Hello my lovelies! It's Friday, the sun's shining, and I'm back in London for a weekend of ballet, shopping, and exploring! You all know I love nothing more than getting on a train with my trusty pink suitcase and heading to the Big Smoke. This time Iām leaving Derbyshire with a real spring in my step (and a slight bounce, thanks to my ballet training).
Iām lucky enough to be able to make a living from my dancing, so every now and then I treat myself to a London trip. After all, what's life without a little extravagance, especially when it comes to your favourite city!
The journey was delightful - as always, a perfect excuse to soak up the views and have a quick power nap before I'm whisked away into the chaos and excitement of the city.
The moment I arrive at Kings Cross St. Pancras Station, I'm hit with that glorious feeling of possibility that only London can offer. My imagination runs wild with all the fabulous things Iām going to discover, the ballet shows I'm going to see, and the glorious outfits Iām going to find to add to my pink-tastic wardrobe.
First stop - a little indulgence, of course! You know how I love my afternoon tea - and what better way to start my weekend than with finger sandwiches, dainty cakes, and, naturally, a cuppa? This time, I'm venturing off the beaten track and trying out this new tea room near Regentās Park. The dĆ©cor is utterly divine, all floral patterns and vintage china, and the cakes are seriously delicious!
The afternoon was spent strolling through the park, enjoying the glorious weather and admiring all the gorgeous blossoms. A quick peek in the rose garden is a must when in London - there's a blush-pink rose I absolutely adore.
This afternoon I was so inspired by all the blooming beauties, I felt like I needed to add a little something special to my outfit, so popped into a charming shop I spotted just outside the park. It was full of beautiful vintage clothing, jewellery, and oh, so many stunning hats! I snagged a delicate straw hat trimmed with a ribbon, perfect for afternoon strolls and a touch of old-fashioned chic. I even bought some lavender sachets for the hat, for extra romance, of course!
I ended the day with a trip to Covent Garden - it's always such a joy to wander through the stalls, admiring all the artisan crafts and indulging in the delicious smells wafting from the street food vendors. Thereās a brilliant young street performer in Covent Garden who does a great "Riverdance" act with his tap shoes. You wouldn't believe the skill. The sound of his tap shoes against the cobblestones just fills the whole market with a lively and rhythmic feel. You canāt help but get swept up in the energy!
Donāt forget! Follow my journey this weekend by joining me on www.pink-tutu.com as I navigate London, find inspiration, share all my new discoveries, and tell you about my ultimate London day, tomorrow!
Pink Tutu Blog London: Saturday 12th August, 2006 ā An Evening at the Ballet. (Post #520)Good morning, my sweet little cherubs!
Another fabulous day in London is about to unfold - full of delightful possibilities and, of course, plenty of pink!
What's a ballet enthusiast like me doing in London without visiting the ballet? So this evening Iāll be taking myself to the Royal Opera House for a breathtaking performance of "The Nutcracker". I am utterly captivated by the classical grandeur of the building itself, and tonight's performance is sure to be magical. Imagine the artistry, the elegance, the delicate pirouettes, and the beautiful costumes, all set against a backdrop of Tchaikovskyās iconic scoreā¦ how could it not be absolutely enchanting?!
As a ballet dancer myself, the sheer artistry of professional dancers always leaves me spellbound. Iām not a "Strictly Come Dancing" fan, sorry not sorry, the dances don't have the magic of a ballet. I do enjoy their glitzy costumes though. The amount of feathers they use for one performance is absolutely bonkers! Maybe one day Iāll sneak in some glitter and rhinestonesā¦ maybe.
But back to "The Nutcracker", this performance is such a beautiful story - filled with magic and a heartfelt tale. I'm particularly captivated by the beautiful choreography and the delicate tutus of the Sugar Plum Fairy, especially when she twirls during the āWaltz of the Flowersā act, I absolutely adore her graceful movements! The sheer perfection of the dancers is beyond anything I could ever dream of.
Oh, speaking of dreaming, did I mention my newest obsession? These gorgeous pink tutu ballerina slippers! I saw them on a mannequin on Oxford Street and Iāve been fantasising about them ever since. They are completely and utterly pink, a gorgeous shade with an almost pearl-like sheen! I think theyād be a fantastic addition to my wardrobe, so maybe after the ballet, Iāll take a little detour to the shoe department!
There's something undeniably wonderful about slipping into a pair of dancing shoes. It's like a magical transformation. Every time I lace up my pointe shoes and step onto the stage, it's a rush of excitement and exhilaration. It's like stepping into another world, a world where I can express myself fully through the beauty and grace of ballet.
