Hello my gorgeous girlies! It's Monday morning and I'm sitting here in my New York hotel room, with a steaming cup of coffee, gazing out at the iconic cityscape that never sleeps. Can you believe it's been another week since I touched down in this amazing metropolis? Time seems to fly by when you're having fun, doesn't it? This week, I've been dancing around the city like a little ballerina, trying out different studios and seeing a show that will stay with me forever.
This week's adventures started at a beautiful little ballet studio in Greenwich Village called Ballet Next Door, it’s just tucked away in a side street. They've got the prettiest pink walls – they even have a special room for barre work and an upstairs for pilates. I’ve just gotta get a photo for the Insta! I think you guys would adore this studio. It has the best of old-world New York charm and the very latest in ballet equipment – so chic and classic! I took an intermediate ballet class and even managed to get a lovely young lad with a top knot, doing a great impression of an expressive little swan. He looked fantastic, don’t get me wrong, but I must admit, his ballet technique needed a touch of that lovely pink tutu magic to complete it. I took him aside afterwards, we both had a chuckle about it, and I gave him some very friendly advice! We're going to meet up again soon for another ballet session. This class was fantastic.
Of course, a trip to New York wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Broadway! The theatre here is something special. I absolutely love being caught up in the vibrancy, the buzz and energy, you just get a taste of this city's heart and soul here. For this week's show, I got dressed up in a blush-pink tutu and a glittering emerald top – it was perfect for a glamorous night at the theatre. The performance? Oh, it was just divine! "Hamilton", what an incredible show. It was so gripping and moving, the costumes, the choreography and the sheer raw talent on stage just left me completely speechless. It really put a spring in my step and, of course, I had to treat myself to a glitzy evening in one of New York's iconic cafes, the Plaza Hotel Tea Room! So, I donned my very chic, pearl pink tutu – think vintage, vintage! And topped it with an exquisitely feathered head piece, for a dash of glamour, I don’t know, but I do know it’s all about feeling amazing, and this tutu made me feel incredible! It was all things perfect; the perfect venue for some afternoon tea, in a beautifully vintage style, and all the pastries were absolutely divine! My New York journey is a delicious one…
Being a bit of a dance aficionado, it goes without saying that I spent some time soaking in the inspiring culture of New York’s Dance scene. Now, I am not a snob, I love the big, beautiful dance companies but also love to get out there and see some fantastic up and coming talent – especially young ones in ballet – because when you’re surrounded by their infectious energy, enthusiasm, and enthusiasm, it's impossible not to get caught up in it.
One day this week, I went to an underground bar called The Bowery where there's a whole vibe going on – a sort of vintage cabaret show featuring drag, dancing, cabaret, and a big dollop of cheek! There was so much creativity and skill and the music, oh it was electric. But what stood out for me most were these incredible costumes – big feather boas, shimmery sequined outfits, headpieces that could rival a bird's nest of wonder, and, to top it off, oh those big wigs. A whole new level of ‘I’m in New York’ madness that was amazing! I sat with my glass of bubbly, listening to all the fantastic performers. One of the things I’ve discovered is that in NYC you’re not necessarily treated differently depending on the scale of your show or your style, you’re just judged on how good you are! And that goes for everything here, that whole 'You can do it attitude’ - the sense that anything is possible, makes this place so energizing! It really feels like there’s a lot of love going round for dance here, there’s so much support in every corner for both those breaking into the scene and those who are already seasoned in the art of performance, especially amongst all the younger dancers and budding ballerinas! You have to find those connections. If you're ever in town and fancy a real New York adventure – make sure you check it out.
