Hello lovelies! š©° It's Emma here, back with another blog post from the pinkest city in the world (at least in my eyes!). š Today I'm whisking you away with me on a magical trip to London, all thanks to a wonderfully exciting performance opportunity I had last week - a benefit gala for a local dance academy in Derby, which meansā¦ drumroll pleaseā¦ š„ā¦ a long weekend in the big smoke!
I boarded the train in the early morning, a little puff of a pink tutu peeking out from my suitcase, alongside a carefully curated wardrobe of bright frocks and sassy heels. You know, the essentials for a London adventure. My trusty pink travel companion - a fluffy flamingo keychain I got on my last trip to Spain - kept me company as the train sped through the English countryside, leaving behind the familiar rolling hills of Derbyshire.
Arriving at London King's Cross felt like stepping onto the set of a film. The brick facade, the bustling crowds, the smell of fresh bread wafting from a nearby bakery, it all added up to a scene straight out of my favourite travel magazine. The station was practically bursting with the vibrancy of life, which immediately set the pace for the rest of the day!
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of today's London delights, I just have to gush about my incredible travel outfit! You can imagine, right? I wore a beautiful pale pink silk dress with a layer of tulle netting that I carefully draped to create the illusion of a soft, billowing skirt. Naturally, a tiny pink feather boa finished the look ā can you imagine a pink tutu blogger venturing into London without some feathery embellishment? I swear it feels like my secret weapon. š¤«
The Magic of the West End
The main reason Iām here, though, is to see one of the most highly-anticipated shows in London: āOnce Upon a Time in Americaā starring the talented David Hayman! If youāve ever enjoyed a dramatic performance on a London stage, youāll appreciate what an incredible show this is ā imagine an all-singing, all-dancing gangster flick in a thrilling and unexpected way. The show's energy was electric, and I've gotta say, I felt like I was caught in the centre of the action throughout the performance! I even made a mental note to grab a backstage photo later (youāll have to stay tuned for that!).
Shopping Spree - Ballet Shop Wonderland
I never come to London without a bit of retail therapy, and this time, I indulged in the ultimate shopping trip. You know my passion for ballet and all things beautiful and pink, right? So, imagine my delight when I found a store devoted solely to ballet clothing, shoes, and accessories! From hand-sewn tutus to custom pointe shoes, they had it all. And did I mention the vibrant pink ballet barre, decorated with glittering diamantƩs? I knew right away that a gorgeous, sparkling leotard would make its way back to my wardrobe, as would a brand new pair of pale pink ballet shoes - my current ones are definitely getting tired!
A Trip Down Memory Lane - The London Eye
No trip to London would be complete without a ride on the iconic London Eye, right? So, after a quick lunch stop at a delightful cafĆ© (donāt tell everyone, but I sneakily managed to order a second, pink, macaronā¦ totally worth the guilt!), we hopped on this giant Ferris wheel. It was the perfect chance to see the entire city spread out before me - the magnificent Buckingham Palace, the sleek towers of the financial district, and the Thames River winding its way through it all. As the London Eye turned slowly, each stop offered a new perspective of the sprawling cityscape. A perfect way to appreciate the city's grandeur, but let me tell you - a little more wind-resistant hairspray would be essential on those open gondolas, especially on a day with a slight breeze!
A Royal Encounter - A Glimpse of Royalty
London is always bustling with activity, and today was no exception! The evening promised an unexpected Royal encounter that wouldn't be missed! While I don't usually gush about Royal happenings, I couldn't help but be swept up in the atmosphere. After a quick and rather charming encounter with a troupe of street performers near Trafalgar Square (all dressed up as pink unicorns!), my little ballerina self found herself right in the path of Prince William and Kate's car! You know that feeling you get when you witness something incredibly special and unexpectedly? Yeah, I was in awe of the Royal presence. I might be a little obsessed with my own tutu world, but a Queen on the streets is certainly something special.
The Day's Grand Finale - Ballet Under the Stars
Before heading back to the station, a little ballet treat awaited. I discovered a street ballet performance hidden amongst the towering buildings of London, their colourful tutus lighting up the alleyway. It was enchanting. The dancers gracefully swirled and leapt across the cobblestone pavement, the sound of their music echoing through the busy streets. Even though they had no stage, no lights, and a limited audience, their energy and passion was absolutely contagious! A perfect reminder that ballet, and of course, wearing pink tutus, can happen anywhere! It's all about the passion for dance, and London clearly has an abundance of that!
Until Next Week...
Well, there you have it ā a quick tour of my tutu-filled adventures in London. Until next week, Iāll leave you with this: always keep your eyes peeled for those unexpected moments, for they are the ones that truly make a journey extraordinary! And of course, don't forget: it's not just about wearing a pink tutu, itās about living life to the fullest!
See you next week with another edition of Pink Tutu Blog London. š
P.S. - Have I told you that I have a website called www.pink-tutu.com? Head on over for even more stories from my ballet-inspired travels! You can even sign up for our email newsletter ā I'll send you the latest and greatest news from my dance adventures. You'll receive sneak peeks of my travels, exclusive discounts on ballet items, and behind-the-scenes stories!
