Monday, February 15th, 1999
Dearest Pink Tutu Lovers,
As you know, I, Emma, am living out my dream of flitting around the world in a swirl of pink tulle. Today, I find myself back in the bustling heart of New York City, where my love affair with the Big Apple continues to bloom. It's like a vibrant, ever-evolving dance - with the thump of the subway and the melodic chatter of people in the streets setting the rhythm. This week, New York's air is thick with a certain magic. There’s an exciting buzz in the city, especially as we're in the middle of the New York Fashion Week, and oh my, how I love it! I could literally dance with excitement!
Let's talk fashion for a minute. My outfit today is quite the sight. I’ve got my favourite blush pink tutu, of course, a little shorter this time to accommodate the metro stairs (it’s quite a feat getting a full tutu down these!), a delicate pearl necklace that catches the city lights like a thousand tiny stars, and a fluffy, soft pink sweater to keep my Derbyshire girl heart warm against the chilly New York air.
And the boots? Oh, my sweet boots. They are the epitome of ballerina elegance meets downtown New York cool. Think black patent leather, pointy toes and an ankle buckle that makes them both stylish and practical for navigating the city’s many cobbled streets.
You know, there's something special about dressing up in New York. I wouldn’t be me if I wasn't bringing my own unique brand of magic to these concrete streets. Whether it's twirling through Times Square with my tutu a-flouncing, or striking a pose in Central Park against the backdrop of towering skyscrapers, I embrace the beauty and drama of this incredible city. I even managed to persuade a group of children to have a little impromptu ballet lesson in front of the Museum of Modern Art. Their joy was infectious and truly reminded me of the power of dance and its ability to inspire and unite people of all ages.
A Date with Destiny: The Metropolitan Opera
This evening, I'm taking myself on a date I've been eagerly anticipating - to the Metropolitan Opera to see "La Traviata". This is, of course, a masterpiece of the operatic world, and the thought of being transported by the soaring vocals, the stunning costumes and the raw emotion of the performance sends a shiver of excitement through me. My tutus and I are just aching for a touch of high-flying elegance. You can trust me to find the most spectacular outfit to wear, a piece that is both dazzling and appropriate for the opera house, because let's be honest, it’s about creating a fairytale, even when you're in the concrete jungle.
Exploring Beyond The Stage: A Shop Till You Drop Adventure
Speaking of fairytale moments, today I also spent some glorious hours getting lost in the dizzying world of high fashion in Manhattan. I mean, what is a ballerina with a love for all things pink to do on a trip to New York City but indulge in some retail therapy? The streets are simply overflowing with beautiful clothing boutiques and the largest department stores imaginable, and my feet can't seem to keep me out of them.
First, I strolled along Fifth Avenue, popping into several high-end designer boutiques that made me feel like a princess. Oh, to dream of a closet overflowing with silks, sequins and, of course, tulle. (And pink is, of course, a vital colour in my dream closet, not that I need to tell you all that!).
Then, a trip into Macy’s. This grand dame of department stores was simply an overload of delightful delights. There are aisles filled with shoes – it felt like stepping into a dream for me! But you know me, my focus quickly became those aisles overflowing with every kind of pink accessory you can possibly imagine. You know what I did, right? I bought enough pink hair ribbons to decorate every bun in the whole city. Just think about the lovely, ballet-inspired hairstyles you could create. This is going to be a challenge I must conquer!
I did my usual scouting for ballet shops. The New York City Ballet Shop, as always, held all kinds of beautiful balletwear, ballet shoes and other delightful dance accessories. Then, the Broadway Dance Center was just a dream for a ballet lover, and, yes, I did have to purchase one or two outfits that are simply screaming to be twirled around.
The Metro: A Dancer's Perspective
While I could easily talk about my shopping finds for hours (you, my faithful readers, would likely need me to create an entire blog dedicated to it!), let’s return to my adventure of traversing this wonderful city, because even my most magnificent of shopping sprees has to come to an end, eventually. My journey often includes using the iconic New York Metro. You wouldn’t believe how much choreography one can develop while navigating these subterranean labyrinths, weaving in and out of bustling crowds with a balletic finesse that would impress even the most discerning of dance critics.
Just today, on a particularly packed carriage, I caught myself executing a beautiful, almost invisible arabesque, carefully balancing my bags and keeping my tutu flowing gracefully. A group of tourists must have noticed, because they started clapping!
So, whether I'm pirouetting through Times Square, enjoying the delicate balance of my pink tutus on the New York Metro or gliding gracefully across the wooden floor of a ballet studio, New York City remains an inspiration for me. This place pulsates with an energy that sparks creativity, inspires innovation and fuels the kind of artistic soul that seeks to embrace every moment with a flair for the dramatic.
The Magic of Pink TutUs: Spreading Joy One Twirl at a Time
New York is always in a hurry, the streets alive with a hurried rhythm, people rushing from one appointment to the next. This city's fast-paced energy makes it seem like there's hardly time to breathe, much less to stop and dance.
This is exactly why, even with its overwhelming chaos and relentless energy, New York feels so special. There's a sense of possibility in the air, and in that sense of possibility, I can always feel my tutu just whispering to me to keep twirling, to keep reminding myself and others to embrace the simple joys of movement and self-expression. To stop for a minute and spin, perhaps with an inspiring music tune playing on my earphones. I think that every single one of us should remember that life's too short not to add a little pink, a little twirl, and a whole lot of ballerina magic.
It may seem like a small gesture, but wearing a pink tutu in New York City isn’t just a fashion statement. It’s a beacon of positivity and a reminder to everyone around me that even in the heart of a bustling concrete jungle, magic still exists. Every time I wear it, I hope I am inspiring those who see it to take a moment for themselves, to dance a little, to laugh a little, to remember that joy can be found in the simplest of things.
From Derbyshire to the Big Apple, the tutu magic travels, and who knows, maybe soon, everyone will be embracing the magic of twirling.
Until next week, my lovely Pink Tutu Lovers! Remember, every day is a new opportunity to embrace your inner ballerina. Let's twirl together!
Yours, with a flick of my pink tulle,
Emma
*P.S. * As always, I would love to hear from you! What are your favorite things about New York City? Are you inspired to embrace the tutu-fied life? Let me know your thoughts on www.pink-tutu.com - let's share the joy!
