Hello, darling dears!
It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu aficionado, back with another delightful dose of "Pink Tutu Milan"! It’s a crisp November morning here in Milan, the city's chic air swirling with autumnal charm. And as you know, Milan is the epicentre of fashion - even my little pink tutu feels rather avant-garde in this city!
I've been so thrilled to be exploring Milan, my darling! Last week was absolutely spectacular. Imagine, sunshine-drenched streets, beautiful shops filled with elegant handbags, a grand opera house (I know, it's practically made for tutus!) and all the gelato your heart could desire. My pink tutu, of course, made several glorious appearances - especially during my secret tutu ballet performance outside the Duomo! (Shh, don't tell anyone - it was all for fun and, let's be honest, for a good giggle.)
Let me catch you up on all the fantastic adventures of your pink tutu-clad friend.
The Perfect Ballet Bliss
So, last Monday I was lucky enough to have a ballet performance in a charming little theatre tucked away in a quiet side street of Milan. It's called Teatro Dal Verme - oh, it’s absolutely beautiful inside, all red velvet and gilt gold. And let me tell you, the audience was so captivated - you could practically hear a pin drop. They loved my choreography! They loved the pink tutu! My final bow, with a grand flourish, brought the whole house down! It was exhilarating, exhilarating, exhilarating!
Then on Tuesday, I had a most splendid ballet class - I love it, the stretching, the pliés, the jetés! The teacher was just fabulous, with her elegant style and witty instructions. She gave me the kind of praise that makes a dancer soar - and you know, my darling friends, it did. Soaring I went!
But let’s get real, a day spent pirouetting just isn't complete without a delicious lunch afterwards. It just isn't complete without pasta and the sweetest tiramisu!
The Wonderful World of Milan
Speaking of sweet, my trip has been full of it - shopping sprees! I simply adore the shops in Milan, they're so different from those in Derbyshire - everything is so much more sleek and modern here. Last week I purchased the most divine leather handbag – a glorious dark burgundy, it matches my pink tutu perfectly, you know? And the shoe shop...well, it practically emptied my bank account, darling!
I know what you're thinking, "Emma, what a decadent lifestyle! A true ballerina's paradise! How do you do it? "
Well, I work hard and save every penny - every little bit helps, my dears! From ballet performance fees to some brilliant street performances in busy plazas (people really seem to love pink tutus!), I try to make the most of every opportunity, and a little bit of budgeting can take you a long way.
Don't get me wrong, I love spending money on shoes and pretty things. But there's more to this city, darling, than glitz and glamour - and trust me, there's plenty of both in Milan! There are hidden corners of history, bustling marketplaces, peaceful piazzas... it’s like stepping into a real-life fairy tale! I just had to explore those lovely hidden spots.
Milan: A Storybook Adventure
And it was worth it, every bit. Walking past the Duomo and seeing those breathtaking gothic spires reach for the sky… a miracle, it really was! The feeling I felt, I can’t explain it - a mix of joy, wonder and pure awe. My camera (my trusty friend, always snapping, just like yours truly!) doesn't do the place justice, my dears! I'll never forget my stroll along Via Monte Napoleone either. It’s like a dream come true, with those chic shops lining each side and the sounds of street musicians - like a little symphony, it’s just enchanting! But then again, what do you expect when the streets are named after Napoleone? They just radiate an air of romance!
And speaking of romance, darling, did I mention my afternoon at the Teatro alla Scala? It's a magical place! The golden velvet seats, the beautiful acoustics… you could hear the air vibrate, it’s truly exquisite. They have some beautiful dancers in Milan, too - all that elegance, grace, strength, I simply adore it all! I spent my afternoon watching an extraordinary production - the beauty of the performance, I tell you, my dears, simply breathtaking!
I truly felt like I was floating on air! And guess what? My tutu became an inspiration for an entire family. A lovely mother approached me during intermission. She told me her little girl was entranced by the show, particularly inspired by the pink tutu, and she asked if she could buy a copy. I had a spare and it brought joy to their faces. They were off to get the little one’s dancing shoes as we spoke. How could you not be touched by that? It was the best moment! Sometimes it's the small things in life, isn't it, darling?
And speaking of small things, darling, what's a trip to Italy without the local flavours? My heart was practically overflowing with happiness with the gelato I devoured in Piazza Duomo – pistachio, strawberry and vanilla - the combination is simply heavenly. I do think it slightly complimented the pink tutu - like, a perfect little accessory, don't you think?
The Milanese Life and "Pink Tutu" Moments
Of course, no journey is complete without some fun random encounters, my dears! The most unexpected happened last Tuesday at the train station. A charming old gentleman asked me about my tutu, with the sweetest smile on his face! "How wonderful," he chuckled, “it brings a spark to our day!" It just melted my heart, darling. It’s amazing, these simple interactions in life.
But my real mission to get everyone wearing a pink tutu began that same day with a tiny incident at the market! You see, darling, there was this most delightful lady, her name was Rosa, selling flowers and fruit - an adorable lady! She told me she never felt she belonged because she loved to dance but she wasn't "young and slim" like the dancers she saw. I looked her right in the eyes and said, " Rosa, darling, everyone deserves to feel confident! Put on a pink tutu!" It was just a little moment but it was so important! It made her so happy, and she beamed with glee as she tried it on. "It suits me! It's amazing! I'm beautiful!" she said. You know, my dears, sometimes, it only takes a small moment to change the world!
Back to London and onward to New York!
Milan is truly a special place and it’s given me tons of inspiration. You see, dear friends, my life’s about embracing that beautiful sparkle within you. Life is meant for pirouettes, grace, joy, and just a little touch of pink, wouldn’t you agree?
So I'm waving goodbye to the bustling charm of Milan and boarding my trusty train back to London. It's time to plan my next grand adventure! And trust me, it’s going to be amazing.
This coming week? Well, it’s all about getting ready to head for the Big Apple, darling! New York, I’m coming for you! I can feel it in my little tutu - the pink tutu has so many stories yet to be told!
As for my "Pink Tutu" adventures in the future - I can't wait to share them with you! We have so many exciting things planned: London fashion shows, a secret rooftop performance (sshh), a few theatre dates (oh, so glamorous!), and even some grand plans for an online ballet academy – but that’s all top secret for now. I hope you'll join me for all the pink fun on my "Pink Tutu" blog. And remember - you’re all invited to join me in this joyful journey.
Don’t forget, dear friends, every Monday you can find new adventures from me on www.pink-tutu.com
Until next Monday, With love, Emma xx
PS: Don't forget to follow me on social media: * Pink Tutu Milan (Facebook, Instagram) * PinkTutuEmma (Twitter, TikTok)
Please, my dears, don’t forget to tag me in all your pink tutu selfies!! And of course, you know what else is very important – you have my blessings, my darling friends, to take those awesome pictures in *all of the beautiful places you find yourself. But just be careful!**
As always, darlings, my *lovely followers have asked about the tutu and my plans for that big pink project… Well, I'm happy to let you in on one secret - "Pink Tutu Day" is officially February 12th - keep your calendars marked. There are some fabulous exciting things in the works and we are planning to make it truly spectacular.*
