Hello lovelies! 👋
It's Friday, and you know what that means... a new post on #PinkTutuBlogLondon! ✨
This week, I've packed my bags (and my trusty pink tutu, of course!), grabbed my ballet shoes, and hopped on the train to London. As you know, the Big Smoke is always calling, and this Friday promises to be full of tutus, shopping, and, most importantly, the joy of dance.
This post marks a little milestone for my blog - it's post number 1037! Can you believe it? It feels like just yesterday I started this journey, sharing my love for all things pink, fluffy, and twirly. And guess what? My goal to get the world twirling in pink tutus is getting closer with every click, every comment, and every smile I see from people inspired by my blog. 💖
So, let's jump into the day...
Train travel – the perfect way to get into the twirling mood.
I adore train journeys! Something about the gentle rhythm of the wheels, the views flitting past the window, and the hushed, introspective atmosphere puts me in a lovely contemplative mood. Perfect for planning a London adventure! Today, I’m decked out in a pale pink ballet dress with a fluffy tutu that catches the sunlight beautifully, a cream cardigan (always good to have on hand on those air-conditioned carriages!), and my trusty pink canvas tote bag, full of essential ballerina goodies – my phone for snapping pictures, a good book, a miniature bottle of bubbly for a celebratory toast when we reach the station (just for myself, of course, the bubbly!), and my signature sparkly pink lipstick, always on hand for a touch of glamour. 💄
I'm really enjoying the journey so far, people keep glancing over at me in a good way, and it's given me the perfect time to map out my itinerary. I’ve planned my day around three key activities: dance, fashion, and of course, more dance!
A Royal Affair: "Giselle" at the Royal Opera House
First on the agenda, I’m heading straight to the Royal Opera House to see "Giselle". It's one of my favourite ballets - it’s so wonderfully tragic and passionate! 💔🩰 There's no feeling quite like watching such breathtaking performances live, right? Seeing the costumes, the emotion on the dancers' faces, the soaring music - it truly is the most magical experience. And let's not forget the opulence of the theatre itself. The red velvet seats, the gold gilded ornamentation, the majestic balconies... it feels like stepping back into a bygone era of grandeur and romance.
Of course, I'll be twirling my way there in my best pink tutu. It just wouldn't be right to go to a ballet without at least a touch of my own ballerina style! 😊
A bit of shopping for the soul (and the wardrobe).
After "Giselle", it’s time for some serious retail therapy! I've set my sights on Liberty London, the most gorgeous department store in the world. I always make a pilgrimage there every time I’m in the capital. Their unique architecture is enchanting, with those stunning Art Nouveau windows and intricately patterned interiors. It's an absolute treasure trove of fabrics, clothes, gifts, and of course, all the things a ballerina's heart desires! ✨
I can already picture it now, picking up a few new additions for my ballerina wardrobe: a pastel-pink satin ribbon for my hair, a delicate pearl necklace to accentuate my elegant necklines, a silk scarf for that graceful fluttering as I twirl, and maybe even a pair of satin pumps to complete the look. After all, a little bit of shopping always brings out my inner diva! 😉
Dance Under the Stars: Ballet on the Terrace at the Globe Theatre.
Finally, as evening descends on London, I'm off to the Globe Theatre for a performance of "Romeo and Juliet" in a brand new light - as ballet! It's part of the "Ballet on the Terrace" series they've launched, bringing ballet into this iconic theatre for the first time, which I am SO excited about. Can you imagine the magic of Romeo and Juliet under the stars, danced to beautiful music and framed by the elegant backdrop of the theatre? It sounds simply magical!
I’m going to channel a touch of 16th-century grace with my tutu selection. Something that evokes a historical vibe - maybe with soft pastel shades of pink and delicate floral accents, a nod to those Renaissance embroidery patterns. Maybe even a feather boa, to give that extra Shakespearean flourish. 😌
I can’t wait to absorb the incredible energy of this performance! Ballet on a terrace under a summer sky, surrounded by the vibrant buzz of London, just perfect. 💫
And so ends my perfect London Friday. This trip is about so much more than just dancing and shopping, though. It's about the joy of discovery, the thrill of immersing myself in a new setting, the happiness that comes from sharing my love for tutus with the world! It’s about embracing the beauty and wonder of life. It's about reminding myself that a little bit of sparkle and a whole lot of twirling can make anything possible!
