Monday, January 5th, 2015
Hello my darlings! Can you believe it's already the 5th of January? Time really does fly when you're twirling! I'm currently ensconced in my little New York City apartment, still buzzing from my weekend of pure pink bliss!
It all started with a rather wonderful email arriving last Tuesday morning. You know that exciting, slightly nervous feeling you get when you’ve booked tickets for something special, but still haven’t quite decided what to wear? Well, it was just like that! The email was my confirmation from the wonderful folks at the New York City Ballet, letting me know that I had secured tickets to see Sleeping Beauty – and at the Metropolitan Opera House, no less! It’s my all-time favourite ballet, and the Metropolitan Opera House is just magical!
Of course, I had to choose the perfect tutu for the occasion. This one had a glorious swirling skirt of silk tulle, and a pretty pink ribbon tied with a jaunty little bow on the front, which gave it just the right touch of sass! I topped off the look with a delicate cashmere cardigan – the evenings in New York can get chilly you know! And because a proper ballerina never leaves home without a touch of sparkle, I finished it off with some glittery flats – just a touch of magic, and oh, how comfy for all that exploring!
And what better way to start the day than with a proper cuppa! Just like the good old days back in Derbyshire, except here I found this adorable little café on Broadway. They do the most delightful pinky-pink peppermint lattes – imagine a cup of creamy milky happiness! Oh, and of course I had a couple of pastries, too – after all, a ballerina needs her energy!
The best thing about being in New York, apart from the amazing food, of course, is the Metro. I adore hopping on and off the trains. This time I took a rather delightful route from Broadway to 86th Street, all through Manhattan – it’s a truly captivating experience. The windows offer views you just wouldn't find anywhere else, with every building vying to be the most extravagant and the most unique! And what could be better than the hum and whirr of the subway car itself? I get so lost in its rhythm!
As I ambled across the street to the Metropolitan Opera House, the sheer magnitude of the place took my breath away. The air crackled with excitement, and the iconic red carpet seemed to beckon. As I reached the grand doors, a flurry of camera flashes caught my attention. There I was, on the brink of experiencing my dream. And of course, as luck would have it, I met a beautiful girl from Paris who wore a gorgeous burgundy tutu. We chatted about our love of dance and all things sparkly! There's something special about meeting other twirling kindred spirits, isn't there?
I won’t go into all the details about the ballet itself, I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise for you! But I will say, seeing Aurora’s famous dance on pointe…oh my, I was completely captivated! And to be honest, the story of a princess pricked by a spindle was even more captivating on stage than I’d imagined. Every costume was a breathtaking spectacle, every step of the choreography perfect. It was truly an unforgettable evening.
The Metropolitan Opera House is something else altogether, my dears. Everything is bigger and more grand than you can possibly imagine. From the glittering chandeliers to the lavish decorations, every corner was pure spectacle. I found myself pausing to admire every intricate detail, from the stunning floral displays to the ornate mosaic tiles on the floor.
Afterwards, we found this fabulous Italian restaurant, just a stone’s throw from the opera house. They served the most scrumptious ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach. Of course, I had to finish my evening off with the most decadent tiramisu - there's nothing quite like ending the day with a delicious creamy concoction of chocolate, espresso, and a generous serving of cocoa powder.
The whole experience was truly magical! It’s why I keep coming back to this incredible city again and again. There's a buzz here, a vibrancy, that just draws me in and holds me spellbound.
I also met up with the dearest Martha - you know, she’s my friend and fellow ballerina. She was looking splendid in a delicate blush-pink tutu! I am truly so lucky to have a friend who is as devoted to tutus as I am! We strolled over to the Museum of Modern Art – a truly wonderful treat for a ballet-loving gal like me. I just loved soaking in the abstract, the art that wasn't so obvious, the almost too clever-for-its-own-good.
Of course, I always make a trip to Bloomingdale's when I am in New York – there are always the most fabulous fashion finds! This time, I fell in love with this incredible pair of shimmering black ballerina flats. I also managed to snag a fantastic fuchsia silk scarf. The perfect accessory for my ballet wardrobe. It has already had quite the outing with my lovely white cotton tutu. And when I say it had an outing…I went out with the most fun bunch of people - an entire troupe of dancers at the ballet studios where Martha works. We had the most lovely dinner, we even danced a little after midnight!
My travels have always been fuelled by the magic of dancing. Ever since I started dancing, I’ve saved up all my pennies and shillings so that I can chase the music across the world, seeing fabulous performances wherever I can. New York is like a dream! So, if you're thinking about starting your own ballet adventures, I highly recommend the New York City Ballet, and the Metropolitan Opera House, of course!
Next week, I’m back on Broadway! I’ve managed to score tickets to the Chicago musical! Now, if that isn't a treat I don’t know what is! So, keep your eyes peeled, darlings! Next Monday, I will be posting all about my Chicago adventures.
In the meantime, do tell me – what are you up to this week? What are you planning for the week ahead? Tell me all about it! I love hearing about what my lovely readers are doing.
Until next Monday, remember, there is no wrong way to wear a tutu, so grab yours and twirl your way through the week!
Yours in sparkles, Emma x
P.S. If you have a love for pink, for tutus, for ballet, for fashion and everything sparkly – be sure to pop over to our website, www.pink-tutu.com, to join the pink-tutu movement. I'd love for you to be part of the community, so come join me and spread the love of all things pink! Let’s get the world twirling!
