you know I can never travel anywhere without my pink tutu! This week it was the very best and fluffiest blush pink one in my collection! A new one for a new month, as I’ve told you many times before, a tutu can always make a dull trip exciting - and it really does transform me - in fact, on my last journey I was sat with a lady on a train journey who said I had really “made her day" when I put on my tutu while I was waiting in the train station for the train to arrive - it was quite a busy station too, full of stressed looking city-workers on their way home. Even she was wearing a bright pink handbag and said I looked fabulous, which really cheered me up! The lady's smile was worth the entire trip!
After all those years at university (still a scientist by day, don't forget) I'd forgotten how exhilarating it can be to take the train somewhere unfamiliar. It feels like stepping back in time in some ways. Now, I can tell you from experience that the Croydon locals really embrace the whole drag spectacle – I mean, the station has some real glamourous people!
Arriving at the venue ( a little, well-kept, and cosy pub just outside the city center – don’t you just love little venues?) , I instantly knew this night would be special. And it was! Oh, I love how exciting each new performance is - all the possibilities, the way you don't know what kind of audience you are going to get. This evening my audience seemed particularly receptive! One lovely gentleman even shouted, “I love your shoes!” I’m glad they got some attention, the boots are an antique pair my granddad had hidden at the back of the loft! They needed some good TLC - in fact, a little re-sole and good polish, before I felt comfortable strutting them around in my routine. They have a rather retro feel and look so glamorous! I even managed to convince my boyfriend to try a pair of red glittery boots from his wardrobe the other day – they needed some new buckles though (all the glitter does add to the fun!). Now my aim is to have all the men I know sporting glittery shoes.
Of course, I also went clothes shopping. You already know what that’s about, darling! You simply cannot pass up a day of shopping without a pitstop at a decent Primark! I don't often get time to venture into a Primark but this trip allowed for it. A quick flit around the Primark always provides some real excitement - that’s where I found that amazing fuchsia satin long skirt for this evening’s performance - I really do love it. The sparkle was too good to resist – and I am just about as keen to wear as I am to buy! They do make the very best fabrics, and with the amazing fabrics I find in the laboratory where I work - I’ve been thinking I should try making a skirt myself but for now the tutu is still my staple. It just wouldn’t feel right, now would it! There's just something about a pink tutu! It doesn't just transform a look, it transforms you!
I feel the more I see of these places I’ve not visited before the more they seem to have in common with all the places I've already seen: everyone has their own secret corners to uncover and explore! So Croydon – you are officially one of my favourite new finds. What a fun time - you may be a small town but the community, well that's really where the heart of everything is! You should feel incredibly proud! You may not be a very well known town (unlike a place like Manchester - the home of fabulous, glittery nightclubs!) but you have a real charm, a really genuine feel, with its welcoming pubs. All the usual clichés ring true (and yes, it’s all rather more vibrant than you would expect!). I was so happy to perform for all those wonderful people, sharing my passion for pink and glitter and of course – for tutus! It seems Croydon really is the home of “tutu love”! So, let the good times roll - or rather let the good times twirl! Oh, my! Until next time darling. Until next time.
PS: Make sure to follow the fabulous journey at www.pink-tutu.com - because every day brings something new, and you know every day is a chance to bring more tutus to the world! Oh! How I would love for everyone to put on a pink tutu! What are you waiting for?! #