New York City! Oh my goodness, it's so exciting! The air is crisp, the streets are abuzz, and there's a tangible sense of magic in the air. Just look at this view!
(A picture of the city skyline, with a single pink tutu hanging on a railing, framed by a beautiful, twinkling Christmas tree.)
(Emma stands, smiling in front of the Christmas tree, wearing a fabulous pink sequined tutu, a festive sweater with a reindeer on it, and bright red knee-high boots.)
This week marks my third visit to the Big Apple. Can you believe it? I simply can't get enough! Each time, there are new sights and sounds, new stores to explore and of course, new ballet performances to see.
It’s a truly magical city, a world away from my home in Derbyshire.
As I type this, it’s early evening, and I'm sitting in my favourite little café by the park. The lights are twinkling and there’s a live jazz band playing Christmas tunes. I've got a delicious hot chocolate and a slice of chocolate cheesecake in front of me, and honestly, life doesn't get much better.
This week, I’ve already managed to squeeze in a ballet class, a fabulous shopping spree at Bergdorf Goodman, and I'm just about to see "The Nutcracker" at the Lincoln Center. It's the most wonderful ballet production and I absolutely can't wait. (I might just have purchased a new sparkly pink tutu for the occasion, just to add a little extra sparkle, you understand. )
I love how much New York is alive with culture and vibrancy. I’ve discovered so many cool and independent places – art galleries, theatre spaces, pop-up shops and vintage stores.
Just this afternoon, I wandered past a beautiful shop full of hand-painted vintage teacups. It was just the sort of place where you can lose yourself in a dreamy world of colour and whimsy. It's easy to imagine all the wonderful tea parties it could be used in!
(An image of a bright and colorful cup featuring a unicorn motif with a pastel pink rim.)
I can tell I’m going to spend my week discovering so much more of the city, especially those hidden gems tucked away in quiet corners.
**(An image of a metro train entrance with the word “Next Stop” emblazoned on it in bright pink neon. Emma’s feet are on the escalator with her pink tulle tutu flaring out dramatically, and pink glitter sneakers peeping out.)
Oh! Don't forget my favourite part of travelling in this wonderful city - the subway! It's an experience in itself, full of energy and surprises. Of course, my trusty pink tutu is never far behind. After all, it is all about spreading joy and inspiring others!
(Image of Emma walking confidently out of a metro carriage with her trusty pink tutu swishing as she moves through the carriage with a wide smile on her face.)
Today was a really interesting day, too. I explored the historic and charming neighbourhood of Tribeca – oh, I love it! – and spent some time gazing at the magnificent, architectural wonder that is The Woolworth Building.
The ornate carvings are mesmerizing, and the sheer size of the structure left me awestruck. I imagine it must have been so magnificent when it was first constructed, in its full golden glory. It almost seemed as though I had been transported to the Art Deco era.
**(A picture of Emma, striking a pose in front of the imposing The Woolworth Building, with a glamorous wide brimmed hat and her favourite pink tutu billowing dramatically around her.)
Later this evening, I wandered past the stunning grand buildings on Fifth Avenue – those are incredible, I really recommend you check them out, and spent an hour or two doing some window shopping, and then, I finally reached the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. It was breathtaking, absolutely breathtaking.
And this amazing tree is the only place where I feel that the famous giant skating rink has real character. Imagine skating amongst all that grandeur! I can imagine gliding through the crisp air, twirling under the sparkling lights, and dreaming about ballet dreams, surrounded by such magical grandeur.
**(Picture of the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree with a view of the skating rink, decorated with fairy lights and a huge pink heart banner hung from the balcony above the ice, and Emma in the middle, skating gracefully towards the heart with a radiant smile on her face.)
Speaking of ballet, how can I possibly resist a quick glance at what the ballet calendar offers us this week.
Now, I know you will be as excited as I am! This week's offerings include an incredible line-up.
We have “The Nutcracker” at the Lincoln Center, followed by the famous New York City Ballet. The programme is going to be incredible, so let me just list them for you. You’ve got a chance to see all of your favourites: “Symphony in C,” “Agon” and “The Four Temperaments."
We have an incredible triple bill with the famous American Ballet Theatre showing off three absolutely beautiful classics. This week is going to be an utter delight, showcasing “The Swan Lake”, “Coppelia” and "Giselle." It’s a serious choice – it's so difficult to pick which one to see!
Finally, there’s the brilliant, energetic, powerful New York City Ballet with their breathtaking modern programme featuring: “Serenade,” "The Firebird," “Other Dances" and “Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux."
(A selection of three individual images of ballet posters for the shows listed above. They are a selection of classical, vintage style posters – all with elegant lettering and iconic ballet postures – all decorated with a whimsical pink, glittery embellishment.)
And wait, wait, wait – the amazing thing about New York is that it never stops, not even at Christmas time! There are incredible opportunities for all of you dance fans, with the spectacular ballet class schedule just keeping going, so do take a look at the weekly offerings! It will blow your mind.
New York City! You're truly the greatest, and you have the most fabulous dance scene ever.
What better way to celebrate such incredible culture and festive spirit than to make a small tutu contribution to our city? Let’s take on a fun challenge: let’s see how many pink tutus we can see all around New York! This can be a serious way of adding a touch of glamour and pink positivity.
(A picture of a vintage postcard from New York – the city skyline at sunset - the sky pink and peach – and the image superimposed with a single pink tutu on a woman walking over a street with yellow cabs passing by in the background. Emma’s blog name is superimposed, below, in elegant writing in pink. )
Think of all the fun we could have! Maybe it's time for the whole city to embrace the Pink Tutu Revolution. I can even make a small suggestion that it should be declared Pink Tutu Day to give it all a little extra zing – a whole day celebrating our beloved pink tutus. Don’t forget to spread the pink joy.
Oh! Remember that I mentioned a few special New York traditions? Well, for those of you who have already discovered all of those legendary Christmas events and shows, don't forget that we’re also getting into full festive swing, so you know what that means – New York’s most fantastic Christmas displays are up, everywhere.
You can’t miss seeing them!
( Emma’s selfie with her back to the viewer, taking a picture of the stunning Saks Fifth Avenue department store, decorated in its fabulous pink, glittery Christmas theme, as she holds a delicious, steaming cup of hot chocolate in her hand.)
Oh! And for all those shopping enthusiasts, you really must check out the famous Fifth Avenue Christmas lights!
They’re absolutely beautiful – an intricate light show which lights up the famous Avenue like magic, so don’t miss them.
Remember, you can follow my Pink Tutu Blog and all my fun adventures and photos on social media: @PinkTutu.com. I hope that you enjoy all my colourful travels and ballet updates.
(Emma in the classic ‘I’m standing on top of the world’ pose with both arms raised in victory with a Pink Tutu, which is lit with multi-coloured fairy lights in the snow with an iconic yellow cab, adorned in Christmas lights, speeding by.)
Keep the sparkle going. See you next week!
Happy tutuing!
(Image of a sparkly, iridescent, glittering pink tutu with multi-coloured sparkly fairy lights threaded throughout, and a tag pinned onto it in the colour of the most beautiful bright, vivid pink. Emma's signature. The letters spelled out in beautiful, flowing pink script, are: “Pink Tutu – Live Life with Sparkle”.)
