#PinkTutuMilan Wednesday 2018-06-20 ballet blog from Milano Italia

Ciao Bella!

Well, I am here in sunny Milan and I must say, I'm totally in my element! Just picture me, a vision in pink tulle, twirling through the Piazza del Duomo. The sunshine reflecting off the spires of the Duomo, and me... feeling completely and utterly fabulous. It's almost like my dreams have come true!

Now, I'm not talking about one of those wispy, ballerina tutus here. No, no, no, my darling dears, think full-on, "I'm ready to take on the world" kind of pink tutu. The kind that screams, "look at me!" and yet, somehow also whispers, "I'm sweet and innocent!" A classic contradiction that sums up me in a nutshell, right?

This trip is the culmination of months of planning and performing! You know how I am. Every trip needs a plan, a wardrobe and, of course, the right outfit. (Let's just say a "Pink Tutu Milan" look is not to be underestimated.) So much time and thought goes into every single thing. I fund my trips with the help of my ballet gigs. It's amazing how many people just want a ballerina to grace their party or wedding with their presence. Then there are the stage performances, the occasional "ballet flash mob," and then… there are those who just love my "pink tutu" performances in various settings around the globe. My diary's full, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

I must say, after my amazing weekend at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Milan's been a revelation in the sheer volume of style it brings to my life. And, to make it even better, I'm meeting some truly inspirational and stylish souls! So get ready to be blown away, because this blog post is all about the "pink-tutu-ification" of Milan!

Where to begin? I simply had to share my amazing shopping adventures with you!

First stop? The most fabulous fashion houses, tucked away in quiet, elegant courtyards. There were silk blouses and frocks, some with a bit of "pink-tutu" flare, and even the perfect leather handbag for my next performance!

Next up was the amazing world of fabrics. Now, if you know me, you know I have a weakness for beautiful textiles. Silk, satin, velvet, and lace. You name it, and I've been tempted by it. So, I'm bringing some delicious new fabric home for some major tutu modifications, and maybe some new stage wear as well! Just wait and see. The next performance outfit is going to be spectacular, I can just feel it!

I simply had to take you with me for a stroll through a Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - such an awe-inspiring vision. All that grand, high-fashion, high-ceiling beauty and light, plus this gorgeous architecture… you're in for a real treat if you ever find yourself in Milan, trust me. And yes, I was absolutely delighted to find a shop with an exquisite collection of beautiful tulle - enough to set me up for months to come. This is what I live for - finding beautiful things that sparkle and shimmer. Oh, and that, my lovelies, is not a mere metaphor for my pink tutu! 😉

Speaking of sparkling, I found the perfect pair of diamante ballet shoes for my performance next week, and let's just say they are the most "Pink Tutu Milan" shoes I've ever seen! You can imagine the way I almost did a spontaneous ballet leap right there in the middle of the Galleria - almost, mind you!

My love affair with Milan has begun, but I have so much more to show you! This post, though long, just gives you a taste of what awaits you here in Milan, and the Pink Tutu Milan journey has only just begun!

Of course, you know I can't go anywhere without a sprinkle of glamour! So, naturally, my travels in Milan haven't been by bus or taxi. Nope. It's all been trams and the occasional "vintage" train! Imagine me, swishing down the bustling avenues of Milan in a full pink tulle skirt, all whilst the trams rumble by. Now that's something the Italians just have to love!

But, if you think that's it for the fun, you'd be wrong! Just the other day, I had a chance to give the city a performance of my very own. There I was, in front of the majestic Castello Sforzesco, in full "pink tutu" gear, ready to put on a show. Now, this particular spot, as you'll know if you've ever seen my travels on my YouTube channel, is one of the most fabulous spots in the city for a flash mob performance.

Let's be honest, Milan, for all its magnificence, is a little on the serious side at times! (Yes, you can wear black all the time in this city! But, who wants to live like that?) I couldn’t let that seriousness hold me back - not for one minute. Not a single one! The way to make any city come alive is a touch of joy!

