Hey everyone, it's Emma here, back from another magical week in New York City! 🗽💖 This week was jam-packed with tutus, sparkles, and all things pink, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I’m so glad you've joined me for another Monday blog post – welcome, darling!
Last week was a whirlwind of travel – remember, I funded this trip by performing at a gala in lovely Derbyshire – the people were delightful, and I had the honour of being their prima ballerina for the night! But back to New York!
As soon as I stepped onto the platform at Penn Station, I could feel the magic of the city start to work its spell. I absolutely love that first sniff of the New York air! I headed straight to my little bijou apartment in Chelsea.
It's small, but with a balcony, it feels quite big, and its a perfect base to explore from, so central to everywhere! My neighbours are fantastic, there’s even a little boy next door called Jamie, who I'm teaching ballet steps to (shhhh don’t tell his parents!). This week, the balcony has been decked out with bunting, balloons, and – you guessed it! - pink tutus. Just as I like it!
Right, let's dive in to the adventures of the past week, starting with…
Tuesday – The Theatre! 🎭I was so excited to kick off the week at the Gershwin Theatre! You might have seen a few sneak peeks of the show on my Instagram stories (don't worry, there will be some on this week’s blog post too! ). This week’s must-see is Wicked, of course – how could I resist a Broadway classic?! My favourite number has to be "Popular", but every single scene, costume and performance were top-notch! I love those shows – a bit of theatrical camp never hurt anyone, and the sheer effort, talent and professionalism blew me away, as always. After the show, I did some window shopping at a charming little vintage clothing store right opposite, hoping to pick up something pink and fabulous!
Wednesday - Shopping, of course! 🛍️Today’s focus was the very chic Upper East Side! It wouldn’t be a trip to New York without a visit to the iconic Saks Fifth Avenue on 5th Avenue, would it? My heart nearly skipped a beat as I stepped inside - the displays were pure showstopper! And you know me, darling – the pink was just dreamy! I ended up snapping a pair of those glitzy little stilettos – they go perfectly with everything, even my tutu! There was a real buzz in the air, and a few lovely ladies even complemented my tulle skirt (they were wearing the most fantastic faux fur coats!). We chatted away for a good twenty minutes, just like you do in New York - it’s almost a competition as to who can talk loudest! It felt like one big fashion family, it was great. Of course, I’d just got my stilettos and they’re a little painful in that “pinch a little, shine a lot” way so I headed back to the apartment for some serious relaxing.
Thursday - Ballet Dreams! 🩰No trip to NYC is complete without seeing some stunning ballet performances, and today I treated myself to the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center. The performances are phenomenal – the talent of the dancers never ceases to amaze me. It makes me want to rush back home and get to the studio right away! The program this week included the Serenade, and they really had my eyes glued to the stage, the whole time – the movements were pure grace, their focus incredible, and their costumes truly spectacular. You can definitely say I was captivated by the art, passion and dedication on stage – there is nothing quite like a ballet in a great city! The program concluded with Rubies and the audience erupted in applause – well deserved! It was an afternoon I won’t forget, and it just reinforces how much ballet inspires me.
Friday - The High Life 🏙️My inner adventurer called out for a change of scenery so I headed uptown! This time, it was the Empire State Building for me! It’s one of those things that everyone does in New York, and for good reason – it truly is the “City that Never Sleeps”! I'm quite a fan of a little skyline viewing, so I’d prebooked an early-evening slot to watch the sunset over New York, and oh, my! I am always in awe of the beautiful skyline – there really is nothing quite like seeing the whole city sprawling below you. There is just such a sense of energy and vitality in New York that I find incredibly inspiring – there’s always a chance for a new adventure. For me, it feels like there’s such a bright future ahead. You just feel like anything’s possible, so I’d encourage everyone to visit the Empire State Building for themselves and have a great time in the Big Apple, and soak in that special view.
Saturday – Central Park Romance 🌿A relaxing walk in Central Park – an essential part of any trip to New York – I was in for a real treat! Today I was soaking up the city vibes – strolling through Central Park, reading a magazine, enjoying the fresh air, admiring the city skyscrapers. The iconic park truly is one of New York’s great treasures, and it offers something for everyone! I love the feel of Central Park. It feels so calming in the centre of all the urban hustle and bustle. It’s quite refreshing and soothing for my mind! Of course, there was even a pink tutu moment in the park – the park ranger actually stopped to talk about the way I accessorized my outfit (she was so sweet, her outfit had such a beautiful bright floral pattern to it!). We exchanged a few fun details about tutus and how pink is the best color – she admitted it's her favourite too! Then I carried on walking with a smile on my face – I think those park walks in New York, really put everything into perspective for me!
Sunday – Broadway Under The Stars 🌟My final evening in New York always involves catching a show - and this Sunday, it was a little special. My good friend James is performing in a theatre school's fundraising showcase (so it was absolutely delightful to be the one buying a few tickets!), He’s been learning the steps of all the popular classics in the past few weeks - everything from Guys & Dolls to West Side Story. The showcase was just fabulous and I love the opportunity to help local communities - this is something I always make an effort to do when travelling, And the best thing – the audience had such a good time (and James shone!), the fundraising night raised a staggering £500 for a local charity supporting young actors! A brilliant end to my week of pure theatre.
The Best Thing about New York…It’s a city of infinite possibilities - and let's not forget that incredible skyline. From watching the sunrise over the Chrysler Building and sipping a cappuccino on the rooftop, to getting lost in the streets and discovering hidden gems, New York really does have it all. And for me, of course, the best part is knowing that pink tutus are always welcome here - every day, people walk past my apartment wearing all kinds of quirky and colourful clothes - you truly never know what to expect. And it is the ultimate shopping heaven - the best of the best! Every single shop on Fifth Avenue is filled with luxurious designer clothes, fabulous jewelry and sparkling shoes, which is pretty great when you need a bit of pink inspiration.
So until next week…... That was another fabulous week of my Pink Tutu Blog adventures – it's always so exciting being here, and with the weekend wrapped up I’ve booked myself another exciting theatre trip in September. And until then, remember: if you're feeling like you'd like to live out your tutu dreams too, don't be afraid to grab a tutu, embrace your pink and show your own little sparkle! I hope you enjoyed the journey with me! And be sure to subscribe to my newsletter (and keep your eyes peeled on Instagram @pinktutublog) so that you never miss out on my next big adventure!
