Hello, darlings! It’s Emma, your favourite pink-loving, tutu-twirling ballerina, reporting live from the fabulous city of London! As usual, I’m kicking off the weekend with another Friday post, bursting at the seams with excitement. Today’s adventure was a glorious trip to London, by train of course, where I discovered the magic of the city, explored some charming shops, and maybe even had a little dance! Oh, and I'll be confessing a secret later on, don't you worry!
So, after another gruelling performance, where I practically pirouetted the stage into a frenzy, it was time to pack my favourite tutu (the pink and gold one with the sparkly sequinned details – I think you’ve seen it in a couple of previous posts!) and embark on my grand London expedition. Now, train travel, to me, is the perfect way to embrace the pre-journey excitement!
Don’t get me wrong, the excitement of reaching your destination is definitely exhilarating, but those first few minutes aboard the train, especially on a long journey, is truly special. It’s like you’ve just stepped into your very own theatre. There’s an almost mystical aura about a railway carriage as the world outside whizzes by, transforming the landscapes and towns into little artistic strokes of colour.
And today, that view included my beloved Derbyshire countryside. Seeing it as the train left the station almost tugged at my heartstrings, just a little bit, of course. The gentle hills, the green meadows, the quaint houses… it’s beautiful, but the lure of London was too strong!
My journey into London took me past some captivating towns, and yes, I did peek through the carriage window at the charming high streets and colourful shops, while also trying to capture the fleeting beauty of the scenery in my head – the little cottages nestled between fields of golden brown wheat, the glistening waterways, and the stunning vistas, reminding me of all the inspiring beauty nature has to offer.
As the train neared the iconic London skyline, the sense of excitement within me just erupted. I had to grab my phone and snap a few pics! Oh, you know I couldn't resist. The cityscape looked like something out of a fairytale, and yes, my inner child was jumping for joy! And then, that magical moment, arriving at London’s Paddington Station… just a whirl of people, shops, sights, smells and the buzz of excitement, you just know this city is buzzing with magic, and I just had to get out and explore!
First stop - finding a bite to eat, obviously. I have a penchant for lovely little cafés, the kind where the pastries are irresistible and the smell of coffee lingers sweetly in the air. I’m still hunting down that perfect cafe latte (if you have any recommendations, drop them in the comments!).
Once I’d indulged in a decadent breakfast, it was time for some retail therapy, of course! Now, London, is a city that really does have something for everyone – the cobblestone streets of Chelsea, the fashionable boutiques in Covent Garden, the vibrant markets of Camden Town – it’s a fashion lover’s paradise.
The first stop on my shopping odyssey was the legendary Covent Garden, oh, this place is such a delight. Imagine an abundance of shops spilling out onto the streets, showcasing every kind of delightful design, colour and texture imaginable – a sensory overload! I have to confess, I couldn’t resist a visit to the delightful Anthropologie, you all know my weakness for enchanting clothes and unique accessories. And oh, my heart skipped a beat at Liberty London with their amazing selection of clothing, and exquisite homewares. I'll be taking inspiration from their floral prints, so look out for a Pink Tutu Blog inspired fashion makeover coming soon. I have a hunch a fabulous Liberty print will find its way into one of my future creations. I swear, I can already imagine myself in a fabulous Liberty fabric pink tutu - think Parisian ballerina, with a hint of whimsy!
The afternoon brought another thrilling experience - The National Gallery. And as you all know, my heart beats faster for classical ballet performances, but there’s also a special place for museums, especially those brimming with art masterpieces. So, a visit to The National Gallery was an absolute must.
And I swear, dear readers, it’s a feast for the soul. All those iconic paintings, so rich with history and emotions… Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Titian's Venus of Urbino, Michelangelo's Entombment of Christ, you know the names, and the beauty of those iconic masterpieces never fails to leave me in awe. I stood mesmerised for what seemed like forever in front of each of these amazing artworks. The skill and the story behind the paintings made my soul just sing. Oh, to be so talented! A quick note, before I lose myself in the magical world of the artistic geniuses… Today’s exhibit at The National Gallery was absolutely fabulous – 'Love and Desire: Pre-Raphaelite Art from the Tate Collection'. The paintings had a timeless beauty, a romanticism, and a sense of 'storytelling' that really moved me. You see, that’s what I adore about these amazing works – it’s like every brushstroke is a whisper, sharing a secret, weaving a story – you see it in the colours, the details, the textures… it's utterly magical!
As the day dwindled, I knew I needed a good, solid ballet class – after all, even ballet princesses need to practise! Now, finding a ballet studio in London was not difficult at all! It was a complete treat, actually, especially the one in Marylebone. I have to confess I always felt just a bit shy in new ballet classes, but this one felt like coming home. You just knew, after all those times seeing the London Palladium performances from the front row (oh, what a privilege!), and then hearing about all those legendary studios… This was it! It was so charming with it's high ceilings, lovely big windows letting the natural light in and mirrored walls! It made the perfect stage to perform! A real treat for a tutu-loving ballerina like me, to let go and twirl like a leaf in the wind, to jump and stretch my legs into all those perfect positions. And after that fabulous class, all the world’s problems disappeared – it’s so therapeutic, you know?
My last stop before heading back on my homeward journey, was of course a must, another performance… London has something magical in the air… Tonight’s offering was 'The Nutcracker' at The Royal Opera House, oh, a spectacle so amazing, a production so elegant! The dancing, the story, the costumes, the orchestra, everything… so magnificent!
I’ve seen ‘The Nutcracker’ so many times, yet it still fills me with so much joy and awe. And let’s not forget the music… I always try to remember the music and its beauty – how it builds and how it creates such poignant moods. A true treat for the soul. I think what moves me most is how the music becomes such a vital part of the storytelling.
On that note, darling readers, my journey into the world of pink tutus comes to an end for today. As I leave you tonight, my thoughts drift towards tomorrow – the excitement of a brand-new weekend! But before I go, remember this Friday, 5th December 2003 – the day of fabulous ballet, gorgeous London, charming shops, and breathtaking masterpieces. It’s a day that’s imprinted in my heart – like a memory waiting to be revisited… until next Friday!
And now, as promised earlier, the time has come to confess something... You see, I think I have developed an obsession. Now, before you say anything… let me explain. It's not a new outfit, or a fabulous new shoe collection – sigh, although, they do tempt me to spend, spend, spend! My new love is… tea… not just any tea, my loves, but the most beautiful teacups, the finest teapot, the cutest teacosies (especially in pink!), and everything in between, that could add an extra sprinkle of loveliness to my favourite afternoon treat…
Now, before I embark on a grand tea-shopping escapade, and, before I lose my head entirely, what are your top tips for the ultimate pink tutu tea party? Leave your tips and recommendations in the comments below, because who knows? I might be featuring one lucky reader's suggestions in a future blog post.
Until next time! XOXO
Emma
