Hello darlings! It's your Pink Tutu Sparkles, reporting live from the enchanting town of Sale, where my tutu and I have been having an absolute blast! Let me tell you, this trip has been a whirlwind of frills, fabulousness, and all things pink, just how I like it! 💖
Now, some of you might be thinking, "Sale? Why Sale? What's the big deal?". Well, let me tell you, dear reader, there's more to this charming town than meets the eye! Firstly, the stunning architecture: imagine a blend of Victorian charm and modern flair. It’s simply delightful! And then there’s the heart of the town: the Sale Market, a veritable wonderland of delightful shops brimming with vintage treasures, artisanal goods, and enough colour to make a rainbow jealous! You could lose hours in there, and honestly, you wouldn't want to be rescued. It's that fabulous!
But wait, there's more! Sale, my dears, is also a hidden gem for ballet aficionados! That’s right, the iconic Lowry Theatre, with its sleek design and dramatic backdrop overlooking the Manchester Ship Canal, offers a stunning selection of ballet productions throughout the year. Now, I wouldn't be myself without a cheeky twirl at a ballet performance, and Sale has definitely satisfied that itch! 🩰
I got to catch "The Nutcracker," and oh my goodness, the grandeur, the grace, the music! You know me, I live for that blend of theatrical extravagance and artistic genius. But of course, no visit to a theatre is complete without a spot of retail therapy. I couldn’t resist snagging a darling pair of glittery ballet pumps (perfect for those off-duty days, you understand!), and a new pair of earrings that reminded me of those twirling ballerinas, so dainty and oh so beautiful.
However, my Sale adventure didn't stop at ballet and boutique bliss. A lovely lady I met at the ballet, named Barbara, who was dressed in the most gorgeous pink floral hat you ever did see (seriously, darling, it was perfection!) suggested we pop over to the Arndale Centre. Now, this is no ordinary shopping mall! The Arndale is buzzing with an eclectic mix of boutiques, from independent designers to established brands, and it was my mission to discover a special pink tutu, because a girl can never have too many, can she?
Oh, but let me not forget the food! I'm sure you're thinking "Pink Tutu Sparkles and fancy food? It must be decadent!" You're absolutely right, darling! A visit to the Sale Market just wouldn't be complete without a stop at a delectable artisan bakery, where I sampled the most divine lemon and elderflower cake (divine, truly!). It’s so much nicer than my usual backstage quick bites, which are typically a little bit... "less fancy."
So there you have it, darlings. A perfect day out in Sale, filled with ballet, shopping, fabulous company, and oh, those tutus! Speaking of tutus, my dear friend, Alex (yes, she's a real person!), the resident fashionista who manages my social media pages, was actually the one who suggested I venture to Sale. She claims to have an absolute "tutu crush" on a specific little shop nestled in a backstreet. Well, let me tell you, dear readers, this little shop is absolutely divine! And to top it off, it’s nestled in a backstreet lined with the most adorable independent stores!
Anyway, dear Alex suggested this backstreet because it was meant to be full of amazing tutus (yes, apparently that’s a thing!) - she said it’s perfect for “pink-tutu-inspired vintage fashion.” Alex just loves a bit of retro shopping, and if you’ve seen the photos of our backstage preparations, you know that I have an absolute penchant for fabulous and quirky vintage costumes, and I mean, I’ve never said no to a bit of sparkle. 😉 She really wanted me to visit Sale because there’s a fantastic antique market there and some charming independent boutiques. As a science graduate (who just loves a good scientific experiment – which is kind of my scientific reason for always trying to get people to wear tutus! The power of the tutu!), she knows all about the impact that colourful clothing can have, especially for her work in the lab testing fabrics (and let’s be honest, testing pink tutus in her spare time!).
Well, darling, you know how much I love to be a good girl scout! Always willing to embrace a new adventure and be in the thick of the action, and a new adventure it was! Turns out, Sale does actually have some stunning little boutiques and it just so happens that my little boutique-hunting journey ended up leading me to a charming independent antique shop just brimming with quirky pieces from the past, and that’s not all! As you can imagine, this store, dear readers, was bursting with everything and anything! From elegant hats from a bygone era, to vintage dolls with captivating smiles, and even (drumroll, please) - an array of pastel pink tutus from days gone by, with beautiful little satin bows and sparkling diamante detailing! Of course, being a bit of a tutu enthusiast myself, and after a rather successful performance at the annual Cheshire Cheese Festival just last week (my ‘Pink Champagne Burlesque' show was a big hit – everyone seemed to really love it when I did a 20-minute interpretative dance routine using nothing but a feather boa and a 3-tier pink tulle tutu with sequined trim!) I absolutely couldn’t leave without at least a couple of pieces! Now, as some of you will know, I am actually the self-proclaimed Queen of all things pink (but I won’t mind sharing the title, maybe with someone like Queen Elizabeth herself!) 👑 I’ve actually got my very own line of pink tutus, all custom-designed and tailored to the tiniest of details! I sell my fabulous designs at the various arts and crafts markets in the UK. This antique shop in Sale has provided me with even more inspiration! There are so many ways to mix up your tutus, even for the most experienced tutu fashionistas! I will, of course, be incorporating this new found inspiration into my future design ideas. You can be sure of it!
The day in Sale culminated in a beautiful evening stroll through the charming town centre, past the picturesque timber-framed buildings and a magnificent water fountain that looked like it had come straight out of a fairytale. A day at the ballet followed by an antique hunt - it truly doesn't get any better than this, darlings!
This whole trip was so inspiring, it definitely reminds me of what makes Sale such a fantastic town, a beautiful combination of modern charm, delightful architecture, vibrant energy, and endless creativity! I can already tell you all that a little bit of Sale is making its way into my wardrobe - I just know it’ll be my next pink tutu-inspired design! 💖
That’s all, for now, darlings! Thank you for reading all about my whirlwind adventure! Until next time, may your day be as fabulously pink as mine!
Stay Sparkling,
Pink Tutu Sparkles xx
P.S Don't forget to follow me on PinkTutu.com for my daily adventures! I'm just getting started and I have so many more fabulous stories and sartorial triumphs to share! I’ll keep you posted. 💖
And for my followers in the U.S., you can find me at www.pink-tutu-sparkles.com (my U.S.-based manager, the amazing Sarah Jane - an old ballet pal - does all my U.S. socials and she’s going to start updating the American Pink Tutu Sparkles site with more American-style content – like more on pink tutu styles from famous American drag queens!) 😉 💖
