#PinkTutuBlogLondon Friday 1998-06-26 Exploring London

Hello my darling darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad ballerina, Emma, back with another delightful blog post. This week I'm bursting with excitement because I've just spent a magical day exploring the vibrant streets of London. It’s been a long week at the ballet school – a new pas de deux was pretty taxing! - but London is a surefire antidote to exhaustion. So, hop aboard the pink tutu express as we take a whirlwind tour of my day in the Big Smoke!

It’s all thanks to my recent triumph at the “Derbyshire Dance Festival,” which netted me a hefty sum of prize money. What does a ballet-loving girl do with a big wad of cash, you ask? Why, she heads to the heart of theatre-land, of course! It all began early this morning, with the sound of my alarm clock and the sun shining in through my window, a glorious reminder that the weekend had finally arrived.

After a breakfast of tea and crumpets (you know how I love a good crumpet!), I bid farewell to the rolling hills and sheep-filled meadows of Derbyshire and jumped aboard the trusty pink tutu express. (Don’t worry, this time I decided on a pair of my cute pink kitten heels over the tutu – comfort comes first when you’re on the train).

I settled into a seat beside the window, taking in the calming views as we sped through the English countryside. There’s something so satisfying about gazing out at green fields, winding rivers, and charming little villages – it helps set my creative juices flowing. Plus, a journey by train gives me a perfect opportunity to sketch in my little pink ballerina notebook, imagining myself twirling amongst those fields of daffodils or leaping over the stone archways of a pretty bridge.

By lunchtime, London's towering skyscrapers began to appear on the horizon, the bustle and energy of the city felt like an exciting, albeit slightly intimidating, embrace. With a skip in my step, I emerged from Kings Cross Station, ready to take on London town in my cutest pink kitten heels and a fabulous, fluffy pink dress! You know my style – never a day goes by without a touch of pink, especially when it's time to explore a city as vibrant and energetic as London.

For my first stop, I headed to the heart of Covent Garden. Covent Garden is one of my favourite spots in London! From the iconic Victorian architecture to the vibrant flower market, every corner seems to sing a different tune. It’s the perfect spot to people-watch, soak up the city's unique atmosphere and of course, buy a beautiful, pastel-pink bunch of flowers! (A must for my bedroom in Derbyshire).

After stopping for a delicious cream tea and scones (my other weakness after crumpets), I ventured into the bustling crowds. It was here that my journey truly started, taking me down the winding, cobbled streets of Soho and exploring the hidden gems of Leicester Square.

And where else could I start than with a visit to the theatre district? The bright lights, the anticipation, the buzz – there's simply magic in the air! Even the smell of popcorn and hot dogs holds a special magic. You could practically smell the history!

Being in the theatre district fills me with such excitement. I dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina ever since I saw my first performance of ‘Swan Lake’ when I was just seven years old. That year my parents gifted me with my very first pink tutu, a fluffy cloud of tulle. To say I was happy was an understatement.

Right now, I have tickets to see "Giselle" in the West End, and it is so much fun thinking about the incredible dance moves that I'm going to see - the stunning tutus and the heart-wrenching music! I love the feeling of being surrounded by all these wonderful things that remind me that dance and artistry will always hold a special place in my heart.

And if the magical scent of hotdogs and popcorn wasn’t enough to entice, I managed to nab tickets for the "The Phantom of the Opera." This timeless musical masterpiece is one that’s been on my bucket list for years. So, picture this: Me, in a beautiful pink floral dress and my trusty pink kitten heels, sitting in the audience with a programme in my hand, sipping on some strawberry lemonade. This is what London life is all about!

Okay, time for a little shopping! Of course, every fashion-conscious girl needs a shopping spree every now and then! I headed down Oxford Street with its towering department stores and independent boutiques overflowing with treasures. Oh my, I’m already so tempted to pick up some new tutus. Pink tutus, of course!

And a ballerina needs a beautiful outfit, right? Thankfully, I found the most gorgeous pair of shoes in Selfridges, bright pink with tiny sparkles! It would go perfectly with a pink satin ballet dress, wouldn't it? I know it's going to look fabulous at my next performance!

After a satisfyingly pink shopping spree, I decided to visit some of the many parks that London has to offer. London is actually quite surprisingly green, even in the middle of the city! There’s the vast expanse of Regent's Park with its gorgeous flowerbeds and tranquil ponds – perfect for a relaxed picnic. It’s so good for the soul!

Afterward, I took a stroll down the Thames, enjoying the incredible views of Big Ben, the London Eye, and the iconic Houses of Parliament. London is such a unique and breathtaking city!

Later, I felt the lure of the historic and mysterious Tower Bridge. What’s London without a journey across one of its iconic bridges!

I couldn’t resist a snap in front of this marvel of engineering! I’ve been dreaming of snapping a photo of myself in my pink tutu twirling in front of Tower Bridge, a quintessential London landmark! This year, I finally achieved this long-held wish!

London is just magical and I simply love its historic streets and all the memorabilia associated with its vibrant and storied past.

With my heart overflowing from my whirlwind journey, I decided to conclude my evening with a private ballet class. What better way to end a London adventure than with a graceful dance session?

You’ve got to keep those ballerina muscles moving and dancing in the heart of London! It felt amazing to stretch and leap across the dance floor after a day exploring such a dynamic city. Plus, it was the perfect time for me to test out my newly purchased dance shoes, feeling confident in those gorgeous sparkly pink kitten heels!

My private lesson helped clear my head and allowed me to really reconnect with my inner ballerina! What a day. It’s so fulfilling when I manage to work my ballerina passion alongside my blog and my other creative ventures.

London, you truly are a city where dreams can come alive. I feel inspired and recharged, and I can’t wait to visit again!

Now, what does everyone think about my adventures?

Did you spot any London hotspots in my pictures? Tell me in the comments below! What are your favorite things to do in London?

And, don’t forget – the pink tutu express is always running! So come along with me next Friday! I'm off to another exciting location – until then, twirl, dance, and wear pink!

With much love and happy twirls, Emma

P.S Be sure to visit www.pink-tutu.com and share your thoughts.

This week's Pink Tutu Blog London Post's Events: - Derbyshire Dance Festival - Giselle performance in the West End - The Phantom of the Opera performance - Oxford Street Shopping - Regents Park - Tower Bridge - Private Ballet Class

Today's pink tutu pick: - My favourite sparkly pink kitten heels, for a dash of London magic and a comfortable stride around the city!