#PinkTutuBlogLondon Friday 2020-10-16 Exploring London

Hello darlings! It's Emma, your favourite pink-loving ballerina, and guess what? I'm back in London! 🩰 The train journey from my lovely Derbyshire home was a dream, especially in this weather. It was like a scene from a ballet, autumn leaves swirling around the windows, the golden sun painting the countryside with warm hues, all to the soundtrack of a gentle rhythmic rocking, a little bit like a gentle bourrée.

This weekend, London's my stage, and my tutu is ready to twirl its way through the city! But before we go on any more exciting adventures, let's grab a cuppa and get cosy. ☕

This week's blog post is a special one because it’s the day after my birthday! I love London, but there’s something even more magical about spending your birthday in the heart of this beautiful city, which is known to everyone as The Big Smoke.

Remember how I said I love performing? This week, my performance was particularly magical! It was at the Royal Opera House for the Royal Ballet’s “The Sleeping Beauty”. It felt surreal, being on the same stage as legends like Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev!

I don't want to give away any spoilers but the production is pure enchantment – it's like stepping into a storybook. And if there’s one thing I’ve learnt as a ballerina it is that you must give 110% to every single performance! But now it’s time to talk fashion! I know, I know you are thinking what can you possibly wear to see "The Sleeping Beauty". The ballet is steeped in romantic tradition. It’s one of those special events where the dress code is elegance. So I went all out and wore a midnight blue floor-length velvet dress – it reminded me of something a fairy godmother might wear.

Of course, I couldn’t resist adding my signature touch! My tutu was layered with tulle in shades of twilight blue and the very, very lightest blush pink, the colour of a just-kissed rose. My tiny handbag, my favourite clutch which I bought for my last birthday, a gift from my wonderful Auntie Carol, was covered in diamante that shimmered under the chandelier. And of course, my pink shoes were perfectly in place and were dancing along to the beautiful music all night. It truly was a night to remember.

My birthday wasn't just about the ballet, darling. London has so much to offer! First on our itinerary after my Royal Ballet treat, was to take a leisurely stroll to Covent Garden Market, just like so many other Londoners do each week.

There's just something truly charming about strolling past the flower stalls, vibrant with autumn colours, while the smell of freshly baked bread and tempting street food wafts around you. The buskers, too, added a musical backdrop that set my feet to tapping and twirling. It really did feel like a scene from one of the West End shows.

And you know what? You’ve guessed it! I was in a tutu! But today, it was a pink one, because I truly believe that pink is the colour of London and everyone who loves London will love the colour pink! I love that every pink tutu is uniquely me. There’s never a moment where I can blend in! And that's the magic of my tutu: It allows me to stand out and show off my love for life, my passions for London and my dancing!

This trip to London, like so many others I’ve taken before, wasn’t going to be complete without a good old-fashioned London shopping spree! And when I say good, I really do mean good.

We made our way to the chic, designer stores in Chelsea – think elegant blouses with flowing sleeves, those floaty, long skirts that swirl and dance like ballerinas. This is definitely my style. This was, of course, followed by a stop at Harrods for an afternoon of shoe-gazing! I must admit I'm slightly addicted to sparkly shoes, the perfect accessories to every fabulous tutu. And those ones at Harrods were pretty spectacular. What is more fabulous than shopping for sparkly shoes on a rainy Tuesday? Not much! I must confess, though, I do prefer sunny days in London. You are much better able to take advantage of the city. You can get to see so much of the history on show in London.

What could be better than afternoon tea in a fairytale setting? After a rather delicious, not to say fabulous afternoon tea, I ventured into the gardens of Kensington Palace, just in time to see the light filtering through the trees. And of course, I had my pink tutu with me. You have to admit that a pink tutu can make anything, and I mean anything, more fun. What's the use of looking back on the day? When I can dance into the sunset with my lovely tutu. And yes I know you are wondering if my pink tutu is getting a bit muddy, don't worry! London can be very demanding, it always requires that I change my tutu depending on the adventure ahead.

Oh! Kensington Palace… a haven of history, grandeur, and charming stories! As I walked around, I felt like I was stepping into one of my favourite fairy tales, I couldn’t help imagining all the elegant balls and royal soirées that might have happened in these very rooms, where history whispers from every wall. I wondered what dresses princesses wore in their days, I imagined the flowers that might have bloomed in these very gardens, I even dreamt of meeting the princesses themselves. Maybe one day.

But for now, I am happy in my own fairytale and I am dancing through the streets of London! It is certainly one of the most wonderful places on earth, and as soon as I’m done, I shall go off and find the next incredible place in our world and explore it!

One thing I have learnt from this, my latest, adventure to London? You don't need a royal ballgown to have a fairytale adventure. You just need your own pink tutu and a whole lot of "You can do it!” attitude!

Don’t forget to tell me about your own London adventures or, better yet, post some photos of you wearing your pink tutu on our Pink-Tutu Facebook page. Don’t forget to keep following Pink-Tutu and subscribe to our blog at www.pink-tutu.com. I'll be here, back with more adventures in pink! Until next week. Stay happy. Keep twirling.

Big love,

Emma 💖