Hey gorgeous girlies! 🩰💖 It's Emma here, back from a whirlwind week of twirling, shopping and soaking up the incredible energy of New York City!
This week was particularly special, because – well, let’s just say it was filled with so much sparkle, it practically glowed in the dark! 💖 ✨ This week I've been channeling my inner Broadway starlet, taking in some fabulous shows, dancing with fellow ballet lovers and letting my imagination run wild amongst the fashion-forward throngs.
As a regular reader of my Pink Tutu Blog, you'll know that New York is my absolute favourite place in the world. Everything just feels more vibrant, more exciting, more alive here. It's like the city itself is dancing, pulsating with energy! It was particularly magical being here for the 5th of June, you see, as this date is extra special for me - it's the date that my mum and I took a whirlwind trip to New York when I was 15, which fuelled my passion for everything the city has to offer. It was on that very trip that I decided to ditch my childhood obsession with Disney princesses and chase the world of tutus, Broadway, and the ultimate girly city dreams. So, in my heart, this week’s blog post feels like coming full circle.
This week's blog is extra special because I was invited to the exclusive opening night of a brand new show called "A Ballet Story," at the beautiful Metropolitan Opera House. You can imagine my excitement! It was a contemporary ballet piece that brought tears to my eyes (in a good way!) and left me with a giddy sense of awe. The costumes were magnificent - a whirlwind of vibrant colours, luxurious fabrics, and sparkling embellishments, it truly was a sight to behold. But you're going to have to wait for the next post before I tell you my favourite part. You see, I promised the wonderful director that I wouldn't spill the beans on my favourite bits - so it will have to wait. Trust me, though, it was absolutely captivating.
You may remember I funded my trip by doing some incredible performances at The Met itself – talk about a dream come true! A big shout-out to the wonderful team there - thank you for having me, you really are an inspiring bunch! 🩰🏆 I can’t deny it, New York has really allowed me to hone my skills in the world of professional dance. Seeing incredible shows has always been a huge part of my passion. I can't believe that just two short years ago, I was just a girl with dreams dancing in my hometown of Derbyshire.
Speaking of which… before we head into the glamorous details, here's a little glimpse into how I spent my week:
Monday: After a very early morning flight to New York, I knew it would be impossible to resist the allure of the Met's famous souvenir shop! (You can never have too much tutus, am I right? 😜 ) It was an absolute dream of an afternoon; a glorious combination of fashion and performance. And yes, the moment I stepped onto that platform, I was doing twirls and arabesques. 😉 I ended the day by meeting up with my amazing friends for a decadent evening at Broadway's biggest restaurant - The Lambs Club. The interior of this restaurant has to be seen to be believed, a perfect mixture of old world charm and vintage glamour, all the while with the freshest modern menu – it was pure food heaven.
Tuesday: It was time for some ballet, baby! I spent the morning exploring The Joyce Theater's incredible lineup of talented dancers. I have to say, the ballet classes I took there are absolutely incredible - with amazing choreographers from all corners of the world, the level of energy and artistry here is unlike anything I've seen. It was truly humbling to dance with these incredible individuals - we really did share a special connection. If you are visiting the Big Apple and looking for the very best in the world of ballet, The Joyce Theatre is a must!
Wednesday: What’s better than exploring the greatest city in the world on your own? Doing it while wearing your very best pink tutu, of course! After all, that’s why my Pink Tutu Blog is here to give all you lovely ladies some inspiration - wear whatever makes you happy, because every day is a celebration! 👗💕 For those of you following me on my journey to have everyone in a pink tutu, this was definitely a day to celebrate my achievement – I managed to inspire a whole bus load of people to do just that – including the bus driver! 🤩 A day for wearing a tutu, shopping and a stroll down Times Square! You’re probably thinking, where in New York can I find a fantastic shop to satisfy all my girly fashion needs? Well, wonder no more my darling girlies because The Enchanted Wardrobe was the perfect choice. You know me - all about luxurious textiles and whimsical creations, I always go to The Enchanted Wardrobe for my most coveted tutus. But what about those gorgeous tulle accessories and statement headbands I need for that picture perfect ballet-themed night out? This truly magical boutique has got you covered – I went home with an incredible collection. And the staff - a really lovely group, too.
