Helloooo darlings! Your favourite pink tutu queen, Pink Tutu Sparkles, is back with a brand new blog post!
It's Friday afternoon and I'm just back from my trip to Paisley, and let me tell you, it was a whirlwind of pink tulle and sparkle! I truly believe that every adventure is best experienced in a tutu, so obviously, that's what I was wearing for my trip, a gorgeous shimmering pink confection that was guaranteed to turn heads.
It all started on a Tuesday, my favourite day of the week (aside from Tuesdays, it's obviously the day I get to put on my finest pink tutu and sparkle up the world). I had just finished up a day of science-y shenanigans in the lab - testing the durability of some brand-new sportswear, it was exciting! My inner tutu queen always gets a bit wistful, daydreaming about pink tulle and glittery tiaras when I’m amongst beakers and Bunsen burners, but then I just gotta remind myself that my life is pretty fabulous and exciting already. After all, I spend most of my days dreaming up fun drag acts for the weekend!
As soon as my work was done, I raced home and transformed myself into Pink Tutu Sparkles! There's something so thrilling about stepping out of the lab coat and into a vibrant pink tutu. I know I must look rather out of place walking past the pub on the way to the train station but heck, I embrace my uniqueness, embrace the joy! It really gets me excited for the next adventure, which in this case was to the charming little town of Paisley, just a hop skip and a jump away from good ol' Derbyshire.
I chose the train for my journey, there’s nothing quite like gazing out the window at the passing scenery and soaking in the atmosphere, a good cup of tea and a chocolate hobnob definitely contribute to a wonderful train journey! I always get a little excited when I arrive at the station – you can almost feel the thrill of a new performance about to unfold! The platform buzzes with energy. People rush about, luggage tumbling and train announcements reverberate in the station's echoing space.
My first stop in Paisley was a charming vintage clothing store called "The Frock Stop," a delightful haven of retro treasures and delightfully clashing colours, oh it's a haven for my eyes, it's like stepping into a vibrant tapestry of style! The staff are like fashion fairy godmothers and were overjoyed at my entrance, of course, they gasped and complimented my tutu, they even helped me find a fantastic fluffy pink hat which completed the look and instantly upgraded my wardrobe for the performance!
As dusk settled, the city centre was alive with the chatter of evening shoppers and the welcoming aroma of local restaurants. I even had a bite at this amazing vegan café, where I ate the most delicious pumpkin and spinach soup in a bright pink ceramic bowl! (Naturally, they also had the most fantastic collection of teacups, a bit of a theme you could say!) And for dessert, I had a delicate little cupcake, a pretty little thing with a rose made from pink frosting and sprinkled with edible sparkles! chef’s kiss I even chatted with the barista while enjoying my supper, they seemed really impressed with my tutu, saying it brightened their evening. How lovely!
Feeling ready for my show, I sashayed through Paisley town centre to the beautiful Paisley Arts Centre. It’s one of those places that’s simply oozing charm and culture – the kind of venue where the walls could probably tell stories!
This time, I wasn't doing the full Pink Tutu Sparkles extravaganza, It was a smaller affair – a special tutu demonstration and interactive workshop. That means we got to explore different styles of tutus, learn some fancy tutu twirls, and even make some tutu decorations together! (All while talking about my fabulous dream of a tutu-filled world!)
Seeing the kids’ faces light up with excitement as they twirled their pink, yellow, blue, green, rainbow... every colour of the rainbow tutu was truly a delight. Kids are simply delightful, they are so full of love and fun, and, they just adore a tutu! It warmed my heart!
I taught the little angels to dance like fairies – a whirl of twirling tulle, it’s always my aim to spread joy and magic wherever I go. The kids were so wonderfully expressive, even one little boy called Benji, who I was really sure wouldn't wear a tutu, got right into the twirling fun and declared that "I want to be a dancer like a real-life sparkly unicorn in a tutu!" Well, who am I to disagree? He has such a fantastic eye for style and we discussed a few ideas for unicorn tutu outfits, even discussing unicorn horns which could possibly be added to a tutu for a fantastic look.
I had to sneak a few selfies, I’ve been calling it "Pink Tutu Adventures!" There’s no other way to describe these wonderfully inspiring and whimsical journeys! There was so much happiness and a bit of silliness in that workshop - it reminded me why I love sharing my pink tutu passion with the world! It made my heart do a little twirl and spin!
After my enchanting time with the little ones, I met a local dressmaker called Fiona, who had seen my little dance workshop! This delightful woman also fell in love with the joy of the tutu! (No surprises there!), and Fiona’s workshop is amazing, all full of beautiful colourful fabrics, lace, ribbon, pearls and sparkles! Her own creations were beautifully designed. Fiona has even decided she’s going to add a little section to her website dedicated to tutu dresses! (Yes, they can be worn beyond just ballet, the possibilities are endless!). And in the name of pink, of course, we were talking pink and tulle all evening! I mean, that's what it's all about, isn’t it? It’s about spreading the joy, colour and twirling happiness of tutus to the whole world!
In between all the fun and festivities, I snuck in a quick ballet class at the beautiful Paisley Theatre – it felt so divine to stretch my limbs and move gracefully! Even the ballet teacher commented that it’s lovely to see people wearing pink tutus in every kind of venue these days and that they were becoming as normal as tracksuits for everyday wear!
After my performance at the arts centre, I couldn't resist trying some local treats. I had the most divine raspberry cheesecake and a cup of fragrant Earl Grey tea at the famous "The Tartan Tart" cafe – the perfect way to wind down after a day of twirling and sparkles! My goodness! The cheesecake was absolutely delicious, it's certainly a hidden gem tucked away on the outskirts of town. They were even running a tutu-themed afternoon tea, you could even choose to wear a tutu while sipping on your tea – you'd think this would be something new and strange, but all the other guests looked fantastic in tutus, it's catching on!
You know what, you'd think I would be tired, but the night wasn't over yet! Paisley had a wonderful street theatre festival going on, the entire town seemed alive with music, colour, and, well… a few more tutus! I simply couldn't resist joining the fun. My show at the arts centre was small but it had ignited an even greater enthusiasm in the crowd. I even got a little shy at the cheers! The town was celebrating the wonderful things in life! There were juggling acrobats, stilt walkers, mime artists, buskers, puppet shows and so much more! This time, I just let loose, danced and twirled among the crowds, showing them all the joy of tutus, and you know, they loved it! The kids absolutely adored it and so many people, men and women, wanted to try my tutus. Even an elderly lady decided to join in and did a wonderful pirouette while holding her pink flamingo drink, which I thought was a lovely and slightly crazy way to end the evening!
Paisley is simply the best place to enjoy a whimsical weekend. You won't believe the energy and colour. But I must be honest, seeing the sheer joy and delight my pink tutu inspired, that's the highlight for me.
Until next time, remember, it's always tutu time! And spread that joy wherever you go! Keep those pink tulle twirls flowing and maybe even join me on my next pink tutu adventure!
I'm heading back to the studio to design a brand-new pink tutu, after all, we need something spectacular to match the amazing town of Paisley! See you all on Pink-Tutu.com tomorrow!
Keep on shining! Pink Tutu Sparkles! xx
