Hello darlings! It's Friday, and you know what that means - it's time for another Pink Tutu Blog London post! This week, I took a rather splendid train journey up to the big smoke - London! It’s a beautiful city that always gets my heart racing. And trust me, it’s a rather thrilling journey wearing my latest pink tutu creation on the train! I got some rather lovely looks!
So grab your tea, a scone with jam and clotted cream, and get comfy – it's time for another whirlwind adventure.
From Derbyshire to London, by Train
Let’s start at the beginning. My train journey this week was simply magical! I’d chosen a bright sunny day, and the Derbyshire countryside flew past my window in a blur of green fields and rolling hills. I sat in my seat, twirling in my newly acquired powder-pink tutu that twirled around me as I tapped my feet in time to the rhythmic rattle of the train. It was perfect - a moment of pure bliss! There’s just something special about travelling by train. It’s slower than flying, giving you a chance to take in the scenery and unwind. It feels very elegant!
Landing in London
London Station greeted me with a symphony of bustle, the sound of people rushing everywhere and a cacophony of honking horns. I grabbed my luggage, already feeling a surge of excitement. It always feels a little bit like stepping onto a stage, London does! I’d already made a list of the things I wanted to see and do. So after grabbing a cuppa, I headed off on my adventure!
A Shopping Spree at Liberty London
Of course, the first stop was a bit of retail therapy! And no trip to London is complete without a visit to Liberty. My absolute favourite. It's an architectural marvel and a fashion haven all in one. The entire store is beautifully decorated, from the floral wallpapers to the hand-painted ceilings. Every corner is a feast for the senses!
I browsed through the vintage finds, drooled over the delicate designer gowns, and even spotted the most adorable pair of pink ballerina slippers (naturally!) – but they were too small. Boo-hoo! There were so many treasures to choose from. My pink credit card went a little crazy, but it was all worth it. There was a pink and cream lace trim scarf and a new headband that was a real head-turner. I imagine Princesses would have adored them!
A Cultural Feast at The Royal Opera House
Feeling energised from the shopping spree, I ventured towards Covent Garden and The Royal Opera House! This is one of those magical London experiences everyone should have, if they get the chance. That evening I got to see the most stunning ballet performance: The Sleeping Beauty. I simply cannot get enough of classical ballet! The costumes were truly spectacular! And let me tell you, watching these incredible dancers glide across the stage, each move as delicate and graceful as a swan on a lake, was just breath-taking! It made my toes wiggle and gave me such inspiration for my own ballet classes.
After the show, I decided to treat myself to a meal in Covent Garden - a lovely, little French-style cafe, and watched the street performers who all had the audience in stitches. You know I just couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of their talent with my camera, to share them on my blog. The London night always seems to feel alive with theatre and performance!
Discovering The British Museum
Saturday was all about exploring! The British Museum is a London institution, so I had to visit. It’s full of historical artefacts and treasures. Imagine me with my big pink tutu in amongst all those ancient statues and Roman artefacts - such a contrast! They were magnificent and so fascinating! I loved getting lost in its many corridors, exploring Egyptian mummies, marvelling at the Rosetta Stone and feeling dwarfed by the grand Greek sculptures! The stories these relics whisper of past civilizations filled me with a sense of wonder.
A London Bus Tour - All Pink and Beautiful!
Next up, I took the hop-on, hop-off bus tour to take in all the highlights London has to offer. This was a wonderful way to see the iconic landmarks, including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and many more. What's more, I managed to make my trip extra special. A kind bus driver allowed me to sit on the top deck - all the way from Piccadilly Circus to Westminster Abbey. That gave me a fabulous photo opportunity, overlooking all of London's grand and elegant buildings - I did of course pose on the top, in my new tutu of course. (Just imagine the pictures, I am sure they are online somewhere by now!.)
High Tea at The Ritz London
Of course, no trip to London is complete without a spot of afternoon tea! And what better place than The Ritz London? It was everything I'd imagined and more. From the moment I entered, the glamour and elegance hit me - just like I was stepping into a scene from one of my favourite ballet stories. The white tablecloths, the chandeliers twinkling overhead, and the aroma of freshly baked pastries - it was truly enchanting. The tea itself was delightful, with a variety of delicate sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream, and an array of tempting cakes, including, of course, pink macarons - you simply can't go wrong with pink, darlings!
An Evening of Entertainment at The West End
In the evening, I couldn't miss out on the magical lure of The West End! This is theatreland, and my Friday night show was just amazing. After enjoying a scrumptious dinner with a friend at a theatre district bistro, I went to see Wicked. Oh my! That Wicked Witch really did steal the show, in the best way!
It was truly dazzling - everything about it, from the dazzling costumes to the extraordinary singing voices. It left me spellbound - the whole evening was quite enchanting. I had such a good time that I have already booked myself a return trip! The West End really does never disappoint!
The Ballet Beauty - Embracing the City
Throughout the day, I couldn't resist embracing the elegance and grandeur of the city by incorporating my love for ballet into all my sightseeing - whether that was striking a pose against the stunning backdrop of Tower Bridge or taking ballet steps amongst the crowds at Hyde Park. There’s something so magical about seeing London through the eyes of a ballerina. Just the right amount of elegance and movement and oh so chic.
I love the mix of energy and history in London. Every corner you turn is like stepping into a different story. I felt like a character from a romantic ballet, just a whirl and twirl away from adventure. If you’re in the mood to embrace the whimsical, just let go and enjoy the moments of pure joy! And of course, never forget - Pink is the answer, darlings!
Back to Derbyshire, Pink Tutu Ready
My journey back to Derbyshire was just as magical as the journey there, as the city slowly faded behind me. As my journey to London comes to a close, I have already planned my next trip! I love that every week brings me closer to my dream - a pink tutu clad London adventure and an evening at the ballet theatre. Every time I see that stage, every time I watch those dancers, it makes me want to inspire others to embrace the magic, to twirl their way into a little bit of joy, a little bit of beauty, and a little bit of pink magic! Don’t forget, everyone, we can all embrace our own unique inner ballerina! So twirl on, darlings!
And that, dear readers, was my whirlwind Friday in London. This London girl knows, you need at least two more full days just to truly enjoy London in all its glory. Perhaps I will explore some more in a later blog? Now I’m off to add more dates to my travel calendar and start my week, which you all know always involves planning, preparing, and preparing for that next, perfectly planned trip to London. And let me remind you, I’m always on the hunt for the perfect pink tutu. If you know of a magical little shop selling amazing pink tutus - I would love to hear from you!
Catch you next week! And in the meantime, keep your ballet shoes shining and your tutus twirling!
Love and sparkles, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
