Hello darlings! It's your girl Pink Tutu Sparkles here, back with you on a brand-new day with a brand-new blog post. Today's adventure takes me to the beautiful town of Hartlepool, on the gorgeous North East coast. And let me tell you, this town's a real treat for the eyes, full of quaint streets and the most stunning seaside views! You know I'm a sucker for a bit of coastal charm, and this place really ticks all the boxes.
This is my 9353rd post - you wouldn't believe it! It feels like I started blogging just yesterday, remember those first few shaky posts where I tried so hard to make sense of everything? Well, darling, look at me now! A whole legion of devoted readers, all dedicated to my tutus, my travels, my outfits - my whole sparkly world!
Now, I just knew Hartlepool would be the perfect place to explore this month. You see, darlings, I've been planning this trip for ages! It all started when I was researching old-timey Victorian seaside traditions for a recent performance. Did you know Hartlepool has an iconic "Monkey Dance" festival every year? Now, I'm not a monkey fan (let's face it, they're a bit hairy for my liking!), but I do adore a good festival. That's why I'm excited to tell you all about my journey to this lovely town!
Getting There
I travelled up to Hartlepool by train, which, if I do say so myself, was an excellent decision. The journey was absolutely lovely. It gave me the perfect opportunity to sit back, relax and marvel at the passing scenery. It reminded me so much of my first ever train journey with Mum to see The Nutcracker. I still remember the absolute awe I felt as I looked out of the window at the world whizzing past. Speaking of The Nutcracker, you guys know how much I love the ballet, right? And wouldn't you know it, the Hartlepool Civic Theatre has a fabulous production coming up in November! I can't wait to get my tickets, darlings. I've even got my outfit all planned out, a lovely sparkly lilac tulle number that will go perfectly with my fluffy, candy pink shawl. The colour scheme will match the candy cane motifs from the set - oh, I can just picture it!
Tutus in Hartlepool!
As usual, I packed my suitcase to the brim with enough fabulous pink tutus to dress a whole troupe of ballerinas. And let me tell you, the shops in Hartlepool did not disappoint! From independent boutiques to high street fashion, I found myself overwhelmed by the sheer number of pink outfits. Imagine a whole rack of the most perfect pink satin camisoles, the softest blush-toned trousers, and, of course, the glorious pink glitter that covered everything from hairbands to sparkly stilettos. This town truly is a shopping haven!
The most exciting find of all? The most beautiful vintage store, tucked away in a narrow back street. There, darling, nestled between old hatboxes and antique jewelry, I found my new favorite tutu! It's this absolutely gorgeous, faded-pink, chiffon masterpiece, adorned with little, hand-sewn flowers in shades of baby blue and pistachio. Oh, I just knew I had to have it, I had to have it all. And, trust me, you’ll be seeing plenty of it in future blog posts, because this tutu is a game-changer, darlings!
The Grand Parade!
Now, you know I love to make a good entrance. And what better way to do that than with a grand, pink-tastic parade down the Hartlepool promenade! This time, I wanted to go full-on sparkle, so I opted for a flowing pink tulle tutu with rainbow iridescent feathers cascading from the top. Think Elsa, but in an even more flamboyant and fabulous fashion, darling! The locals absolutely loved it. I swear, you'd think they'd never seen a sparkly, twirling tutu in their lives! But hey, more pink tutus in the world is always a good thing.
It's a joy seeing those smiles and hear those gasps as I spin and twirl my way down the promenade. It reminds me of why I do what I do, why I put on my tutu every single day, because this is more than just drag, it’s about inspiring joy and wonder. And when you can do that with just a twirl and a giggle, well, that's just magic!
Pink Tutu Eats!
One of my favorite things about exploring new places is trying their local delicacies. You all know I have a sweet tooth, so I had to check out Hartlepool's famous fish and chip shops. And darlings, let me tell you, they didn't disappoint! Fish so fresh it was still practically swimming, and chips so crisp, they crunched with every bite. Now, normally I prefer a bit of spice in my food, but the sheer quality of these treats just demanded appreciation in their pure, unadulterated form.
For dessert, of course, there had to be some traditional Hartlepool sweet treats. My friend (and fellow pink-tutu enthusiast, of course) Chloe recommended this adorable little cafe called "Sweet Surrender," and let me tell you, they were just sweet surrender-ing good! It was all about retro-inspired cake pops and fancy ice cream cones topped with a shower of glitter (because, obviously). My pick was a beautiful pink strawberry and raspberry ice cream cone decorated with glittery, heart-shaped sprinkles.
Pink Tutu Nightlife!
Of course, no trip to Hartlepool is complete without a bit of glam night life. My friend Chloe knows all the best spots, and, as always, she didn't steer me wrong! We landed at this buzzing bar on the harborfront, full of laughter, music, and, of course, a whole load of pink. It was everything I could have hoped for!
I spent the rest of the evening talking, laughing, and dancing with some new friends. You know I can’t resist a good singalong to all the old classics. And, let’s just say the local karaoke fans seemed to love my rendition of "My Heart Will Go On" in my pink tutu and sequined crown. I know I always tell you this, but you really wouldn't believe the power of a well-placed pink tutu! It just makes every occasion, every interaction, so much more joyful!
My Favourite Thing About Hartlepool?
Honestly, darlings, it’s hard to pick just one thing. This whole trip has been absolutely incredible, but I'd have to say the best bit was getting to see those smiles and hear those laughs as I strolled around the town, twirling in my pink tutu, and spreading a little sparkle. It's a constant reminder, darling, of how powerful our passion for color, for joy, and for ourselves really is. It's about embracing those parts of ourselves, no matter what others might think or say, and spreading the joy wherever we go!
I'm so thankful to everyone in Hartlepool for making me feel so welcome, from the kind folks in the shops to the wonderful locals who joined me in a little dance or two. It just shows you don’t have to travel to a huge metropolis to find fabulous adventures!
Remember, darlings, there's magic in every corner of the world if you look closely enough. So don’t forget to embrace those moments of joy and let your pink-tutu heart guide you to wherever you might want to go. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a pink feather boa and a new pair of sparkly stilettos to go unpack, ready for my next fabulous adventure. Until next time, stay glittery!
