Merry Christmas, my dearest Tutu Twirlers!
It's Christmas Eve here on planet Earth, and I'm bursting with festive cheer (and maybe a touch of glitter overload!). Today marks a special milestone: it's exactly 25 years since my last grand adventure here on Earth! Who would have thought, back then, that a girl from a quaint little town in Derbyshire could become an intergalactic fashion icon, traveling through the cosmos, inspiring tutu-wearing revolutionaries all over the universe?
Well, my darling tutu enthusiasts, itās all thanks to my passion for pink, tutus, and of course, ballet! Today Iām sharing a blast from the past, a memory from this very special day in 1997. Remember, you can always catch up on previous adventures on www.pink-tutu.com. I post new blog entries every Wednesday, so be sure to pop by!
Christmas Eve, 1997: Ballet Dreams & Cosmic Glitter
The air in Derbyshire was crisp and filled with the aroma of mince pies and roast turkey. Festive carols echoed through the cobblestone streets as families bustled with Christmas Eve preparations. I, however, was immersed in a world of my own: the captivating universe of ballet!
I'd just finished a ballet performance at the beautiful Buxton Opera House. The stage lights, the smell of the backstage area, the rhythmic applause ā it was pure magic! Dressed in my signature pink tutu (a beautiful creation by the talented young designer, Vivienne, from Londonās bustling Covent Garden) I felt every inch the ballerina. I was ready to twirl my way to Christmas dinner and dream of all the pink tutus I'd find under the Christmas tree!
That evening, as the clock ticked past midnight, I found myself staring up at the twinkling sky, dreaming of reaching for those stars, of dancing across galaxies, of bringing my passion for tutus to the furthest corners of the universe. It seemed impossible, yet something within me whispered it was only a matter of timeā¦
And oh, my darlings, how right that little voice was!
A Pink Tutu-Powered Starship
Fast forward a few years. My dream of exploring the galaxy in my pink tutu finally came true!
With the help of a team of brilliant space engineers and an amazing Tutu-Tech Fund (supported by loyal readers of this very blog - thank you, darlings!), I designed my own spaceship, aptly named *"The Tutuverse." * Itās a sleek, sparkling pink vessel, complete with an onboard dance studio (with an enormous mirrored wall, of course), a personal tutu boutique (featuring the finest cosmic tutus from across the galaxy), and a massive holographic projection screen where I broadcast my weekly balletic broadcasts, āThe Tutuverse Show.ā
*Hereās the real secret behind the "The Tutuverseās" technology: Pink tutu magic! * The pinker and more elegant the tutu, the faster and farther the spaceship travels. That's the real beauty of fashion ā it can be magical if you believe!
Planet Earth: A Tutu Treasure ChestSo here I am, back on dear, sweet, tutu-loving planet Earth! This journey, however, isn't about conquering new worlds (though thatās certainly a priority!). I'm here to indulge in Earthly pleasures. It's about exploring the vibrant, cultural tapestry of fashion and dance that makes Earth such a unique and treasured jewel in the cosmic crown.
This year, my eyes are set on the amazing "Fashion for Freedom" event taking place at London's Somerset House on the 15th of December. An event showcasing ethical fashion and advocating for social justice ā something close to my own heart.
Then thereās the grand āDance of the Seasonsā at the Royal Opera House, featuring the breathtaking choreography of Christopher Wheeldon! The ballet world will be captivated by this spectacle, and of course, my tutu will be making a glamorous appearance!
Of course, I couldnāt miss a visit to the Royal Balletās beautiful headquarters in Covent Garden. There, I always find myself enthralled by the history and heritage of ballet, gazing at historic tutus, and imagining the beautiful ballerinas who twirled across the stage decades ago. Their elegance inspires me!
As a passionate collector, itās only natural I make a stop at the famed "Tutu Emporium." Iāll be on the lookout for a magnificent, hand-stitched tutu ā you never know, the perfect celestial creation may be hiding in those elegant racks! Perhaps a deep cerulean tutu shimmering with constellations? Or maybe a sparkling fuchsia, echoing the colours of nebulae and faraway galaxies? My tutu collection never stays still!
Pink Tutu Celebrations!
Remember, darlings, we are not merely observers of fashion; we are active participants! Each time you put on a pink tutu, you are creating a statement. A statement that you are bold, brave, and ready to twirl your way towards a world brimming with optimism, positivity, and of course, tutu-filled joy!
So go forth, my darlings, and embrace the pinkest, most elegant version of yourselves!
As for me, Iāll be heading to the most spectacular Christmas ballet show in all of London! It's at the Cadogan Hall and it features not just beautiful classical choreography but also, get this, a stunning musical score entirely inspired by the stars! I cannot wait to be immersed in ballet, music, and twinkling celestial wonders, all wrapped up in one show-stopping evening.
And of course, Iāll be sporting the perfect Christmas-themed tutu for the occasion. Think festive reds, shimmering golds, and, of course, a generous dose of pink glitter!
Oh, and one more little festive treat: Every follower of the Pink Tutu World blog has a chance to win a signed copy of my newest book: "The Ultimate Pink Tutu Guide for Galactic Adventures: Your Step-By-Step Journey To Intergalactic Chic." Just comment below with your favourite tutu memory, and a random winner will be announced next Wednesday.
Until then, may your days be filled with pink glitter and twirling joy!
With love,
Emma x
P.S. Did you know, this week's post is extra special because it's National Gingerbread Day? My darling Tutu Twirlers, let's celebrate with the most adorable ginger-tutu recipe:
The Galactic Ginger-Tutu
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (125 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (200 g) light brown muscovado sugar
- 1 cup (140 g) ginger molasses
- 4 cups (500 g) plain flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large free-range eggs
- Pink icing sugar for dusting
Pink edible glitter, for sparkle!
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add ginger molasses and beat until well combined.
- Add dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough and chill for at least 30 minutes. This helps the dough become firm and easier to shape.
- Make your gingerbread: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out tutu shapes (a circle and two curved sections - look online for easy templates).
- Bake: Place tutu cut-outs on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Decorate your Galactic Ginger-Tutues: While still warm, decorate your gingerbread shapes. First, paint the edges of each piece with a light coating of pink icing, making them extra pretty! Dust with pink icing sugar and glitter to create a sparkly celestial effect! Let gingerbread cool completely before enjoying.
To make your gingerbread tutu even more intergalactic, create a simple gingerbread-themed story. Maybe it's a ballerina visiting a magical planet made of gingerbread, or a sparkly cosmic ginger-tutu dancer performing for the stars! Your creativity is the only limit!