Hello, darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballerina, Emma, and this week I'm shimmying my way through the concrete jungle of New York City, just as the autumn leaves start to blush into shades of fiery orange and fiery crimson. I've finally made it back to the city that never sleeps, and my schedule is packed with a dazzling array of ballet, theatre, and – of course – shopping adventures!
Now, you all know my mantra: pink tutus for everyone! I truly believe that the world would be a brighter and happier place if everyone embraced a little bit of pink and a whole lot of twirling. And what better place to spread the pink tutu love than in the pulsating heart of New York?
From Derbyshire to New York - The Long Road To Tutu Land
My trip started at my cosy little home in Derbyshire. I know, you must think: "Emma, a ballerina from Derbyshire?" Well, yes! You might not expect it, but the heart of ballet burns just as brightly in our quaint English countryside. Every week, I twirl my way through local ballet classes and community performances, keeping my dreams of professional dancing alive. However, I also have a big dream to make the pink tutu dream a global phenomenon, and to do that I need to reach as many hearts as possible, to get everyone twirling. That's why I'm here in New York!
This week is about pushing my own boundaries. It's not just about spreading my pink tutu gospel. I've landed a lovely performance in the Broadway production of Swan Lake! I’ve got to say, seeing my name on the posters in Times Square, next to the biggest names in the world of ballet was a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming moment.
Of course, any visit to New York City isn’t complete without indulging in some incredible food, Broadway shows and shopping sprees. My pink tutu diary is bursting with the adventures that I'm going to share with you this week - keep on reading, darlings!
My Pink Tutu New York Diaries
Monday: A Taste of The Big Apple & Pink Tutu Style
After landing in the city that never sleeps, it’s a quick dash from JFK Airport to the Lower East Side, my stomping grounds for the week. My apartment is on the 3rd floor, nestled amidst a vibrant jumble of bohemian chic and classic New York charm.
For the first time in my New York escapades, I’ve decided to embrace public transport and I've got to say, riding the iconic yellow subway has been an adventure in itself! So many new sights and sounds, so much buzzing energy… Every time I catch the metro, it feels like stepping into a Broadway set.
And naturally, there's only one way to tackle a day in the city: a bright, playful pink tutu and a shimmering white top. This combo instantly transforms me into a ballerina on a mission. After all, what's a girl to do in New York City, other than spread some pink tutu love? My pink tutu skirt, with its delightful layers of delicate tulle, becomes the perfect dance floor, even in the midst of the bustling streets.
It’s a bright and vibrant morning. The sunbeams stream through the cafe windows and hit my bright pink tutu perfectly. After my long journey, a comforting Americano with oat milk and a light, crunchy cinnamon and apple pastry, with a side of my journal, sets me up perfectly. This place is a gem – the coffee is delicious, the pastries are light and fluffy, and it has that ‘lived in’ vibe that’s oh-so-New York. I quickly settle into my corner spot, grab a pencil and my trusty notebook and begin making notes on my NYC ballet experiences and inspirations.
My First Ballet Inspiration – The City That Never Sleeps… And Always Twirls
Today's the day – I’ve got to be at the iconic City Center for the very first ballet performance that got me interested in New York in the first place, "Tutus and Toilets" The most incredible group of street dancers. Imagine a street ballet scene that takes your breath away with the energy of the subway, but with the precision and grace of a classical dance! I've seen it all – flips and twirls, arabesques in between taxi cabs.
This performance reminds me that there’s an incredible fusion of ballet and urban art, so effortlessly integrated into everyday life.
NYC Inspiration and Fashion Find - The Tiniest Tutu Shop In New York
For lunch, I’m venturing into the streets to seek out New York City's finest. I think I've found the ultimate spot – nestled in between the most glamorous, expensive shops in New York City, I've found 'The Pink Tutu Store'. It's so tiny, you might even miss it - that's the beauty of this place! They have every single color imaginable, from classic pink, through a rainbow of colours to sparkly black.
You can just imagine me stepping inside, my eyes gleaming with delight as I am bombarded with the beauty of tulle. I find myself lost in a whimsical world of ribbons, sparkles, and every shade of pink imaginable. I decide on a gorgeous ombre tutu, a stunning gradient of soft pink that fades into a vibrant fuchsia.
