Hello darlings! It's Friday, and you know what that means... it's time for another London adventure! I've been eagerly awaiting this trip for weeks. As usual, I'm in London for the weekend, fuelled by a week of performing in my ballet company back in Derbyshire. Oh, the joy of a ballet career, a double-edged sword, but one that lets me spend my weekends chasing pink and glitter!
This weekend is especially exciting as the world-famous Royal Ballet is hosting a special one-night only performance of "Giselle" at the Royal Opera House. Can you believe it? I snagged two tickets for myself and my dearest friend, Olivia, last week. Oh, the anticipation! I practically vibrated with excitement on the train ride to London.
The Train Journey
Now, you know I'm a total train fanatic. The rhythmic click-clacking of the tracks always sends me into a happy daydream, especially in the quiet compartments, snuggled amongst fellow travelers. It's such a wonderful escape from the everyday. I spent most of the journey, of course, reading the latest Vogue magazine - there's a fab new pink satin clutch in the accessories section that would look stunning with my favourite tulle tutu - and sipping my lavender Earl Grey tea. Pure bliss.
Arriving in London
Once we arrived in London, it was straight off the train and into a black cab to the beautiful Dorchester Hotel in Hyde Park Corner. Oh my goodness, they really know how to do luxury! A huge bouquet of pink roses awaited us in the room, which was bursting with opulent, feminine decor, a far cry from my cosy little flat in Derbyshire. Olivia and I both oohed and aahed, feeling like absolute princesses.
The Perfect Afternoon Tea
After we’d unpacked our pink sparkly suitcases and admired the room for a good half hour (you can’t just rush a fashion emergency, you know!) it was time for the most quintessential London experience – afternoon tea. We booked ourselves in at The Ritz – everyone tells me it’s the best place in London for a proper afternoon tea! We were both dressed to impress, of course – Olivia was rocking her usual black dress and scarlet lipstick, but I chose to wear my new pale pink dress, with its exquisite vintage-inspired details and a fluffy, multi-layered, pink tulle tutu, topped off with a bejeweled headband, naturally!
I'm convinced that a splash of pink elevates every experience to an entirely new level of delightful. We feasted on delectable cucumber sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam (yum!), delicate pastries, and endless cups of Earl Grey tea.
A Ballet Lover’s Paradise
It wouldn't be a proper Friday in London without some ballet-inspired shenanigans, so after afternoon tea, Olivia and I headed straight to Covent Garden to get lost in the shops! We visited some beautiful dancewear stores, filled with dreamy tutus and shimmering leotards, and spent a good hour simply admiring the ballet shoe displays!
Covent Garden is always an adventure, a mix of street performers, vintage stalls, flower shops, and fantastic eateries, perfect for people watching with a warm cuppa. I swear, you can always spot someone rocking a fab outfit here, even the dog walkers!
Getting Ready for the "Giselle" Performance
And then, the moment we'd all been waiting for, the star of the evening: the "Giselle" performance at the Royal Opera House. Before heading over, we stopped for a quick dinner at an adorable Italian restaurant. The food was absolutely divine, but I knew it would only last as long as it took me to get back to the hotel for my ultimate glam session.
You see, darling, tonight wasn’t just any performance, it was a full-blown "Giselle" dress-up affair! After all, when else can you channel the ethereal, dramatic spirit of Giselle with a pink, swishy tutu, glitter eyeshadow, and the perfect tiara? This wasn't your everyday ballerina outfit; this was a celebration of romanticism, magic, and of course, the undeniable power of pink!
A Magical Evening at the Royal Opera House
Walking into the Royal Opera House is always an awe-inspiring experience, but tonight it felt extra special. The building is breathtaking – so opulent and grand, it really makes you feel like you've stepped back in time.
I could barely contain my excitement, and as the lights dimmed, a hush fell over the audience. The opening scene, with its fairytale woodland setting and elegant, graceful dancers, transported us to another world. I was completely enthralled – every movement was so powerful, yet delicate at the same time.
Oh, the performance was beyond amazing! Every twist, leap, and plié captivated me. It's a true testament to the incredible talent and skill of the Royal Ballet. I loved the story, the intricate costumes, the incredible set, and even the orchestra's rousing music - I felt like I was transported straight into a dream.
Sharing the magic with friends
The next day, after a delicious breakfast of croissants and fresh fruit at the Dorchester, Olivia and I made our way to one of London's many lovely parks, Green Park, right by Buckingham Palace, for a relaxing afternoon. As always, I made sure I was wearing a pink tutu (because it's Friday!), and let me tell you, those tutus attract attention! There was one little girl in particular who was mesmerized, staring at my pink twirling tutu as though it were a mystical creature, her parents just beaming with pride as I encouraged her to spin, teaching her some basic ballet moves! Sharing my passion for dance and inspiring future dancers is one of the best things about my little Pink Tutu Blog London adventures!
As our London trip came to a close, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer energy and beauty of the city. London, a captivating symphony of history, fashion, art, and creativity, is always a whirlwind of wonder for me, even when you're just exploring it in your trusty pink tutu! I truly believe there's no other place on earth like it!
Pinks, Glitter and Travel
This trip truly reaffirms that a life filled with ballet, travel, and pink is the only way to live. So until next week's adventure, darling, keep on twirling, keep on sparkling, and always remember, a little pink can go a long way!
Follow the adventures!
If you're enjoying these little London excursions, remember to follow me at www.pink-tutu.com and #PinkTutuBlogLondon for a whole new world of sparkly, fabulous fun! And don’t forget to tell your friends about the power of a pink tutu, you never know, you could inspire the next ballerina superstar!
And oh, don’t forget to wear your pink tutus!
xx Emma
