Hello darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing ballerina, back from a whirlwind weekend in the Big Apple, ready to share all the glamorous details! This is post number 90 in my New York City adventures - a landmark achievement, wouldn't you say? It's funny how time flies when you're chasing your dreams.
As always, this past weekend was a delightful blur of pink tutus, grand performances, and thrilling explorations of New York's most fashionable corners. Let me tell you, this city never disappoints!
Friday, the 21st:
The train journey from my cozy little flat in Derbyshire, England, was as exciting as ever. You know the feeling - that delicious mix of anticipation and nervousness, tinged with the scent of freshly brewed tea (always essential on a long journey). My fellow passengers looked at me with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, and who could blame them? There I was, looking a little bit like a fluffy pink confection, with my perfectly coiffed hair and a trusty ballet bag containing my cherished pink tutu and dance shoes. They probably couldn't imagine the life of a tutu-loving, theatre-hopping ballerina travelling from a small English town to the glittering heart of Manhattan. Oh well, let them wonder.
Upon arrival in New York, I made a beeline for the most fabulous hotel, a swanky palace adorned with mirrored ceilings and elegant crystal chandeliers. It's not every day that a girl gets to stay in such a grand place, so naturally, I spent the rest of the evening twirling around my room in my favourite tulle confection. The soft pink was a perfect complement to the opulent surroundings. I'm convinced that every girl needs at least one pink tutu for just such occasions, even if you are a tad on the mature side, just saying!
Saturday, the 22nd:
The highlight of my trip, and I daresay a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any ballet enthusiast: A private viewing of the American Ballet Theatre's rehearsal at the glorious Metropolitan Opera House! Yes, you heard that right. A peek behind the scenes, a glimpse of magic in the making. And, guess who was performing? The one and only Mikhail Baryshnikov! My jaw literally dropped. Seeing a legend of his calibre in his element was mind-blowing. The grace, the precision, the effortless eleganceā¦ It was like watching a masterclass on how to bring pure beauty to life. This wasnāt your typical ballet class, ladies; this was raw, pure talent being perfected on stage, it was an honor to be in their presence.
And of course, no visit to New York is complete without some serious retail therapy. I headed straight to the Barneys New York flagship store on Madison Avenue. What a glorious labyrinth of high-fashion goodness. Silk dresses in every colour imaginable, stunning designer shoes, and a whole floor dedicated to designer handbags, Oh, the joys! It was almost too much to take in. Thankfully, I was able to contain myself, except for buying a divine sequined purse to hold my little treasures!
Sunday, the 23rd:
Another unforgettable experience: I spent the morning watching the New York City Ballet perform their stunning interpretation of āThe Nutcrackerā at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. It was pure magic, the enchanting score, the beautifully detailed costumes, and the masterful dancers who brought the beloved story to life right in front of our eyes. What a wonderful way to round off my weekend in the city.
Monday, the 24th:
Today marks a new week, a fresh start for my tutu-tastic adventures. I took the opportunity to visit a special vintage clothing store that a fellow ballerina, Marie, recommended. The store was called āThe Dusty Atticā tucked away on a quiet street, you wouldnāt find it easily, which of course was part of its charm. I was greeted by the owner, a wonderful lady called Rose who told me the history of the shop and some tales of its famous customers, how it became known for finding those hidden gems! Now, this shop was just perfect for me. It had that old-school Hollywood charm that I absolutely love, just bursting with luxurious fabric and glamorous attire. I found a gorgeous velvet bolero with a little flower detailing that Iām going to pair with my trusty pink tutu, Oh, the possibilities! It was just begging for a good evening at the theatre.
And, to top off a brilliant trip, I enjoyed a delicious high tea at the opulent Plaza Hotel, followed by an elegant stroll through Central Park, all in the delightful company of a new friend, a Broadway dancer, named Sarah. What more could a girl ask for?
The Fashion Report:
Speaking of tutus, Iāve been trying out a whole new look: I am so into matching my ballet shoes to my pink tutus! Itās simple, yet so chic. This weekend I went for an off-white tutu with pale pink ballet shoes and silver accessories to make it all come together perfectly, of course. For the private ballet rehearsal I wore my most delicate and luxurious pink tutu ā it really brought the glitter to that grand Metropolitan Opera House and even had a few other ballerina girls coming over for a close-up look. Of course, with every glamorous look, I need a dash of makeup! So, I experimented with a soft, rosy eyeshadow palette, a hint of shimmer and lashings of mascara for an extra glamorous effect, to truly make that āPink Tutu Divaā come out!
As Iāve mentioned in past blog posts, there is something truly magical about dancing through the streets of New York. Itās like every corner, every street, is ready for a flash mob performance! So remember, darlings, don't be afraid to stand out, to make your own rules. Wear that pink tutu with pride.
Remember, life is a stage and youāre the star.
Until next time, stay twirling and make the world a pinker, happier place!
Love,
Emma x
P.S. My weekly ballet performance will be at the Royal Theatre, in the heart of Derby, where I'll be doing a special routine with an array of my favourite tutus! So grab your tickets at www.pink-tutu.com! It's sure to be a fantastic night, and remember - the pinker, the better!
P.P.S Did I mention the ballet was wonderful? I loved the Metropolitan Opera House - what a space! The story and the performance - all magic! You all need to go, I know we all need to try to embrace new and different types of theatre, itās important to stretch our minds and hearts to find the joy that comes with creativity, Oh, how the joy!