To finish off this week's blog post, I have a little question for you, my darling readers: What is your favourite ballet to watch? Share your ballet thoughts in the comments! 👇
Until next Friday, stay sparkly! 💖
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
Follow me on Instagram: @pinktutuemma
P.S: Don't forget to check out my last blog post - "My Favourite Pink Tutu Outfit Combinations"! Find it here: www.pink-tutu.com/blog-post-number-1036
PinkTutuBlogLondon - Friday 2016-07-15: Ballet and Shopping Delights
Ok, it's officially Friday afternoon and the London sun is shining as brightly as my pink tutu. Let me tell you, "Giselle" was even more breathtaking live. The dancing was truly sublime, the music so emotional, and I got a bit teary-eyed a few times, I couldn’t help it, such passionate, delicate dancing really gets to my heart. And seeing that exquisite Victorian dress on the prima ballerina, completely covered in sparkly sequins and rhinestones… let's just say I'm still trying to recover from the "Giselle" glow. 🤩✨
And afterwards, I had the absolute best lunch. Something quintessentially London, a classic afternoon tea at the most delightful tearoom, right around the corner from the Royal Opera House. Fluffy scones, a tower of tiny finger sandwiches, delectable cream cakes, and a steaming pot of the finest Earl Grey tea… it was pure afternoon tea bliss. I even had a mini-pink champagne cupcake - a treat for the princess in me, after all, it’s important to pamper yourself every now and then, right? 😉🥂🧁
Liberty London: A Shopping Wonderland!
Liberty London, oh Liberty London, how I adore you! 💖 Walking into the store was a sensory overload in the best way possible. The air was thick with floral and perfume scents, the music was serenely elegant, and the whole atmosphere was buzzing with energy. And the fabric section! I swear it had everything - every imaginable print and colour - cotton, velvet, silk… heaven!
After all that wonderful smelling fabric, I had to remind myself I was here for the clothes… which was a difficult task considering all those tempting bits of luxury fabric.
Let’s just say I didn't leave empty-handed! 😉
- A light pink satin shirt, perfect for my ballerina outfits - it flows beautifully.
- A delicate chain with a tiny, sparkling ballet shoe charm, so sweet.
- A pair of pastel pink, leather-covered, high-heeled pumps with matching little bows. (The shoe section in Liberty is always tempting… I might just be a bit obsessed with ballet flats and pumps…)
And last, but not least, a silk pink scarf, beautifully soft and with a print of dancers twirling in a gorgeous Victorian-style dress, very inspiring! 🩰
Oh, and before I forget, a quick note on the clothes… A little outfit change before I headed off to the Globe.
I swapped my light-pink ballet dress for something more appropriate for a warm evening out. It's an ivory cotton sundress, so light and flowy - almost ethereal, but with a soft-pink ribbon tied at the waist - it’s always important to keep my love for pink, present and twirly. I’ve also tied a scarf, another from my Liberty loot, around my neck - that gorgeous dancer print on silk, really makes a statement! And of course, my signature pink tutu underneath the dress for good luck and good vibes!
"Romeo and Juliet" - Ballet by the River!
So now I’m outside the Globe Theatre, overlooking the Thames. This place is something else! With the backdrop of the river and those beautiful wooden beams - just a real slice of historical charm. You can almost smell the time period - I just love these iconic London locations!
And, it’s been a night of real “wow” moments. The performance of “Romeo and Juliet” has truly brought this famous love story to life. Every step was executed with so much artistry, and the emotions of both Romeo and Juliet were so raw and powerful, it brought tears to my eyes.
They even made Juliet's famous balcony scene absolutely captivating. The actress twirling there in a moonlight-hued costume, her pink tutu almost blending with the soft evening light, just as graceful and fragile as Juliet’s heart… pure poetic magic!
It’s also wonderful to experience ballet in this completely different setting, a place more familiar with Shakespeare than Tchaikovsky. It's such a delightful combination of classic stories and modern artistry. I am loving it!
But I have to share, my ultimate "Ballet on the Terrace" highlight?
They've included some fun “dance-offs” within the performance. During the lively "fight scenes" with Tybalt and Romeo, a couple of cheeky dancers emerged - wearing those crazy oversized white tutus and top hats, like some 16th-century street performers. They strutted around and pulled silly moves right next to Romeo and Juliet, making the whole audience laugh - it was such an unexpected, and playful touch, and I loved the humor it injected. 😂🩰
I’m heading back to Derbyshire in the morning but London will be calling me again, I’m already dreaming up new adventures for my next visit. And I’m sure all this London loveliness has left a sprinkle of inspiration in my bag ready for some new pink tutu ideas to try out when I’m back at the ballet studio.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my adventures, my lovely readers, and remember: don't be afraid to embrace your inner ballerina, let loose, and twirl your way through life.
Lots of love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
Follow me on Instagram: @pinktutuemma
