Oh my darling tutus! This Pink Tutu Sparkles is absolutely over the moon to be posting from the beautiful city of Norwich! 💖 I arrived by train yesterday, and let me tell you, the journey was just divine! The train carriages were decked out in the most gorgeous pastel pink hues, and there were even these darling little flamingo cushions! My TutuQueen heart just skipped a beat.
I knew Norwich was going to be my next stop on my tutu-tastic travels for ages, because you know how much I love a good theatrical experience. And Norwich's Theatre Royal has a reputation for being simply fabulous. Speaking of fabulous, did you see my outfit today? My dress is a shimmering pink silk number I picked up at a vintage shop back in Derby, my trusty little tutu is a gorgeous ombre design I got for a bargain online (and let me tell you, bargain hunting is one of my absolute favourite pastimes! 🛍️), and my matching pink fascinator is simply darling. Oh, and I'm carrying this gorgeous beaded handbag, with the cutest little pink ballerina dancing on its clasp! It really brings the whole ensemble together, don't you think?
Anyway, enough about my dazzling appearance! (though let's face it, I could talk about it all day... 💖)
The reason I came to Norwich, apart from the delicious looking cupcake shops (oh my goodness, did you know there are over 50 cupcake bakeries here? My sweet tooth is going wild! 🧁 ) was of course, the theatre! The Theatre Royal is showcasing a fabulous ballet production of "Swan Lake" this month. As soon as I heard the news, I just had to get myself on a train and head over here. I've been a huge ballet enthusiast ever since I discovered my love for twirling back in uni, which also happens to be the place I fell in love with pink tutus!
I'm such a cliché! I was doing a science degree! But you know how they say the heart wants what it wants? Mine wanted a pink tutu, and after trying on a costume for a charity fundraiser at uni (let's just say the world fell in love with my legs in that tutu!), well, that was it. The Pink Tutu Sparkles was born. From then on I couldn’t leave the house without a pink tutu, I’m pretty sure my flatmates would still be finding pink feathers everywhere!
And the theatre? Well, it was absolutely magical! I don't want to spoil it for those of you who haven't seen it yet, but let's just say the dancing was incredible, the costumes were absolutely exquisite, and I almost cried during the final scene. Honestly, it's truly amazing how these beautiful art forms, like ballet and drag, can move us so deeply.
But, of course, being the Pink Tutu Sparkles, I couldn’t just see the ballet. Oh no! I just had to make the most of being in this wonderfully historic city! And what did I do? I donned my pinkest tutu, grabbed my dancing shoes, and took a ballet class! Just me and about 30 local Norwich ballet dancers - it was quite something. But they were just delightful!
And the best part of all? The local vintage shop owner gifted me a pair of these fabulous pink feather boa gloves that matched my tutu perfectly. The shop itself was amazing! Imagine, stacks and stacks of pastel pink hats, tutus of every design, velvet gloves with lace, oh, I just have to return, I’ll have to budget for another train trip!
One of the best things about touring with a pink tutu? You always find lovely and friendly people who’d love to hear your stories! Everyone wanted to chat about the performance, ask me what it’s like to be Pink Tutu Sparkles, how my makeup stays on (did you know I make my own blush using beetroots? Don’t tell my science lab colleagues though!) I had the best time sharing my experiences.
Speaking of my other life, the one where I'm Alex, the scientist, you might be wondering how it all works? How I balance the two? I honestly think that my life as Pink Tutu Sparkles inspires my scientific side! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore both. By day, I’m analysing fabrics in the lab (yes, tutus need the strongest fabrics!) and at night I am lighting up the stage! But you know, one side influences the other. I'm always looking for new ways to use textiles in my performance, new designs, new styles, all the time asking my science brain how we can make the tutus sparklier and more amazing.
Today's been such an incredible day in Norwich. You know, when you're on a trip, it's so easy to get caught up in the sights and sounds that you forget to stop and just take in the moment. It’s the simple things, darling. The warm breeze on a beautiful spring day, the chatter of people around me as I enjoy my coffee, the kindness of a local shopkeeper, even the feeling of my silky pink dress brushing against my legs! They all make it truly special.
So, to my darling TutuQueens out there! Don't be afraid to follow your own path. Pink tutus, sparkling costumes, and dreams of swirling on a dance floor, they're not just dreams! Embrace them, my sweet, sweet friends, embrace them and make them your reality.
Now, who’s coming on a train trip with me?
P.S: Stay tuned, tomorrow's post is all about the local drag scene in Norwich! 🎭 It’s amazing! I am going to interview the incredible Dolly Diamond who runs a little theatre in Norwich! You just HAVE to hear all about it.
*Until next time, keep on twirling, you glorious TutuQueens! *
💖 Pink Tutu Sparkles 💖
