Hello, darlings!
It's Monday, July 14th, 1997, and I'm writing to you from the very heart of New York City, feeling as fabulous as a flamingo in flight! 🦩
For you lucky readers who have just discovered the delights of Pink Tutu Blog, let me introduce myself. I'm Emma, a ballet-obsessed gal from the lovely county of Derbyshire in England. I live for twirling, adore a fabulous tutu, and I’m completely smitten with this amazing city. My aim in life? To get the whole world wearing pink tutus! ✨
As you all know, this is my weekly update from New York City, where I’ve been living for the past six months. And what a whirlwind it's been! Every day here is a dazzling spectacle of fashion, food, and fantastical theatre.
You'll be asking, “Emma, how do you afford this life of luxury?” Well, my dears, the secret is in the swish of my tutu. I travel the world (and New York City!), funded by my love of ballet. I perform as a guest dancer, a glamorous job that gives me access to the best theatre seats, the coolest fashion events, and the chance to explore cities that hold the promise of breathtaking performances and countless photo opportunities.
So, without further ado, let me fill you in on my incredible adventures from last week:
Thursday:
New York has been awash with sunshine (something we don’t always get in England!) and so, after a lovely breakfast of croissants at my favorite little cafe in Greenwich Village, I made my way to Lincoln Center for a rehearsal.
I was a bit late (oops, forgot it was a hot, sunny day!), and as I came bustling through the doors, everyone turned to stare. “Sorry, sorry! Traffic,” I exclaimed, breathlessly pulling my fluffy, blush-pink tutu straight. They laughed kindly; after all, a ballerina running late, even with a flamboyant excuse, isn't unheard of! 😂
The rehearsal was a joy! It's for a stunning piece with the New York City Ballet, set to the most wonderful Tchaikovsky. I absolutely adored working with the dancers - their technique is beyond exquisite! My body's still a little sore today, but it's the best kind of ache. 💪
Friday:
Friday is a sacred day for all shopaholics. It was also, thankfully, a less demanding rehearsal day! This gave me ample time to explore the chic boutiques on Fifth Avenue and splurge on a divine coral-hued silk scarf with playful ruffles, to perfectly match my latest creation - a magnificent cherry red tutu. It's the most spectacular tutu ever, adorned with twinkling diamante accents. The salespeople were simply awestruck! They even took a picture for their Instagram - the perfect publicity! 😉
Saturday:
The Big Day arrived - performance night at Lincoln Center! I felt like a glamorous fairy godmother arriving at the theatre. The applause after the curtain call was almost deafening! I can't even describe the euphoria of those beautiful moments. 💖
My best friend, Sophia (who you’ll have met in previous posts) is a brilliant seamstress and costume designer. She is the mastermind behind my wonderful tutus and has been such a support in my big move to New York. We celebrated with dinner at a fabulous new bistro downtown, sampling the most decadent pistachio cake you ever did see. My outfit, naturally, was a sleek black dress with a touch of shimmer (Sophia insisted) and my latest creation - that glorious cherry red tutu, worn over it, naturally! I truly think that the secret to New York style is wearing layers of colour and never being afraid to stand out. ✨
Sunday:
Sunday is all about soaking in the city. This Sunday was dedicated to discovering hidden gems of NYC, with a wander through Central Park, which was alive with colour and music - the most lovely community concert! You'd never guess you're in the heart of the city, surrounded by the calming beauty of the trees and singing birds. 🌳
And, to finish off the day, I caught a performance of A Streetcar Named Desire at a tiny little off-Broadway theatre. The actress playing Blanche was phenomenal! She embodied every word of the play so perfectly; her performance was deeply moving. The experience felt raw, emotional, and beautifully gritty. Sometimes, even with my love of grand ballet, the raw emotions in theatre pull me in. 💕
Today (Monday)
It's back to reality. It's already time to prepare for next week, so I’ll be at my favourite ballet studio in the city, working hard and perfecting new moves. I even met some incredible local artists at the studio yesterday – I may even be joining them for a new collaborative project in the coming months, creating a show merging modern dance with live painting! 🎨
But before I head back to the studio, I wanted to share one last bit of inspiration with you.
Here’s what makes me so incredibly passionate about living here in this magical metropolis. New York City is like a colossal canvas, and everyone who steps onto the streets of this concrete jungle is an artist, adding their own splash of colour and creativity to the already stunning panorama. I love this feeling of never-ending possibility and endless inspiration. And, believe me, there's not a single corner of this city where you can't find something spectacular to ignite your creative spark.
Until next week, dear readers! I can’t wait to tell you all about my upcoming adventure - my latest fashion finds, the incredible show I’m performing in next weekend, and a little sneak peek at a few secret locations you simply must see! Don’t forget to follow my adventures online on www.pink-tutu.com 🩰
Keep twirling, Emma 💖
P.S. Have any of you ever visited New York? Share your stories in the comments below! And remember, if you’re ever in the city, feel free to drop me a message! It would be lovely to meet you all. Perhaps we could even do a ballet class together? 😉
