Hello darlings!
It's Monday, and that means a brand new adventure in New York City! This week's escapade took me swirling through the city like a sugared ballet in a whirlwind of pink, tulle, and Broadway dreams! As you know, my mantra is "pink tutus for all," and spreading that message of joy and twirling happiness across the globe is what fuels my passion!
I landed in New York City with the energy of a hundred sugar plum fairies buzzing around my head. You wouldn't believe the excitement coursing through my veins! It was my first trip to this magical metropolis, and the energy pulsated right down to my pink tutu-clad toes. I have to say, it really is the city that never sleeps. The sheer vibrant pulse of this place was astounding.
So, where to begin? Ah yes, the subway. I always find the subway to be such an intriguing experience, especially in a city as big and busy as this one. You can’t help but be swept up in the collective energy, and as the carriages glide through the tunnels, the chatter of diverse voices all around make it a theatre of sorts. Of course, it doesn’t quite compare to the magnificence of a real theatre performance, but I can’t deny the vibrancy! Plus, the opportunity to catch snippets of conversation was definitely captivating, and the array of personalities in those carriage windows is fascinating to watch, almost as intriguing as a ballet performance in itself. The rhythmic lurching and the melodic squeaking of the trains have an almost musical quality. I confess, I couldn't help but twirl in my seat a little at times. Let's just say, there was a lot of "ooh la la" going on in that carriage!
For my very first day in the Big Apple, I started my exploration in a rather appropriate spot - The American Ballet Theatre! I actually arrived with such a dizzying mix of anticipation and exhaustion from the transatlantic flight that I stumbled onto the wrong theatre altogether. Oh dear, I am not sure I'll ever live that down, it was absolutely tragic! But after a quick, hurried trek in the direction of Broadway and a few frantic moments in a bustling cafe, I finally found myself at the very place I needed to be! Can you imagine the joy of walking into a theatre that just pulsed with ballet history and all things dance? And just my luck, Mikhail Baryshnikov was there! The energy of this ballet legend radiating through the whole venue made my heart soar with happiness and excitement. I must confess, when Mikhail took the stage, it did make me slightly anxious. How could anyone possibly live up to the incredible hype? Oh but of course, he did! With such grace and brilliance. It's funny how in an instance, one’s own body starts to ache with the desire to dance just from watching such exceptional moves. I just wanted to fling my legs up in the air and spin to my heart's content!
On the other hand, my favourite performance on the evening was “A Different View,” choreographed by Tiler Peck. That choreography, inspired by modern, bold art and the ever-moving cityscape, was so original, it truly made me want to just leap off the theatre seats! You can say what you want, but I don't think you've ever witnessed an exciting piece of work as original and truly spectacular as this piece of ballet. I found myself reflecting on how truly unique, exciting and diverse dance is, just like the people you see everyday on the subway, in fact the whole city itself!
But it wasn’t just the ballet performances that stole my heart this week. I made a visit to Bergdorf Goodman for an absolutely wonderful experience! If there’s one thing you need to know about this store, it's simply magnificent, it's a little haven for the fashionable. That whole shopping experience felt like a whimsical fairytale. Honestly, you should have seen my little face lit up as I explored all those shelves lined with exquisite garments and designer labels. The scent of perfume and the air filled with gentle melodies and chattering conversations really were just a little bit intoxicating! My visit certainly fulfilled my fashion dreams - from browsing beautiful silk dresses in a wide spectrum of pinks and pastels, to spotting that gorgeous feather boa, oh I'll never be able to forget it, the most beautiful lavender I’d ever seen in my life. But the absolute best was finding that darling little fuchsia satin beret nestled right next to a beautiful floral handbag. It felt almost like fate! I can't say I resisted for long.
Another essential New York City experience? Broadway! After a decadent evening of delectable Broadway fare - yes, that includes all those delicious pinks, purples and turquoise cocktails – we caught a show at the majestic Marquis Theatre. “Beautiful”, the life story of Carole King, was just everything! The costumes were pure Broadway bliss – imagine my glee as I saw all those incredible bright-hued shimmering outfits - and the entire performance radiated a truly joyous atmosphere. As the stage shimmered with dazzling colours, you could tell that everyone there was totally enamoured by the brilliance of Carole King's talent!
To end this whirlwind journey, we walked back uptown towards my apartment in Chelsea with the soft glow of a moonlit city. I must admit, this trip to the big city really did feel like something straight out of my dreams! And I still can't believe that I actually walked on stage at Radio City Music Hall!
Of course, I couldn't resist showcasing my signature pink tutu. It wouldn't be a true Emma journey without a bit of tulle, darling. In the most stunning locations, I pirouetted and twirled my heart out. And wouldn't you know it? People were captivated by my unique style. Smiles blossomed on the faces of tourists, and passers-by even stopped to take a selfie with me! Oh, what joy to spread some pink tulle happiness across the city that never sleeps.
I even stumbled upon a few local ballet studios along the way, like that adorable little place in Brooklyn that had its door painted a sweet shade of pistachio green! With so many ballet dancers from across the globe gathered in this wonderful city, there was so much creative energy emanating through these spaces, making me yearn for a proper class.
What I learnt this week? It's not all about the big glitzy Broadway shows, but also about the quieter moments. Sitting in Central Park, listening to the birdsong while the sun filters through the trees, or just having a delicious cup of tea while looking out over the rooftops. Each little moment holds something magical and delightful, just like twirling in a pink tutu does!
I'm already counting down the days to my next trip back to New York City. My pink tutu is all set for a brand new adventure! Until next time darlings!
Much love,
Emma x
P.S. What are your favorite memories of New York City? Share your thoughts below, let's get those pink tutus twirling! 💕
P.P.S If you're ever looking for a pink tutu that will make you feel like a fairytale princess, just look to my blog! I have some seriously sensational pink tutus that'll have you twirling with happiness! 💖
Emma's Travel Details:
Travel Dates: Monday, 11th October 2004 – Saturday 16th October 2004.
Funded By:
Week of Ballet Performance:
11th October - "La Sylphide", choreographed by August Bournonville, Royal Danish Ballet.
12th October - “Giselle”, choreographed by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, San Francisco Ballet.
13th October – “The Sleeping Beauty”, choreographed by Marius Petipa, American Ballet Theatre
14th October - “Cinderella” , choreographed by Sergei Prokofiev, English National Ballet
15th October – “ Swan Lake”, choreographed by Marius Petipa, Royal Ballet.
16th October - "The Nutcracker", choreographed by Tchaikovsky, American Ballet Theatre
My dear readers, I simply could not be more grateful for the ongoing support and wonderful encouragement you bring. Thank you for following my journey to pink tutu-ville, one city at a time. Now get out there and twirl to your heart’s content!
Remember, darling, life’s a dance, make it your masterpiece! ✨💖
