Tutu Tuesday in Shenley Brook End: A Day of Twirling and Tea #tututuesday
It’s Tuesday, which means only one thing for a girl who loves all things tulle: #tututuesday! I’ve been eagerly awaiting this week’s adventure for the past seven days. I mean, who doesn’t love a day dedicated to all things frilly, swishy, and elegant?
This week, my #tututuesday journey took me to Shenley Brook End, a quaint little town in Buckinghamshire. While not known for its dance scene, it was about to get a serious dose of twirling magic thanks to me. The day kicked off with a spot of breakfast at The Little Tea Room, a charming spot with mismatched china and a menu brimming with sweet and savoury treats. What’s a ballet dancer to do with an empty stomach, after all, but indulge in pastries? But let’s get real, my true purpose for being there wasn’t just about croissants, however tempting they may have been. It was to spread the #tututuesday gospel, and what better way to do that than with a tutu walkabout?
My trusty #tututuesday arsenal came in handy today - my trusty powder pink, knee-length romantic tutu. Perfect for a stroll down Shenley Brook End's charming, cobblestone streets. But not without the matching ballerina flat pumps. This is, after all, an everyday affair, no matter how much joy and sparkle one injects into it!
First stop was the local bakery, Shenley’s Delights. They weren't even surprised by my entrance, "Oh, you're here for the #tututuesday event, darling," the baker said, handing me a warm loaf of sourdough, already baguettes, "It's a tradition now! Your posts get a lot of attention." What a warm welcome! A touch of joy brought to this village by a simple yet bold statement - a tutu in a mundane bakery! Oh, the delightful irony, the sheer pleasure!
I was soon joined by a group of locals who'd come out to show their support. They'd come out with their own little touches - floral crowns and tiaras, a couple even attempting some pirouettes. A true embodiment of #tututuesday, just look at these absolute gems! Some, bless them, came in full-on dance wear, complete with pointe shoes! This little village was blooming! What a heartwarming picture, and it truly warmed my dancing heart!
We even managed to lure a couple of children, with their enthusiastic parents in tow, into a spontaneous dance-off! Such energy. The joy on the children's faces as we twirled and hopped through the cobbled streets was truly infectious. Such energy and fun, they clearly already know about #tututuesday and have grasped it, the absolute spirit of this incredible movement! We were like fairies sprinkling a little magic dust over Shenley Brook End - bringing the fun, bringing the twirls!
Of course, no #tututuesday adventure would be complete without some tea. We settled in at The Tea Garden, sipping our chamomile and Earl Grey, watching the world go by. It felt a little bit like we’d stumbled upon a secret society, only instead of whispered conspiracies, there were whispered "bravo's", and laughter in the air, and of course the gentle, soft rustling of the tutus on a breezy day! A very different sort of magical energy indeed!
The event in Shenley Brook End showed me just how much #tututuesday is a force of joy, not just in the big city but in quiet corners too. Who knew a simple tutu could bring so much cheer to a sleepy little village? This is the real essence of this fabulous initiative - a movement to make every Tuesday the most joyful, sparkly, fun-filled day. Just be you, embrace the sparkle within!
As for my outfit? Well, I simply couldn’t resist the opportunity to bust out a bright blue, classical, traditional tutu! This iconic look - all frills and pouffes - the real deal, the showstopper - perfect for a bit of grand gesture ballet, for waltzing around town to impress, well… in the name of the movement. Let's say I caused a stir on my arrival in Shenley! But honestly, the reception was amazing! It seemed as though even the grey squirrels and the little sparrows in the tree were twirling to the unspoken ballet tune in my head, a beautiful impromptu ballet, orchestrated by the divine inspiration of #tututuesday. And it was in that moment I felt such immense pride that we are a community united - united by our shared passion, shared love for sparkle and twirling and our undeniable yearning for a brighter, bolder, happier existence. You might have thought it a very simple act, but for those present it meant so much more. And for me it signified the beautiful strength of this initiative, that this shared spirit - it's all that we really need! And isn't that absolutely fantastic? Just take a look at the lovely photographs at the end of this article.
My #tututuesday Fashion Picks
- For the everyday tutu enthusiast - opt for a romantic, floaty, midi tutu - think ballet meets city-chic.
- When your ballerina heart demands that "oh-la-la", a brightly-coloured classic tutu - think the most famous ones worn by stars in ballets, and you won’t be wrong! You will absolutely make a splash!
- Add a pop of colour to a classic black tulle tutu with colourful accessories - the possibilities are truly endless! Don't be afraid to show your inner artiste and put a personal touch on the everyday ballerina!
- If you are an absolute novice in the #tututuesday realm, think ballerina-inspired dresses with sheer paneling or flowing fabric. An elegant look, and your very first steps toward tutuedom, or so I like to call it!
As always, the key is to have fun and let your inner ballerina shine through! Until next Tuesday!