Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing queen, Pink Tutu Sparkles, and guess what? I'm back with another adventure! Today, I'm taking you with me on a little jaunt to the delightful town of Upminster! Now, Upminster might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think "tutu fabulousness," but let me tell you, this place is a hidden gem. And guess what? It was actually the train journey that really kicked things off in true Tutu Queen fashion!
Yes, I took the train from Derbyshire, my home sweet home. Oh, the glamour! The train was buzzing with excited faces - mums with their little ones, businessmen heading to their meetings, and even a couple of tourists! And who did I see while I was standing in the carriage, looking positively angelic in my hot pink, sequin-covered tutu? Why, none other than a group of young dancers!
"Excuse me, dears," I exclaimed, adjusting my feathers, "are you heading to a ballet class? The tutus and hair buns make me feel so at home!"
"Oh, no," one of them replied, looking utterly perplexed, "We are on our way to the Upminster Youth Theatre, for our annual Midsummer’s Eve performance. It's a Shakespearian drama called ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ - we hope you have tickets!"
"I adore the Bard!" I replied, "I simply adore Shakespeare! Especially when the Bard has met ballet!" My eyes sparkled, I felt my toes twitching. "I'll need to get tickets for your performance."
So, there I was, swept up in the vibrant energy of these young thespians! They filled me with so much excitement for my own evening in Upminster! Now, don't get me wrong, my trip wasn't all about the train (although, let's be honest, a well-planned train journey can be almost as fabulous as a trip by horse!).
My main destination? Why, the gorgeous Upminster Theatre of course! A little, independent jewel in the crown of this quaint town, the theatre had a charm that I simply couldn't resist. My dear friends in the youth theatre had assured me it would be perfect, and perfect it was! And I wasn't just there to watch a show – I had a show of my own! The lovely folks at the Upminster Theatre offered me the stage for my grand debut. Let me tell you, it was a roaring success! The locals, dressed in their finest clothes, cheered with every pirouette, gasped at every dazzling costume change (a truly magnificent hot pink number this time!), and were simply charmed by my bubbly banter. They truly loved their Tutu Queen!
And it wasn’t all just about performing, of course! As usual, I spent the day shopping, and Upminster is a haven for finding unique, fabulous outfits. Every shop window seemed to shout: "Come in and play dress-up! I know you love it." From vintage clothing stores overflowing with sequined dresses and headbands to modern boutiques that offered trendy pieces perfect for the fashion-forward drag queen (or perhaps even a slightly quirky scientist! wink, wink!)
After the shopping rush, I stumbled across the cutest little tea room, aptly named "The Teacup and Tutu". I mean, really, how could I not indulge in a spot of tea and scones there? And guess what they served with my lovely warm, pink-iced cupcake? Yes, you guessed it - a pink tulle cupcake! (Sadly, it wasn’t a proper tutu cupcake! Maybe next time!)
That evening, as the day began to draw to a close, I couldn't help but reflect on how wonderfully different the day had been from my usual scientific world. While working in the lab, testing fabrics for colour fastness, or durability, I get to wear my boring white lab coat. By night I slip into the most glamorous tutus and the most spectacularly bright colours. Yet it’s the beauty of a perfect pink that truly keeps me happy. The colour of flowers in bloom, the delicate hues of cherry blossom, and the vibrant shimmer of the sunset – they inspire me to be my fabulous self, and inspire me to inspire others. I like to think my pink tutus have a magic touch to them; a charm that sparks creativity and invites a bit of sparkle into everyone’s day!
And as I left Upminster, I knew one thing for sure: I had found another fabulous little spot in my travels, a little haven for Tutu Queen sparkle! It might be time to add Upminster to the "must-visit" list for every tutu enthusiast – I certainly can't wait to come back!
Now, until next time, darlings, stay fabulous, stay bold, and remember, don’t forget your pink tutu!
With love,
Pink Tutu Sparkles xx
