#PinkTutuBlogNYC Monday 2010-12-27 she danced in New York City

Post number 812

Good morning darlings! I hope this finds you well, and if you're like me, just getting over a delicious Christmas feast. It's Monday morning here in New York City, the Big Apple itself, and what better way to start the week than with a brand new #PinkTutuBlogNYC post?

Today, I want to talk about a day trip I had last week, when the Big Apple glittered with its Christmas magic. It was just after Christmas, a day perfect for a whirlwind of sightseeing and shopping. Oh, the places I went! The things I saw! And the things I bought... well, let's just say it wasn't just a shopping trip. It was a Pink Tutu Adventure.

You know how much I love the city - it’s my kind of playground! And you’ve heard me talk about my obsession with travelling by metro – so much fun to whizz around underground on the shiny yellow trains. But honestly, my heart belongs to the surface, especially at Christmas time.

Oh, the decorations! The beautiful twinkling lights adorning the skyscrapers, the colourful garlands, and the smell of roasting chestnuts that wafted through the crisp winter air…pure magic! Every street corner seemed to offer a delightful scene, a captivating performance by street artists or a lively Christmas market.

But today, we’re going beyond the standard New York tour and heading to places where the glitz and glamour meet the art of movement – Broadway and the City Ballet! I feel a little giddy just typing those words – they evoke an intoxicating atmosphere, a world of spectacle, and of course, incredible dancing.

Now, some of you might be thinking, “Emma, why would you even think about a Christmas-time day trip when you can go to see shows, shopping and the ballet?”

To which I say, “It’s New York, darlings, there’s never too much!”

Besides, a little Christmas cheer before diving into the wonderful world of theatre and dance, it was exactly what I needed. It set the stage, shall we say, for my adventure.

My day started in Central Park, not my usual haunt, as I must confess. It's too chilly for my toes in a tutu, but you can bet your bottom dollar there was a ballerina in a pink tutu somewhere, because that’s the magic of New York – anything can happen!

The air was a bit nippy, but oh my goodness, that Christmas feeling was truly in the air! It felt so special to take a stroll through this iconic park in all its festive glory, the Christmas trees shimmering with tiny lights, and ice skaters gracefully swirling around on the ice. It truly felt like a fairytale setting, and the warmth inside my heart far exceeded the chill of the wind.

After enjoying a delicious cup of hot chocolate at a cozy little café in the park (my inner child was delighted to have marshmallows!), I took the metro to Times Square – the heart of theatreland. And what a heart it was – pounding with energy!

Of course, no trip to Times Square is complete without a visit to the iconic TKTS booth in Duffy Square. I’ve visited it countless times but never in its Christmas glow. I felt a tingle of excitement as I queued up amongst a sea of theatre enthusiasts, a group I’m definitely part of. It's always an exhilarating experience, scanning through the list of Broadway shows and trying to decide which magical journey I want to embark on next.

With my ticket secured (a spectacular, classic Broadway show I'll tell you all about next week!), I decided to soak up the festive energy of Times Square. The dazzling lights reflected off the glistening snowflakes, making the square sparkle like a diamond.

Then, with a heart filled with joy and excitement, I boarded the metro again. I absolutely love travelling by the subway in New York. It's always an interesting experience. Sometimes I even manage to bag myself a seat! However, this time, I took a standing-room-only ride, filled with excited Broadway-goers all heading towards the glittering heart of the city – something I can relate to, of course!

A couple of stations later, I hopped off and headed towards Lincoln Center. I can’t go to New York without seeing a performance by the New York City Ballet, a magnificent, dazzling troupe of artists. This time it was George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, an enduring Christmas classic.

I can't tell you how much I loved every minute! The dancers’ energy, precision, and artistry were beyond captivating. They danced as if their lives depended on it! Each gesture, every movement spoke volumes about the incredible power and grace of human expression, especially through dance.

From the twinkling snowflake scene to the ethereal Sugar Plum Fairy, every detail was crafted to perfection. And the dazzling costumes and intricate sets transported me to a world of pure fantasy, where the impossible seemed within reach.

Oh, darling, I could watch this production again and again and again. It’s absolutely breathtaking! And then there was that magnificent Tchaikovsky score. I love it so! The perfect soundtrack for a night of spectacular ballet!

You know my weakness, darlings, a little twirling is all it takes for me to get swept up in a whirl of joyous movement! I love dancing and watching dancing – a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!

