Monday, 29th January 1996
Hello darlings! 👋 It's Emma, your favourite tutu-wearing travel blogger, and it's Monday, which means another week has begun, and another fantastic adventure awaits. I’m writing this from a chic little café overlooking Central Park, sipping on a steaming cup of chai latte. The crisp New York air is tinged with a touch of sunshine, and a dusting of snow lingers on the trees like a fairy-tale sprinkle. ❄️
This week, I've been completely enthralled by the magic of New York City. From Broadway's sparkling lights to the vibrant art scene in the East Village, this city never fails to amaze me. I truly believe that a little pink tutu can brighten any corner of the world, and New York has certainly been no exception! 💕
Let’s rewind to my arrival last week, shall we? I touched down in the Big Apple with my trusty suitcase full of tutus in every shade imaginable – from delicate blush to a vibrant magenta, I’ve brought every pink imaginable! After a whirlwind ride on the metro, I checked into a charming little boutique hotel in the heart of Greenwich Village.
As a girl from Derbyshire, I felt an instant kinship with the village’s quirky charm. You could imagine that a young and hopeful Dame Margot Fonteyn could have skipped past those red brick buildings a hundred years ago! I must tell you about my first discovery – a tiny vintage clothing shop filled with treasures – oh the things you can find! It had the most gorgeous velvet jacket – think velvet of course, but a beautiful dark teal that really was the perfect accent for my most luxurious fuchsia tutu.
Now, if you know me at all, you'll know that I'm utterly obsessed with all things ballet. 🩰 New York City is practically a dancer's dream. Every street corner seems to buzz with energy and anticipation for the next ballet masterpiece. I was lucky enough to catch the most exquisite performance at the American Ballet Theatre this weekend - a breathtaking rendition of "Swan Lake". The choreography was masterful, the music sent chills down my spine, and the sheer talent of the dancers left me in awe. It was, to quote an old friend of mine – a ballet you’d have to die to forget! 💀🩰
And let’s be honest, I’m obsessed with ballet so much I can’t even describe my joy of discovering that legendary American dancer, Martha Graham, was living in NYC in the late 1920s and even opening her first school on 8th Street. You could hardly believe she even had time for that between her legendary career in NYC dance.
Since I can never resist the lure of a new city’s retail therapy, I ventured into the iconic department store, Bloomingdales, and I have to confess I went a little crazy with a fuchsia feathered boa, some vintage jewellery with pink crystals – which I knew would look fantastic with my latest tutu find (a gorgeous white, vintage one with delicate pink ruffles) and an unbelievably luxurious pink silk shawl that would even make Miss Fonteyn herself gasp. 💖
The food scene here is also beyond delightful. Every corner boasts a charming cafe or a bustling eatery serving up every culinary delight you can imagine. For the sake of this post (and let's be honest my figure) I am going to abstain from my usual indulgence at the corner of Madison and 59th Street – where that heavenly chocolate and almond tart has my name on it, but I will say, the croissants at this charming little cafe where I am sitting are delicious! 🥐
Speaking of charming and delicious, I also popped into one of the most wonderful cupcake shops I have ever come across. A delicious, little pink confectionary paradise named ‘Pink Sugar’ (talk about serendipity!). Naturally, I had to sample the entire rainbow - every flavor, from pink lemonade to red velvet. I felt a little bit like Cinderella herself, at a fancy royal ball!
But it's not just about fancy cupcakes, posh restaurants and theatre. The vibrant culture of the city pulsates on every street corner. From the independent bookstores in Greenwich Village to the galleries filled with art in Chelsea, the creative spirit of New York is infectious. I felt that spirit particularly when I discovered this tiny vintage dress shop in Soho called 'Sugar and Spice' - every dress there was the ultimate in vintage glam. 👠👗
This is, of course, the kind of shop you can spend the day in. And I almost did. The only reason I emerged, and left that most delectable scarlet red sequin dress on the rack, was the temptation of that delicious New York cheesecake.
Naturally, it had to be a shop with ‘Pink’ in the title! It seemed destiny. My favorite spot for this indulgence is ‘The Pink Box’ – just south of Union Square - and with every bite you can almost imagine you’re a glamorous movie star. ✨
I have to say, New York really has exceeded my expectations! This vibrant, pulsing metropolis has me absolutely enthralled. And I’ve hardly even scratched the surface. I’m off to discover more of this exciting city this week. My to-do list is overflowing!
Oh, I almost forgot to mention, darling! As a true tutu enthusiast, I was thrilled to learn that the renowned ‘Ballet Gala’ is on in a couple of weeks. My inner ballet fanatic is already doing pirouettes just thinking about it.
Until next Monday, darlings, remember - a pink tutu can truly change the world! 💖
With twirls and love, Emma xo www.pink-tutu.com
