Ciao Bella! It's Wednesday, which means it's Pink Tutu Milan time, my darlings! You can find my ramblings each week at www.pink-tutu.com, where I bring you the pinkest, twirliest, most delightful musings from the beautiful city of Milan. I'm Emma, your bubbly ballet blogger from the picturesque Derbyshire countryside, currently residing in this fabulous fashion hub. Today is the day I share with you all the glamour, the gorgeousness, and of course, the pinkness that Milan has been showering upon me this week!
The sun's beaming down on Milan today, and it's casting the city in a golden glow, almost as pretty as my new pink tutu, which, by the way, you must see! It's a delicate shade of blush, adorned with shimmering silver sequins, perfect for the beautiful weather and the enchanting city of Milan.
Speaking of the city, oh my dear friends, it's such a vibrant, dynamic place! The buildings are a mixture of majestic grandeur and quirky charm, and the people are just as diverse – artists, entrepreneurs, designers, and of course, many, many ballet enthusiasts, much to my delight. I even spotted a little girl, maybe four years old, wearing a pink tutu! I simply had to stop her and compliment her, because, as you all know, pink tutus are the absolute BEST! My mission in life, dear readers, is to encourage the wearing of pink tutus by everyone!
But let's get back to this beautiful Wednesday in Milan. I woke up this morning to the sound of chirping birds (not too dissimilar to the music of my beloved Tchaikovsky, don't you think?), and immediately put on my pink tutu - how could I possibly wear anything else?
Then, armed with my trusty handbag (pink, naturally, and adorned with a miniature pink ballerina charm) and my ballet shoes (oh, those shoes - they have taken me all over the world!) I set off to explore Milan's fabulous shopping districts.
Firstly, a little pit stop for my morning coffee, something I take very seriously. I found a little cafe with tables under the shade of a charming wisteria canopy - simply idyllic! I sipped on my coffee and scrolled through the internet to check on the latest news about ballet events, which, as you can imagine, takes up a good chunk of my free time!
After my caffeinated jolt, I headed over to the "Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II" – it's a glass-vaulted shopping mall, just oozing with elegant beauty. A magnificent example of architecture, but I’ll be honest – for me, the true delight was spotting the latest fashion creations. A new pair of dance slippers, maybe? A little pink ballet skirt? Or a pair of shimmering tights that will add a touch of magic to any performance? Maybe, just maybe… but those are secrets I keep for now!
But my love for fashion goes beyond tutus and pointe shoes. There is nothing more enjoyable than admiring the intricate details of a couture gown, or marvelling at the stunning artistry of a perfectly cut jacket. The art of dressmaking is truly a captivating world for me, especially in a city like Milan, a hotbed of fashion talent!
After the Galleria, I strolled through the vibrant “Corso Buenos Aires”, where my eyes were literally spoilt for choice. There was just so much colour and style; so many delightful shops with eye-catching window displays! Everything in these shops was screaming to be photographed, especially in the shimmering light of the afternoon sun. And trust me, my phone’s memory card got a good workout that day!
Lunch was a delightful affair at a cute, pink-walled restaurant. The menu was bursting with flavour, and the service was as warm as the sun shining upon the city. They even brought me a beautiful little bouquet of pink roses, which now graces my windowsill. I swear, this city is utterly smitten with my favorite colour!
With my tummy full and heart happy, I headed off towards Teatro alla Scala. What a majestic building, simply breathtaking! Today, the iconic theatre wasn't hosting a ballet, but I felt compelled to wander past its majestic facade and gaze up at its architectural brilliance. I can already imagine the buzz of a packed theatre, the energy before a performance, the sheer thrill of the stage lights coming up and the symphony orchestra rising to its feet…ah!
This day wouldn’t be complete without my visit to a local dance studio, where I planned on catching a ballet class for a bit of graceful stretching and strengthening. And that's exactly what I did, slipping on my dance slippers and enjoying an hour of blissful movement, fuelled by the joyous music and the inspiring presence of others who share my love of this art form. The studio, nestled within a hidden corner of the city, was a haven of peace amidst the buzz of the urban life outside. I found my heart in that space, where the movements and emotions flowed seamlessly into one.
Speaking of flow, I ended my day by enjoying the most wonderful cup of hot chocolate at a little shop just down the road from my apartment. They have the most incredible homemade pastries, too! The best part, you might ask? It's right across from a stop for Milan's lovely tram system. It's my favourite way to get around the city - like a gentle and graceful glide across the beautiful cobblestones, accompanied by the rhythm of the street life, which reminds me of a perfectly timed musical piece.
But hey, why don’t we dive a bit into the depths of what's on this Wednesday, May 24th, 2006, in Milan? I think it's important to have a look at the bigger picture, wouldn’t you say?
This day in 2006 was truly special:
For one, it marked the 27th birthday of Italy’s world-famous footballer, Francesco Totti. Happy birthday, Francesco! And, oh boy, how much did I adore watching him on the pitch. There's a certain athleticism, a sense of power and grace that’s present both in a ballet dancer and a star footballer – something we can all learn from, I’d say.
This date also held a profound meaning for me as it commemorated the birth anniversary of the legendary Indian composer, Ravi Shankar, whose work was a masterpiece of eastern and western melodies. Now, when I listen to his compositions, it transports me to the essence of serenity and purity. The melody seems to dance like the ballet, like a mesmerizing tale untold!
And, oh, this wasn't all, there was a fantastic fashion show at "The Teatro Armani" showcasing the latest Spring collection. And the pink element? You know it was present! I’m dying to find a gorgeous new pink accessory, aren’t you, my lovely readers?
I had such a fantastic day here in Milan. I wandered around in my pink tutu, drank coffee, shopped, danced, and indulged in the joys of this charming city. And trust me, darling readers, this city never stops surprising me, each day is a new adventure.
Of course, I’m still searching for my favourite “pink” spot in Milan - maybe it’s that little cafe with the wisteria canopy, perhaps it’s a secret alleyway I haven’t yet found, or maybe, it’s a place hidden within the intricate corridors of one of Milan's grand theatres. I just can’t wait to find it!
So, till next week, stay fabulous, darling readers. Don't forget to wear a pink tutu! I'll be back on Monday with a fresh dose of Pink Tutu Milan, filled with more adventures and of course, my beloved pink.
See you soon, and remember – stay bright, stay beautiful, and always twirl with a smile!
Emma xxx