I'm pretty sure, the owner of the store is my long-lost best friend! She's everything that makes New York feel amazing - super friendly, totally cool, knows exactly what’s what. It was like our love for all things pink and tulle was a bond from another world! We spend at least half an hour chatting about life in New York, ballet, and yes, she's heard about my pink tutu dream! She loves the concept, and I am ready to spread this message across New York, and maybe, one day, across the entire world.
My evening involves taking in another amazing Broadway performance, "The Phantom of The Opera", followed by a delectable meal in a charming Italian restaurant with warm candlelight and red-wine infused marinara sauces!
It’s a perfect end to a busy day in NYC and now it's back to my pink tutu diary, filled with notes and inspiration to bring my pink tutu dreams into reality, as well as details on the magical experiences I’ve had.
*Tuesday – Dancing the Day Away with The “New York City Ballet Company” *
Every morning in New York starts with the most stunning sunrise over the cityscape. It’s a spectacular view! To enjoy my second day in the city, I am choosing to experience the very heart of the “New York City Ballet Company,” their class is world-renowned!
What’s not to love about this beautiful building? It's an iconic building with soaring ceilings and windows that capture the brilliance of the city. The entire building breathes the energy and magic of ballet, with each dancer and every move, the art form becomes vividly alive.
I’m wearing my beautiful pink tutu (which, naturally, is getting its fair share of admiring glances in the city) and have my favorite ballet shoes tucked safely inside a “Pink Tutu” tote bag. After warming up with a simple cardio workout to set my muscles working, I join the dancers in the grand studio, their energy is absolutely electrifying. Every step they take, every spin they perform is filled with power, precision, and passion. The way they seamlessly blend elegance and athleticism, is captivating, like being in the presence of an electric force, that sends a wave of inspiration through me.
What's better, after the class is over, a couple of the dancers approach me! It turns out they follow my blog and love my pink tutu story and my aim to spread the love. I mean, is this not the most incredible thing in the world! It was like a scene from a ballerina's fairy-tale dream come true.
I felt the spirit of ballet running through the room - we talk for a long time about dance, the creative inspiration that can be found on the streets, the thrill of performances on stage, the art of the “en pointe” move, and all about our experiences!
I think we’ll meet again - we're all going to be on stage in Swan Lake!
Shopping, Sunset & Ballet In New York City
A quick hop to a fabulous luncheon at a chic cafe in Greenwich Village, with an afternoon stroll in Central Park, filled with the warm, orange colours of the late afternoon.
Later that evening, as the sky is alive with a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues, I meet up with some fellow dancers to take a stroll through Times Square, the place where I see my “Swan Lake” posters – you can be sure that I had a picture with it – it’s in my Instagram stories already!
A quick bite of street food, “Pizza by the Slice” for me - no fussy restaurants for this girl - followed by a stunning ballet performance at the magnificent Metropolitan Opera House, I know what you’re thinking – you do not need a pink tutu for an evening at the opera – I am breaking all the rules of high fashion. But the reality is – life is about pushing boundaries.
My pink tutu – in fact, all tutus are about expressing a sense of freedom. That's why it’s all about choosing that extra twirl in a dark-navy sparkly dress for a more glamorous take, but still my pink tutu look! The evening comes alive as the legendary Tchaikovsky masterpiece ‘Swan Lake’ graces the stage, the symphony flowing around me with graceful intensity.
*Wednesday – A Dance Marathon, The City That Never Sleeps… But I Need to Nap! *
Today's schedule is packed – from 9 am until 5pm I've got classes, rehearsals, and preparation for my performance!
Pink Tutu & Fashion Diary
I’m so busy, I forget to keep my food intake up! I grab a fast snack of fruit, some crunchy veggie snacks and enough water to hydrate and power through my marathon of a schedule. There's just something exhilarating about being immersed in this kind of activity! Each and every rehearsal has brought me closer to the magic that will ignite on the stage, each rehearsal helps me get in touch with my passion, the beauty of music, and my ballet heritage, which extends all the way from the cosy streets of Derbyshire to this incredible metropolis.
I'm dressed for dance class today - the beautiful, pink stretch tutus. I love wearing them - they hug my curves perfectly. To add a little bit of edge, I've layered on some sheer leggings. I look incredible and feel fantastic! I do not have the energy to apply my makeup this morning, and that’s fine - because natural beauty is my style!
