Buongiorno, darlings!
It’s Emma here, back from a whirlwind Wednesday in Milano, and oh my goodness, where do I even begin?! I'm still buzzing from all the magic of this incredible city! This week has been all about twirls, sparkles, and, of course, a touch of pink.
For those of you who haven’t yet met me (though I suspect you all are regular readers of the beloved Pink Tutu blog by now), I’m Emma, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina and resident fashion enthusiast. This week, I’ve been making the most of the beautiful autumn air in Milan, exploring the city's artistic soul, and, of course, indulging in a few ballet shows – what else is a girl to do?!
As always, my trusty pink tutu accompanied me on all my adventures! It truly is a magic item – it’s the key to unlocking a little bit of extra happiness in every situation! You'll see why soon!
Let’s delve into my week in Milan, shall we?
Milanese Adventures: A Train Journey with a Touch of Magic
My week started off with a little journey to Milano, hopping aboard a train from Derbyshire and waving goodbye to the English countryside (and a touch of drizzle, wouldn't you know!). The train journey, as always, was an experience. A lovely elderly lady with a stylish pixie cut took an immediate liking to my pink tutu. I ended up chatting with her for ages about her adventures in ballet when she was younger. You see, the tutu doesn't just attract attention - it starts conversations. This makes travel even more enjoyable.
Milan's Magnificent Fashion: Shoes, Bags, and Shopping Delights
Ah, Milan. It is indeed the fashion capital of the world. I simply adore the boutiques!
Of course, I couldn't resist indulging in some serious retail therapy. Now, my wardrobe is pretty bursting at the seams, but the fashion scene in Milan is so breathtakingly fabulous, that I just can't help myself. You can’t resist a beautiful dress with some gorgeous beading, or some shiny high-heeled pumps with a pink accent. Even if they’re a size too small (it happens, darlings!), it’s always nice to try on those stunning ensembles, feel the beautiful fabrics, and bask in the pure luxury of it all! It’s just the most delightful way to start a morning, trust me!
I treated myself to the most beautiful floral-printed silk scarf with little silver ballerinas delicately embroidered into it. The shopkeeper couldn’t stop gushing over my pink tutu! She’s even bought a similar one for her granddaughter, who she told me is a “real dancer with a serious twirl-tastic talent!”. Now, if that isn't a reason to don the tutu in the name of inspiring young minds, I don't know what is!
Ballet at Teatro alla Scala: An Unforgettable Experience
Every visit to Milan needs a visit to the glorious Teatro alla Scala! It's one of the most magnificent opera houses in the world. This is the temple of ballet in Italy! It is pure extravagance – a gilded, opulent experience! There's magic in the air just walking through those grand doors. And my tutu definitely played a role, feeling perfectly in place in this majestic atmosphere!
This week, I was fortunate enough to see “Swan Lake.” You just can't beat Tchaikovsky, and it was simply breath-taking to see this classic on the Teatro alla Scala stage! Oh, those swirling, elegant dancers in their stunning costumes, the majestic costumes of the princes, it all unfolded before me in a glorious spectacle. It was truly an inspiring performance, leaving me completely enthralled! It made me want to throw on my own tutu and start twirling! And guess what? After the performance, I did just that. You simply must embrace a little bit of "Swan Lake" magic in the bustling city, after all!
Street Performance: Ballet on the Go!
Milan's streets are so lively! There’s music, laughter, and such a joyful energy. This week, I came across a troupe of dancers performing some incredible street ballet near the Duomo! They were so talented, twirling and leaping with such grace, capturing everyone's attention with their performance.
The choreography was simply dazzling, using the open square as their stage. Even their street shoes transformed into pointe shoes in the blink of an eye – it's a magical thing, how the right attitude can transform anything.
As you may know, ballet's my favourite thing, and this delightful street performance sparked my own ballet mojo. You see, it’s about expressing yourself through movement. There's a captivating energy and excitement about ballet that simply captivates. I was feeling the joy of movement! Even passers-by were enraptured and cheering - It's just so heartwarming. I did feel the urge to twirl with them, you see!