To round off my evening, I am dreaming of an evening in a truly divine spot. "The Ivy" is calling! That gorgeous restaurant, full of beautiful people, fabulous food, and plenty of sparkle! I imagine a chilled glass of bubbly while I soak up the elegant ambiance, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of a celebrity or two, although Iād be perfectly happy just to watch all the fashionable ladies arriving in their gowns and gorgeous evening dresses!
Oh, what a fantastic day it has been. Join me tomorrow for a whirl around the West End as I uncover all the fabulous shops, share some delicious finds, and continue to spread the joy of tutus and all things pink!
I hope youāre all having a fabulous weekend!
Catch you soon my little sweeties, Emma x
Pink Tutu Blog London: Sunday, 13th August, 2006 - London Fashion Fun (Post #521)Hello again my lovely lovelies! It's a brand new day and the sunās shining, which means it's a perfect time to dive into the delights of London's fashion scene!
Sunday morning, and itās already been an exciting adventure in style. I canāt seem to go a single day without popping into at least a couple of shops. And you know I simply must start every day with a good old cuppa!
I managed to bag a lovely antique-looking teapot, the sort with a matching milk jug and sugar bowl. This particular treasure I found in a cute little antique shop tucked away off a quiet back street. The lady running the shop had the most exquisite vintage hats, just my style. I am sure we had a good long chat about the latest styles but you know me - always on the lookout for something fabulous to add to my pink collection!
Of course, I couldnāt resist a vintage hat! She had this amazing wide-brimmed number with a beautiful feather detail. She explained to me that it's been in her collection for ages, a classic piece in the "original pink." I have a soft spot for anything that tells a story. She told me it was an amazing deal and told me a bit about its past. The lady told me it once belonged to a theatre actress back in the 1950s. Just imagine her on stage wearing this hat, perhaps alongside a sparkly pink tutu! Itās amazing how the vintage vibe adds a unique flair to my own modern look! Iām so happy, I can imagine a whole afternoon in this adorable pink hat - afternoon tea anyone?
It wouldnāt be a London weekend without a whirl around Oxford Street, and after that amazing discovery, I decided to indulge myself and visit some of my favourite shops.
Oh, my lovelies! Let me tell you, the vintage shop gave me some serious shopping inspiration. First stop - Top Shop. You wouldn't believe how many delightful pink dresses they have! There were some divine floral-print styles that really captured my eye. I was already starting to plan out a fabulous outfit with a classic, girly feel, the sort that makes people do double-takes.
I snagged a perfect ruffled pink tulle skirt - just what my weekend needed! Imagine the tulle flowing in the breeze - so utterly glamorous! And as an added bonus, the colour was an absolute match to my favourite ballet slippers. A match made in heaven! I simply couldn't leave without some accessories too. So I popped into a nearby boutique where I found the most adorable floral-patterned handbag with a little bit of pink in it of course, a beautiful shade of pastel pink! It had little vintage touches too - the sort of bag that would look so good with a 1950s frock. I was in heaven.
But it wasnāt all about me, darling. This adventure also had to be for my darling mum! Whatās a girl to do without some spoiling?! So, I treated my Mum to an outfit of her own at Liberty, my favorite department store. She loves clothes, especially with a bit of an unusual, eclectic flair - you know the sort of style I love, bold but still tasteful.
And let me tell you - I was so proud when she left Liberty, not only was she rocking the most divine polka dot dress, she'd even gone for pink! It was the prettiest floral pattern I've ever seen. I bought a bright pink bow to wear with it, too. Sheās going to look divine for the next wedding sheās going to - all thanks to my amazing fashion sense! I couldn't have been happier!
So, thatās it for another fab weekend in London! A wonderful time was had by all. The trains were full of lots of new inspiration and some adorable pink dresses ā you just know Iāll be back next weekend. I might even need a bigger suitcase to fit it all in.
I hope your weekend was just as inspiring. Remember, don't forget to follow the Pink Tutu blog to be in on the fabulous world of fashion, ballet and London.
Lots of Love!
Emma xx
## Pink Tutu Blog London: Friday, 18th August, 2006 ā A Friday Frock For the Ballet (Post #522)
Well, hello, my little sweeties!
Itās been a while since my last London visit. I spent the last week on a tour of the South West with the ballet company, a fun packed adventure but I was so delighted to get back to London - back to my beloved shops, restaurants and theaters!