I know you girls love a bargain – New York may be synonymous with ‘high fashion’, but you can still pick up amazing steals. Here in this iconic metropolis, there are some seriously beautiful boutiques, so this week, I went on a mission, looking for some special bargains, and did I succeed? Of course! I found an unbelievable discount on a blush-pink satin, tiered maxi-dress. The fabric just melts and floats and drapes perfectly, perfect for the summer nights here and a fabulously fun evening with friends! What did I think of it? To be honest, it's going straight on my Insta feed tonight! And I have some seriously amazing finds in a cute vintage shop off Broadway, full of antique jewelry and some fantastic little pink and grey vintage tutu pieces, a little treasure chest I found and so, so reasonably priced, I can’t believe I bagged this treasure. But, just before leaving, the owner brought out a fabulous pair of earrings that looked perfect in the window so I snagged them too. I mean, who can resist a bargain right?! They will be the perfect accessory for my blush pink tutu for tonight's performance.
It wouldn't be a proper 'Pink Tutu Blog NYC’ post if I didn’t take you with me on the magical subway. I’ve said it before and I'll say it again: it's not just about getting around, it's about a mini journey of discovering the amazing character and vibrant colours of New York. It's like stepping onto a rolling canvas of sights and sounds that are both thrilling and sometimes truly mind-blowing! So this week I decided to take a ride on the 7 train, my favourite line in New York. The whole experience makes you realize that you’re literally stepping into the real world and its heartbeat. But even the mundane can be turned into magic! This week I decided to embrace my inner fashion icon. Now, there's no need for me to tell you about my latest tutu purchase - my glorious coral number - or to remind you what a huge pink-tutu devotee I am (because you’re all tutu-lovers in my books!) but today I wanted to feel daring. My look was completed by a bright-pink satin scarf which made my coral-pink tutu pop! My scarf really brought a touch of individuality to a familiar experience!
To top it off, this whole week, the city has felt incredibly hot! The sun’s been pouring down and it just seems like everyone is soaking it up and embracing this glorious weather with their incredible summertime outfits! This week, I wore one of my favourite hot pink tutus, a very elegant style with beautiful, hand-sewn embroidery! I paired this with a white blouse that was incredibly loose and very lightweight - just what I needed when that hot, New York humidity hit! It gave the whole outfit that breezy, relaxed vibe – you’ve got to embrace the comfort when the temperature soars like that, it is the hottest I have felt on this trip, for sure, but still the beauty of the city continues to enchant me, in whatever weather the city may throw at me, this place has a magical pull that will bring you back, it draws you in and it never lets go!
The other reason I love New York is it's not just a tourist destination. It is also home to an incredibly inspiring dance scene. And, for you dancers out there, a city where you can meet and network with some amazing people and be inspired. Just yesterday, I met up with my ballet teacher and had a super chat about New York's vibrant ballet community. She gave me some excellent advice about local ballet classes – as they're pretty high-energy, it was definitely something I needed to hear!
So, what else has been happening this week? I managed to check out Central Park again – one of my all-time favourites - but this time, I decided to hire a swan pedal boat - very romantic. And it allowed me to relax with my gorgeous, new pink, tutu themed manicure (a gift to myself) and soak up that fabulous summer sun! There's so much about this park that captures your imagination and imagination is everything for me as a creative!
I even got lucky and witnessed the most amazing sight; the incredible NYC sunset! The park is truly a magical place.
You can also check out my latest posts and pictures from this city, my #PinkTutuNYC tour. Every photo tells a different story! If you fancy having a nosy then head over to www.pink-tutu.com
New York city is an incredibly fast-paced city but one thing I love is the strong sense of community that exists in certain areas, especially in my favourite dance circles - they’re so incredibly supportive! It really feels like there's this infectious, 'Let's dance!' spirit in the air - something I never felt in Derbyshire, though my home village was charming in its own right - no one wore pink tutus! I’ve really got to try to turn some of the local residents on to the joy of a good tutu! There’s a definite element of surprise in the way that you wear your pink tutu, It can be empowering to change someone’s perceptions in a blink of an eye - there are so many different styles of pink tutu for everyone, you just need to find the right one!
Remember, my lovelies, if you dream big, be brave, be creative, have fun and stay sparkly,
Always stay in the pink!
Your dearest Emma. xx