Today I want to write more about the style I've incorporated to make a ballerina statement in the Big Apple.
If you know me, then you know that I don’t take style tips from fashion magazines - I like my style to have an edge, and for it to stand out from the crowd! But, sometimes, it is fun to have a little inspo, especially when I'm visiting a city as stylish as New York City! So for some shopping inspiration, I head out to a few key shopping spots that I always visit - The iconic Barney's, of course! A few cute boutique stores - always a great place to find the latest trends and most exciting styles, plus they often have special offers.
And the place that never disappoints me – Forever 21 !
Forever 21 - it's all about fashion without the heavy price tag! I can mix-and-match some fabulous clothes to give my style that extra edge.
My Ballet Family - The Pink Tutu Squad
As the evening descends, the "New York City Ballet" company takes the stage to showcase the talent and grace that’s cultivated within its walls. It’s just what I need to feel a wave of creative energy. There's such a positive buzz as I find myself with my dance friends and we talk about the incredible energy of today. We’re the ultimate squad of dance lovers and I am loving it – after our performance, it’s straight back to my cozy studio for some more practice, getting my body ready for tonight’s "Swan Lake". I have an intense feeling I’m going to make history in this ballet show.
Thursday – A Glamorous Transformation and Taking Center Stage
My Pink Tutu Blog: Dress for the Occasion
Today is my dress rehearsal and show-day! I’ve got to admit, the butterflies in my stomach are swirling in overdrive. I am always nervous before any show - the feeling of wanting to make my dream come true, is always so present. I know I'll do fantastic!
It's one of the greatest experiences I've ever had! Today's all about transforming into the swan of Swan Lake. It starts with the hair, I need a stylish yet sophisticated ballet bun that will make my performance truly elegant, I love the fact that I get to try out so many new looks and styles with the dancers and the hairdressers in the company. Then the makeup.
It is the ultimate transformation – and of course, the dress for tonight’s performance is the white tulle ballet skirt – the epitome of ballet attire.
From Dreams To Reality - I'm on Stage at The "Swan Lake"
The stage is dark - all I can see is the brilliant beam of the stage light on me – I can almost feel the heat of it from where I am standing. I close my eyes for a moment, trying to relax myself as much as possible. I think about the long journey from my quaint town of Derbyshire, all the hard work in the ballet studio – to this place – it’s all been a dream and I never gave up on it.
And then it’s my time to take to the stage. I have to show the audience my passion, my dreams, and the beauty of ballet!
The entire theatre was alive with the energy of the performance – a truly inspiring night of art, music, and ballet – every single moment on that stage, is filled with emotion and expression. I love dancing – there’s just no feeling like it. There’s this wonderful sense of joy, accomplishment, and release.
And, when the curtain comes down - I'm ready to celebrate - with my dance friends.
*Friday – A Day for Exploring – Pink Tutu NYC Style *
It’s been a crazy week and after my incredible Swan Lake performance, I've earned a little treat – the fabulous Fifth Avenue for me!
I need to reward myself and this is one of my favourite streets to get lost in a stylish whirl of the most luxurious and exquisite fashion brands in New York City – think Gucci, Tiffany & Co., and Dior. I could spend hours wandering around - window shopping is always the perfect excuse for some girly retail therapy.
After a luxurious luncheon, a relaxing afternoon walk, soaking in the autumn vibes in the famous Central Park. It’s amazing to think I'm standing where so many movies and shows have been filmed - a moment of “pinch-me-I’m-dreaming” !
Then there is nothing better for a Friday night than Broadway - tonight I am off to watch “The Lion King”!
The magic of theatre never ceases to amaze me.
*Saturday & Sunday – New York City, I Love You - Back to Derbyshire and My Next Adventures! *
After a busy week in NYC - there's nothing better than relaxing with a book – so I settle back in my cosy apartment - I’ve got to do some laundry and packing – it’s been an incredible week – filled with some of the most beautiful and unique ballet moments.
I’ve had some lovely chats with ballet friends – and it’s given me lots of inspiration to expand the Pink Tutu community across the globe - from my little hometown of Derbyshire to New York, maybe next, it will be Paris.
My journey across the pond was an incredible one! Until next time!
*Yours Truly,
Emma xx *