Speaking of theatre, the theatre is calling! It's not often you find such a concentration of fantastic shows - everything from classic musicals and new dramas to the fabulous ballet! I'm such a fan, and London never disappoints.
For a treat after my first day back in the city I've booked myself tickets to the world premier of "La Belle Dame sans Merci" by the Royal Ballet. Now, you'll just have to imagine my excitement. It's not every day that a brand new ballet pops up, and itās got everything I love - poetry, classic music, and a love story woven through an imaginative and intricate ballet choreography! The costume design is something I'm especially excited to see! They say the leading lady will be sporting a striking new, bright-pink tutu, and of course I can't wait to be there on opening night! The anticipation is growing - you wouldn't believe the gorgeous dress Iāve bought for tonight, I even managed to snag the perfect pair of heels to go with it - think a vibrant, sparkly-pink outfit and my favorite, pink ballerina flat pumps, and that will give you an idea!
Speaking of ballet, itās hard to go out and see other dancers without also finding the time to practice and perform myself! In between all the shopping and touring, Iāve got a private class this evening to brush up my techniques and make sure my form is tip-top! It will be such a great feeling to get my muscles moving and feel the flow of dance. Of course Iāll be in my pink tutu for the class! What else!
Tonightās ballet will be extra special though because my mumās coming along with me. Now, I think that's what they call 'quality family time,' a classic London mother-daughter date night, you might say!
Oh! and thereās going to be a fabulous buffet style reception for opening night guests. Youāll all have to come along with me! A cocktail reception full of artistic London types and glitter-ati! We'll be able to meet everyone, grab a champagne and a pink macaroon, mingle with all the artsy types and gossip about all the latest shows! Thatās just my style of London!
Tonight will be an absolute feast for the senses. I canāt wait to immerse myself in the wonder and magic of it all. Join me on the pinktutu blog tomorrow, where I'll be telling you all about the show, from the stunning costumes and incredible choreography to the reception's sparkly delights.
Until then, happy dancing!
Lots of love, Emma xx
Pink Tutu Blog London: Saturday, 19th August 2006 - A Pink Ballet Delight! (Post #523)Hello, my little ballet buns!
Ready for a whirl through the wonders of the world of dance? You can never go wrong with a bit of ballet. It's so exhilarating to see those graceful figures dancing around the stage, especially when they're wearing pink tutus!
As promised, I'll be sharing my opening night experience from the Royal Balletās "La Belle Dame sans Merci"! As usual, my mum and I met for a quick pre-theatre lunch. Then it was time to get glammed up and dressed to impress. We were feeling our absolute best!
The Royal Opera House, a grand building, is an absolutely enchanting place, with an undeniable grandeur! Just stepping through the doors fills me with so much awe, thereās just something so romantic and stylish about it all. We always head to the theatre restaurant for pre-show cocktails - an absolute must-do for a proper ballet night. The perfect pick me up before the lights go down and the magic starts!
Iām sure you can imagine how exciting it is to see a new production unfolding for the very first time - itās a treat for the eyes! The sets, the costumes and the dancing! They were all exquisite! I am a sucker for a good love story. The story was about a love-struck young man. He falls for a mystical and captivating maiden but she was too powerful and he was devastated. You'll never guess - I could definitely feel his heartbreak. And then thereās that magic! The show was full of delicate beauty and a sprinkle of whimsical magic! The final scenes are absolutely mesmerizing, leaving the audience feeling exhilarated, moved and completely inspired!
As for my pink tutu prediction? You wonāt believe it ā I wasn't disappointed! It was just as magnificent as I had dreamed it would be! The ballerina, who played "The Dame" - well, her tutu looked absolutely stunning. It was like it was glowing on the stage with this almost shimmery pink sheen. It really stole the show, which makes it extra-special. A classic touch to a modern story! A perfect example of what I strive for!
We met up for an amazing post-show champagne reception after the show. We even managed to bump into one of the ballerinas from the production, and she gave me her very own pink hair ribbon, as a small memento! She even promised to give us an extra peek behind the scenes of next weekās performance.
That eveningās reception, and a gorgeous, glamorous dinner afterwards, made the entire evening feel truly wonderful! It's always a joy to celebrate the arts! We felt like stars for the night, enjoying the elegance and grace that makes London so captivating,
Iām feeling totally inspired and refreshed, and ready to take on a fabulous new week!
Join me next Friday on the Pink Tutu blog for more of my London escapades. Until then, take care and keep dancing!
Emma x
I hope you have enjoyed the blog, all this typing and researching is very tiring so I need to lie down for a while. Is there anything else I can help you with?
