Hello my darling readers! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing ballerina, and it's time for another Friday blog post! This week Iām taking you with me to London, a city that truly has my heart. As I write this, I'm still buzzing from a truly magical day filled with ballet, fashion, and those incredible London vibes.
This weekend, like all my trips to the big city, was fuelled by the magic of ballet. I secured a rather fetching gig with a small theatre company down in Devon last week, which gave me enough moolah for this trip. Remember girls, ballet isnāt just about pirouettes and pliĆ©s, itās about making dreams come true, even if that dream involves a whirlwind day in London.
As usual, I journeyed to London by train ā thereās just something so charming and elegant about a train journey, especially when youāre dressed to the nines, which naturally included my signature pink tutu. Now, I'll be the first to admit that sometimes it can be a bit of a mission travelling by train in a tutu, what with the narrow seats and people staring. But itās all part of the fun, and if I can spread a little joy and glitter along the way, Iāll gladly suffer for it.
Right, back to the fun part! After arriving in London and a quick coffee in the sunshine with my friend Lucy (a fellow tutu enthusiast ā more on her later!), the day kicked off at the Royal Opera House for a matinĆ©e performance of The Sleeping Beauty. Now, Iāve seen this classic so many times, but each production holds its own magic. This particular one was beautifully staged with incredible sets and costumes. The performance, of course, was dazzling, and I felt myself transported into that dreamy fairy-tale world once again.
As any ballet fanatic would, I couldnāt resist a quick trip to the Royal Opera House shop. You wouldnāt believe the amazing merchandise! There were beautiful ballet-themed journals, notebooks, tea towels, mugs, even ballet-inspired scented candles. I swear, I could have easily spent my entire travel budget in there. Thankfully, good sense prevailed (though, I did pick up a charming miniature ballerina keychain ā a little souvenir to remind me of the day!)
Now, what is a trip to London without a little shopping spree? After all, a ballerinaās got to stay chic! Lucy and I ventured down to Oxford Street and spent the afternoon discovering all the latest trends and stocking up on new pieces for our wardrobes. (Secretly hoping Iād stumble across a stunning new pink tutu for my collection!) Iām happy to say that I did manage to snag a few delightful finds: a stunning coral silk scarf, a pair of fabulous, high-heeled ballet flats (ideal for post-performance shopping!), and a delightfully bright pink clutch. Oh, and letās not forget, I treated myself to a delicious ice cream cone while we were there ā the perfect end to a truly fab day.
We were, of course, indulging our fashion side on Oxford Street, but I couldn't resist an extra trip to Covent Garden. That is a ballet lover's haven, and after spending some time soaking in the culture, Lucy and I found ourselves watching a mesmerizing ballet performance on a makeshift stage. Now, I may not have the name of the company but these young dancers, bless their little souls, poured every bit of their talent into every movement. Just watching them moved me so much, their enthusiasm and dedication were truly inspiring.
The day was a total whirlwind of excitement, a beautiful blend of culture, performance, and that distinctly London flair. Even as I sit here, reflecting on the day, I can't help but smile. London has that uncanny knack for filling you with so much energy and optimism.
But before I close off, I want to address the question on every readerās lips, "How exactly can one wear a pink tutu on a busy train commute in London?" Well, Iāve been experimenting a lot lately, and hereās a little secret ā itās all about the fabric. Choose a softer fabric, like tulle, as opposed to a harder satin tutu, for example. The tulleās malleability means that it can fold easily and can even sit quite neatly in a carrier bag or backpack. The main aim of a tutu is, of course, to be an expression of your unique spirit!
Before I sign off, let me tell you about a little fun fact I discovered on Friday. Apparently, the 24th of May is a day dedicated to the humble and wonderful, Banana. This revelation did make me wonder whether the ābanana bunchā should consider taking on some new tutus for the celebration next year? It certainly would be an unusual way to celebrate. But then again, as they say, all publicity is good publicity
So, till next Friday my lovely lot, keep those tutus spinning and spread some magic! Iāll be back next week with a whole new batch of ballet tales. Until then, go forth and embrace the beauty and joy of all things pink and fluffy.
Happy twirling!
Yours in tutu, Emma
And now, for some extra information about what was on in London on the 24th of May
It turns out that, on top of being International Banana Day, there was actually a lot happening in the Capital!
Firstly, at the British Museum you could enjoy the "The Africa I Know" Exhibition. Now, I couldnāt make it this time, but I certainly put this exhibition in my diary for my next visit to London! This incredible exhibition features African photography and art and explores modern Africa in all its vibrant complexity.
And it wasn't all about ballet for me on Friday! On top of the "Sleeping Beauty", you could have caught a truly mesmerizing performance of "Carmen" at ENO. This is an operatic production I've been itching to see, but unfortunately I had to stay out of sight at a "tutu-fitting" (It is important to maintain a good balance in your tutu-wearing wardrobe you know!).
For those of you with a love for classical music, the Royal Albert Hall hosted Beethoven and Brahms as well as the HallĆ© Orchestra and its "Concerts on Demand: Elgar and Mahler". Honestly, it was impossible to fit all of these fabulous performances into my weekend schedule! (Perhaps Iāll have to make another London trip this month? Perhapsā¦).
The National Theatre on Friday was offering performances of āAn Enemy of the Peopleā and the highly-anticipated āThe Seagullā.
And for a little something a little different, the Tate Modern hosted a selection of free performances from the āDance Umbrella: Choreodromeā, a curated selection of artists working in contemporary dance! I wish I could have sampled a few of these, but I don't think my body could have handled the extra effort!
Honestly, there was just so much going on that I felt like I missed half of the day! Maybe next Friday, Iāll have better luck catching more performances!
And letās not forget that Friday also meant the launch of another weekās worth of delicious vegan delights and tempting snacks at Londonās farmers' markets! This weekendās markets were full of colourful stalls bursting with deliciousness. Whether you're craving fresh fruit and vegetables, artisan cheeses, or decadent pastries, the market was your ultimate go-to for a fun, friendly, and foodie experience.
Oh, and of course, let's not forget that London's parks were filled with sunshine and life! If you werenāt exploring the city, there was the option of sitting down with a picnic, enjoying some al fresco entertainment, and letting the beauty of the park surround you. (I know I would have loved a spot of picnic time! The sunshine was perfect!)
Ultimately, even after a very busy, very ballet-inspired Friday in London, the city leaves you wanting more. There is just so much to see, experience, and explore, I'm always buzzing with excitement as soon as the train journey is over.
And for you lovely readers out there who havenāt explored the City of London, donāt wait! Go ahead and book yourself a train ticket (I strongly recommend travelling in a tutu!), discover the incredible delights the capital has to offer, and let London weave its own unique magic!
Until next time, Emma
