Hello my lovely Tutu-ettes! It's Monday again, which means it's time for another Pink Tutu Blog NYC post! I'm writing to you from a sun-drenched cafe in Greenwich Village, sipping on a delicious iced latte and surrounded by the energy of New York City. It feels amazing to be back in the Big Apple, even if the last time I was here was just a few short weeks ago! I absolutely love coming to New York, especially in winter. It's truly magical seeing the city lit up with twinkling lights and decked out in festive decor. But even when the snow's not falling and the trees are bare, there's just something about the energy of this city that gets my heart racing and my feet tapping.
My week of tutus and tiaras:
I kicked off this week with a beautiful ballet class at Steps on Broadway - I absolutely adore taking classes here, and always feel so inspired by the energy of the other dancers and the beautiful space itself. Afterwards, I went to check out the incredible display of shoes at Bergdorf Goodman - seriously, I spent ages admiring the stunning craftsmanship of their shoes, and even treated myself to a pair of sparkly ballet flats! Can't wait to show you a picture on Instagram later.
The highlight of my trip so far, however, has to be the incredible production of "The Nutcracker" I saw at Lincoln Center! I could tell this was going to be something special just from the beautiful lobby, but the performance itself blew me away. It's been such a long time since I last saw "The Nutcracker," and I think it was just what I needed this December to really feel that festive magic!
Speaking of magic, you guys, I'm on a real mission to spread the joy of tutus everywhere I go! While I was wandering around SoHo, I met a lovely lady named Jessica who I instantly felt a connection with. Jessica confessed that she'd always wanted to wear a tutu but just never felt the courage. So guess what? After a bit of chatting and a lot of giggles, she took the plunge and tried on my spare tutu! She looked amazing and loved it - seriously, you've got to check out her beaming smile on my Instagram Stories! You know how I feel about encouraging people to embrace their inner Tutu Queen!
Finding magic in the mundane:
Something else I love about New York City is its incredible metro system. The subway, though packed at times, is such a part of the urban fabric of New York. I could sit and listen to people's conversations and stories for hours, sometimes it's like I'm in an invisible ballet class as I watch them rush to catch their train or make room for a fellow passenger. I love seeing the wide variety of people coming and going; it's a melting pot of personalities and lifestyles. Sometimes I get lost in my imagination, imagining where people are heading, what they do, what their lives are like - maybe they’re going to a fancy cocktail party or maybe they are a famous actress in hiding (I'm a sucker for a bit of fantasy). It’s just a fascinating insight into the human condition, no matter how short it might be!
Another way I try to infuse a bit of "ballet magic" into my daily life is by watching as many street performances as I can find. From tap dancers to hip hop crews to mime artists, I never know what I’m going to stumble upon as I explore different neighborhoods. It's amazing to see so many different talents come alive right there in front of you. Plus, you never know - I'm always keeping an eye out for talented ballerinas (or wannabe ballerinas, just like you!), especially the ones with the courage to dance in public! I might just pop by to have a chat, offer them some inspiration or just offer a simple compliment. Every dancer needs support and a little bit of love!
A little fashion inspiration from the City That Never Sleeps:
I've been trying to absorb the latest fashion trends whilst I’ve been here in NYC and you’ll see this reflected in my blog posts and Instagram. It's all about clashing prints and textures. This week I’m really loving colourful knitted cardies and bright winter jackets. In between classes and rehearsals, I've spent hours wandering the shops on Fifth Avenue, and the sheer scale and variety are mind-blowing. Seriously, there is literally something for everyone here, no matter your budget or style.
Today, my shopping splurge was at Zara. I picked up a couple of things that have become my new go-to items: a chunky-knit turtleneck that will make me feel like the chicest, warmest ballerina on the planet, and a pair of stylish black leggings to help give my look a more modern edge. I’m all about wearing tutus in my everyday life, but mixing things up sometimes is super fun and there's no reason a ballerina can’t be a trendsetter.
One of my biggest finds, though, was actually at a thrift shop on Bleecker Street. You guys, I found a vintage beaded bag for under 20 dollars! It’s the perfect addition to a night-out ensemble. If I’m going to a show, nothing says 'Pink Tutu Blogger' like a glittery beaded bag. Seriously, this find could just be the start of my new vintage collection!
A Little Piece of Derbyshire in the City:
Even though I love travelling, I've also discovered that a little slice of home always goes down a treat. You’ll all know that I’m originally from Derbyshire. I’m a true Brit through and through! I've discovered the most amazing little British tea shop tucked away on the Upper East Side. It's like a little bit of Derbyshire brought right to the heart of Manhattan. I even managed to find a scone and some proper Yorkshire tea! It felt like such a treat, and reminded me of the good ol’ days of ballet classes back in England. And what do you know, I met the most lovely elderly woman there who's lived in Derbyshire all her life. We even ended up sharing stories of the local bakery and chatting about our favorite places to visit!
So as you can see, I'm making the most of my trip, immersing myself in all that this wonderful city has to offer. From ballet classes and theater shows to exploring different neighborhoods and thrifting for a few vintage treasures, it's a truly inspiring experience.
I have to admit, the hardest part of coming to New York is having to leave. As I hop back on the train towards the airport later this week, I know I'll miss the bustling streets, the chatter and laughter, the lights and the energy, but I can't wait to come back! You've heard it all before, but New York City is truly an inspiration for so many reasons - it's a city where anyone can be whoever they want to be! And if I can encourage everyone to try wearing a pink tutu in a city where people literally wear everything they can imagine (some good, some bad, some completely wild), then maybe one day I can do this all over the world!
Stay tuned next week as I share more about my life as a Tutu-loving dancer in the heart of NYC and I’m sure I'll have a whole host of new ideas for fun, fresh fashion to keep you inspired! And who knows, maybe you'll even see me rocking that vintage bag out and about in New York City or maybe, just maybe, on a catwalk...
See you soon, and don’t forget to dance!
Lots of love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
PS: Want to see some snaps of my travels in New York City and some of the looks I’ve been trying out? Head over to my Instagram account: @pinktutublogger. I'd love to hear about your dance dreams and anything you might be inspired to try out - even if it's not a tutu, get creative and let me know your fashion choices.
