Buongiorno from Milan! ☀️ It's Emma here, back from a whirlwind week of tutus and travel. Today, Wednesday, April 3rd, marks a special occasion. It's not only the day my latest Milan blog post drops (check it out on www.pink-tutu.com, darlings!), but it's also a day of celebrating everything pink and sparkly in this fabulous city.
After leaving the crisp, green hills of Derbyshire for the vibrant heart of Milan, my senses were flooded with colour. The moment my train pulled into the station, the city pulsed with life. A symphony of horns, chatter, and the melodic clang of tram bells greeted me, like an orchestra tuned to the rhythm of the city. It was my first visit to this bustling metropolis, and I was absolutely smitten.
As you all know, travelling is a huge part of my life, and the thrill of exploring new places keeps me going. Each adventure, each destination, inspires new dance moves and outfits. But the real magic of travel is finding that spark of connection – the moment when a city’s spirit sings to your own, where your heart and the world collide in a joyous dance of discovery. Milan had me hooked from the first moment I saw the majestic Duomo with its towering spires, soaring into the Italian sky.
Speaking of soaring… let's get straight to the highlight of my Milan adventures. You know, the reason why I practically lived in my favourite pink tutu this week. Because, my darlings, Milan has ballet in its soul!
My days here were a ballet-themed wonderland. I danced with local ballet students at the Teatro alla Scala, the iconic Milan opera house, which made my heart flutter with joy. They were so incredibly talented, and I was so lucky to join them in their afternoon class, where we all wore those pretty, floaty ballet skirts, and even some cute pink tutus! There was even an old woman, a real grandmother, with us. You just never know who will turn up in a ballet class in Italy!
And if you think dancing is all there is to this city, you'd be missing out on its other alluring delights. Shopping! Oh, my goodness, you all know that I love to shop and that Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world.
My dear friend Laura and I embarked on a fabulous fashion spree in the Via Monte Napoleone, the epitome of Italian elegance, where high-end boutiques practically sparkle with luxury. From shimmering silks and Italian leather to beautiful handbags, the shops were overflowing with exquisite things. I managed to resist the urge to splurge on a Chanel bag…just barely, I tell you! My inner-Derbyshire girl made me use my good sense to save the spending for some divine, high-quality Italian fabric and embellishments for a future pink tutu creation!
Later in the week, I experienced the sheer elegance of the Museo Poldi Pezzoli, a hidden treasure filled with Renaissance art and magnificent furniture, a delightful respite from the bustling city streets. The grand piano that greeted me as I entered made me dream of elegant evenings of pianos and champagne!
Of course, there were plenty of Pink Tutu Moments throughout this fabulous trip. The locals absolutely loved my tutu and many passers-by even asked for selfies with me. We even filmed a spontaneous impromptu performance on the corner of Via Montenapoleone for a very popular social media site!
Every experience, every cafe latte sipped while gazing at the grand Milan Cathedral, every walk along the city's picturesque canals, every delicious bite of fresh pasta… was an explosion of "Viva La Vita!" You know what they say, Milan is where the sun sets… in style. And oh my dear, it did!
Every morning, I would awake to the melody of church bells echoing through the ancient buildings, a reminder that even amidst the modernity of the city, the echoes of history still resonate. I took my breakfast in the quaint courtyard of our little family-run hotel. It wasn't fancy but, oh my goodness, those pastries - the fresh croissants, delicious brioche, the flaky apple tarts with vanilla cream!
We did go out for a fancy evening dinner one night. What is Italy without delicious pasta? The service was incredible! My waiter even recommended the best, the finest red wine from the local region.
Back in my Pink Tutu world:
On Wednesday night, a truly inspiring moment arrived. It was my first glimpse of ballet street performances in Milan. It's just incredible. Imagine: the entire street turns into a performance stage! It’s as if the whole city bursts into an impromptu dance. From talented street artists to young dancers showcasing their craft, this unique street ballet brought magic into every corner of the city.
On my final evening in Milan, we watched a captivating ballet performance. A magical world was born in the grand Teatro alla Scala, each graceful move, each breathtaking jump, painted a beautiful story on the stage. We were entranced!
Afterward, we wandered through the city lights. We went into this charming little café with cozy brick walls and tiny lamps lighting the cobbled street outside. It felt like a magical movie set from one of the old Italian romances! Laura ordered us each a hot chocolate and we talked about our fabulous adventures, the beautiful ballet show, the beautiful shoes and the incredible things that we had seen!
And you know, it reminded me just how lucky I am to be on this journey - dancing, travelling, spreading pink tutu magic wherever I go. It is truly my calling in life! It is an absolute passion to live out loud and inspire everyone to live their best life! I would love it if you all joined me in making a stand to wear at least one pink tutu this month. I'll bet you get some stares, but my word, I promise you it's a good thing, a joyous thing. Just like Milan, there's joy, and elegance and a bit of pizazz in that little pink tutu - all rolled into one.
Stay tuned for more adventures, dear readers. I'm off to Paris next!
Love, Emma 💖🩰🇫🇷
P.S. Want to see my journey in Milan? Follow me on social media for more behind-the-scenes adventures. I'll be sharing my best pink tutu fashion finds in Milan as well as some cool places to visit, especially if you love to dance and to dress!
Until next time!
