Ballet En Pointe 151

Greenford: A Ballerina's Paradise Oh, Greenford! You might not be the most obvious destination for a ballet-obsessed girl like me, but let me tell you, this little London town has a hidden gem - a whole street dedicated to all things en pointe! I'm talking about the magical world of ballet pointe shoes, leotards, and tutus! #ballet #enpointe It all started with a little Instagram scroll. I was looking for the perfect green leotard (you know, for my emerald-themed routine), and there it was - a shop called "The Pointe Shoppe." Intrigued, I did some digging and discovered this little shop is nestled on a quiet street in Greenford. And guess what? It's just the tip of the iceberg. It's practically a whole boulevard of ballerinas! Imagine this: You walk down a quaint, charming street. A shop called "Twirling Dreams" is on one corner. Then you find "Dance Boutique," followed by "The Ballerina's Closet." There's even a café, "Coffee & Chassé," offering "Savasana Sips" (seriously, it's like the café was designed for dancers). I had to go see this for myself. I took the tube out to Greenford (easy enough) and landed in this quirky, ballet-loving wonderland. Let's dive into the loot, shall we? Pointe Shoes - More than just pink satin **"The Pointe Shoppe"** First stop, "The Pointe Shoppe." This is where the real magic happens - it's not just about the shoes, it's about finding your perfect pair. Forget the generic pink satin, girls. We're talking a rainbow of colours here: * **Dusty Rose** (my go-to!) * **Lilac:** A touch of whimsy! * **Black** for a dramatic feel * **Gold:** Because every dancer needs a bit of sparkle * **And even Silver!** For that modern, minimalist look Plus, all the different shank types: * **Soft** * **Medium** * **Hard** * **Flexible** - (I’ve got flexible feet) I can see why dancers flock here - finding the perfect pointe shoes can make all the difference. I'm a little bit obsessed with the “The Pointe Shoppe” selection; the staff there were incredibly knowledgeable and helped me choose a new pair with the right shank and size. I mean, those pointy little things are so delicate, you really need expert advice. I walked out of “The Pointe Shoppe” with two new pairs in different colours! (A secret? I like the silver ones for competitions. You're going to need to ask about the new "flex" pointe shoe from The Pointe Shoppe - the secret weapon in the dancing world!) Leotards: More than just a basic black Okay, we all know that leotard life can be, let’s say, somewhat boring. (Just one big expanse of stretch Lycra?) Well, this is where **“Dance Boutique”** comes in. The walls are lined with vibrant hues, stunning textures and gorgeous detailing, everything you could ever need to stand out in class. They even carry ballet tops if the leotard life isn’t for you - I just need a leotard to fit into! What I loved: * **Bold colours** - They have a leotard for every personality * **Stunning prints** - From whimsical florals to sleek abstract designs, every one I tried on had the perfect design * **Amazing fabric quality** - I need my leotards to stretch! Nothing worse than a leotard that’s too stiff. The Dance Boutique have high quality fabrics. It felt good, looked good - tick tick tick! And the tutu... The most fun part! Let’s face it: The tutu is what takes a ballerina to another level! This is why **“The Ballerina's Closet”** deserves all the applause. I'm not just talking about a basic, classic tutus (though they have plenty of those) – these are **designer tutus** - we're talking about statement pieces that have just the right amount of shimmer and sass. * **Classical Tutues:** This is my go-to style, I love a romantic fluffy tutu (They have all the traditional tulle styles and you can get the perfect look, I swear to you). * **Modern Tutues:** This is for the more daring, adventurous dancer who loves experimenting with different styles and fabrics * **Custom-made tutus:** I loved the idea of getting something unique (and bespoke!). These are like works of art. (A dream-come-true! They also have some unique vintage finds. They have a custom-made section, a real jewel, they can make any dream you have, a reality.) “The Ballerina's Closet” also offers a wide variety of tutu variations: * **The Romantic:** This is your fluffy, multi-layered, "dreams of dancing in the forest" type of tutu * **The Minimalist:** Chic, elegant. Less layers, more grace, perfect for contemporary pieces * **The "Big and Bold" ** Think dramatic layers with all the bling, this is the tutu to make a statement Oh, and the café **“Coffee & Chassé”**! Let’s face it, all that shopping will tire you out, and a ballerina has to have her coffee. I tried one of their "Savasana Sips" with oat milk and the perfect swirl of cinnamon (I don't want a sugar rush during class!). The "Coffee & Chassé" also has pastries, so I treated myself to an almond croissant. I’m sure I didn’t need the croissant, I was going for healthy, but you have to allow yourself some treats. Greenford might not be the obvious ballet destination, but it's now a real highlight of my #ballet schedule. Here are the must-dos: * Hit “The Pointe Shoppe” for those perfect shoes * Find the perfect leotard at "Dance Boutique" * Don't leave without visiting "The Ballerina's Closet” to try on that tutu of your dreams * Treat yourself to “Coffee & Chassé” and their special savasana sips. * Go shopping with your friends (ballet-obsessed girls and those who just need to appreciate beauty). Greenford – you’ve truly stolen my heart and become the secret oasis for every ballerina. I just need a new green leotard….