Hello my gorgeous darlings! It’s Emma, your Pink Tutu princess, back from another whirlwind weekend adventure, this time in the fabulous capital city of London! Oh, how I love a good train journey, especially when it's leading to a weekend of pure delight!
You see, I recently had a chance to perform with the lovely folk at the Derbyshire Ballet Theatre. We were lucky enough to secure a rather large sum from the performance, and after paying the usual bills and settling my ballet-shoes fund, I found myself with a healthy little pot to splurge on…a trip to London! Now, every true Pink Tutu enthusiast knows that a little retail therapy is a necessity, but so is experiencing the world's best theatre and ballet, which, in my humble opinion, is right here in good ol' London town.
Friday afternoon saw me hopping off the train at Kings Cross Station, and darling, let me tell you, the excitement was bubbling! As soon as I spotted those gorgeous red phone boxes, my heart did a little pirouette. There's something truly magical about the hustle and bustle of this incredible city!
I had planned my London escapades meticulously, of course. One rule: keep it pink and tutu-rific! So, my first stop was, naturally, to the iconic department store Liberty London. I knew, without a doubt, that I would find some fabulously pink gems tucked amongst those enchanting Tudor-inspired wooden beams! And darling, I was right! A glorious fuchsia cashmere sweater, just perfect for those chilly English evenings, became mine, and a little pink satin clutch bag (because one must always have a good clutch) came home too. What can I say? Shopping for fabulous is just so very essential when exploring London.
After all that retail excitement, I found myself wandering through the bustling streets of Covent Garden, admiring the street performers (the acrobatics are astounding!), laughing at the antics of the fruit and veg stall holders, and marveling at the sheer artistry of it all.
Feeling hungry and needing a little sustenance, I had the most delicious afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason! Now, darling, you know how much I adore a good pot of tea, and a finger sandwich with a perfect crust is truly heavenly, and their pink raspberry macarons are divine. (Yes, I indulged in several! They're very petite, you understand!).
Dinner was equally enchanting, in the heart of the theatre district, with a lovely ballet-themed pasta dish at an intimate little Italian bistro. All this, with a glass of crisp Pinot Grigio? Well, let's just say that this Pink Tutu Princess felt truly spoiled!
As the day gave way to evening, I headed off to the glorious Royal Opera House for my evening's treat - a dazzling performance of "Giselle." Now, this isn't your typical 'ballet in a pink tutu' affair, it’s an emotive tale of passion, heartbreak and the supernatural, all beautifully narrated through movement. It was breathtaking! The set was magnificent, the dancers truly remarkable, and those tutus! Darling, the costumes were divine. (Not quite pink as I would have preferred, but, let's be honest, the art was truly breathtaking!).
Walking back to my lovely little hotel in the late hours, the city still buzzed with a vibrancy that I found infectious. London has such an exciting pulse, darling, a certain joie de vivre, which I think reflects in the fantastic energy of its people!
I finished the day curled up in my hotel room, reflecting on another magical London adventure, a bit exhausted, but oh, so happy. And darling, let me tell you, a good pink tutu, paired with the perfect London night outfit, well that's all a girl needs for a perfect weekend!
Do join me again next week for more Pink Tutu adventures in the City, as we'll be exploring museums, taking in some fabulous fashion, and indulging in some seriously divine sweet treats. Until then, keep those tutus twirling, and remember - even in the most sophisticated city, pink is always in!
Lots of love, Emma The Pink Tutu Princess
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my other Pink Tutu Blog posts for a peek into my ballet life, fabulous shopping sprees, and tips for a perfect pink-filled wardrobe. Find me on www.pink-tutu.com!
A little about the events on 11th April 1997:
The United Kingdom, along with the rest of the world, watched with bated breath as a funeral took place in Paris - the funeral of the Princess of Wales, Diana Spencer. It was a televised event, and millions of people paused their own lives for a moment to remember her. It's safe to say that even amidst the joyous fashion and excitement of London, there was a definite air of sadness and reflection throughout the day.
There was a lot happening in the music world that weekend as well! Oasis was in the midst of a sold out tour at Wembley stadium - I am sure you could hear those guitar riffs right across London! The Spice Girls also debuted a new single, "Mama," in April, giving a fresh sound to the Pop world at that time, which no doubt had London’s teenagers on cloud 9!
At the Royal Ballet, they weren't just enjoying “Giselle” that weekend - the schedule included “Le Baiser de la Fée,” which must have made my Pink Tutu Princess even more inspired, with its fantastical themes and beautiful costumes!
Emma's London adventure continued through the weekend, leading her to further Pink Tutu fun:
Saturday
- Morning started with a stroll through Kensington Gardens, soaking up the sunshine in a floral pink dress. A visit to the Natural History Museum to admire all the creatures in pink tones, like flamingos and pink lady slippers.
- Lunch at a charming café in Kensington, complete with a cup of strawberry and vanilla ice-cream in a giant pink bowl.
- A much-needed visit to Harrods! That iconic store is simply delightful for Pink Tutu enthusiasts. Imagine the luxurious silks and satin – divine!
An afternoon tea with the Queen in her castle, was one of the highlights!
Sunday
A morning visit to the Victoria and Albert museum with all its fascinating textiles and clothes was a real treat. Imagine all those gorgeous materials and patterns for a fabulous new Pink Tutu outfit! I must get my creative juices flowing!
- In the afternoon, I couldn't resist going to The Ritz for their afternoon tea! I had the best time soaking up the ambiance, watching the world go by while indulging in the tastiest scones. They have beautiful pink cakes, but I couldn't possibly leave space for them after indulging in such a fabulous amount of finger sandwiches! It really was the most perfect end to my weekend trip!
What can I say, darlings? London just knows how to put on a fantastic weekend! With its charm, excitement and those adorable pink shops… well, let’s just say that it will never be "not" on my Pink Tutu must-visit list! I'll be back, darling, oh yes I will.
Remember, Pink Tutus are always in style, and they make every adventure more glamorous! Until next time, stay fabulous!
