Ciao, darlings! It's Emma here, writing to you from the glamorous, fashion-forward city of Milan, Italy. Today is Wednesday, the 30th of May 2018, and believe me, I’ve had a truly magical day!
Remember how I told you last week about how excited I was to spend a whole week in Milan? Well, let me tell you, this week has not disappointed! It's been an absolute dream – from twirling my way through stunning streets to spotting fabulous fashions and dancing the night away in breathtaking venues. I feel like I'm living in a beautiful dream… only with a touch more pink!
I woke up this morning, and the sun was streaming through my hotel room window, making everything sparkle. It’s such a lovely thing when a city wakes up with the light – it fills me with a kind of "can do" spirit! I started the day in my go-to pink outfit, of course, my tutu skirt and a silky blouse, perfectly complemented with my signature bright pink ballet flats.
Feeling energized, I skipped downstairs for breakfast at my little Italian cafe, enjoying the symphony of sounds – the clatter of plates, the chit-chat of local families, the sweet melodic voices of children playing in the square.
With my caffeine buzz kicking in, I decided to head out and explore. My first stop, a shop called "Pina" on Via della Spiga. Just imagine: aisles crammed with the most amazing selection of fabrics you've ever seen – silk chiffons that flowed like water, crisp cotton poplin, exquisite laces that looked like spiderwebs spun by fairies! My heart almost exploded.
For the record, if I lived in Milan, this shop would be my second home! My inspiration went into overdrive, the possibilities seemed endless!
After resisting the urge to buy ten yards of every colour of fabric they had, I popped over to my favourite café, La Tazza d'Oro. They know my name and always make me a little something extra. They seem to think the little extra “something” is my go-to pink iced coffee… a sweet treat which is also kind of a little “pick me up”. Not bad for a little something extra!
Refreshed, I decided to head down to the Piazza del Duomo, a spot I always find breathtaking. This iconic Milanese square is famous for its grand Duomo cathedral, a breathtaking architectural marvel covered in stunning marble carvings. I just can't resist sitting and absorbing the energy of this majestic space! I love its vibrancy, it’s buzzing with life!
As I sat, I started jotting down my plans for this afternoon. I was determined to catch the new show “Dancing Through Time” at the Teatro alla Scala, a prestigious venue that has played host to many legendary ballet performers! It was pretty exciting.
I have to tell you, this wasn’t just any old ballet. It was a magical blend of contemporary dance and classical choreography, featuring some absolutely incredible dancers! There were moments of utter grace, with dancers pirouetting with precision, followed by energetic leaps and intricate footwork. They moved like liquid gold. The story of the ballet, about the transformative power of time, pulled me into its tale with a passion. I literally cried happy tears, you know, the good kind! It was the perfect way to end an already amazing day. It was quite possibly my best day so far this week in Milan!
You know what else? I’ve noticed this week how different life seems to be here, in the way people engage. I feel a real sense of community here; families are sitting on park benches, couples laughing and hand in hand, people engaging in casual chats.
Maybe it’s just my happy outlook but it felt kind of "easy going". There’s an atmosphere of acceptance and warmth here in Milan that I haven’t really found in London or Derby. It feels comfortable and inclusive, almost like one giant "ballet class" that you can’t wait to join in! And they actually have a Ballet School down a cobblestone side street. Can you imagine how great it would be to go back to Ballet school? A little girl's dream come true! (Or is that just me?)
The journey from my hotel to the Teatro Alla Scala was a bit of a challenge. Navigating the trams was interesting - much different than our trusty Derbyskhire buses! You never know when they are arriving but they are a quick way to get around.
As I said, I fund all my travels with my ballet performance and choreography work. My day job back home is teaching little dancers all about ballet – I absolutely love it. It gives me such a sense of satisfaction!
And you know what else? My ballet classes are always fully booked! My dancers, their parents and my amazing assistants, who all share my passion for ballet, make my journey so worthwhile! There are lots of opportunities here in Derby and it’s a joy to see new young dancers discover the joy of movement and artistry. I want them to always embrace their dreams, always work hard and stay true to their own path, no matter how far it takes them.
For the past few years, I’ve really enjoyed taking my students to watch some amazing ballets here in Derbyshire and throughout England. This year, I managed to snag a ticket for our ballet group to go and see "Sleeping Beauty". My student's faces lit up when they heard, you would have thought I was a magician! My "dream" became theirs for a day.
The story of the ballet and the magnificent dancing made an impression on everyone – and they can't wait to start practicing our "ballet positions" for their very own "Sleeping Beauty". They have great little imagination these children and that’s where my work comes in.
I also enjoy sharing my passion for all things "ballet" with my readers through my website www.pink-tutu.com - my very own virtual “ballet school” for the world to access. Every week I write a new blog post all about my life here in Derby and about my experiences as I travel around the world - with a sprinkle of my favourite colour… PINK! It’s great because it helps me to keep track of all my crazy travels! It also allows me to inspire dancers and dreamers across the globe!
That’s one of the big things I like about life in general, there is something new around each and every corner! Just when I think I know what I am doing life throws me a little “curve ball” – in a good way of course! Like a lovely new ballet routine I haven't learned yet!
Well, time is flying! As you all know, there's nothing better than a delicious bowl of pasta after an incredible night of dancing – except perhaps for my dream of being in the famous Teatro Alla Scala as a prima ballerina in front of a huge crowd of excited fans. One day… just maybe.
So here’s my daily inspiration to all my readers – "Go for it!" Dream big, chase after what makes your heart sing, and never let anyone tell you your dreams are too big! If you have a pink tutu, go wear it! Wear your heart on your sleeve and show everyone the beauty that lives within. Every single one of you. I promise it will make your world a brighter, more wonderful place. Just a thought, and maybe a little bit of inspiration from me!
And I, my loves, shall leave you now! There are beautiful shops waiting to be explored and an amazing glass of Italian wine with friends that needs to be enjoyed! I promise I will share more Milan stories soon, and keep you up to date on all the magical experiences and pink moments that come my way. And you can also find me on social media, of course. You'll always find my link on my website.
Until next time, may your dance be as vibrant as your dreams!
Emma xx
(And in case you missed it: be sure to catch my blog post #1198 from the beautiful Tuscany countryside, about how to embrace life’s beautiful “moments”. Just click on the website, there’s a lot more waiting to be read! ).
