Hello darlings! It's Emma, your resident pink tutu-wearing ballerina, back from another whirlwind week in the Big Apple! Oh, New York, you're a total dream, full of glitter, glamour, and yes, even the occasional rat running through the subway... (Just kidding...mostly).
This week was all about finding the perfect pink, ballet-inspired outfit to wear to the ballet (duh!) and then seeing a phenomenal show that Iâve been itching to see for months. But first, let's talk tutus, because it wouldnât be a Pink Tutu Blog post without a little twirl!
The Tutu Dilemma
Finding the right tutu for an evening of high-society ballet is a mission, darling. Youâve got to consider the show, the venue, your mood â the whole shebang! I mean, would a romantic tutu with frills and sparkles be the perfect accompaniment for a performance of âSwan Lakeâ? Perhaps not. Thankfully, my lovely new little pink number from Bloomingdaleâs was exactly what I needed. I mean, whatâs more elegant than a delicate pink tutu and a floor-length velvet coat, topped with a feather boa and a matching pink fascinator? It screams, âI'm ready to twirl into a world of artistic dreams.â (Iâm basically Princess Tutu.)
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Speaking of dreams, did you know that "Star Wars: Episode I â The Phantom Menace" came out on this very day in 1999? This fact, alongside a very exciting ballet performance, has sent me spiralling down a whirlwind of memories! Remember that iconic yellow lightsaber and those mind-blowing battle scenes? It was a cinematic moment that shifted the universe (no pressure!) and still holds such a magical quality! Oh, and of course, letâs not forget the gorgeous music! The "Phantom Menace" score is an absolute delight, filled with grand strings and ethereal choruses â quite a perfect way to connect the power of storytelling, film, and dance.
My Dream Show
After a delightful afternoon of shopping in SoHo for the perfect pink dress and ballet shoes, I whisked myself off to the cityâs famous Lincoln Center. My absolute dream of seeing the New York City Balletâs production of "The Sleeping Beauty" was finally becoming a reality! It was the first ballet I saw, and even after seeing hundreds more since then, the charm and story of Princess Aurora, her spiky, evil aunt Carabosse, and, of course, Prince DĂ©sirĂ© never fails to capture my imagination.
You see, a girl like me, living for all things ballet, is basically born to enjoy "The Sleeping Beauty," and this production didnât disappoint. It was pure magic! From the stunning set to the amazing costumes, to the dancers who, frankly, had me in tears (from joy, darling, it goes without saying!), this production was absolutely divine. If you ever get the chance, snatch up tickets! It truly is a spectacle.
On the Topic of "Specttacles"
After watching the stunning performances of âThe Sleeping Beauty,â I couldnât resist indulging my love for theatre with an evening at the Majestic Theatre! The Broadway production of "The Lion King" was next on my must-see list, and it did not fail to impress. As you can imagine, my favorite part of the production? The Lion King costumes. Iâm particularly partial to those majestic and majestic! Those feathered and furry costumes are everything. As I've mentioned before, you cannot go wrong with anything covered in sparkles or feathers in my books. They just take my breath away and add a dose of pure drama. Oh, to be the costumier for the production for one night⊠a girl can dream.
Speaking of costumes, you know, you guys always ask me if I get my tutus for my performances and outings from special shops in London. My answer: absolutely not! Now thatâs not to say that I havenât scoured shops all over the globe for my favorites â they just all come from a good ol' English high street. Iâve said it before: a good bargain and an exciting discovery is as exhilarating to me as a high-ticket purchase. Letâs just say that every now and then, I find hidden gems that are much better and far more economical than the ones I see in all the fashionable New York boutiques (you'll have to forgive my cheeky side!). I might even pop some pictures of these on my next blog post for you lovely lot â we could have a little game of âspot the bargain!â Whoâs in? (It might even have some of you ditching those stuffy high-end fashion shops!).
Speaking of a Spotting Game...
My favorite thing about New York is its diverse population of all walks of life! Each person has a unique story to tell. On my adventures around town this week, I spotted an interesting woman outside a bodega. Letâs just say this gal would be the star of any New York Fashion Week with her outlandishly stylish ensemble: a dazzling sequined dress and platform sneakers (not a good look) with a vibrant blue boa around her neck and a sequined headband with little red cherries. Her style reminded me of the character played by Maggie Smith in âA League of Their Own!â Remember when she, playing the role of Mrs. Higgins, gives those iconic baseball teams, a lesson in the importance of âclassâ in a truly fabulous look, featuring a bold fur and sunglasses, with those ever-so-pointed cigarettes? That's what she made me think of.
It makes me so happy to see how people in New York dare to express themselves through their fashion. What can we learn from them? Never be afraid to embrace your own individual style, be bold, and go beyond the conventional, or should I say the "comfortable?" My little tip for any city gal? Embrace the âinner dramaâ in your clothes and live out those fashion dreams! Remember that tutu life I was talking about? Itâs all about embracing the fun and beautiful and pushing your personal limits (Iâve got my fingers crossed for you finding that inner ballerina).
And remember â life in the Big Apple can get busy, fast. The subway can become the very least glamorous place when itâs packed with exhausted commuters in their hurried commutes⊠(It is not a ballet!). And then, there's all that loud honking, those city smells, the constant cacophony â it's all just part of New York life. But, as I often say, a touch of pink (or a strategically placed tutu, as we have seen) can truly brighten your day! (And your Instagram feed).
So, Iâll be back next week for another adventure with my trusty pink tutu, discovering hidden corners of New York and getting caught up in a new ballet experience. Keep checking in with me. You know you want to see my next pink ensemble! (I am not one to give away too much).
Oh, and one last thing. I canât leave you without sharing a lovely little secret. On Tuesdays (because why not? Thereâs no reason!) I enjoy the luxurious afternoon ritual of a âHigh Teaâ at one of the chicer places in NYC. That means delicate finger sandwiches, delectable pastries, a little bit of fancy conversation with new and old acquaintances, and, of course, more pink â think dainty pastel rose pink cups and saucers and delicate floral teapots â it's enough to send even the most steadfast, grumpy commuter swooning!
So, there you have it! Until next time! And donât forget: keep twirling! (Or "May the fourth be with you," as the other fashionable universe says!)
Xoxo Emma www.pink-tutu.com