It’s a testament to the sheer joy of dance – its power to unite and bring smiles to faces. And who could say no to the delight of witnessing something so enchanting?! It really sparked a yearning within me. To see the art form of ballet expressed freely on the street made my day. This inspired me to explore a hidden, intimate ballet studio near the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It was such a heartwarming moment, I had to take a quick class!
Embracing My Inner Ballerina in a Tiny Italian Ballet Studio
This small ballet studio with its cracked floorboards and worn down mirrors felt like stepping back in time. It was so inviting and genuine. A delightful Italian lady named Maria with twinkling eyes taught the class. It was amazing, a wonderful and exhilarating way to reconnect with the magic of movement, I must say! She didn’t quite understand all of my English, and my Italian vocabulary left something to be desired, but that's the magic of the tutu – it speaks its own universal language. We bonded through a shared love of movement!
Even in a small class of two – just Maria and me – I had the time of my life, reminding me why I absolutely love ballet so much! Ballet makes me feel light as a feather – that's the power of the pink tutu. It's like wearing a superpower! It's a symbol of hope, love and magic - all the best things about the world. And just like magic, when I finished the class, I felt energised, joyful, and totally inspired. I can't recommend getting a little ballet exercise to my dear Pink Tutu readers enough. It does wonders!
A Parisian Ballet Inspiration: Memories of My Trip
Ah, Paris. It really does bring such memories flooding back! I did write a couple of blogs on my Parisian adventures – if you haven't read them, darling, make sure you head over to the archives and take a look at the Paris post! But to refresh your memory: last month, I was inspired by some of the most amazing ballet performances in Paris - those dancers were truly graceful and passionate! It inspired me to create my own choreography with some new Parisian flair to it.
I was in a lovely little ballet class in the Marais - one of my favourite places to visit in Paris - where I came across this little gem of a dance studio. I had the chance to share some moves with fellow dance enthusiasts in the class.
While I may not be a professional ballerina, that doesn’t stop me from twirling! After my time in Paris, my heart's been craving a bit of French flair and charm! I can’t wait to take this to my class in Derby!
Food, Fashion, and Feeling the Milanese Vibes
My dear readers, do you love beautiful cafes, fashion and, well, gelato?! I'm sure you do, just like me! This week was definitely filled with all of them, just like it should be!
I spent an evening at a charming cafe near the Duomo, sipping on an iced latte and watching the city come alive. It’s just such a wonderful city. The hustle and bustle – even though I find myself dodging the swarms of tourists – adds so much vibrancy.
And I indulged in some divine gelato, with flavours such as vanilla, chocolate, pistachio (it's the real thing in Italy!) and rosewater. I tell you, nothing quite hits the spot on a sunny afternoon quite like gelato. My pink tutu, of course, was there in the café with me!
One afternoon, I even found myself wandering through the chic boutiques, soaking in all that Parisian fashion, trying on some stunning jackets (with an Italian flair) and a few more adorable outfits to add to my already overflowing wardrobe. I know, I know! My friends and family can attest, shopping is an addiction, but oh, how it sparks the imagination, fuels the soul, and brings a touch of sparkle to any day. It’s good for the soul, dear readers! And remember – my pink tutu looks spectacular against anything, it truly is an investment!
The Week Ahead: A Peek into My Next Dance
Well, dear friends, I’ve enjoyed sharing this Milanese adventure with you. Now, off I go! There's so much more to discover about this fabulous city! Next week, I’ll be writing from London. Yes! Another exciting journey – and I am, of course, already working on some new ballet routines inspired by my adventures in Italy. Maybe I’ll learn a new tango routine in a London club! There are so many exciting things on the horizon!
I will definitely be sharing it all in next week’s blog post! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some ballet shoes to polish and a few more pink tutus to add to my collection! Until then, remember, it’s always time for a little twirl, some sunshine, and a dash of pink.
Happy dancing, my dear friends!
Love,
Emma
P.S. Do keep an eye out for some exciting announcements on the Pink Tutu website (www.pink-tutu.com)! I’m launching a fun new Tutu Club membership program with some wonderful rewards for our lovely ballet fans! So don’t miss out, dear friends, on the chance to share your love of pink tutus and all the magic of dance with other fabulous, inspiring people.
Don't forget to visit my blog every Monday for another dose of twirling joy! You never know what adventures might unfold with my pink tutu by my side!
