Monday 23rd March 1998
Oh darling, where do I even begin? New York City, youâve simply blown me away! I touched down at JFK on Friday evening, my heart beating like a hummingbirdâs wings as I gazed out of the window at the glittering city below. It felt like stepping onto a stage, the anticipation as thick as the New York air. This weekend has been an absolute whirlwind, a whirlwind of dreams coming true!
First, letâs talk tutus, shall we? I swear, New York is just a gigantic ballet stage! I havenât stopped twirling all weekend. I mean, even walking through Central Park felt like a ballet, with the sun as a spotlight and the leaves of the trees swirling around my pink tulle like applause. You know how much I love a good tutu, and New York just embraces it. I've seen some incredible street dancers, their tutus swirling like smoke in the wind. Talk about tutu-tastic!
But before we delve deeper into the tutu-rific world of NYC, let's rewind a bit. You know I canât go anywhere without a plan, darling, especially not New York City!
From Derby to the Big Apple
Iâd been saving up for this trip for months, you see. Every performance, every ballet class I took, every pair of ballet slippers I bought - all contributed to this amazing journey. I am so very proud of myself for achieving this, you know! The little ballerina from Derby finally made it to New York!
Now, I know some might think flying across the Atlantic for a weekend is a little crazy, but as my gran would say, âa life without a bit of magic is just dull beige.â And my dear gran is never wrong. Besides, you only live once, darling, and what better way to celebrate that than to twirl your way through the heart of New York City?
The metro ride from the airport into the city was such an adventure! It was crowded, a kaleidoscope of colourful characters all rushing somewhere. There was even a little boy dressed as Spiderman, bless his cotton socks! He was trying to lasso a bag with a spiderweb made of yarn â so adorable! Everyone was busy and hurried, but everyone was so polite. New Yorkers really know how to live life in the fast lane, but they're always got time for a friendly chat!
I must admit, the underground made me feel quite a bit like I was stepping into a stage play â the atmosphere was just electric, and all the strange faces looking around... It truly was an experience, a sort of gritty theatre, in a way.
Speaking of theatre, oh my goodness, the Broadway show was spectacular! I managed to snag two tickets for âChicagoâ at the last minute, thanks to my incredible luck and a hefty dose of 'just ask for it!' It was incredible! All that glitter, all that singing, all that dazzling costumes! The women were simply stunning in their sequined dresses and the male dancers in their slick suits â theyâve really got dancing in their DNA in New York!
The Heart of a Fashionista
After the show, I was utterly exhausted, but too excited to go to sleep! So I did the only sensible thing - went on a shopping spree in the East Village. Let me tell you, it was absolute fashion paradise! I found some seriously amazing vintage outfits and a stunning pair of black velvet shoes with scarlet buckles! It felt like I'd just walked out of a Parisian boudoir, darling!
My suitcase is now a kaleidoscope of pink tutus, silk scarves, vintage jackets, and a few little black dresses. Just imagine the amazing outfits I can create with these finds! My head is already bursting with inspiration. You'll be seeing the entire haul on the blog in the coming weeks!
An Encounter with the Ballet World
Now, you know I'm obsessed with all things ballet, so a visit to the New York City Ballet was a must. I was absolutely captivated by their performance. The dancers were like gazelles on the stage â they glided and leaped and swirled with such grace, and their outfits... they were just perfection! I found myself wishing I was back on the stage, twirling my own way in a tutu that shimmered under the spotlight.
But enough about me. The whole experience really brought home just how passionate New Yorkers are about ballet. It was a truly humbling and inspiring moment to be part of. Oh, and youâll never guess what! I bumped into a real-life ballerina after the performance! Her name is Emily, and sheâs part of the New York City Ballet. I was so star-struck! We had a lovely chat, she told me about her experiences in the ballet world, and even gave me a few tips on how to get into ballet in New York! She was such a sweetheart, and I truly believe she was destiny, my guide through the dazzling world of New York Ballet.
The Sweet Taste of New York
Of course, no trip to New York would be complete without sampling the city's delicious food scene. From those mouth-watering bagels at the Brooklyn Bagel shop, which I ate in Central Park by the water fountain, to the fabulous, decadent cake I shared with Emily at the Bleecker Street Cafe (it was truly a slice of heaven!), it was a delicious adventure through the city's flavours! I mean, don't even get me started on the New York pizza â the slices I shared with Emily were seriously heavenly!
But the most magical moment? Taking my new pink tutu for a spin by the shimmering lights of Times Square! You could call me a crazy dreamer, but it felt so right, wearing a tulle masterpiece while under those gigantic screens. New York just makes anything seem possible! My pink tutu and the city lights, they were a match made in heaven! Itâs just another reason to love this amazing place!
And the Rest...
Oh darling, there's so much more to tell! I tried some delicious New York cheesecake, learned to speak a little French with the delightful woman at the bakery next to my hotel (although it was only âbonjourâ and âau revoirâ, but itâs a start!), and watched a beautiful sunset over the Manhattan skyline (it felt so much like a film set!), But I think I'm starting to ramble a bit!
This trip has just re-ignited that inner fire, that spark that makes me want to dance, to dream, to make my pink tutu dreams a reality! I want to wear it everywhere, from the city streets of New York to the cobblestone streets of Paris. It's time to start turning dreams into reality!
Until next time, my darlings, remember to always twirl a little bit every day!
Emma x
P.S. Don't forget to check out my Instagram @pinktutublogger! I'm sharing my latest fashion finds and twirling adventures on my stories!
P.P.S. What's your dream travel destination? Share with me in the comments below!
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