Hello my darlings, it’s Pink Tutu Sparkles here, ready to paint the town pink! This is post number 8586 on www.pink-tutu.com, and I’m positively bursting with excitement to tell you about my recent adventures in the lovely town of Saint Albans.
This trip was a real whirlwind of pink tulle, fabulous outfits, and enough glitter to make a disco ball jealous! You know me, always a girl on the go, spreading the message of pink tutus to every corner of the world. (Even if it means sometimes squeezing my fabulous self onto a slightly less fabulous train!)
As I mentioned last week, this was a special trip for me - my very first trip to Saint Albans! A town steeped in history (and possibly a few hidden secrets 😉). And just like I like to think about the grand past, my style definitely doesn’t skimp on the glitz. For Saint Albans, I thought I’d channel my inner Victorian ballerina - think a fluffy, candyfloss pink tutu, a ruffled blouse that would make even a duchess jealous, and a matching headband sprinkled with tiny, delicate, pearl-like sequins.
Now, I’ve been asked before how I go from scientist in a lab by day to Pink Tutu Sparkles on the stage at night. The answer? A whole lotta love and a lot more pink tulle. My work isn't always about sparkles, though. You might think studying science and sequins are very different, but they are actually both so much about the possibilities. My lab work, testing fabrics for strength and performance, reminds me how important quality materials are. And just like the lab, drag allows me to be constantly learning, exploring new designs, and experimenting with new ways to dazzle an audience. It’s a bit of magic, but it’s the magic I feel is a big part of living your truth and bringing a bit of joy to the world.
This time, my trip to Saint Albans was fueled by an irresistible opportunity - the "Summer Faire" at Verulamium Park. The park itself is absolutely beautiful, and just what you need to get those creative juices flowing. Think sprawling green fields, stunning floral displays, and a little hidden creek – pure fairytale stuff!
As soon as I arrived, it felt like I'd stepped onto the set of my own, personally tailored fairytale. And I knew I had to make this fairytale happen for the town of Saint Albans! This year, my aim was to spread the pink tutu love far and wide and to bring my performances to new places, and the summer fair was perfect for that. I did a couple of shows at the fair, including one impromptu “tutu flash mob” which resulted in at least half the town, big and small, having a little skip with me!
The magic didn’t end there. I spent the following days taking in all the history and beauty of this fascinating town. My favourite spot? The Cathedral, with its impressive architecture and awe-inspiring history. A majestic Gothic building with towering spires, the Cathedral truly embodies that sense of timeless elegance that I think is deeply intertwined with ballet and all things sparkly.
A pink tutu definitely caught some glances while I wandered around this historical jewel, a juxtaposition I just knew I had to experience! I also took a little stroll through the “The Jewellers Row”, picking up some exquisite, sparkling charms. As a self-proclaimed "tutu-fashion-enthusiast," finding hidden gems and sparkly trinkets is truly one of my favourite activities.
Now, I'd be lying if I said that my love of tutus has always been easy to embrace. Growing up in the Derbyshire countryside, where practicality was often valued more than fashion, it took some courage to be brave and express my love for pink. My life changed one night at the University of Derby when I joined their ballet club. That was the night I first tried on a pink tutu, for charity - a fundraising event for a local hospice. The minute it was on, something changed. I saw myself in a new light – sparkly, confident, and fearless. It felt liberating! And the feeling stuck. That's how the Pink Tutu Sparkles journey started, one pink tutu and a whole lot of glitter at a time.
I guess that's my mission – to show people that you don't have to fit in to stand out, and to share the joy of expressing yourself through the art of dance and a whole lotta pink!
Saint Albans will always be a special memory for me, a place where I had a chance to not only shine but to see the beauty and excitement of others shine too.
And if you’re reading this and you’re a fan of pink tutus, come join me on www.pink-tutu.com, let’s spread the sparkle and embrace a world that is more colorful, and most importantly, a lot more pink!
Love and glittery kisses,
Pink Tutu Sparkles (Alex) 💖🩰✨
