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Tutu Tuesday in Chester

Hey everyone! It's your girl, Elara, back with another post about all things fabulous. I mean, can you really have too much of a good thing? And by "good thing", I of course mean tutu talk, because it's #Tutuesday! Today, we're taking the magic of the tutu to the cobbled streets of Chester, a historic city that's full of hidden gems and beautiful architecture. Let me tell you, a little tutu adds just the right amount of flair to even the most historic of backdrops.

This week, I'm sporting a dreamy powder blue tutu from the new collection at Ballet Couture. It's a full circle tutu, a little bit Victorian, which means itā€™s a soft, cascading, graceful confection with just a touch of romanticism - it's a dream come true, I've got it paired with a delicate black crop top, adding a contemporary twist to the classic ballerina look. The blue against the historic half-timbered buildings just sings, trust me.

If you're new to the world of tutus, let me tell you, they come in all sorts of styles and sizes. For starters, thereā€™s the iconic romantic tutu, a full-length ballerina-esque, frothy, frilled explosion of loveliness, best enjoyed by those who enjoy being spun around and twirled. A bit of a classic. For those seeking something more compact and sassy, there's the contemporary tutu, it's often shorter and features a clean line, perfect for executing contemporary dance movements. And then there's my personal favourite - the tutu-skirt, because yes, thatā€™s a real thing. They come in a variety of lengths, colours and textures. Who knew that life as a fashionable ballerina would require so many sartorial choices?

Now, back to Chester. As we explore this charming city, Iā€™ve already fallen head-over-heels for the Tudor black-and-white buildings lining the city walls. And trust me, the architectureā€™s not the only reason for my giddy excitement - we are after all, embracing #Tutuesday here in the heart of Chester! But thereā€™s another secret gem. Tucked away amidst the medieval streets is The Grosvenor Hotel - a hotel thatā€™s pure indulgence, right down to the chandelier adorned drawing room. A spot perfect for afternoon tea in my ballet shoes! It is truly delightful. With itā€™s elegant drawing rooms, and a divine courtyard bursting with colour and fragrant flowers, it truly feels like stepping into a different era, only, much, much better.

So here's my top 5 reasons to love Chester and its tutu-friendly atmosphere:

  • The city walls ā€“ for the best photo opportunities - if I'm not wearing my favourite tutu, then where am I? The Roman history, and it's dramatic backdrop, theyā€™re just picture perfect - tutu perfect. The backdrop for my Insta shots? Perfection!
  • The Cheshire Rows ā€“ these historic, half-timbered buildings line the streets, theyā€™re stunning in their medieval quirkiness. Each one feels like an Instagram dream with that iconic Tudor black-and-white effect, with the powder blue of my tutu against this backdrop just really makes the scene come to life, doesnā€™t it?
  • Chester Cathedral ā€“ The impressive architecture is both gothic and charming. Imagine yourself being the prettiest in the whole church with my tutu on. Seriously, you are gonna want a picture here, maybe two! The perfect Instagrammable photo - if I do say so myself.
  • Grosvenor Park ā€“ itā€™s like stepping out of the city into a vibrant secret garden. Grosvenor Park, an escape for green-fingered ballerinas like myself, where I can practice my twirls. Perfect for those ā€œen pointeā€ Instagram moments ā€“ it's a natural backdrop, really.
  • The abundance of cafes, pubs and restaurants - because after a day of shopping, youā€™ll definitely want a sit-down - with a classic English cuppa in my tutu of course. A quick snack after an hour of touring the city with a little "The Beatles" for atmosphere? It doesn't get more charming than Chester!

As much as I love a glamorous outfit, what I really love about #Tutuesday is that it gives me a chance to play, explore and most importantly - connect with the people who understand that even in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we all need a bit of sparkle and joy, and who could resist that, particularly when it's on a Tuesday? Let me know your favorite #Tutuesday spots in the comments. Oh and by the way, there is also a charming vintage clothes shop - it is absolute gold, in fact, it might just be my favorite in Chester! Itā€™s bursting with 50s style tutus, complete with sequined detail, and let's just say, I might just have had a little shopping spree and picked up a little vintage delight.

Catch you all next week on #Tutuesday - but for now, it's time for this girl to get back to exploring all the exciting corners of Chester and continue my sartorial adventures. Iā€™ll leave you all with this - Iā€™m going to do my usual photo spree in the heart of the city, with all of my most flattering, elegant and graceful shots, and a healthy smattering of fun shots. If you need any more inspiration just check me out on the hashtag #tututuesday.