Hello my darlings! It's your girl, Pink Tutu Sparkles, back with another fabulous blog post, number 6999! This time, we're in the stunning Cotswolds, the picture postcard perfect English countryside with its rolling green hills, charming villages, and... (whispers) a secret stash of pink tutus, of course! š
But before we delve into the adventures of the Cotswolds, let's talk about how I even got here! You see, my dears, this pink-loving queen doesn't just magically appear in new places. Oh no, my travels require a touch of planning, a dash of whimsy, and a healthy dose of train-spotting! (Don't worry, I don't just sit there and watch them... but a girl can admire the beauty of a steam engine, right?)
This time, it was all about the journey. I packed my bags with my trusty travel tutu (itās a new special lightweight one - perfect for dancing through train carriages), sparkly leggings (you know, for a little extra pizzazz on the train), and my beloved āPinkyā ā the travel size, pink glitter-bomb (a necessity for any queen on the go!). I boarded the train in good old Derbyshire, and we all know what they say... Derbyshire is where dreams are made! (I mean, have you seen those cheese shops?! Pure magic!) And speaking of magic, I must tell you about this fantastic new conductor - he wore the most divine raspberry velvet waistcoat - the colour of the most gorgeous ballet shoe. It was as if the universe was hinting at something special!
The train ride itself was quite a treat! It snaked its way through rolling green countryside. My, what a view! So much rolling greenery - the greenest I've ever seen - a true testament to the brilliance of the English countryside. I spent the time sketching on my iPad (gotta have a creative outlet!). This one will make the perfect painting ā a grand and majestic ballerina silhouetted against the stunning green hills. Think Monet but with glitter and tutu's, and with a big, juicy peach on a platter. Yum!
Finally, after what felt like an eternity (even though I'd just done a fab dance routine to get everyone onboard feeling positive and sparkly), we arrived in glorious Gloucester! My goodness, it felt as if the city itself was ready to welcome a glamorous queen with open arms. The architecture is stunning! (Iām thinking we might see a gothic pink tutu with a medieval feel, wouldn't that be divine!)
As you can probably tell, my trip to Gloucester was overflowing with pink-tutu fun, and just to show you I'm not lying, here's what we got up to:
Pink-Tutu Adventures in Gloucester:The Ballet Show: Of course, a trip to Gloucester couldnāt be complete without a spot of ballet! It was the best, just divine, a real treat to be a pink tutu queen, especially when they did the adagio, you know the lovely bit where they're just flowing in the music - perfection. Then there was a charming chap dressed up in full stage attire doing a grand pas de deux, I donāt think Iāve ever seen such lovely leg extensions - incredible! The ballet truly inspires, I must tell you. Makes me want to rush back to my studio, slip on my tutu, and spin until the sun sets. (I am, however, thinking of introducing a āspinning to sunsetā competition ā I think we need to put our ballet moves to the test in real-world situations!)
Cotswolds Chic: I had a most amazing afternoon exploring the little shops! It's as if the universe has a way of guiding a pink tutu queen to the perfect fashion finds. First, I found this charming antique shop, jam-packed with treasures! Now, you all know that Iām a vintage queen, especially when it comes to finding that perfect, unique accessory, right? It was absolute bliss. After finding an ancient porcelain swan (now permanently sitting on the dresser in my bedroom!) I spotted a beautifully hand-stitched Victorian bustleā¦ I imagine it might be quite fabulous with the right tutu - just a small alteration here and thereā¦. I'm already designing that ballet-meets-Victorian tutu in my head! I had to go to a few of the sweet little cafes after - I do enjoy a bit of sugar now and again, and honestly, a cuppa in a teacup and some cakes makes you feel just that bit more elegantā¦ and who can resist the charm of the quintessential English tearoom? It felt as if time stood stillā¦ the clock had stopped at that point for me - I can imagine me waltzing around with my very own Prince Charming. He could even be dressed in a pale blue satin vest - imagine, a pair of dancers on the dance floor at a Victorian garden party!
Street Performance Fun: Now, my dear, I am a drag artist, born to perform! We donāt just talk about it, we do it, we dance and embrace the glamour and the sparkle. Thatās why I just had to entertain the locals, especially in a town like this - Gloucester is bursting with beautiful people, but they all needed a touch of pink, I thought. As the sun began its descent, creating a canvas of glorious pink hues in the sky, I put on a small show, in that special āoutdoor, no-make-up-needs-to-runā pink-tutu attire. Oh my, what an audience! A mix of excited kids (who all immediately pulled on their pink tutus for an impromptu dance party ā what better way to get everyone moving, right?), some elderly ladies in colourful hats (how could they resist the twirling! - I bet their feet wanted to take flight), and some handsome young chaps ā their smiles said it all. The whole scene was quite an enchanting little ballet with laughter, clapping and of course a touch of pink in the air - the very best kind of theatrical magic!
The Gloucestershire Hunt Ball: Of course, no trip to Gloucester is complete without experiencing its rich history. (Weāre not just talking about the Cathedral! Weāre talking horse-loving elegance! Oh, it is a beautiful thing) And, to give you a little sneak peek into my life, I will admit that I'm a huge fan of the horses... and horse riding - there's nothing more graceful than seeing a skilled rider moving with the magnificent grace of the animals in a beautifully decorated park - you have to appreciate that sort of skill and artfulness! Iāve been practicing. Well, sort of - Iām learning how to ride ā a queen has to learn new skillsā¦ you know what they say... pink tutus donāt just stay stuck in the past - itās all about embracing change and stepping up. That's why I found myself invited to the glorious Gloucestershire Hunt Ball ā the elegance, the formality, the sparkle and the fashion, and... well, you know how much I adore horses!
The whole event felt almost Victorian! I must say, I am quite enchanted by this particular era. I believe I'm inspired to get back into my craft projects ā a Victorian style tutu would be an incredible addition to my wardrobe - perfect for a hunt ball like thisā¦ Itās all in the planning! For now, letās just say that there are some amazing costume designers on the horizonā¦ whoās going to say no to the queen of pink tutus, right?!
Pink Tutu Sparkles, Queen of Pink Tutus!
As I sat in the quiet of my hotel room watching the sun paint the sky in brilliant shades of orange, yellow, and pink (yes, pink! even the sun understands my style) and thinking back on my time in Gloucester, I had a sudden urge to just dance... So I grabbed my special pink tulle and sparkly pink fabric, put on a playlist of all my ballet inspired tunes, and began to create a beautiful and unique pink tutu in an homage to my glorious time here! It was almost as if it designed itself. There was something magic in the air... itās no wonder we use pink to describe those dreamy thoughts, or to explain how unrealistic yet beautiful, our feelings can be - itās just a perfect colour, and if it can move to the sound of ballet music, well thatās simply magnificent. I'm looking forward to showing you all what Iāve been working on, my darlings! Until next time, keep on twirling and spreading those pink vibes! You know where to find meā¦ www.pink-tutu.com
See you all very soon, Pink Tutu Sparkles xoxoxo