But my adventure wasn’t over yet. My tummy was grumbling so, after the show, I decided to wander through the heart of Lincoln Center, which was bursting with vibrant street food vendors and stalls offering festive crafts. The scents and the atmosphere were a sensory delight.

The lights of the nearby skyscrapers reflected upon the cobblestone streets. I wandered around and eventually landed on a food stand selling the most delightful (and enormous) hot dogs.

A hot dog and a walk through Central Park, with the Christmas lights sparkling and the city feeling merry, wrapped up a truly wonderful evening. What else could a ballerina in a pink tutu ask for? A dream! A beautiful, vibrant New York dream, which I was more than happy to be living in.

Speaking of pink tutus… the City Ballet is a dream, but it’s also quite a spectacle! And you know I'm all about spectacle, right, darlings? Especially if it involves pink! But sometimes you just want something simpler. Something magical, but quieter, and this brings us to a delightful new discovery.

I found a hidden gem, tucked away just around the corner from a popular fashion district in New York: The Ballet School for the Performing Arts. A quiet place in the midst of the hustle and bustle, this school’s door was wide open, as if inviting the entire world inside to partake in the beauty of movement, which is, as you know, something I simply adore!

When I peeked inside, my breath caught! A class was in progress, filled with passionate dancers – young and old – moving to the rhythmic music, their expressions conveying stories through every gesture and turn. I felt a surge of excitement to be amongst such talent. There is truly a kind of magic in that air. I think we should all find some magic in our lives!

You know what the best part is, darling? I was immediately drawn to one of the students, who stood out from the others, not because of anything particular, but because I just had this feeling we would click. Her grace and the energy in her movements was captivating. Her name is Anna, and as soon as the class finished, we started chatting. She, like me, was enthralled by the magic of ballet, and just loved to move her body!

When we chatted about her pink tutu obsession, Anna explained she always wears one during her classes. And of course, my pink tutu love made me say, “Let's go out and grab a coffee!”. That’s how it all started. Anna, you’ve become my friend! You have been such a delight, and of course, I’ll keep you updated on my future adventures in NYC!

I must say, my experience that day proved once again that beauty lies in the simple moments. A heartfelt chat with a kindred spirit, a burst of music and movement in a quiet studio, and the joy of a warm coffee… It was a pink tutu moment in its truest form, and I'm so grateful to have experienced it!

And what's more, Anna has helped me connect with some fantastic New York stores that stock the most adorable pink tutus, so I'm on a mission to expand my tutu collection even more. This is such a mission, you have no idea!

Speaking of which… I have something exciting to show you…

Today’s OOTD is an explosion of pink. A beautiful blend of chic and whimsy!

I chose a gorgeous soft pink tutu – something a little more grown-up than my usual whimsical options – with layers of silk chiffon. Then, for a touch of vintage charm, I paired it with a classic black velvet beret with a delicate pink feather embellishment (just the thing to make even the most basic black beret pop with pink magic!), a classic white blouse, and my trusty pair of sparkling black ballet pumps.

What's more, my pink bag (from my favourite pink designer store!) was the perfect accessory to carry all the goodies I'd snagged from my shopping trip – a gorgeous cashmere pink scarf, and a pair of those super cute pink slippers I mentioned before! Yes, I am absolutely in love! It is so very pink! The slippers would be the envy of any fashionista – and don't even get me started on that cashmere scarf, a symphony of warmth and luxurious colour.

You may think I have too much pink, darlings, but it never hurts to wear a little bit more!

Oh, and guess what? My fabulous Pink Tutu Blogger fashion photoshoot took place, as always, against the backdrop of one of New York City's most iconic landmarks – The Chrysler Building. Yes, I took my camera along and did a little posing. Look out for those snaps on my Instagram and Facebook pages – the first to comment gets a super cute pink-themed sticker, of course!

Now, darling, it’s Monday morning in the Big Apple, and I must admit I’m feeling more than just a little bit fabulous. There’s just something magical about being here in this city – I can almost feel myself gliding through the city, wearing my pink tutu. And with that image, I'll end this week’s blog, promising more pink-tastic New York adventures!

Next week, we’re diving headfirst into the spectacular Broadway world – there's a fantastic musical on the programme! It’s guaranteed to be pure pink-tastic bliss.

Until then, wear your pink tutus proudly, my lovelies. It’s your personal reminder that you’re beautiful and worthy of twirling through life in your own unique, stylish way!

Lots of love,

Emma xx

www.pink-tutu.com