Hey lovely readers! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad adventurer, Emma, reporting live from the magical city that never sleeps – New York City! This week, I've been swirling and twirling my way through the concrete jungle, and it's been a simply spectacular whirlwind of glitter, glam, and, of course, a whole lot of pink!
It's Monday the 8th of February 2027, and you know what that means? It's Pink Tutu Blog time! So grab your favourite cuppa (I'm currently sipping a delightful rose-tinted chai latte from a vintage china mug), settle in, and get ready for another fabulous journey through the eyes of a tutu-wearing dreamer!
This week, my travels have been fuelled by the glorious thrill of a show-stopping ballet performance, a heart-stoppingly beautiful performance of Swan Lake by the New York City Ballet. Oh, it was simply breathtaking! The grace, the precision, the artistry - it truly took my breath away. I particularly loved the stunning costumes – that shimmering black swan tutu with its cascading feathers was simply divine. You’ve got to love the elegance of a good swan tutu, especially in a black and white colour combo.
I always get a little giddy when I see ballet dancers onstage wearing those fabulous tutus – they really bring out the graceful ballerina in me! As I took in the beautiful spectacle, I couldn’t help but think how it would be an absolute dream to dance on that very stage someday, to feel that sense of artistry and accomplishment and that feeling of being surrounded by a dedicated, committed troupe of performers – it’s enough to make any dancer weep with joy!
Speaking of dance, I have a big secret to share with you! (Psst, get close…closer….) ?
I've finally achieved my lifelong dream – I'm going to start ballet classes in New York! This city is absolutely teeming with amazing dance studios, so it was no easy feat finding the perfect fit – I spent days, darling! (Who’d have thought finding the right ballet studio was so demanding, right? Well, that’s the problem when you only wear pink!) I needed a studio that had the perfect blend of rigorous training, fun, and friendly atmosphere - not forgetting those important features; excellent central location (to be sure I can zip in and out on the subway!) and top-notch dance facilities with great facilities, beautiful studios, and maybe some comfy and trendy dressing rooms with some funky vintage-style mirrors, too, naturally.
And you know what? After a little Tutu-inspired exploration of New York's dance scene, I found the perfect place, a little studio called “Dance With Me” that felt right at home for me, located in the chic Greenwich Village area. It has everything a dancer needs – excellent teachers (who are, as you would expect, a delight to work with!) plus all those little extras I absolutely adore; high-ceilings, floor-to-ceiling mirrors (absolutely vital to check out my Tutu, obviously), plush padded barre, and best of all, a cosy relaxation area with big comfy armchairs where you can grab a post-dance cuppa with fellow ballerinas and relax.
Of course, I couldn’t let a trip to the Big Apple pass by without some shopping – after all, there's something about this city that makes you want to dress to impress. My shopping spree was fuelled by an amazing trip to The Plaza Hotel. This magnificent hotel was my New York dream escape and I absolutely fell in love with the old world opulence and glamour. And, of course, there was no escaping the Pink Paradise that is Tiffany & Co.! I had to stop by their Fifth Avenue flagship store and, guess what? I fell in love with a simply irresistible set of pink crystal earrings - absolutely perfect to make a statement in the big city! They even have their own iconic box with that delightful blue ribbon. Who can resist that beautiful pale blue colour against the most lovely shade of pink? Oh darling, just absolutely perfect! And now for my secret…it turns out Tiffany’s have a special ballet tutu department that’s on the 6th floor…you wouldn’t believe the range of tutus they stock. There is literally a tutu in there for every colour under the sun – I almost bought myself a sparkly purple one (and a sparkly teal, silver, yellow one). You see, a ballerina never can resist a good tutu, can she? And I couldn't resist adding a stylish pink hat to my collection too! There are just some things you have to do when you're in New York, right?!
Of course, it wouldn't be a Pink Tutu blog post without an update on my tutu collection, would it?! It turns out I found the cutest little boutique selling adorable vintage tutus and ballet supplies called “Dance Around”! And of course, it was tucked away on a cobbled backstreet, behind the main streets and all its honking cars and traffic - where all the most amazing finds can be found! I stumbled upon it totally by accident, tucked down an adorable side street lined with quirky vintage boutiques and little cafes - you know, those places where the owners are really proud to show you all their gorgeous trinkets and fabulous items – those vintage-inspired places I love to find. And just imagine how utterly delicious all that shopping made me feel when I had a delicious gluten-free cookie from a little French bakery, all on a cute and charming cobbled street in downtown Manhattan, New York City. You’re feeling it too, aren’t you? The fabulous energy of New York City is bubbling in you too.