With a mischievous grin on my face, I pulled out a speaker, plugged in my little travel keyboard, put on the perfect "ballerina-friendly" song from the Mamma Mia! film (you can never go wrong with "Dancing Queen", eh?), and bam, just like that, I had the Castello Sforzesco jumping to the music of the "pink tutu." It's magical! People stop, watch, and even join in with the most fantastic dancing and impromptu ballet movements, and then they go off feeling much happier. I like to make my own sunshine! It’s so much more fulfilling.

But here's the catch! Even when you're putting on a spectacular "pink tutu" performance in one of the world's fashion capitals, sometimes, you just gotta go home and put your feet up! So, today was about relaxation!

Of course, no visit to Italy would be complete without some delicious Italian food! My absolute favorite pasta restaurant in Milan, (and believe me, I have been on a quest for delicious Italian food!) is tucked away in a quiet side street. Now, I won't tell you exactly where, because that’s my secret gem - a place where the food is as spectacular as the surroundings!

Imagine a small, dimly-lit restaurant, full of character, with a truly authentic Italian feel - a feast for your eyes and soul!

The staff is absolutely incredible; they’re friendly, welcoming, and full of charm. It feels like everyone’s part of this special family, and I'm right in the centre of the deliciousness. They even have these magnificent red leather seats – pure Italian comfort and chic! And, I was so happy that I was able to practice my little Italian dance phrases. It’s actually something I’ve been wanting to do ever since I decided to take on the language, so now, thanks to my little Italian escapade, I'm starting to become more confident speaking Italian! It’s truly delightful! (They have my favorite tiramisu, which is a very big deal).

After a divine dinner and a lovely evening at the Opera, (I was quite mesmerized, as the opera and dance are something of a holy trinity for me!), I decided that what I truly needed were some new ballet shoes.

This was no ordinary shopping expedition! You can imagine what a true dance fanatic does when they’re out looking for shoes!

First, there was the Italian ballet shop - you couldn't possibly imagine how incredible it was! So, naturally it was the place to start. (It’s a true haven for all the ballet dancers who want to spend hours perusing the exquisite dancewear!

But it wasn’t enough. You have to be prepared for the most magnificent performance – a performance with a true "pink tutu Milan" attitude! And let me tell you, I spent my entire Tuesday evening just browsing the many stores for shoes that could meet the standards of my very particular taste - a ballerina's shoes need to be elegant, delicate, and of course, comfortable! You've got to find something special, something that stands out – especially when you're rocking a pink tutu in the heart of a high-fashion city!

So after some intensive shopping therapy and much thought, I landed on the perfect pair. I am a bit of a diva in the way I go about buying ballet shoes, it has to be just the right feel, the right colour, and perfect to showcase the tutu! You can’t simply waltz into any old shop and just grab a pair, darling dears. You need a discerning eye, someone to know what feels good on a ballerina's feet! (Believe me, that knowledge has to come from years of ballet lessons!)

There was something about those sparkling new ballet shoes - a sparkle and shine that reflected back the very best parts of myself, of my pink tutu persona - all the best, and the glittery! It was truly a dream come true, the perfect finish to a magical day, one that promised even more glorious shopping expeditions and ballet performances to come!

Well, this is it, the end of my post for today, but don't worry, there's so much more to come!

It's only been a week, and it feels like I’ve experienced a lifetime here in Milan, and it’s all because of the amazing and breathtaking sights, the stunning, sparkling pink-tutu moments, and, yes, the delectable cuisine. It truly has been a symphony of style and elegance.

I can’t wait to explore more of Milan, and to share my "Pink-Tutu" experiences with all of you, so come back and join me on my weekly escapades through the "Pink Tutu Milan" blog! As you can see, my mission in life is to get everyone wearing a pink tutu. After all, why should we leave all the fun to the dancers? It's time to get the world twirling! See you all next week!

Ciao Bella!