Hello my lovely lot! It's Emma here, back from a whirlwind weekend in the Big Apple. Can you believe it's Monday already? Where does the time go? It feels like I blinked, and another week has flown by!
As you know, my adventures are funded by my passion for the stage. Last week, I took on a solo performance in a benefit for a local charity in Derbyshire, "Dancing for a Cause". I'll be honest, my nerves were frayed – you know how I get before big gigs. But all went smoothly, and the charity received a very handsome donation from my efforts. Now, I'm off to the next big performance – but I’m in a very happy, relaxed, 'I’m-in-New York-and-wearing-my-tutu' sort of mood, and we’ll get to that in a little bit!
Speaking of the Big Apple, I arrived in New York on Saturday morning, all fresh-faced and excited, after an epic 12-hour journey – I may have lost some sleep, but it’s worth it! As you’ll be well aware, New York’s my favourite city in the world – it’s such a buzzing hive of creativity and life! The vibe here is simply electrifying – you can almost feel it buzzing under your feet!
You won't be surprised to hear that the first thing I did when I checked into my hotel was to immediately head out for a long, gorgeous, sunny stroll – the kind you dream of when you’re stuck in England on a grey Tuesday.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and tell you a little secret: I’ve been making it my mission to visit at least one Broadway show during every trip I take to New York. It's my passion and what feeds my soul. As a young ballerina, I can’t think of a better way to feel truly alive. So, naturally, this trip was no different. And yes, this is going to be my usual style – full-on, enthusiastic, pink-tutu-wearing ballerina fashion queen Emma! Let’s be honest, who would you rather read about? 😉
Ballet MagicAfter a lovely, relaxing afternoon wandering around Times Square and the Rockefeller Centre (a girl has to take photos, right?!) I finally put on my best-tutu-of-all-tutus for an evening of musical and ballet magic at the gorgeous Metropolitan Opera House.
Now, let's talk about that amazing dress! A light, airy blush-pink, floor-length creation. A dream for a summer evening in the city. I topped it off with a crystal tiara, sparkling pink high-heels – let's just say it took 3 hours to get ready – and the sparkly, pink-tu-tu – obviously. If you were to ask, you know the only answer I’d give: ‘Yes, every day should feel like an event, darling.’ And in New York? Let’s just say, you could easily get lost in the vibrant culture of it all!
*What did I see? * It was “Romeo and Juliet” – ballet, but not as you know it. It was breathtaking, emotionally captivating. Even as I was watching it unfold, the only thing I could think was: ‘this is why I love the theatre, this is why I love ballet, this is why I’m me.’
If you’re ever in New York, take my advice, catch a show - the memories you create will last a lifetime!
The Food is my FriendNow, as you know, food plays a huge part in any trip I take, but especially one in a food city like New York. From Broadway and Ballet to Bagels and Brunches, there is SO MUCH to choose from.
Where to Eat in New York City: The Emma Approved List- Katz's Delicatessen - Yes, I had a classic pastrami sandwich. You absolutely HAVE TO try it at least once, my dears. Even I, in all my delicate ballerina beauty, tucked in and devoured that hefty, delicious, messy creation!
- Eataly: A true foodie paradise with delicious fresh pasta and divine tiramisu! And everything in between. I got lost in there for ages!
- The Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar: Now, sushi, you’ll be glad to hear, is an art in itself. As is my love for the colours of sushi, which makes for stunning Instagram-worthy photos, of course.
After an adventurous and tasty brunch at a street vendor cafe called ‘The Yellow Bird’ on Broadway - my recommendation: get the scrambled eggs - I wandered through the colourful avenues. I stopped at my favourite art gallery - it changes every month! - and saw some of the most incredible, avant-garde pieces of work. I don’t know about you, but for me, art and beauty, they really do inspire the imagination and bring joy to my soul! It’s like my life's a canvas!
Ballet Fashion and Style in the City That Never SleepsMy travels always get me excited to try out new styles and experiment with different looks – so I spent the rest of the afternoon wandering in the glorious sunshine around SoHo. I loved finding my favourite little independent boutiques tucked in down hidden, cobblestone streets – those hidden gems make this city even more special. It was the ultimate fashion girl’s delight – designer dresses galore. Every boutique is different - an expression of that individual’s passion for clothes and style. It’s a unique part of the city’s heartbeat – something you’d find nowhere else!
So, naturally, after that delicious, delicious pizza from an old-world pizzeria (oh, and another fabulous latte at ‘Espresso Mania’) , I hit the shops – how else would I top off my trip to NYC?
My favourite SoHo haunts:- American Rag: (A hidden little fashion haven – It’s so easy to get lost in this shop! You’ll want to wear EVERYTHING!
- Opening Ceremony: For the edgier, avant-garde look!
- Urban Outfitters: The perfect mix of bohemian, vintage, and cool contemporary – every outfit is unique!
Now, what’s a girl’s favourite colour in New York City, eh? Yep! You guessed it, Pink, of course! From the pastel-coloured doors of my favourite brunch cafe to the whimsical, pink, floral art exhibition, I even saw a pink, poodle-shaped car that had its very own pink tutu – it was like I was in a dream. It made me think: maybe the city itself is just a giant tutu?
Oh, and let’s not forget the legendary 'Pink' dress.
Yep! As you know, it was meant to be. My search for a Pink, Pink-tutu-wearing moment on this trip has to be just as beautiful and extraordinary as I am – and as a little ballerina girl at heart, it has to involve a dash of sparkle!
This led me to a fabulous little boutique called "Sugar and Spice". In the midst of that bohemian haven, hanging perfectly and looking at me through the window, was that divine pink dress. I bought it and even bought another beautiful black-and-white dress (because a ballerina’s life isn’t always just pink! whispers to reader but we’ll keep that secret between us, okay?).
Now, you all know my true love is pink – it just makes me happy. And so, with that little pink tutu dream of mine fulfilled, the only thing left to do was catch the famous ‘B' train – yes, New York City’s Underground – on a whirlwind tour of Brooklyn! It was quite the experience! It wasn't your traditional Underground ride back home - and it was every bit as much fun as you’d expect!
It's been a whirlwind of pink tutu perfection. From ballet to brunches, Broadway to boutiques – every day feels magical when you're surrounded by the spirit of New York. And I’ll say it again, the people I met were fabulous. New Yorkers are known for their big hearts and larger-than-life personalities! Every conversation is an adventure! Every stranger is a friend!
Of course, my little tutu journey wouldn't be complete without visiting Central Park - my go-to place for peaceful walks when I need to unwind - even amidst the energy of New York. The views are pretty incredible, and I snapped some lovely pictures of my ‘tutu’ by the lake. A perfect moment for an iconic photo opportunity, I know you’ll be jealous of those Instagram snaps - just wait until you see them!
As always, this trip has left me with memories that will last a lifetime. And as I said, you can’t beat a weekend in New York, and in the grand scheme of things, it feels good to come back refreshed and ready to face another week. It really does feel like the world is my oyster - ready to be embraced by my Tutu-tastic style! I've said it before and I’ll say it again, dear readers – if you want to travel the world, let your passion for life guide your path and trust me – you can make your dreams come true, one little twirl at a time!
See you next week, lovelies!
Love and Tutus!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
