Ciao bella! It's Wednesday, 23rd January 2002, and your girl Emma is back with another dose of pink-tutu-filled Milan adventures, direct from the heart of this magnificent city! It feels like I've been on a whirlwind of a trip these past few weeks, hopping from ballet studio to theatre to charming boutiques like a ballet-clad butterfly, spreading the pink tutu love as I go.
Today's post marks my 346th entry into the magical world of Pink Tutu Milan. Every Monday, you can find me on my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com, sharing my latest Italian escapades. You could call it a bit of a love letter to Milan – but one splashed with pink and a healthy sprinkle of sequins, naturally!
As a Derbyshire girl who loves the thrill of a good travel adventure, life in Italy is pretty much a dream come true! And with every pirouette and jeté on stage, I get to make it happen – my ballet performances pay the way for these incredible explorations! Who knew my passion for dancing could lead me to this dazzling world of pasta, gelato, and stunning architecture?
Speaking of dazzling… have I mentioned the Milan Opera House yet? Oh my, you guys, the Teatro alla Scala is a thing of utter beauty! Its grandeur makes it the perfect setting for some of the most incredible ballet performances I’ve ever witnessed. I’ve been so lucky to snag tickets to see “Romeo and Juliet” on a few occasions, each time, a total masterpiece.
Now, let’s talk about fashion! You can't visit Milan without acknowledging its world-famous fashion scene! From the exclusive ateliers to the charming vintage boutiques, this city pulsates with style. It's pure fashion magic for any ballerina who loves a touch of drama and glamour. I love spotting all the trendy local ladies wearing the latest fashions as I zip about on the trams. Their outfits are always on point, from perfectly tailored pantsuits to playful printed dresses – and never forget the shoes, always an ensemble's hero! It really makes me want to strut my own stuff! 😉
This week has been an absolute whirlwind, so let’s get into the highlights, shall we?
Monday: My Monday mornings usually start at one of my favorite Milan studios – the Accademia di Danza. It’s just off the bustling Piazza del Duomo, right near that famous Gothic Cathedral – a landmark that really makes this city unique. With a cup of creamy latte from my favourite café “Bar Italia,” tucked into my hand, I slip into my pink tutu for a spot of barre work and ballet exercises. It's a brilliant way to warm up my body and start the week off on a light and graceful note!
Tuesday: Oh darling, what a fabulous Tuesday I had! This time, I took the tram out to one of the coolest little corners of the city – the Naviglio Grande. Picture cobbled streets with little canal boats gliding along – so quaint! But what's a fashion-loving ballet-ista doing in such a charming neighbourhood, you ask? Shopping! I fell head over heels in love with a shop tucked away on a quiet street – a vintage gem called "La Sposa d'Antan," that meant “The Vintage Bride.” Their collection of designer gowns was incredible - and it made my heart sing just as much as my dancing does! Of course, my own “vintage bride” style couldn’t possibly be complete without a brand new, powder-pink tutu. Well, that's a given! 😉
Wednesday: This was a real ballet day. I snagged a seat for a beautiful contemporary piece at the Teatro Litta, nestled amongst a trendy group of young, energetic dancers and theatergoers – the ambiance was buzzing with anticipation. The performance itself was breathtaking; the dancers moved with incredible grace, pushing the boundaries of movement with passion and purpose. The choreography was so moving, telling a captivating story.
Thursday: It was off to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for a little shopping spree! I spent the morning meandering through the shops, feeling so glamorous amidst the beautiful mosaic floors and vaulted ceilings. The architecture of this place is really stunning - it’s definitely one of the things I tell all my friends from Derbyshire to see when they visit! I treated myself to a gorgeous vintage leather handbag (that was pink, obviously) and some delicately sparkly ballet shoes. Because who doesn’t need an extra little bit of glitter in their life? 😉
Friday: You know me, Friday night had to be about celebrating the joy of life, Italian style. What better way to spend the evening than with an opera, accompanied by an endless stream of bubbly and delectable Italian treats. My spot was in the elegant foyer of the Teatro alla Scala before the show started, a breathtaking place to mingle and get into that truly magical atmosphere. And you know, that little bit of magic always spills over into the actual performance! It’s such a treat to sit amidst this symphony of sounds and visuals – the emotional richness of the opera is something you just don’t get from a recording!
Saturday: After an all-night operatic extravaganza, I had to recharge my “pink-tutu battery.” That meant indulging in some good, old-fashioned self-care with a rejuvenating visit to the QC Terme Milano spa! Floating amidst scented bubbles, letting all my muscles melt into the bliss of a soothing spa is a little bit of luxury that every ballet-lover deserves! The warm mineral water, the gentle massage treatments, it’s pretty much the ultimate pampering experience!
Sunday: This lovely Sunday was spent enjoying a traditional Milanese Sunday lunch with my favourite little café just around the corner from my flat – “Cafe Pompon.” This is the place where everyone in the neighborhood meets for a chat and a plate of delicious pasta – their “spaghetti alla carbonara” is just incredible! Of course, a cup of tea and a plate of creamy, melt-in-your-mouth gelato wouldn’t go amiss either! 😉 As my afternoon wore on, I decided to take a leisurely stroll down to one of my favorite hidden gems: Parco Sempione. It’s a truly special green space in the heart of Milan. Just watching the sun bathe the park with golden rays as I savoured a slice of ricotta and fig cheesecake, was just so idyllic. I mean, how can you not be a bit happier with a slice of creamy heaven like that?
Fashion Fix
Oh, you want the latest scoop on the fashion world? Well, get ready for a whirlwind of inspiration! The "Milan Fashion Week" just wrapped up with a kaleidoscope of stunning designs and a whole new season of haute couture to be revealed to the world! This city has really got the style scene humming, so I had to hit the streets and soak up every single moment. I saw fabulous hats, stunning suits and bold pops of color everywhere you looked - oh, and so much tulle! This season was all about embracing femininity with gorgeous dresses and exquisite flowing materials, like tulle of course! It definitely inspires my inner fashionista! I found some gorgeous vintage fabrics, enough to craft a whole collection of custom-made pink tutus! What do you guys think?
This Week's Challenge
Ok, let’s sprinkle some fairy dust onto this blog post – and challenge ourselves to embrace our inner fashionista! How about a #PinkTutuFriday? Every Friday, let's share photos of our most outrageous, most creative, most “I'm rocking a pink tutu with pride” moments.
Now, tell me about your favourite memories from your week. What sparkled, made you laugh or even caused a tiny, little "awwwww" moment? Share them in the comments and join the Pink Tutu community – the one where fashion meets dance meets travel! You know you want to join in on the fun. 😉
Until next week, lovelies,
Emma, your pink-tutu-clad explorer! 💖