Back to the tutus. The boutique was absolutely brimming with delightful frills and fabrics – it was like stepping into a fairytale! I discovered an absolutely divine peach-coloured, double-layered tulle tutu that just had to come home with me! It’s almost good enough to wear to the ballet! I mean, it's just so chic! They say that real magic lies in finding unexpected beauty, and the tutu was my ultimate “Dance Around” treasure - a little pink gem from a shop that makes you feel like you could really spin away on the breeze! And guess what else? You wouldn’t believe the size of this vintage costume and accessory shop - just overflowing with tutus! They really know their stuff here! They had more sequins and sequins galore than you could ever imagine! I can already imagine all the cute, bright, shiny pink tutus I’m going to buy!
While I'm on the topic of shops, I just have to tell you about my absolute favourite discovery - the amazing and unique MOMA Design Store. Now, for those of you who don't know, MOMA (the Museum of Modern Art) is a fabulous and renowned museum and an essential visit if you’re in New York. (And let’s face it, if you’re in the USA, a trip to New York is pretty much mandatory - especially if you are a ballerina.) And you know, even if I do say so myself, the MoMA is one of the chicest and most vibrant venues I’ve visited to date! Well, apart from all the Pink Tutu inspired fashion shows, naturally!
It just happens that this incredible art centre also has a wonderful gift shop, overflowing with imaginative, funky designs! (That reminds me, it is pretty cold in NYC. The weather can fluctuate and if you aren’t careful, one day you’ll be out in a skirt and ballerina flats and the next day it will be a blustery coat with a thick scarf and fluffy boots - New York weather - you never know). I treated myself to the most beautiful pink-hued travel mug to add to my growing collection!
And on that note, let’s talk about the journey. The journey to New York, or even any travel by train or airplane, can get a little boring and drab. Sometimes, on a very long flight, you’ll even be sitting in an incredibly small seat squashed in between large tourists. Yes, even the seats have to contend with the large New Yorker and American crowds who take up all the legroom with their big suitcases. A girl with her ballet kit can find herself at the back of the plane in that uncomfortable “mini-cabin” that makes her tutu slightly awkward to hold as she tries to hold onto her hand luggage too. But there is one silver lining; even on those cramped journeys I’m wearing a delightful tutu that never fails to make me smile. Just look around. You’ll often find yourself making people smile or getting admiring glances when they see you proudly wearing your Tutu. And if you need more, I just find those shiny pink and rainbow tutu’s so wonderfully cheerful when I’m surrounded by a sea of black or gray.
The metro in New York is also a journey you must experience for yourself, no matter where you’re from in the world! That network of underground subway lines that zip and zoom around the city is full of life and character, and you never know what quirky character you might meet on the journey! (If you're ever at Penn Station in New York and looking for some incredible street art to see and feel, head to the Lower East Side to admire all the creative street art around Allen Street and Orchard Street).
And for those of you with a taste for fashion, it wouldn’t be a blog post from New York without a little exploration of some of its unique styles, wouldn’t you say? Well, the fashion here is totally on another level. I really am spoiled for choice, darling.
Now, let's talk about what's in store for New York this week! It’s the second week of February in New York – time for all those beautiful events, festivities, and amazing, exciting, and fashionable displays for Valentine’s Day. Oh, it is definitely time to get out that favourite red dress and a chic pair of ballerina shoes or ballet pumps to look sensational and romantic for a date!
New York City also features the legendary Winter Garden Theater, in the beautiful and elaborate World Wide Plaza. This gorgeous venue holds some of New York’s best theater shows and Broadway musicals. If you happen to visit the Big Apple this week, keep your eyes peeled for these Broadway shows, Grease, Kimberly Akimbo, and the smash-hit, Moulin Rouge, in the amazing 8th Ave.
What's next on the Pink Tutu adventure? I've got a little something exciting lined up – a visit to the famous Statue of Liberty, but first, I’m going to explore some delicious treats on a fabulous cupcake crawl through New York! Let's be real, every adventure deserves a sweet ending, especially a Tutu one! And if there’s one place in the USA to discover divine, colourful and delectable cupcakes it has to be the bright, bubbly Big Apple, don’t you think?
Catch you next Monday for more Pink Tutu adventures in New York!
Much love and sparkle, Emma xxx
