Taunton: A Tutu-tastic Tale of #Tututuesday
Well, darlings, it's Tuesday, which means one thing and one thing only: Tutu Tuesday! This week, my fabulous tutu adventures took me to the charming town of Taunton, a place with more charm than a tutu-wearing unicorn at a disco party (and trust me, I've seen a few of those in my time). Now, I know what you're thinking: "Taunton? But darling, where are the sequins, the glitter, the oomph?" Well, let me tell you, Taunton proved to be a total surprise, a true diamond in the rough – a gem hidden amongst the rolling Somerset hills, just waiting to be discovered.
The first thing that struck me was the vibrant energy that pulsed through the town centre. I swear, I could feel the music of a hundred disco balls throbbing through the air. Then I saw it – the rainbow! Well, maybe not a full rainbow, but certainly a rainbow of tutus in a shop window! A delightful little boutique named "The Tutu Emporium", it was an absolute dream, a wonderland of tutus, like stepping into a fairytale where tulle and feathers reigned supreme.
They had everything from the classic romantic tutus (think ballet meets fairytale), in flowing, dreamy silks with delicate layers that would have any ballerina swooning, to the bold and dramatic tutu-bodysuits, perfect for channeling your inner diva! Oh, and let’s not forget about the unicorns! There was a gorgeous pink, rainbow unicorn tutu-skirt. Think of the amazing photographs I got in it... it looked like something straight out of a whimsical unicorn dream, darling!
And oh, the textures! Feathers! Shimmering sequins! Gorgeous sparkly mesh fabrics! A ballet dancer's dream come true! I'm a sucker for a tulle tutu, but even I have to admit, the sparkly mesh, like tiny iridescent stars catching the light, just added a bit of magic, like a sprinkle of fairy dust on a perfectly choreographed dance number.
Armed with my Tutu Emporium loot and an afternoon to spare, I set off on my tutu-themed adventure around Taunton, taking full advantage of the sunny afternoon and using the town's beautiful historical backdrop to its full advantage.
- First stop was the charming, centuries-old Taunton Castle. That castle was a proper dream! Imagine the stories it could tell! Imagine all the romantic ballerinas, their swirling skirts catching the sunlight in the grounds, their hair floating behind them as they leaped, graceful as gazelles, under those majestic walls! *Swoon* Of course, it being #tututuesday, I decided to do just that. You bet your tutu I waltzed and spun around in front of the castle, and lemme tell ya, darling, those walls were a perfect backdrop for a truly "en pointe" performance.
- From the regal castle, I waltzed my way (figuratively speaking, I’d left my ballet shoes in the hotel) to the equally charming Taunton Library. There’s just something magical about libraries – I always feel that special creative energy when I’m in one, surrounded by knowledge. Now, don’t think I was about to stay stuck inside those lovely old library doors – my tutu had already caught the attention of all the Taunton library regulars! One lovely lady even told me she was a budding ballet dancer, who I swear had to have a twinkle in her eye! Imagine that, inspiration sparking on #Tututuesday, in the heart of a small English town!
- Feeling all kinds of invigorated and ready for more, I twirled down the pedestrian precinct to the magnificent Taunton Deane Church. I’ll be honest, I couldn't resist getting into a ballet position and trying out my little twirls under its beautiful stained-glass windows - they were just gorgeous. Honestly, darling, the stained-glass reflections dancing around on the pavement, well, they were like a whole new world of art and imagination, a feast for my ballet-obsessed eyes! I spent a good hour lost in my dance fantasy – I’d never really explored Taunton before, but now I just know it's an absolute gem, waiting to be discovered, like an elegant hidden jewel.
- Then I discovered Taunton's secret treasure: a lovely, independent art and craft market, brimming with locally-made wares. The moment I stepped in, it was like a wave of inspiration washed over me. Imagine the dance choreography possibilities... Those beautiful knitted scarves, a dream come true! I just envisioned a performance, all the dancers wearing them, moving in elegant balletic sequences! I bought myself a vibrant handmade silk scarf, and it’s safe to say that it is officially the new statement piece in my tutu wardrobe. You simply MUST have some artisanal handcrafted, artisanally sourced handmade silk scarves in your life, darlings!
So, there you have it, my dear readers. Taunton - not just the place where I had a totally fantastic #tututuesday – it’s a hidden gem, a place to explore, a town where even an ordinary Tuesday feels special! And you know what, it doesn’t really matter if you wear a tutu or not – what matters is you have that little spark, that dash of inspiration, and most of all that sheer delight that reminds you that sometimes, just sometimes, life’s most exciting and most dazzling moments happen on an ordinary Tuesday, like a tutu-wearing ballerina in a historic town centre.
Now go forth, my dear readers, and make your Tuesday, nay, EVERY DAY a little bit extraordinary!
#tututuesday