Hello darlings!
It's Friday and I'm finally in London! The train journey from Derbyshire was so peaceful, I spent most of the time reading my favourite fashion magazine, "Vogue," and daydreaming about all the exciting things I'd get up to in the big smoke. You know me, I always pack my favourite pink tutu - this one's a fluffy tulle masterpiece from a little vintage shop I found in the Peak District - it's perfect for twirling through the London streets. 🩰
I'm absolutely buzzing because I have the best plans for today. London on a Friday always feels like a huge, glamorous party, and I'm definitely here to join the festivities! 💖
Here’s the Pink Tutu London itinerary for today:
- Morning: Coffee & Cakes, Covent Garden Shopping Spree!
- Afternoon: The National Portrait Gallery, then a Delicious Lunch.
- Evening: Ballet at the Royal Opera House – I’m going to see Swan Lake, the classic, but so exciting because I'm dancing on stage at the Royal Albert Hall with the company in March, so I have a very good reason to see this again and really soak up all the details.
I'll share my adventures with you, of course, because everything in London seems to sparkle a little bit brighter, doesn't it? And, who knows? Maybe even one or two lucky Londoners will be inspired to step into a pink tutu too! 🤫
Morning: A Dose of London Charm
First things first, it's a bit chilly outside, but luckily I had my trusty pink knit cardigan to keep me warm, and of course, I had my go-to ballet flat shoes - I always wear the flattest, cutest shoes to keep my feet comfy on the train. They also go with the pink tutu! So, with a touch of shimmer and a skip in my step, I went straight for my favourite London ritual – coffee and a pastry at one of those quirky independent cafés you find down little cobbled alleyways. I adore these hidden gems that London is full of. Today I found myself tucked away in Covent Garden, where the sweet smells of fresh coffee and baking bread floated down the streets.
The café I picked had this gorgeous vintage look, filled with mismatched china, velvet chairs, and bookshelves crammed with treasures. I ordered a latte (extra-hot, just the way I like it!) and a flaky croissant, and sat at a table by the window, watching the world go by. London really is a city that always keeps you entertained!
The café was so charming! I did a little writing for my blog too. This blog has been my passion for so many years. I get such joy out of sharing my experiences with my lovely readers, so that we can all share in this incredible love for fashion and dance.
Covent Garden Glamour!
After my coffee, I started a shopping spree. This was a great opportunity to indulge my passion for the fabulous pieces you can only find in London. You see, one of the biggest pleasures in my life is fashion. It really helps you to feel happy. So many great finds - beautiful vintage jewellery, a chic hat for my spring adventures, and oh my, a shimmering sequined skirt for a night out on the town - oh it will look divine with the pink tutu. The great thing about London is that it truly offers a piece of fashion for everyone. I just love the eclectic blend of shops here – everything from the famous flagship stores to tiny independent boutiques overflowing with vintage treasures. It's pure fashion magic, really.
Afternoon: Art & Elegance at the National Portrait Gallery
By lunchtime, I’d worked up an appetite for a lovely English pub lunch! Before this, I knew I wanted to spend a couple of hours at the National Portrait Gallery. It’s truly one of the most stunning buildings in London, but also the collection of portraits really brings to life all of these stories. There was a fabulous exhibit about ballet dancers. And who can resist seeing pictures of famous ballerinas dressed in their beautiful costumes?
I really enjoyed the historical aspect to this gallery and learning a bit about some of the big names in ballet who’ve had an influence on this world. You can also see amazing portraits of everyone from famous writers, singers, and even Queen Victoria. And that’s the magic of London – so much history is all around us!
Lunch Time!
Feeling a bit peckish after all the exploring, I settled down in the lovely atmosphere of a pub in Covent Garden. London pubs, like this one, are a bit like time capsules. I had a delicious meal of hearty stew – so satisfying. As always, I tried a new drink – a classic London bitter, which was much stronger than I expected, but lovely to try, though I may not order this again – too strong for a delicate ballet dancer. There were even live music acts – just some friendly locals having a singalong - such a joyful atmosphere in a true English pub.
Evening: Enchantment at the Royal Opera House
Time flew, and soon it was time for the Royal Opera House. What could be more magical than a ballet at this amazing building, where so many legendary dancers have performed? Oh, London, you really do have the most wonderful theatre scene in the world.
Swan Lake – this ballet never fails to move me with its powerful, graceful movements. I always find the swans' dance mesmerising – so beautiful and evocative. It was incredible! The choreography is so complex and emotive - truly incredible artistry.
The dancers had such an incredible level of technique, you could just see that their life has been dedicated to this form of expression – really a powerful, uplifting experience.
After the performance, I made my way out to one of the many fantastic cocktail bars tucked away in the city. This one had an eclectic, jazzy atmosphere, just what I needed after the thrill of the performance.
I indulged in a very tasty martini and enjoyed the buzz of the city at night – always something a little bit special to me in London, all those brightly lit streets and the sound of laughter everywhere you turn.
After all this excitement – time to rest up for a good night’s sleep, but before going home to the comfy guest bed in the charming flat in Marylebone, I indulged in my favorite part of a London day – taking a stroll along the South Bank – always an unforgettable experience!
The South Bank – the heart of London at its finest! The Thames, sparkling under the London lights – always a magnificent sight, it's such a pleasure just watching the people, the river boats and the London Eye, spinning slowly above it all – like a giant clock face, reminding everyone about all the time we have to enjoy ourselves in life. Just a wonderful way to end my evening.
Saturday Plans
This weekend I will explore more of London. The schedule for Saturday already involves: * Visiting Buckingham Palace – you really haven't truly been to London until you've been to Buckingham Palace - always fascinating to look around the historic rooms! I’m taking a walk to St. James Park after, too, for some lovely pictures and a quiet place for lunch, all the sights of the city will provide plenty of inspiration for future posts and my social media pages.
I can't wait!
Sharing The Love: The Pink Tutu Project
London never fails to make me feel incredibly alive! Every little corner, every single street corner has its own little bit of magic – that's why I try to share all of my London experiences with you through this blog. And why I decided to wear a pink tutu in all of my travel photos, as a symbol of that fun and positive attitude that I love to share.
As a ballerina, I think my pink tutus perfectly encapsulate the idea of confidence and self-expression – why wouldn't you want to be free to express yourself through fashion? Why shouldn't you embrace all that beauty and colour life has to offer?
I want to spread this message of empowerment – so I've created "The Pink Tutu Project," to encourage all you wonderful people out there to be yourselves, to embrace your uniqueness and shine bright.
If you have any adventures you’d like to share with the Pink Tutu blog I'd love to see what inspires you - feel free to post pics with your #PinkTutu and join our growing pink-tutu-loving community on Instagram and on our blog!
I’ve learned so much from my blog and connecting with other wonderful women all around the world. It's a gift!
That’s all for today's London post. You'll just have to stay tuned for tomorrow's London diary – I can’t wait to share all of my adventures in this wonderful city.
I hope you enjoyed today’s post.
Stay fashionable and happy! 🌸 Emma, xx www.pink-tutu.com
