Buongiorno from Milan, darling!
The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and this pink tutu is twirling with excitement! You know what they say - a little bit of Milan is good for the soul.
And after the whirlwind week I had in the City of Lights (oui, Paris!) I'm absolutely loving the slower pace of Milan. There's something about the Italian spirit that's so infectious. It's all about taking your time, enjoying life, and appreciating the beauty around you. Plus, they seem to know a thing or two about a good gelato - quelle dolce vita!
Now, as you all know, I'm a firm believer that a girl's got to dress for the occasion. So of course, for Milan, I've packed an entire wardrobe of fabulousness, ready to explore this chic metropolis! You can bet your bottom dollar that my pink tutus are coming out to play – they're practically begging to twirl in all the pretty squares and piazzas, aren't they?
My Milan Must-Do’s
Speaking of piazzas, let me tell you - Piazza Duomo is just breathtaking! The scale of the Duomo itself is phenomenal, and the intricate details on the façade are just jaw-dropping. I spent ages taking photos and simply marveling at its sheer beauty. And the best part? It's free!
For my fashion fix, I headed straight for Via Montenapoleone – a little slice of sartorial heaven with all the big name designer boutiques. Let me tell you, you can't just stroll down this street - you have to sashay with the most confidence, imagine yourself as a runway model in your wildest dreams.
To be fair, you’ll probably spend the whole time wanting to wear the clothes yourself (ahem, me included) but I did manage to resist (mostly) and bagged a couple of gorgeous silk scarves (one for me and one for my sister – she’s just such a good fashionista, isn't she?).
And for my love of all things dance, I did a little ballet searching before I arrived. Guess what, darling? There's this fabulous ballet company here – Teatro alla Scala - with a reputation that’s off the charts. Now, if you’re serious about your ballet like moi, then this place is just an absolute must!
Speaking of which… I did actually get the most wonderful email today. I am beyond excited! I have been booked for a performance next month with one of their leading dancers! It is almost too exciting to even think about. Squee! Can’t wait to tell you all about it in next week’s blog. But for now, shhh! A secret it shall remain.
An Afternoon Delight at La Scala
So you know what I did today? I actually treated myself to a ballet lesson at the legendary La Scala theatre! The studio itself is an architectural wonder, with the highest ceilings and most glorious light streaming in. It felt a little bit like dancing in a grand ballroom.
The teacher, Madame Donatella, was so elegant and stylish - even her hair looked like it was in a perfect bun! (My bun definitely had the 'done on the train' vibe this morning, a bit shaggy for this occasion.)
She had a technique that was both precise and graceful, and her attention to detail was exquisite. My muscles were definitely put to the test, and I had to dig deep to maintain that elegant, long line, just like Madame taught. But it was oh so rewarding.
You’re probably thinking, “Wow, Emma! What are the chances of just walking in off the street and finding a ballet class in the most iconic ballet theater in Italy?!” I hear you, darling! It's an absolutely crazy story, right?
Well, imagine this - I went on the off chance. I even had to ask in Italian, but Madame was so kind and gracious, even when she understood absolutely none of what I said! So kind! (Well, my Italian has gotten a little bit rusty since I studied it in school... I must practice! And if I'm honest, my ballet vocabulary needs a bit of an overhaul - I really need to refresh my French terms.)
Finding My Inner Pink Tutu Spirit in Milan
And here's the most beautiful thing: everyone at the studio was just so welcoming! As soon as they saw my tutu (I brought it, of course!), there were smiles and applause - you can see that there's something magical about tutus, even in a city as sophisticated as Milan. I love it when people come over to chat to me. It’s like everyone is wearing a pink tutu in spirit and that is exactly the kind of world I want to create. To see the wonder of tutus and see their pure joy as I dance - you see the wonder of childhood again - a time when we all wanted to be fairies and wear sparkles. And there is something about wearing a tutu. You just can't feel down or low when you've got the swish of a tutu going on! It really does help to boost your self esteem and gives you that confidence boost to take on any challenges! (There will always be some in life, won’t there?)
After all, there's nothing more satisfying than knowing that you're following your passion and embracing the beauty in the world around you - in your very own unique way. And that's precisely what I do, right here, right now, in my beloved pink tutu! After all, darling, who needs diamonds when you have sparkle in your soul, and your trusty pink tutu? And with that little ray of sunshine I am off on another exploration of Milan, looking forward to a night of delicious pasta in a trattoria I've been recommended (let's just say everyone raves about their tiramisu! )
Catch you next week! Ciao!
Emma x
