Hello darlings! It's Friday, the sun's shining (at least for now, London weather can be a bit of a diva!), and I'm buzzing with excitement because I'm finally in London! It's been far too long since I've been able to whisk myself off to this incredible city. As always, I packed my favourite pink tutu - it's like a little burst of sunshine, even on a cloudy day. You know I simply can't visit London without bringing a little bit of pink tutu magic with me!
The journey from Derbyshire was smooth as silk - I just love travelling by train. It's the perfect time for some creative inspiration. I even whipped out my trusty notepad and sketched out some ideas for a new pink tutu-themed dance routine, the perfect mix of contemporary, lyrical and ballet. I can just picture myself gracefully twirling across the stage, my tutu billowing out around me...ah, I just love that feeling of movement and freedom.
My trip this time is all about a combination of ballet bliss and some much needed retail therapy, after all, a girl's gotta have her pink tutu essentials! The perfect blend of twirls and wardrobe updates is what makes a weekend in London so divine, and you know I'll be posting lots of outfit inspiration along the way.
A Spot of Afternoon Tea with a Pink Tutu Twist
First stop? A proper old-fashioned British afternoon tea! I couldn't come to London without a little dose of classic English charm. And this time I was extra lucky because my friend Chloe, another devoted ballerina with an equally passionate love for all things pink and tutu, decided to join me! She actually met me at St Pancras Station - we always manage to make an entrance! Chloe and I are like two peas in a pink tutu pod. We get each other completely. The journey felt like it flew by as we chatted about upcoming ballet classes and a fabulous pink tutu collection we discovered in Notting Hill. It's amazing how a little shared passion for pink twirls and elegance can make even the busiest of journeys feel magical!
We picked a little tea room nestled in Covent Garden, where the smell of freshly baked cakes and the clinking of china cups transported me back to a vintage Victorian era. We tucked into our finger sandwiches, warm scones with lashings of clotted cream, and dainty cakes. Every mouthful felt so elegant! Chloe, bless her, even convinced me to try a new floral tea. You canāt beat a proper cup of tea when youāre dressed in a tutu! Iām sure if they had served it in a pink teacup with a little tutu charm hanging off it, I would have been totally lost for words. Itās my secret mission to get as many pink tutus and tutu-themed goodies in the world as I can! You should have seen me gushing over the intricate rose petal design on my teacup. It felt almost as beautiful as a ballerinaās pink tutu.
Ballet Under the Stars: A magical Evening at Sadlerās Wells
Later that evening, I had tickets to see the most incredible ballet show at Sadler's Wells. They are doing a whole season of starring performances this summer, so it's been difficult to pick my favourites! I settled for a contemporary show that included lots of soaring leaps and stunning movements, with music by my absolute favourite, Florence + The Machine. Iām obsessed! Every time I watch one of her videos, Iām itching to start creating a new ballet routine. Itās like having an artistic awakening!
I'm always inspired by the way that ballet can take a story and bring it to life through movements. I try to incorporate a lot of this in my routines and shows. You know I wouldn't dare wear a pink tutu to a professional show, even if my heart begged me to! Although, maybe a delicate touch of pink could make a daring statement in the future...I've definitely been working on my pink tutu design concepts...maybe a ballet version of the feather boa? Hmm. But back to Sadler's Wells, the performances were simply mesmerizing, showcasing raw emotion, exquisite technique, and effortless grace.
Even before the performance began, the entire theatre seemed alive with an aura of excitement and anticipation. And the lights dimming down just heightened that sense of magic and wonder. We'd been given our own personal light-up tutus, I kid you not! We held them up during the performance, and we made a wonderful symphony of lights! This is another sign I should bring pink tutus to the world, donāt you think? Imagine a symphony of pink tutus, lighting up stages all over the globe...wouldnāt that be utterly magical?!
Pink Tutu Dreams Come True: A Covent Garden Spree
Now, you know how much I adore shopping in London, especially in Covent Garden. And on this visit, I was absolutely in heaven. My mission? To find a pink tutu to compliment my existing collection!
First, I strolled through the flower market, enjoying the vibrancy and fragrant colours, just feeling so blissful about being back in this wonderful city. The aromas of blooming hydrangeas and delicate lilies wafted through the air, blending perfectly with the sounds of street musicians and laughter. There was this little shop with handmade wreaths with pink flowers I had to buy them, to place in my ballet studio, my pink-themed ballet room in Derbyshire, where I give classes to all my eager little ballerinaās. And speaking of Pink Tutues...
