Greetings, darlings!
It’s Monday, which means it’s time for a new post on the Pink Tutu Blog. I’m Emma, and I’m currently in the glorious city that never sleeps - New York City! This week’s adventures were jam-packed with tutus, glitter, and, of course, the most divine pink hues you can imagine!
You may remember, I'm travelling the world performing my ballet and funding my fabulous life through these amazing shows. And this week I’m in the Big Apple, breathing in the intoxicating atmosphere, the frenetic energy, the honking taxis and the sights and sounds of the most exciting city on earth! And, of course, soaking up the unique ballet scene here.
This city is my happy place, just like being in a beautiful, frilly pink tutu. They go together perfectly. It's almost like the city knows when I arrive, as everything I see and experience is just…well…perfect. It really does feel like I’m living a fairy-tale.
Friday was the perfect day to launch my adventures. After arriving at the iconic Grand Central Terminal, I went straight for the Empire State Building. After ascending to the observation deck on the top floor, I watched the sun slowly sink down, casting golden hues across the skyscrapers, while a gentle breeze ruffled the layers of my tulle skirt. Honestly, it was a moment I will never forget, like I had stepped out of a storybook and onto the rooftop of New York City!
Later that evening, I treated myself to an extraordinary ballet performance at the New York City Ballet. My fellow Derbyshire native, the lovely Darcey Bussell, once danced with them and I was absolutely thrilled to finally be seeing them for myself. It was incredible to witness the grace, skill, and beauty of these amazing dancers, their athleticism combined with a breathtaking story told entirely through movement and music. I was spellbound! And the best part? The sheer spectacle of the stage costumes: gorgeous colours and even some glittering tutus. They are real masters of their craft. It really inspired me and it's no wonder they are one of the leading ballet companies in the world.
Afterward, I strolled through the colourful Times Square, enjoying the dazzling lights and vibrant energy. A real feast for the senses. The city never sleeps, they say. I don't know about you, but that's how I felt in New York. I had a late-night picnic, munching on delicious hot dogs (yes, you can find them even on Broadway!) and watching the late-night Broadway crowd go by. It was magical. I had a delicious cupcake on my walk home to the little boutique hotel I've booked, too. It was quite decadent but I just had to!
Saturday, my first morning in New York, I had to wake up at the crack of dawn. The ballet life doesn’t let you sleep in. I made sure my tutu and hair were perfectly in place and then rushed down for breakfast. My day was planned, which was exciting. My morning began in the heart of Brooklyn at the beautiful Brooklyn Botanic Garden (so beautiful and romantic!) where I took some of my favorite photos wearing a new shade of pink! I mean, when is it not the perfect time for a pink tutu?!
In the afternoon, I embarked on a fashion extravaganza! There is a reason New York is called the fashion capital, isn't there? So much to see and it's all so inspiring! Firstly, a visit to Macy’s, the most famous department store in the world. It’s so big that it could hold a full-sized theatre - and you know how I feel about theatre! I loved exploring its multiple levels filled with everything from handbags and jewelry to shoes and clothes! My love affair with pink continued there and you can bet I brought home a whole collection of beautiful pink garments that have a special place in my heart.
I couldn’t just stay at Macy’s though - I had to venture out for some more amazing fashion discoveries, especially with the weekend crowds out and about, it really was the perfect day. A jaunt on the subway (a favourite pastime of mine and such an adventure in its own right!) brought me to a vibrant new neighbourhood, a world away from Macy’s with a whole new world of independent designer stores, small boutiques, and vintage stores. There was a real vibe, full of energy and creative passion, and I picked up a beautiful new scarf that really was a bargain. It looked so pretty tied onto my pink tutu.
By the time I went back to the hotel I was exhausted from a great day but I just had to find an evening outfit and head back to Times Square for a night on the town. So much fun! My top pick for a spot in New York is the Rainbow Room, for an incredible night of glamour, a decadent menu and incredible cocktails. The night just got better and better - you see so many Broadway stars when you visit there. They go on to work on those big shows like Wicked and The Lion King! It's an incredible vibe. It's definitely one of my most magical places in the whole city.
Sunday morning dawned, which meant one thing, it was ballet class day. I don’t just love watching ballet performances, I love actually participating. That's what I love the most. Getting my tutu on and getting sweaty. The ballet studios here are different, of course. It’s hard to believe I am halfway across the world! You never really know what you are going to find when you walk into a class and you certainly never know who else will be there. My last class, for example, I was there with a professional ballerina from Russia! I hope I wasn't embarrassing myself but, actually, she really made me laugh. She even borrowed my pink ballet shoes for part of the session. There’s something really great about ballet – it is a language that is understood by people all over the world. I always feel like I’m meeting people from another planet, a language spoken just through movement and, you guessed it, those pink tutus!
That afternoon was time to see another ballet show! It’s quite hard to keep track of my shows really, especially with this amazing lineup in New York, it seems there is always a big ballet production happening somewhere! And I simply cannot resist the lure of a beautiful story told through dance. My Sunday was perfect – after the afternoon show at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, a little ice cream, a long hot bath at my little hotel and another show. But this time it was not ballet - it was a Broadway play. Waitress, now, there was a show!
If you are in the city you just have to see the Broadway shows, especially Waitress. It’s about a talented waitress in a small town with an imagination that shines as brightly as her tutu, especially when she decides to enter a baking competition that promises her a chance at freedom from her suffocating life and love of a man who just doesn't know her true heart! You can almost smell the baking smells coming off the stage it’s such an immersive, joyous show and all set in America! They had some great costumes too!
And then…well, it’s Monday, so that means time to blog, but I was so jetlagged. I could barely keep my eyes open but I really wanted to share all of my adventures with you, especially the tutu-licious happenings. There were some incredibly cute pink tutu sightings in the city today! So I made my way down to Bryant Park with my favourite New York cup of coffee to share some of my new inspiration and maybe to find a pink tutu of my own. That park is so beautiful.
Even though this blog is called Pink Tutu Blog I must admit, after my trip, it's going to become Pink Tutu & Broadway Blog now. What a journey I have been on over the last few days. What a wonderful week in the Big Apple. I'm excited to see what tomorrow brings! Maybe even more pink tutus…or, you never know…maybe it’ll be another magical Broadway show or a ballet class with a few new faces.
Until next week… Stay stylish, wear a pink tutu! X
