Helloooo darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing, sparkle-obsessed queen, Pink Tutu Sparkles, back with another travel blog! And this time, I'm bringing you all the glitter and glam from my whirlwind weekend trip to York, the majestic city of history and charm.
This journey was all about finding the perfect pink tutu, as you know, it’s never a one-tutu-fits-all situation, darlings. Plus, you can never have too many tutus! Let’s be honest, that’s simply a universal truth. And York was promising a whole world of fashion, theatre, and, of course, a sprinkle of history. I was buzzing like a bee in a blossom!
As always, I made my way to York in the most fabulous way possible – by train. Now, I know, some of you might think I’m crazy for choosing a train over a flight, but trust me, my lovelies, the experience is a total transformation! It's a chance to take in the scenery, relax, and really embody the elegance of travelling like royalty (just imagine a queen travelling by train… all that pink luggage and velvet cushions!). It’s also super eco-friendly, so I feel great about reducing my carbon footprint, while embracing the chic factor!
So, imagine this: me, in my perfectly tailored fuchsia pantsuit (yes, I can do pants and a tutu! Don’t knock it til you’ve tried it, my dears!), perched in my plush compartment on the train, sipping on a steaming cuppa. Ah, there’s no better way to travel than surrounded by fabulousness!
Now, once I arrived in York, I was whisked away to my temporary home: The beautiful Royal York Hotel. Imagine this: opulent, beautifully decorated rooms, luxurious beds draped in plush sheets and pillows. Plus, they had a fantastic afternoon tea that had me saying "Oh, darling, this is delightful!" (Remember, if you see a drag queen with a teapot, there’s always a little drama brewing!).
After a well-deserved nap (every queen needs a moment to recharge!), I hit the cobblestone streets of York, ready to find some absolute pink-tutu perfection! The Shambles, darling, was a wonderland of quirky shops, artisan chocolatiers (which my sweet tooth adored), and even a pet shop with some adorable little pink-tutu-worthy hamsters (yes, I'm not above tutus for my furry friends!). But it was the historic York Minster that really took my breath away! I couldn't believe the intricate details on the gothic architecture, it was almost like stepping into a fairytale. And while I didn't catch a glimpse of a unicorn, the history and beauty of the cathedral were truly magical.
But enough about the stunning scenery, it was time to explore York's fashion scene! You’d better believe this Queen made a bee-line to The Grand Arcade - an entire mall dedicated to designer brands, vintage gems, and everything sparkly! Now, I am a big fan of a little high-end treat (and the fact that everything was on sale, didn’t hurt!).
And oh darling, I scored! I managed to snag a beautiful hand-beaded pink tutu with delicate floral embellishments - it was absolutely to-die-for! Not only that, I also discovered this fantastic local boutique, called ‘Tutus and Tails’, where the owner is a lovely lady who truly appreciates the art of tutus and was absolutely ecstatic to see me! She told me she had once seen me perform in Nottingham, and, wow! She had been hooked on my unique style and bubbly energy. I got chatting to her all afternoon and came away with some fantastic, new-season pink tulle fabrics - just imagine the potential!
On my second day in York, I decided to embrace the dramatic side of York - its theatre scene! Now, I’m no stranger to the stage myself, but to truly understand the majesty of live theatre, it’s all about embracing the audience and, honestly, it’s about immersing yourself in the entire atmosphere! It's about soaking up the atmosphere, the energy, the sheer spectacle!
York Theatre Royal was having an incredible revival of 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream'. I mean, it's Shakespeare, darling! With its amazing sets and the most talented performers I've ever seen (yes, they were very good!) and the costumes, oh the costumes were gorgeous.
Honestly, after watching those fabulous dancers gracefully swirling around on the stage, I could hardly resist myself. You know me, I had to get my dance on! I took to the local dance studio, "The York Ballet Centre" for a lovely ballet lesson.
Darling, that's right! I'm a queen, but even queens can get sweaty. A quick class in my ballet shoes (yes, I do ballet in pink tutus!) really helped me understand my love of all things pink, frilly, and fabulous! You see, the elegant movements, the grace, and the expressive artistry… they’re the very soul of the stage, they inspire my look, my presence and most importantly, they inspire my own artistic flare! And you know what? There's nothing quite as liberating as letting yourself go on the dance floor, no matter what anyone thinks!
The next morning, I woke up early, put on my trusty pair of comfy ballet flats, grabbed my pink polka dot picnic blanket (don't judge, it's perfect for sitting under the trees!) and headed to The York Museum Gardens. Honestly, the garden was like something out of a fairytale – peaceful, filled with blooming flowers and singing birds (yes, they really sing and it is lovely!). And don’t even get me started on the gorgeous fountains. Imagine! All that beautiful water! (And darling, I’ve gotta say, the ducks were dressed better than some people I’ve seen on the tube!).
This was the perfect opportunity to pull out my latest find - that brand-new, handmade tutu with those dainty floral embellishments, oh darling, the way the sun shone off the tiny pink beads - simply breathtaking! Of course, I took about 200 pictures with the pink tutu and those pretty pink roses. The most picture perfect day and my followers on Pink-Tutu.com will be so excited to see the pictures. And who knows maybe even my best friend, Alex, (that’s what they call me back in Derbyshire, but it’s Pink Tutu Sparkles to you!) might even find the time to post a picture on my Instagram page... You never know!
Before I knew it, it was time to pack up and head back home! So I said my goodbyes to the charming city of York and boarded my train. As I waved goodbye from the carriage, I thought about all the magical moments I had experienced during my stay.
From the glorious pink tulle fabric at the vintage shops to the exquisite tutu I had purchased, to the talented dancers in the theatre to those delicious Yorkshire puddings! York, with its historical beauty, charm, and vibrant art scene, stole a piece of my heart!
And don't forget my dear followers, remember if you love a pink tutu then come visit me at www.pink-tutu.com - there’s new content everyday, so be sure to follow me and send me a message - let's spread that pink love and sparkle, darling!
