Hello darling readers, and welcome to my very own slice of the Big Apple, it's Monday the 26th December 2022 and, well, I'm feeling extremely fabulous! It’s a big day today, you see, it's Boxing Day in the UK and who doesn't love Boxing Day, it's the best excuse to wear the comfiest pjs (or my tutu, of course, even if it is a bit itchy), gorge on leftover Christmas turkey and relax in style! I've taken full advantage of all the extra rest and chill time, because today I'm back in the Big Apple, baby! You'll know that last week I spent a week with my family in Derbyshire, but darling, there's no place like NYC for a little December indulgence, especially as this amazing city is really rocking out right now with the Christmas holidays!
Now, I've been dreaming about coming back to New York since I left a mere week ago, and, believe me, I've got a packed schedule to share with you!
It's officially winter in New York, and I've got to tell you, it's positively dreamy, especially for a ballerina. Just walking through the crisp air with the snowflakes twirling down on my pink tutu felt like a winter wonderland! Plus, I don’t have to worry about the cold, just wrap up in my trusty fluffy pink winter coat and I'm good to go.
Today's agenda? Shopping, of course, I’ve got an exclusive peek at a designer friend's studio and there's a new store I simply must visit for the best designer shoe sales (I'm talking some serious discounts), and then, darling, a beautiful Christmas ballet performance by the New York City Ballet - a classic Nutcracker ballet. Now, I love this time of year in New York, even better with a classic ballet - nothing brings out the magic of winter like a traditional performance, and The Nutcracker never disappoints!
And to make it even better, I'm heading out with my friends tonight, who all look so festive in their twinkly festive party dresses! My best friend’s Christmas party at a beautiful little bar uptown with a rooftop view over the city lights. Who needs tinsel when you have NYC’s spectacular skyline, twinkling like a million little stars in the dark, all to yourself.
But back to the business of shopping! So far, my adventures have led me to one of the most gorgeous vintage stores on Fifth Avenue - oh, it's got everything you could possibly wish for in the realm of fashion! From decadent fur coats (and a faux fur collection just as divine) and dresses with the most dramatic flair, to bags and shoes. This shop is bursting with a timeless charm, I was absolutely spellbound, and you can just tell I'm going to be spending a lot of my shopping hours there over the next couple of weeks!
I can't resist a spot of browsing the famous stores of Madison Avenue - and I never fail to fall head over heels for Bergdorf Goodman! The window displays this time of year are pure eye candy, and the window decorations have been so intricately done - like a tiny little snow village. I found myself completely captivated by them for a good half hour or so (shh…don’t tell my friends, they think it’s pretty silly, but you know, sometimes I just get lost in the sheer magic of these creations!).
I snagged myself a new festive sweater with delicate red berries and I am in love. And of course, it has to be paired with the perfect tutu, the kind that adds just a touch of shimmer and sparkles - just like the Christmas decorations! (Pink tutu for Christmas? Absolutely, you know I'm all about the holiday spirit). I'm sure this new festive sweater is going to become a staple in my winter wardrobe - you'll definitely see a lot more of it, trust me! I might even try my luck at The Museum of Modern Art to get the perfect pink Christmas gift. You've heard about the Met Gala - let's just say it's an extremely chic night of fun, fashion, and pure glitz, but this, my darlings, this is where you will find the really fabulous people - who don't want to follow the boring "same old trends" from Paris and Milan, but are looking for that more adventurous style - and that's where my fashion heart really lies!
My mission is to take my passion for all things pink, fluffy, and fashionable, and to inject it into everything I do – from my favourite tutu, to the pink eyeshadow on my eyelids! So keep your eyes peeled, darling readers - I’m about to sprinkle a whole lot of pinkness on the Big Apple. And that's how we make life a whole lot more stylish, darling!
So, I think I'll go for a leisurely walk through the city. I love those New York blocks, with all those brightly coloured red, green and pink lights that make this city look so inviting, especially on this freezing evening! Maybe I'll pop into the little independent cafes and get a peppermint latte, or just try out a new spot that catches my eye - and it’ll most likely be on account of the décor or the name.
And then it'll be back to my little haven in Manhattan, my little apartment which looks out onto Central Park - I've got a comfy seat on my balcony and the snow is twirling through the trees - a perfect evening view. And with all the twirling I've done this past week I'm going to relax, put on the best film and a slice of festive pie, and put on the best of Broadway's biggest hits - which I was lucky enough to catch this weekend. Oh, darling, what a treat! The shows have blown me away! All those costumes, all that choreography, oh I wish I could have done that! But darling, if I can't actually dance on stage myself, well I’m a little happy about the free tickets I got for the “Aladdin” show for the holiday season - oh what a dazzling night that was! The sheer magic of this classic musical was an absolutely brilliant, glitzy, and glam experience. (and I am definitely not biased! )
And since you've probably gathered that I do quite enjoy spending time in some of the most amazing cities in the world, I'm really excited to be adding my New York adventures to my travels. Who knew that travelling with your pink tutu could take you all over the world? And that's the thing about New York: It's always something different. A new discovery each time you venture out!
I've been so lucky to be invited to the beautiful little theater and to join a couple of friends and spend an evening immersed in a wonderful theatre production – and this time it's Shakespeare’s “The Winter's Tale,” - and you just can't miss out on this production! I'm completely absorbed into every part, the words are so beautiful, the costumes so amazing, and I just know this will become a real theatrical highlight this year, for sure. I'm already plotting my next trip - maybe in the summer? I really can’t wait for my next adventure with you darling readers – you are all a big part of this amazing journey of mine - keep up to date with what I'm up to every week. Don’t forget to pop over to www.pink-tutu.com and check out the website!
Oh and speaking of exciting things: I've decided to do a new project. A photo blog project for every month that I’m in New York, I’m going to showcase what my perfect outfit for New York city looks like. For this first month it’s all about winter warmth! So I'll be taking lots of photos in the pink tutu, a furry coat, the amazing hat that I got on a recent shopping trip (It has this great oversized pom-pom that I’ve had a slight obsession with, but it really does add a playful charm!) and just see how many New York locations I can find to do a shoot with it all set up against an array of city scenes. How exciting!
New York truly does make me want to put on a big pink tutu and spin! I've always been enchanted by its energy and the fashion, especially when it’s December in this city, oh the glitz and the glam and all the Christmas festivities - there's so much joy and energy in this city - you really feel the holiday spirit just swirling around you! And even better is how kind and welcoming everyone is, the little shopkeepers with their colourful storefront displays, the waiters in the cosy, warm little cafes, and of course, the local community - you get a real sense of that shared feeling in this wonderful place.
So if you happen to find yourself on these city streets, come say hi – you're bound to see me dancing my way through NYC, or whirling around with a new fluffy tutu creation in a stylish vintage boutique! Don't be afraid to stop by and say hi – my aim is to help every single person, every girl and every woman in the world to wear a tutu, with that same joyful energy - and to live with passion. I’m all for taking those little moments and enjoying everything life throws our way, in the most fabulous of ways – which always, always involves a tutu! And I am hoping I've inspired you to add a dash of colour to your everyday life too!
Lots of Love, Emma www.pink-tutu.com
