Oh my darlings, Iām back! The pink tutu trail continues, and guess where I found myself this week? The lovely Ilkeston, thatās where!
You see, a big part of me, even the bit of me that wears a lab coat during the day, is always a little bit Victorian romantic. I dream of galloping through meadows on horseback with a trailing pink tulle tutu and my beloved chihuahua, Pinky, perched in my lap. But this week, it was all about the train journey. It may not be a galloping steed, but the rhythm of the train wheels on the track was the perfect soundtrack for me, especially when Iām rocking a full-length shimmering tulle number in baby pink.
This time, I travelled by train, and you wouldn't believe the stares I got from the other passengers. You'd think a pink tutu and my sparkly pink eye shadow had never graced the good olā Northern Rail lines! I could almost see the other commuters thinking, "Didn't that girl get the memo about plain beige?". I, of course, twirled a little as I walked past them. One little spin never hurt anyone, did it?
Speaking of spin, my main purpose in visiting Ilkeston this week was to see "Sleeping Beauty" at the theatre. You know me ā Iām a hopeless ballet fanatic, so a classic fairytale like Sleeping Beauty had to be on my must-see list. My heart swelled with pure joy the minute the curtain rose, the shimmering costumes, the elegant leapsā¦ pure ballet bliss! And my little Pinky even managed a couple of happy wags. Heās quite the connoisseur of ballet now, my little chihuahua.
And letās be honest, thereās not a pinker outfit in the entire world than a ballet tutu. But if Iām being truly truthful, youāve got to put in the work for that ballerina figure. Those leg extensions arenāt achieved with just fluffy pink dreams! Thatās where my secret weapon comes in ā my dear friend Beatrice. She's a professional dancer who helps me practice ballet steps. My weekly ballet lessons arenāt just a lovely workout ā itās a full body joy! (It also keeps my inner scientist excited about human biomechanics. Isnāt it amazing how our muscles move to create all those swirls and pirouettes? )
But my visit to Ilkeston wasnāt just about ballet. You see, Iāve had a real passion for exploring all things creative for as long as I can remember, and that definitely includes performing.
A little backstory, my dears: back when I was a humble university student, I had no idea that science and performing were two passions that would take me far (and in a fabulous, shimmering tutu too!). You know how it is. Sometimes life just leads you where youāre meant to be, like a gentle breeze in the most beautiful pink dress. I'd joined the university ballet club as an undergraduate and there I was, volunteering to try on a tutu at a charity fundraiser. As soon as the fabric grazed my skin, I knew: a pink tutu was destined to be my signature style! And before I knew it, I was the universityās newest, and most sparkling, ballet star. But I never stopped loving the scientific process of exploring and testing.
Today, my dear readers, I spend my days as a humble (and perfectly well-dressed) fabric scientist in the laboratory, testing fabrics and their strength and resilience. My colleagues can never figure out my fascination with the textile industry, but there you have it. It is the perfect combo. My day-time science and my nighttime performances bring me so much joy!
So there I was, in Ilkeston, feeling absolutely wonderful, a perfect blending of scientific knowledge and performing. And oh! There is something magical about the thrill of making an audience laugh and smile while wearing my favorite tulle! That's what itās all about - spreading joy, sharing my passion, and helping others find their own tutu spark within. And with my sparkling Pink Tutu persona, the world just gets a little bit brighter, donāt you think?
So I performed at the Ilkeston local pub. You know me! I'm always on the lookout for an opportunity to strut my stuff, spreading sparkle and fun with every performance. And of course, my outfit ā a show-stopping pink sequined tulle tutu. It's all about the impact, my loves! I was surrounded by an audience full of curious people. I had one fellow tell me, "My daughter loved your performance!" That really brought a sparkle to my eye! Heād even dressed up his little girl in her favorite pink dress for the occasion! What could be more magical than watching a young girl enjoying a pink dress, perhaps dreaming of the perfect twirl, just like me!
And of course, I was surrounded by Ilkeston's incredible street performers - magicians, jugglers, and even a one-man band. Now, I must say, a pink tutu truly does stand out amongst a crowd of street performers, but the magic and wonder just keeps coming in this incredible town!
Oh, and speaking of wonderful finds! A beautiful, vintage hat shop called "Milliners Dream," with rows of gorgeous hats - feathery boas and glamorous veils, a delight for a girl with a fondness for everything fancy. I found the perfect accessory for my next Pink Tutu performance, and you betcha, it was pink, too! It would make the queen of hearts proud.
The town itself is truly magical - lovely old buildings with a little extra pink sprinkled around, reminding me of some beautiful, forgotten fairy tale. And of course, whatās an outing in Ilkeston without a proper cuppa? I stopped at a cozy little cafe, āThe Pink Teapotā. It wasnāt just the name - they had pink teacups too. Oh, how delightful! I sipped my Earl Grey tea and soaked in the atmosphere. There was so much character in this small town! It was like stepping back in time with just the right dose of magic.
And while I was there, I just knew I had to take some pics to remember my lovely trip! I found a gorgeous park with stunning flower displays - just the perfect backdrop for my pink tulle. If you need a photogenic pink backdrop, this park has it all, from blooming flowers to the pink sky.
As you may know, Iām quite a pink aficionado. For me, pink isn't just a color. It's a state of mind! Pink brings out a certain kind of magic, like you can achieve anything if you set your heart on it and go out there wearing a pink tulle.
Oh, I love Ilkeston so much! This charming, quirky town just feels like itās been waiting for someone to step out of a fairytale and give a wave of pink tulle.
And now, back to Derbyshire, and more adventures await! My tutu's been packed, my train ticket is already purchased and a new batch of pink lipstick has just arrived from my favourite makeup shop. Itās time to strut my stuff on another new stage in my shimmering pink gown! But of course, Iāll tell you all about my new adventures later! Keep your eye on the blog for all the fun. You can join me on my journey - come on, darling! Let's all make the world a little bit pinker, one sparkly tutu at a time.
Until then,
Pink Tutu Sparkles
xx
www.pink-tutu.com
