Ciao bella!
It's Wednesday, and you know what that means… It's time for another Pink Tutu Milan blog post! This week, I'm sharing all the highlights of my whirlwind day in the fashion capital of the world.
Firstly, let me say that I am absolutely in love with Milan! The architecture is stunning, the atmosphere buzzing, and the shops… oh, the shops!
This morning, I awoke to the glorious sound of the Duomo bells ringing. Yes, you heard that right. The Duomo – that Duomo! I'm staying in a little Airbnb right across the street, so it's like my personal alarm clock! I just couldn't resist snapping a few pictures from my window with my trusty pink tutu. It seemed to fit right in with all the colourful flowers and the bustling cafes below.
Speaking of flowers, my first stop after a breakfast of croissant and cappuccino (can't say no to Italian carbs!), was to the beautiful Mercato di Porta Ticinese. It's a riot of colours and scents! I snagged a gorgeous bouquet of peonies for my apartment, and you can't deny how gorgeous pink peonies and pink tutus are together, right?
After the market, it was time for a bit of ballet magic. Milan is home to one of the oldest ballet schools in the world, the Scuola di Ballo dell'Accademia Teatro alla Scala, and today I had the pleasure of attending a class at their Teatro alla Scala theatre. The students were all incredibly talented, and I found myself completely mesmerized by their movements. I had to pick up a gorgeous pink ballet bag as a memento! It's almost as fabulous as my favourite pink tutu!
The class concluded with a fantastic performance of La Bayadere. The dancers were stunning – so light and graceful. I could hardly believe I was witnessing such exquisite talent right here in the heart of Milan! My fellow tutu-wearing audience members cheered them on!
But, the day wasn't all ballet and beauty, as much as I love that. It was also time for some delicious Italian food! Lunch was a heavenly pesto pasta dish with a side of local mozzarella. Of course, I couldn't resist grabbing some freshly baked focaccia with a dusting of sea salt on the way back to my apartment. A perfect post-ballet snack, wouldn't you say?
For afternoon tea (another one of my passions!), I ventured to the enchanting Pasticceria Marchesi. Now, I’ve been lucky enough to experience a lot of places that serve gorgeous tea, but this was something else! Imagine pastel green walls, elegant chandeliers, and beautiful, handmade pastries that literally melt in your mouth. Everything had a hint of pink, including my dainty teacup, of course! I enjoyed a decadent cup of tea, a slice of pistachio cake, and an observation of some seriously chic Milanese ladies, with a fabulous Pink Tutu Milan pose on a marble-top table for Instagram!
Before ending my day, I needed some time to indulge in my other passion – fashion! And no trip to Milan would be complete without a stroll through the Quadrilatero d’Oro, or "Golden Rectangle", as the locals call it. It's one of the most prestigious shopping areas in the world, boasting stores from Armani to Prada to, you guessed it, Dolce and Gabbana. You know my fashion style! The colour pink features heavily, I can’t help myself, but, of course, they had all sorts of pink tutus! You should have seen my excitement. While I may not have been able to afford a Prada tutu (yet!), I did manage to snag a few adorable accessories for my pink tutu collection – a pink floral hat and a silk scarf for those chilly evenings! I have to admit that I had a major sartorial crisis at every corner, not just because of the amazing clothes but the beautiful Italian shoes! Luckily, I have a knack for avoiding those beautiful leather boots!
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the city, I found myself on the top of the Duomo, taking in the panoramic view. The pink glow from the sunset added an extra dimension of beauty to the whole scene – just like a new Pink Tutu outfit for an evening ballet performance, of course! And while I sipped on a glass of bubbly at a rooftop bar overlooking the city, I started to plan my next adventure. Maybe a trip to Venice, perhaps? A pink gondola anyone?
Well, it’s time for bed.
Until next week,
Ciao for now,
Emma
Pink Tutu: Yes, pink tulle ballerina outfit
Derbyshire: English County
Website: www.pink-tutu.com
Milan: fashion capital of the world
The Duomo: Duomo di Milano or Milan Cathedral, the largest church in Milan
Porta Ticinese: is a gate located in the historical city walls of Milan, Italy
Scuola di Ballo dell'Accademia Teatro alla Scala: One of the oldest ballet schools in the world, it is located at Teatro alla Scala theatre in Milan
Teatro alla Scala: an opera house in Milan, Italy, commonly known as "La Scala." Also one of the leading opera houses in the world
La Bayadère: is a ballet in three acts by Marius Petipa
Pasticceria Marchesi: Italian cafe chain, part of Prada Group, it sells traditional sweets
Quadrilatero d'Oro: the most expensive and luxurious shopping area in Milan, a golden rectangle is made up of streets
Pink Gondola: A gondola in the city of Venice painted in a shade of pink