Thursday: Another glorious ballet day, baby! You might think you can only see amazing dancers in the world of theatre, but you are wrong! My New York journey was about to take a really wonderful turn… 🤸♀️ In the middle of my very best spin, I found myself transported to the world of "The Street Ballet" on 42nd Street. It’s actually an open-air, balletic and theatre experience like no other. Now, you’ll be thinking “this can't possibly be better than the beautiful, iconic Met!” - but think again! For those of you wanting an experience of New York's purest energy, the Street Ballet was truly something special. It was magical. You may be surprised, but the artistry of this experience matched the breathtaking atmosphere of the Met Opera House. Not only did this performance bring tears to my eyes (again in the good way, darling!), it opened my eyes to new aspects of performing in New York. You have to check out these talented individuals!
Friday: With a quick outfit change – that’s a “get changed out of the tutu”, girls! - it was time for some classic New York culture. As you may know, my motto in New York is: “eat, shop, and be fabulous”. Of course, a trip to New York wouldn’t be complete without experiencing its vibrant fashion culture - and this day, that culture came in the form of "The New York Public Library." What you probably didn’t know is that you can catch a world class art exhibition just down the street! From some of New York’s most iconic designers, to cutting-edge designers reimagining fashion's future – the New York Public Library is the most fascinating place to see some incredible collections! A great space to channel your inner fashionista. I ended the evening with some incredible (and very, very pink) cocktails at “The Library”.
Saturday: After the chaos and incredible energy of the last few days, it was time for some relaxation. I took some time for myself to catch up with family in Derbyshire – it’s good to reconnect with everyone after the buzz of being on the road for so long! ☎️ 💕 You really can’t underestimate the beauty of some proper “down time,” so I spent the evening reminiscing with a glass of the best champagne - and just a tiny, tiny taste of pink ice cream! I know, I know - it wasn't my usual pink tutu dance, but the best part about my Pink Tutu blog is showing you all sides of me. 😉
Sunday: New York City's subway - there’s simply no other place on Earth that has this iconic style. It’s a little bit like being in a big ballet shoe, actually. For all the things it's known for, it really is such a vital part of this incredible city's heartbeat. I must say that for any dancer who hasn't had a chance to see how it moves (and to use it as a makeshift backstage!) you must visit this truly amazing space. 👠 Today’s journey involved a subway adventure that allowed me to witness some of New York’s true artistic icons: I ventured to "The Garment District" and, as you’d expect, it was everything I hoped for. My little girl’s dreams were really coming true. What can I say, I had the most magical time. 🩰💖 To end the day, I popped by Central Park. And it was pretty magical – you guys are gonna love it! But just for one little tip for the day: do wear your most gorgeous and comfortable pink shoes - this iconic park is very well suited to taking it all in. (And I do love a pair of comfy but fabulous ballet pumps!). 💖 I spent a beautiful couple of hours soaking in the magical atmosphere – and a gorgeous strawberry ice-cream on a bench by the water. Just another magical day, wouldn’t you agree? 🍦
I had the absolute most magical time exploring all the things this beautiful city has to offer. I don’t want to give too much away… there is something just so amazing about the energy in New York - it inspires me to create and, for those of you with dreams of travelling to this amazing place, I really do encourage you to try. But I think my little tip would be – find something that speaks to your heart, explore something that excites you, and don't forget - you’ve got the magic within you, baby!
This journey wouldn't be possible without you amazing girlies following my Pink Tutu Blog! Until next Monday, have a sparkly and glamorous week, and I can’t wait to share with you all the adventures that the big apple has in store! And yes - there’ll be tutus! 💖
Love and sparkles,
Emma 🩰 💖
P.S. Remember you can visit my Pink Tutu Blog every Monday for another exciting blog post at www.pink-tutu.com! And feel free to share your fashion and ballet adventures with me. Don't forget to check me out on Insta and Facebook at #PinkTutuNYC – see you soon, girlies!
