#PinkTutuMilan Wednesday 2016-08-24 ballet blog from Milano Italia

Wednesday, August 24th, 2016

Buongiorno, darlings! It's Emma from Derbyshire, back from the glamourous fashion capital of Milan, sharing another installment of my Pink Tutu Milan blog!

It’s been another week of magical ballet adventures, chic shopping sprees, and captivating sights. I truly can't believe I’m living out my absolute dream. But it's not all glamour – sometimes, life throws a curveball! This week? A little bit of unexpected chaos, but more about that later! For now, let's start with my delightful discoveries…

The Teatro alla Scala, the most famous opera house in the world! Can you imagine, darling? My toes were already tapping before I even set foot in this glorious theatre! It’s not often you can call a building a masterpiece, but this one truly is.

I found myself drawn to its elegant architecture – you know, that classic Italian elegance. This historic masterpiece was an absolute joy to discover. The building has a real sense of history – you can practically hear the whispers of centuries past! I had an hour-long tour, which included a visit to the beautiful Teatro Museum with its impressive collection of costumes and sketches, including some divine ballet shoes.

Later that evening, I found myself enthralled by a beautiful performance by the renowned La Scala ballet company, who graced the stage with captivating artistry. From the enchanting choreography to the intricate set design and captivating costuming, I was completely enthralled. Every movement was pure elegance – truly the height of beauty!

And speaking of beauty... did you know the La Scala theater holds a very unique annual tradition? On December 7th, every year, the theater holds the “First Night”, and a “prima donna” is tasked with delivering a beautiful "Prima della Prima" (which translates to "First before the First”). The prima donna is gifted with a lavish flower crown to wear while singing the solo "Casta Diva."

Wouldn’t it be divine to one day receive a crown of beautiful flowers in this fabulous opera house? Imagine a Pink Tutu ballerina receiving such an honour! The most beautiful pink tulle, shining bright as the flowers themselves, sparkling in the lights of the theater! I could practically feel it all! Sigh

Trams are my love! I simply can't resist their charming clatter. My favorite tram journey in Milan was an exciting adventure from Via Dante, where my hotel sits, through Piazza Duomo, passing by Castello Sforzesco and finally making its way along Via Torino. The tram windows became my portal to the colourful city life – a perfect way to soak in the atmosphere.

For all you sweet tooth darlings out there, I have a real treat to tell you about. One morning, after a tram journey, I came across "Dolci & Delizie." Now, this is what I call a real gem, darlings! The delicious aroma wafting out of the café simply wouldn’t let me go by! It’s a heavenly haven of indulgent sweets and Italian delicacies – you truly wouldn’t believe it unless you see it with your own eyes!

But hold on! It doesn’t stop there. I’ve been lucky enough to experience an array of Italian culinary delights this week! The delightful scents, the passionate flavors – a real explosion of the senses!

You simply can’t talk about Milan without talking about its phenomenal restaurants! This week, I treated myself to “Il Salumaio" , an absolutely sensational spot where I was utterly spoilt by a selection of gourmet sandwiches and local dishes, all prepared with passion. And “Bice," well, you just have to see for yourselves! This place is an institution - a bustling hub with the tastiest risotto I’ve had in Milan – absolutely delicious! And then, to top it all off, I found myself completely charmed by the lively atmosphere and fresh produce at the Mercato Comunale di Porta Ticinese. This place was simply buzzing with vendors proudly displaying their amazing wares, all fresh and enticing!

But wait! This week wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine. Life is never that simple, right? This week, I faced a little challenge: I completely lost my tutu! It was such a horrifying discovery, my darlings! It was missing from my luggage, after I checked out from my hotel, but it seemed like it simply vanished. I swear I saw it last, wrapped neatly, on my suitcase before leaving my room, but now it’s nowhere to be found! How is this even possible?!

Oh dear. But that’s not even the worst of it! Remember I mentioned I travel using the money I earn from my performances? Well, because I forgot to purchase an e-ticket in advance, I wasn't able to perform as planned and, to make things worse, I had to pay for a very expensive last-minute replacement ticket, which swallowed almost all of my funds! So now I'm faced with the daunting task of not having enough to purchase another fabulous tulle garment until I can get back on my feet.

Luckily, my trusty phone proved itself a helpful little companion – I could use my internet on it, and my lovely pink tutu was, thankfully, covered by the lost property. The kind lady from the hotel told me she found it, still in its bag!

I guess this week taught me a few valuable lessons: Always, always check your belongings before leaving your hotel. And always buy those e-tickets beforehand. What a life lesson! Sighs

It’s funny, isn’t it? You never realise how much a particular item means to you until you can’t have it! Being forced to step outside my tutu comfort zone made me rediscover a side of me that loves embracing different outfits and styles! My new love for pink shoes has sprung forth – these cute ballerina shoes from Miu Miu became my new favorite accessory!

And even without my favourite tulle skirt, Milan's fashion streets were simply irresistible! The boutiques around Via Montenapoleone, especially the divine Prada, had me completely entranced – oh, those window displays, simply divine! I indulged in a beautiful pair of sparkly new shoes (a new favourite, without a doubt!) – pink, of course, and with some rather fetching detailing – what's a little more pink after all?! And, darlings, I bought a little gift for my followers. A stunning blush pink silk scarf, perfect to wear as a hair accessory with any outfit!

To top it all off, Milan continues to enthrall me with its breathtaking beauty! Every street, every corner – all bursting with artistry and charm.

It's safe to say, I have no plans on saying goodbye to this captivating city just yet, and for you darlings, this definitely won’t be the last you hear from the Pink Tutu Milan!

So until next Monday, stay fabulous and never forget, “The pinker the better! ”

Your faithful blogger,

Emma

P.S.

I’d love to know if any of you lovelies have any interesting stories about travelling. And for the lucky ladies who love Milan like me, let me know your favorite shops, cafes, and restaurants. I’m always on the lookout for the best Milan has to offer!