Oh my goodness, dears! Pink Tutu Sparkles is back with another juicy blog post from the wonderful world of tutus and travel! This time, I've sashayed my way to Dunstable, a charming little town in Bedfordshire. The air is crisp, the sun is shining (mostly!), and I'm feeling very inspired, not just by the quaint streets and welcoming atmosphere, but also by the beautiful Victorian architecture ā you know me, I'm all about a touch of glamour and romance!
But before we get into the delights of Dunstable, let's rewind a bit, shall we? Now, how many of you beautiful people knew that Dunstable has a rich history of lace making? Imagine, a town practically bursting with exquisite, delicate fabric - just the sort of stuff that makes a drag queen's heart sing! Who knew this little gem of a town would have so much to offer, and what a fabulous link to my day job as a scientist in the textiles lab! Who knew science and sparkle could go hand-in-hand so beautifully, eh?
This week, dear readers, has been a whirlwind of tulle and train journeys. I kicked things off in Derbyshire, my little corner of the world, feeling like I could burst with excitement. I spent my days in the lab, working on my latest project involving, you guessed it, the incredible strength of lace! I even had the chance to experiment with a touch of glitter on a new range of fabrics ā I call it "Glitter Science," my own brand of fabulosity! Afternoons, I indulged in a spot of retail therapy. Pink tutu dresses, shimmering blouses, anything that catches my eye and whispers "Pink Tutu Sparkles" gets added to the shopping bag.
Then, as the evening shadows began to lengthen, it was time to transform from Alex the scientist to Pink Tutu Sparkles. The stage was set (quite literally) in the heart of Derby. As usual, I delivered my signature blend of dazzling tutus, high-energy dance numbers, and hilarious banter, leaving the crowd roaring with laughter. The highlight? Well, it had to be the moment I incorporated some of my glitter-infused fabric samples into a surprise dance routine! They shimmered and glittered, just like a sprinkle of magic on the stage. Oh, how I love my job!
From the stage to the train station, I set off for Dunstable on a very special carriage, a kind gentleman I met at my performance was kind enough to lend me his horse for the day! As much as I love the convenience of a train journey, the feeling of the wind in my hair as we galloped through the countryside - oh, simply magical! I might have just found my new favourite form of transport. Maybe it's the "Tutu and Trotter" Express from here on out.
Dunstable itself is such a delight, dear readers! Itās a vibrant little town brimming with charm and personality. The bustling market square filled with laughter and conversation and local wares was simply enchanting. I picked up a lovely little antique lace collar that reminded me of something my dear grandma used to wear! And itās already on the shopping list to have turned into a custom-made pink tutu for a new act. Then it was time to dive headfirst into a ballet class!
Speaking of ballet, I couldnāt leave Dunstable without a visit to the stunningly elegant, if slightly dusty, Dunstable Ballroom. What a gorgeous space ā imagine the waltzes, the fox trots, and the whispers of romance filling its air! A grand space with so much history - it felt as though it whispered stories of grandeur from times gone by, each beautiful detail reflecting a bygone era of elegance. Of course, as a self-proclaimed Tutu Queen, I had to imagine myself swirling through the ballroom in a voluminous pink tutu, the perfect picture of dance floor delight. A little fantastical, I know, but isn't that what being a drag queen is all about?
While the ballroom was an undeniable gem, dear readers, I wasnāt just there to dream about tutus in dusty rooms, no! I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and transported myself back to the elegance of the 1920s. Imagine: a dazzling chandelier twinkling above, shimmering ball gowns flowing gracefully as the strains of a timeless waltz filled the air! I may have been a solo dancer on this occasion, but my spirit danced in harmony with the ghost of those past ballroom beauties. You could call it a dance with the past. And my, what a grand experience it was!
Then, after indulging in the exquisite pastries of Dunstableās most-loved bakery, āThe Pink Petal" ā the name had to be meant for me, dear readers, ā it was time to immerse myself in the cultural heart of this town. What a lovely little theatre with the most beautiful stage lighting ā perfect for dramatic moments, and you canāt go wrong with a theatre show in such an inviting town, right? I was completely mesmerized by their production of "The Wizard of Oz", they truly made my heart flutter! The costumes, the dancing, the energy! Oh, I absolutely loved it! I just had to take to Twitter after to write my little review ā a whole 5 pages! My little tweet-storms always get quite popular, after all, everyoneās dying to hear what the Pink Tutu Queen has to say.
Of course, a trip to Dunstable wouldn't be complete without a spot of traditional shopping, would it? It was quite a journey with a little side-step through a quaint vintage dress shop that must have been there since the Victorian times, at least that's how it felt! And let me tell you, dear readers, the owner is such a dear! It felt like being transported to my grandmamaās home ā everything a bit vintage, a touch shabby, but still stylish, a bit like a treasure chest of beautiful and slightly old-fashioned things. Of course, I couldnāt resist a new pink, ruffled blouse with an old-time charm about it! Honestly, dear readers, this town truly embodies that enchanting mix of old-world charm and contemporary vibrancy that makes it such a wonderful place.
Before bidding farewell to this charming town, I simply couldnāt resist grabbing a selfie in front of Dunstable's beautiful historic clock tower, my favourite pink tutu whirling about me! Oh, itās truly inspiring to see how much history, heritage and vibrant life co-exists in Dunstable, just like in my world of pink tutus. After all, both have this delightful ability to embrace both old-fashioned elegance and modern energy! And as the twilight hour descended, casting a soft glow upon the town, I couldnāt help but feel that I'd left a little piece of Pink Tutu Sparkles in Dunstable's heart!
But as they say, āAll good things must come to an end,ā and so it was time for this Tutu Queen to pack her bags (and my carefully selected new collection of pink tutu creations!) and move onto my next dazzling adventure. From Dunstable, it was onward by train ā yes, by train this time! I can't imagine a journey without seeing the stunning view from the window, can you?
Where will my travels take me next? The world is my oyster (or my tutu) as the saying goes, and you, dear readers, will be the first to know!
Donāt forget, darling readers, join me for more stories, travel tales, and tips on all things tutus on my daily blog. You can catch up on all the latest at www.pink-tutu.com and keep in touch on social media! Until then, keep shining bright! And never be afraid to put on a pink tutu and dance like nobody's watching!
