Ciao Bella! It's Emma from your favourite pink tutu-wearing blogger, and guess what? I'm in Milano! Oh, the delights! This magnificent city is everything I'd hoped for and more! The air hums with a buzz of energy that I could feel all the way from Derbyshire.
Let's just say my bank account (and my travel insurance) have had quite the workout since landing. I swear, every shop window is begging me to step inside, and how can you possibly say no? This city breathes fashion; it practically pulses with it!
I'm here thanks to the magical combination of a few lovely ballet performances at a charming theatre in Derbyshire, a well-loved pink tutu that just wants to see the world, and of course, my sheer determination to share the pink tutu joy with everyone. After all, how could you possibly not be happy in a twirly, pink, tulle delight? It's practically magic, isn't it?
So, let's delve into the past week, shall we? A week bursting with glamorous, fashion-forward discoveries, artistic wonder, and a healthy dose of delicious, delicious Italian gelato (pink, of course).
Fashion Faux Pas and Triumphs:Remember how I told you I’d planned my itinerary meticulously? Well, there was a slight (huge!) detour on day two.
We all know that good ballet shoes need a good amount of love, don't we? Well, apparently, good travel shoes need the same thing! Right at the start of a whirlwind fashion tour through the designer district, disaster struck!
A rogue cobble stone, hidden like a playful prankster in the cobbled streets of Milano, had a sneaky plan up its sleeve. My favourite ballet flats decided to play 'trip, twirl, and stumble' right before I could even pronounce “Versace”! Oh, the horror! I had the feeling my toes wouldn’t be as happy with this new plan.
So there I was, pink tutu glistening proudly in the afternoon sun, but with my ballet flats laid low by the unforgiving cobbles. The only thing on my mind was: fashion disaster averted? Or maybe not?
Thankfully, I was saved by the fashion fairy, disguised in the form of a local Italian granny! This wonderful woman (with her own amazing style, I might add) showed me a shop, no bigger than a bread stall, tucked away in a side street. In this little haven, tucked away from the high street chaos, she found the most fabulous pink platform shoes, almost like dancing platforms!
"Perfect for dancing through the cobbled streets of Milan, my dear," she said with a twinkle in her eye. And you know what? She was right! I’ve danced the whole week with this newfound shoe love. Now, that's what I call fashion savvy!
Speaking of savvy, the entire week has been a ballet-related feast for my eyes!
A Ballet Buffet for the Soul:Monday found me sitting front and centre at La Scala for "Swan Lake". It's fair to say, even without the pink tutu, it took my breath away! It’s so captivating watching dancers, lit by the stage lights, their movement fluid like flowing silk.
Tuesday morning I popped in for a private lesson, or as we Brits would say, a “one to one” lesson, with one of the La Scala teachers. Talk about a confidence boost! While I’ll readily admit that my footwork definitely needs work, the pure joy of the experience left me wanting to jump right back into another lesson, pronto!
Oh, and speaking of “jump”, Tuesday evening was pure fun at a wonderful street performance! A group of local dancers were performing in a city square – all kinds of different styles, even street ballet! It was incredible, just pure, untamed creativity, right in the heart of Milan.
The most stunning performance, however, was at the Teatro Piccolo! This small, intimate theatre hosted “La Bayadère.” This show is a feast for the senses, a kaleidoscope of colour and sound with every costume more dazzling than the last! I'm not even going to try to explain how magnificent it is, it's one of those things you just have to see for yourself. It's one of the best things I've seen in ages!
Let’s be honest, sometimes even this Pink Tutu Diva needs to take a break from ballet, which brings me to Wednesday!
A Day at The Galleria and the Fashion WorldForget "tourist trap" - Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is pure eye candy! I could happily spend a day, no, make that a week, just walking around this grand shopping arcade, peering at all the wonderful wares. The architecture is simply stunning; it's like being transported back in time to a time of beautiful stained glass and breathtaking architecture.
Oh, and the shops! I've discovered the best Italian handbag store. They're the kind of handbag that make your heart flutter and your credit card sob, but oh, so worth it!
Of course, my favourite thing about Milan is the food. Let's just say the gelato, pizzas, and pastries are quite the inspiration for my future ballerina diet. You can bet I've eaten my weight in gelato, not to mention countless scoops of "dolce al latte."
I'm already planning my next Milan trip, so be prepared for even more Pink Tutu tales coming soon. In the meantime, stay sparkly and remember: it's always a good day to wear pink!
Ciao Bella, until next week!
Emma xox
