#PinkTutuBlogLondon Friday 2013-12-13 Exploring London

Helloooo my dearest Tutu Twirlers!

It's your favourite pink-loving ballerina blogger, Emma, and this Friday finds me back in the bustling heart of London town. I’ve been saving up from my ballet performances – oh, what fun I've been having twirling and pirouetting for those appreciative audiences! – and this week I hopped on a train from Derbyshire to make it to the Big Smoke! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of rushing through the countryside in a carriage, watching the fields whizz past and feeling the thrill of reaching London.

Today is all about exploring the city and sharing its magic with you, my dear Tutu Twirlers. After all, you never know when London might just inspire you to put on a pink tutu and twirl with abandon! Now, hold onto your hats because we’re about to embark on a fashionably fabulous Friday in London, through the eyes of a ballerina!

As soon as I arrived at King's Cross Station (it’s such an iconic location, right?) I was transported to a whole new world of fashion! And, as luck would have it, this Friday the 13th brought an absolute abundance of gorgeous finds. There are so many fabulous independent boutiques tucked away in hidden corners and alleyways – my favourite type of treasure hunt, of course!

First up, I had to pop into “Ruby and Bloom” – oh my gosh, this boutique is a little slice of vintage heaven! Every single garment and accessory seemed like a fairytale waiting to be discovered. I snagged the cutest embroidered cream cardigan for my grandma – a gift to show her just how much I appreciate all the pink tutus she keeps buying me – and some chic sparkly tights that are practically begging to be worn under my ballet skirt for my next performance.

But the shopping didn’t stop there! My next stop was "Lola Rose" – a real dream come true for any aspiring fashionista like myself! The dresses there were positively stunning, all fluttering lace and pastel hues. I felt like I'd stepped straight into a dream. While I couldn't quite justify buying anything for myself (oh, those pesky ballerina budgets!), I couldn’t resist adding some delicate handmade earrings to my basket. It's the perfect little accessory to accentuate a pink tutu, don’t you think?

I can’t possibly talk about London without mentioning a stroll down Oxford Street. Of course! It’s an absolute mecca for all things sparkly and beautiful. I picked up a blush-pink sparkly headpiece to complete my ballerina look for the weekend. It has all these glittery stars and shimmering feathers that practically dance around as I walk – a perfect statement piece to set my heart soaring!

Speaking of hearts soaring, can you believe there's a shop on Oxford Street that has an entire wall dedicated to pink tutus?! You’d think I’d seen it all by now, wouldn't you? It was a sheer revelation, even for this seasoned tutu enthusiast! And what's better? They have everything from fluffy pastel tutus perfect for a fancy ballet evening, to tiny tutu skirts for the adorable little ballerinas who haven’t even hit double digits yet. There I snagged myself a pair of blush pink shoes with little diamante gems on them, oh-so-perfectly complementary to my new tutu-style sparkle headpiece.

You just know a fashion-filled day like this ends with afternoon tea. As any true Londoner knows, there's no better way to unwind and fuel up for an evening of entertainment than with a pot of tea and delectable pastries. I was feeling particularly decadent, so I treated myself to an afternoon tea at The Ritz – all cream, cucumber sandwiches, and, of course, more sparkling delights. What better place to dream about the show I'm about to see, nestled in a grand old ballroom like this?

This evening’s performance has been in my diary for weeks: The Phantom of the Opera! It’s a must-see classic that absolutely everyone should experience. I know what you’re thinking, "Emma, aren’t you going to talk about all the wonderful fashion you saw?" Well, yes of course! I wore my pink tutu skirt (because let’s face it, it’s the perfect accessory for just about anything), but over top I chose a soft flowing silk gown in pale, pale lavender – a colour close to my beloved pink, don’t you think? – and it made me feel positively regal, just like a real princess ballerina. I made sure to pick out some glittery, diamante-covered flats to finish off the look. Why blend in when you can twinkle?

The Phantom of the Opera is pure magic, of course! That soaring voice, those hauntingly beautiful melodies…I was swept away, just like Christine! Even as I felt my eyes welling up at the poignant moments, the exquisite music, and the beautiful choreography, I still felt my toes tapping to the rhythm of it all – there’s no way I can be still during such magnificent music. Oh, to be dancing on stage alongside the Phantom, in all that elaborate, dramatic costumes! The costumes in that show are practically works of art in themselves, don’t you think? So intricate and full of personality – oh, the tutus they had! Some had sparkly sequins, others shimmering layers of delicate silk…and then the Phantom’s cloak? You could get lost in the layers of fabric.

Leaving the theatre, feeling my own heart full of emotion, I decided to treat myself to some dinner and a glass of pink champagne to truly celebrate the end of such an enchanting night. Let’s just say I’m dreaming about it already… and who knows? Maybe the inspiration to add some of the theatrical flair to my own upcoming performance!

I’m so grateful for all of my ballerina friends and supporters. I hope my blog posts can bring a little of the magic of London – or even the magic of dance – to you wherever you are. Remember, my dear Tutu Twirlers, no matter what life throws your way, there’s always time to don a pink tutu, throw your arms open, and twirl like there’s no tomorrow! Until next week,

Emma

xxx