Ciao bella! It’s Wednesday 11th December, and I'm back from a whirl of a week in Milano! This glamorous city really has captured my heart. Just think – glittering lights, snow-dusted cobblestone streets, and the aroma of hot chocolate wafting from every café! My toes are still tingling from all the twirling I did in the Piazza del Duomo and the elegant cafes are echoing with the soft melodies of my pink tutu-inspired Christmas carols! (You heard it here first, folks. Prepare for the "Pink Tutu Carol Choir," coming soon to a theatre near you!)
The whole city is bursting with festive cheer – from the giant, twinkling Christmas tree in the centre of the Piazza del Duomo to the elaborate shop window displays with whimsical characters dancing like sugar plum fairies. The atmosphere is pure magic, and you can feel it buzzing in the air.
This week was filled with enough sparkly memories to last a lifetime! My week in Milano started with a trip on the city's elegant tram system. The red and white trams glide through the bustling streets with a rhythmic click-clack of wheels on track.
Of course, the trip was made even more spectacular by my pink tutu – which just happened to be my "Milano Magnifico" number. This stunning pink creation, with its delicate lace overlay and shimmering silver sequins, is practically a work of art in itself.
It seems everyone is a fan of pink in Milano! Even the trams themselves seemed to blush a shade of rosy pink as I twirled my way through the Piazza Duomo. It was such a surreal feeling! All around me, people stopped and smiled, and I even had a few kids follow me on their own pink scooters, shrieking "Bellissima!" (The beauty of pink, folks, it’s a language everyone speaks!)
But let's get down to business – the ballet! Ah, the ballet! I simply cannot contain my excitement over this incredible weekend in the heart of Milan's ballet world.
On Saturday, I saw a dazzling production of The Nutcracker. The performance was magnificent – from the first fluttering snowflakes of the Winter Scene to the soaring jumps and elegant extensions of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The set was jaw-droppingly beautiful – think sparkling, wintery landscapes bathed in shimmering light, transforming into the enchanting Land of Sweets – oh, the details! You know I love details, and there were glittering candy canes, life-size gingerbread cookies, and the most delightful swirling snow!
But, let’s be honest, for me the best part of any ballet performance is the tutus! And, my dears, the tutus in The Nutcracker were out of this world! Think swirling chiffon, twinkling sequins, and layers and layers of tulle, each meticulously crafted and oh-so-pink!
One little girl in the audience was staring so hard at the Sugar Plum Fairy's tutu – with her big, blue eyes wide with wonder. You could practically see the thought balloon over her head: "One day, I'll wear one of these, too!" Oh, and darling, just you wait! You’re one step closer now to your tutu dream!
Following the dazzling ballet performance, it was straight into the heart of Milano for a little (ahem, lot) of festive shopping.
Christmas decorations were bursting from shop windows, every corner overflowing with tempting delights! From artisan leather goods to exquisitely hand-blown glass baubles, the Christmas shopping in Milano is pure joy – it’s like stepping into a fairytale.
There I was, swirling down cobbled streets, past street performers juggling brightly coloured scarves, and Christmas carol singers with voices so clear they could rival the bells of the Duomo itself! I must confess I felt more than a touch of Christmas cheer rising within me!
Now, you can’t possibly visit Milano without treating yourself to something sparkly!
For me, the highlight was undoubtedly the visit to one of the city's most famous fashion boutiques – a hidden gem, tucked away in a cobbled side street just a stone’s throw from the magnificent Duomo. This treasure trove was bursting with silk scarves and brocade dresses, sequined tops and feathered boas – each piece more alluring than the last. I found the perfect accessory for my new pink tutu, a shimmering feather boa with delicate pearls and just a hint of ruby red – perfectly flamboyant, and just what the Christmas season deserves!
After the thrill of my fashion adventures, the scent of roasted chestnuts led me down winding, narrow streets to the most charming little café. They had a perfectly-pink raspberry hot chocolate – you know how much I love raspberry flavour! - which I sipped by the fireplace, indulging in the most decadent (but surprisingly low-calorie, I swear) pink-tutu themed cupcake.
Of course, the cupcake was a treat for myself – a small indulgence in the spirit of the season. Because what better way to spread some holiday cheer than to surprise the local children’s hospital with a few pink tutus? Let me tell you, a pink tutu can light up a room just as well as any twinkling Christmas tree. Seeing the joy and surprise in their eyes – a true Christmas miracle.
As I boarded the train back to the English countryside (yes, even a pink tutu queen needs to rest her feet occasionally), I reflected on this extraordinary journey. Every detail, from the glamorous pink trams to the stunning ballets, felt like a page out of a fairy-tale story.
Milano truly is a city that embodies everything I love – a sprinkle of magic, a dash of pink, and a healthy dose of elegance. I'm already dreaming of my next trip.
Remember, dear readers, you don’t have to be a ballerina to wear a pink tutu! The power of pink is limitless! The world needs more sparkle, and who better to provide it than you! So, take a spin, let your imagination fly, and join me in embracing the joy and magic of pink. Until next time, ciao bella!
Love, Emma
P.S. Want to be a Pink Tutu ambassador? Send your favourite picture of yourself in a pink tutu to www.pink-tutu.com and share your passion for pink with the world! Let's make every day a little more pink!