Just down the road, a vintage clothing store caught my eye. You know I'm all about a bit of vintage and it wouldn't be a proper London shopping adventure without at least one fabulous vintage find! There I saw it, nestled amidst a mountain of fabrics, the most exquisite, delicately embroidered pink tulle Iāve ever laid my eyes on! It had delicate little lace detailing, and a hint of pastel peach... I knew immediately that this fabric had to be mine. I'll be spending the next week designing the most breathtaking ballet-inspired piece of art out of it! I imagine it as a dramatic, swirling pink tutu with delicate embellishments that create an intricate silhouette as you move! My heart is already racing with ideas...
And then, of course, a bit of classic British shopping. I headed over to Libertyās department store. They have the most wonderful fabrics for ballet tutus and outfits, and I was thrilled to stumble upon some exquisitely pink chiffon fabric and a pair of ballet flats. The chiffon feels light and luxurious as it swishes through the air, like a butterfly dancing in the breeze...just perfect for a floaty tutu! I can't wait to incorporate both these finds into a dazzling new dance outfit!
My heart was literally bursting with happiness, especially when I came across this little shop selling the cutest ballet shoes - the ultimate in pink! It was like destiny calling! This wasn't just any shop. It was practically overflowing with the most darling pink ballerina slippers, embellished with rhinestones and adorned with ribbons of every shade of pink imaginable. I got swept away in the moment and walked out with four pairs of gorgeous little shoes! Itās just as well I love shopping with Chloe, as weāre pretty much always in this shop, and I reckon we spend all our hard earned ballerina wages there! I really do hope to one day create my own ballet shop and have an entire wall covered in the most incredible tutuās. There could be a Pink Tutu shop in London! Wouldn't that be the most perfect ballet dream come true?
From Pink Tutu Princess to Evening Strolls
That evening, we indulged in the quintessential London pastime: strolling along the banks of the Thames, and you guessed it, I was sporting a pink tutu! Even when Iām out and about enjoying the sights of London, I love adding a touch of ballerina glamour to every moment.
We walked through bustling crowds with our bags filled with the treasure trove we'd found during the day, and stopped for a delicious takeaway from one of Londonās street food vendors. They make the tastiest fish and chips, which Chloe absolutely devoured as she told me about the amazing ballerina routine sheās been perfecting for the last month. She is absolutely fearless, I swear! She is also perfecting a āballet on rollerskatesā act, can you believe it? But it's really amazing. Her movements are so beautiful on those skates, I love how much creativity and passion she brings to her routines. I need to steal her secret!
The vibrant city lights reflected in the Thames, creating a magical panorama. It's so exciting and invigorating, yet still somehow romantic and peaceful at the same time. It's one of my favorite parts of being in London, the way this buzzing, electric city can hold onto an almost mystical aura at certain times. We even saw a street performer dancing with incredible rhythm, twirling and jumping with such grace and control! It's moments like these that make me absolutely love my ballet journey - the artistry, the creativity, and the ability to inspire and move people through dance, it's simply magic.
Ending the Day with a Touch of Magic and Pink Tutu Dreams
It's no secret that Iām completely obsessed with anything that even slightly resembles the shape or design of a ballerinaās tutu. The best thing about London? I'm absolutely sure that I can find a pink tutu shop tucked away down a quaint alley, a place that smells of pink fairy dust and twirling ballet shoes. Maybe one day Iāll even set up a little boutique in London, full of beautiful pink tutus for all you fabulous ballerinas out there! My mission to get everyone to embrace the beauty and grace of wearing a pink tutu, continues. I am determined to bring some extra magic, joy and pink to every ballet performance, to bring a dash of pink tutu delight to every outfit, to just spread the power of pink and tulle everywhere I go!
And, what could be a better way to end this already magical day than with a night show on the West End! It's just too fabulous to leave without experiencing the dazzling world of musical theater! My favourite place in London. We walked into the theatre with the air of the pink tutu fairy and our heads held high. Every London trip, every day, is a new opportunity to bring my passion for ballet and my adoration for pink tutus, to life. To inspire and enchant. And it's this sense of joy, of believing that anything is possible, of wanting to spread the beauty of pink tutus across the worldā¦ that makes being a ballerina in a pink tutu absolutely the most amazing journey ever!
Keep those tutus twirling! Until next Friday!
Emma xoxo
www.pink-tutu.com
