Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad blogger, Emma, back with another exciting Friday post! This week, I swapped my Derbyshire village for the hustle and bustle of London town - all thanks to my latest ballet performance at the Buxton Opera House. I simply adore performing and the extra cash it earns allows me to indulge in my other great passion - exploring!
It’s a chilly December morning, but my heart’s brimming with excitement. I’m wrapped in my favourite fuzzy pink coat (gotta keep warm!) and my tutu is tucked neatly inside my bag. Of course, a pink tutu is a necessity for any London adventure.
I arrived at Derby station early, savouring the smell of hot chocolate from the station cafe and the rhythmic rumble of the train arriving. My favourite thing about London is that you can get pretty much anywhere via the trusty underground. And with the underground map practically imprinted on my brain, there’s no better way to navigate the city!
First stop? Covent Garden! This is the quintessential London experience for any ballet aficionado, and this week the Royal Opera House is showcasing a performance of The Nutcracker - how exciting! I’m saving up for tickets - one day soon, my lovelies, one day soon! But, there are other delights to discover within the courtyard. The charming cafes and stalls selling artisan cheeses and delicious homemade jams lured me in, as did the adorable little vintage jewellery shops tucked away between the larger shops. It's truly a sensory experience – the sweet smell of sugar and spices, the buzz of people chatting in foreign languages, and the sounds of street performers making music. I swear I almost bought a hand-knitted baby alpaca cardigan - just think how lovely it would look paired with a pink tutu! But I restrained myself and decided to leave the impulsive shopping for later.
I then popped into the fabulous department store, Liberty’s, my all-time favourite for unique and beautifully designed clothes, fabrics and homeware. A haven of vintage glamour with stunning floral and geometric patterned textiles. You truly cannot go wrong here, and, of course, their window display, with a theme of Victorian splendour and opulent velvets this month, was absolutely breathtaking. Just picture it: a pink tutu amongst all that beauty! Sigh!
After a little browsing, I decided to venture down towards The Strand and discover what the London Palladium had on offer. Oh my! They have The Wizard of Oz - an absolute childhood favourite! Sadly, it sold out, so I’m adding it to my wishlist for my next London trip. It wouldn't be a London adventure without a taste of the delicious food that awaits! So I popped into a little Italian cafe, called The Canteen, and enjoyed a creamy risotto and a lovely hot cappuccino. Perfect fuel for more London exploration.
The sun is setting and painting the London sky in a gorgeous blend of orange, pink, and purple. And naturally, it inspired me to pop into my favourite vintage clothes shop in Covent Garden called 'The Old Curiosity Shop'. My lovelies, I have a serious confession: I snagged a breathtaking pink tulle skirt from the late 1950s, and of course, it has the most delicate lace trim and a vintage rose design. It was almost as though this skirt was destined to be paired with my beloved pink tutu! Now that’s what I call a fabulous find!
A true highlight of every trip to London is taking a ride on the London Eye. There is something utterly magical about taking in the view from 135 metres above the city. You can see right across London, taking in Buckingham Palace, The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben – *such iconic sights! * I was mesmerized, lost in the breathtaking panorama and almost felt like I was floating.
I've spent the entire day embracing the magic and charms of London, soaking up the history, the vibrant culture, and of course, the delicious food. My lovely London trip was absolutely perfect and filled with inspiration.
Until next week, my dearest pink tutu enthusiasts, and stay fabulous! Remember, every day can be a ballet, every outfit a fashion statement. Keep wearing pink, keep spinning, keep dreaming big and always, always keep dancing!
And please, tell me, dear readers, if you've ever been to London, what's your favourite thing to do? What are your favourite ballet shows, shops or restaurants in this captivating city? I'd love to hear all about your London adventures!
Don't forget, you can check out all my adventures at www.pink-tutu.com!
