Good morning, darlings! It’s Monday morning and I’m in New York City! I just had to dash a quick post to tell you all about my absolutely amazing weekend. I spent it dancing, exploring and discovering new delights, and let me tell you, my fellow pink tutu enthusiasts, it was a whirl of pure magic!
As many of you know, I fund my adventures with my ballet performances – there’s nothing quite like seeing the faces of an audience light up when I pirouette across the stage. So, I landed at JFK on Friday morning, fresh off a show in Edinburgh (Scotland was lovely, darling – but nothing beats the energy of this magnificent city!), and instantly felt the buzz of New York pulsating through the air. I grabbed a coffee and a bagel (New York bagels are legendary – you have to try them!), then it was time to unpack, have a quick catch up with the flatmates and get my pink tutu in action!
First stop? The magnificent Metropolitan Opera. My heart practically leapt out of my chest when I saw the soaring marble staircase and glittering chandelier in the lobby. This was the legendary venue for opera in New York – where famous voices had reverberated for decades. I'd be seeing La Bohème later that night and the anticipation had me practically pirouette-ing on the spot.
The flatmates – all lovely girls who, just like me, live for all things pink and tutu-fied – joined me for lunch in Central Park. The crisp Autumn air nipped at our noses and the golden leaves were so beautiful I practically wanted to cry with joy. We sipped cappuccinos and had sandwiches whilst sketching our new outfits for the show. You’d never believe the adorable, sparkly sequined tutu I picked up at the market the other day! It was calling my name! And as a real treat, I even got to visit Alice's Tea Cup, a darling little shop just near the park. I loved the dainty china cups and their lovely cakes! We had the best afternoon munching and giggling together.
And oh, the Opera – the magic began as soon as the lights dimmed and the orchestra played that iconic first note. The drama, the emotion, the soaring melodies and the incredible voices... truly magical! I have a sneaking suspicion you’re going to see my pink tutu-inspired outfit post featuring the perfect ensemble to wear for such an evening! But it wasn’t the show alone, darling. The New Yorkers themselves – all impeccably dressed with their effortless grace and flair – really took my breath away! I felt myself soaking up all the New York energy. You can’t be a ballerina without feeling the pulse of the city around you!
Saturday was spent exploring! The morning began with the iconic Times Square – the flashing lights, the noise, the excitement... just wonderful! We decided to grab a taxi and zip downtown, so we could see it all from the famous Staten Island Ferry. This was the first ferry trip for a lot of the girls and their reactions were precious – all oohs and aahs at the sight of the majestic Statue of Liberty! They had the most lovely photos taken by the beautiful Liberty Island. Afterwards, we spent the rest of the day wandering through the cobbled streets, popping into quirky shops, sipping hot chocolate in trendy coffee houses and laughing until we cried.
Of course, you all know how much I adore fashion, and no visit to New York would be complete without a little shopping spree. So we headed to SoHo for some retail therapy! The vintage shops in that area were to die for. And it just so happens, I found a new favourite boutique – Pink Poodle – the name alone grabbed my attention, darlings. Can you imagine? Just as girly and whimsical as I am. I actually found the most adorable tutu, it's made of rose silk and embellished with lace! Just imagine it, darling, my lovelies, I was absolutely over the moon.
That evening, the girls and I went to a beautiful cabaret performance - you know I'm a sucker for theatrical magic. The 12 O’Clock Boys in the Greenwich Village. Now, that’s a venue steeped in history. The little cabaret space itself had so much character and the artists were incredibly talented. And the music! Let’s just say it took my toes tapping the entire time. It’s these types of shows that remind me why I love dancing, why I wear my pink tutus with so much pride and joy – there is simply nothing more beautiful than expression through movement.
Sunday dawned and we all gathered in the kitchen, ready for the last hurrah of our weekend trip! The girls are leaving for their separate adventures, I’ll be here for a while – soaking up all that New York magic. After a delightful breakfast, we headed out on a grand tour of New York’s most famous attractions! The Empire State Building - its sleek spire rising towards the sky, the views of the city… just breathtaking. Next we strolled down Fifth Avenue, soaking in the elegant shops and museums. Oh! I saw this darling window display, full of shoes! All pink! My pink tutu heart nearly burst! I just had to pop inside to have a peek. What do you think? I have to ask for your fashion advice, darling, what should I do? A pink ballet pump is very tempting!
Of course, what trip to New York would be complete without visiting Central Park one more time, with its breathtaking Autumnal colours? My inner ballerina just couldn't resist the call to practice a few twirls beneath the golden leaves. And after a little ballet picnic, we took a long walk over the Brooklyn Bridge The sunshine, the breeze in our hair and the breathtaking view of the skyline made the perfect end to an amazing weekend.
After saying goodbye to the girls, I treated myself to a lovely dinner at Chelsea Market. I couldn’t help myself – this is a place where every little stall feels like a feast for the senses! You can find anything there: cheese shops with scents that practically make your mouth water, cafes where the air is filled with the delicious smell of coffee and fresh baked bread… it's a wonderland for any foodies! My inner ballerina felt a pang of exhaustion, so I indulged in a gorgeous macchiato and a piece of carrot cake… so divine! I then walked around the market – what better way to end a wonderful trip?
So there you have it, darling. Just a little slice of my pink tutu adventure in New York City! What have I learned on my adventures in the city that never sleeps? Well, it's quite simply, a city that takes my breath away. From its towering skyscrapers to its cobbled streets, from its world-class museums and performances to its unique character and charm... I have to admit, darling, this might just be my new favourite city! And to be honest, every day here I see more reasons why we all should embrace the whimsical world of pink tutus. It's all about a joyful approach to life and letting your true colours shine through – a touch of glitter, a splash of magic… maybe it’s just a little dash of that pink tutu fairy dust.
You know what they say: “Every day is a chance to wear your pink tutu”. I have a feeling I will be saying goodbye to New York with a heavy heart, but also with the joyful knowledge I will be coming back… very soon, my darling. Maybe we can take a tutu trip together?
Stay tuned next week, when I share the full look of my fabulous pink tutu New York ensemble from the opera performance and of course, how I styled the stunning vintage tutu from the amazing boutique I found in Soho!
Lots of love,
Emma x
P.S. My next ballet performance is coming up in Bristol. I hope you’ll join me! You can find more details about it and all of my performances on the pink-tutu.com website. And you can also follow my adventures on Instagram and Twitter: @PinkTutuBlog.
