Saturday, 15th April 2006
Oh, mon chéri, Paris! The city of lights, the city of romance, the city of… well, I’m getting ahead of myself.
Let’s rewind a bit. This week was a whirlwind of preparation, all geared towards my much-anticipated Paris trip! I’d finally finished choreographing my new “Twinkle Toes” routine for the village hall summer fete (it’s going to be a real show-stopper!), and after a rather taxing performance in the Peak District Ballet Theatre’s latest production of "Sleeping Beauty", I was finally on my way to the Gare du Nord!
I mean, there’s just something magical about the EuroStar, isn’t there? The sleek, futuristic trains, the whizzing through the Channel Tunnel, the sense of adventure and excitement bubbling away like champagne in a flute… and of course, my absolute favourite part – wearing my favourite bright pink tutu on the journey!
The EuroStar, darling, just begs to be accessorised with something spectacular. Imagine the looks of the fellow passengers - first the smiles, then the polite coughs, then the giggles, the whispers of “How lovely”, the covert “Did you see that?”, the little kids tugging at their mum’s skirts... a whole little orchestra of wonder at the sight of my twirling through the carriages. It's quite wonderful to bring a little sparkle into their day!
Anyway, as we left the train and entered Gare du Nord, I was hit by that quintessential Parisian vibe: the mix of old-world charm and buzzing modernity, the scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the air, the soft, buttery-smooth sound of Parisian accents filling my ears… It was pure magic!
And the sunshine! Ah, the glorious, glorious sunshine! My Paris travels always coincide with that rare period of the year when the sun peeks through the clouds in Paris – just long enough for a delightful wander along the Champs-Élysées, a picnic in the Tuileries Gardens, or an ice-cream by the Eiffel Tower. (My Parisian tip: try the raspberry sorbet at “Poilâne”. It’s heaven in a cone!).
Exploring the Heart of Paris:
This week was about rediscovering Paris - the familiar sights and scents that I’d come to love over the years:
Musée d'Orsay: Always a must-visit, especially for my beloved impressionist paintings. This week, the gallery had a wonderful exhibition by Renoir which really captured my eye. I love the movement, the colours, and that playful airiness he brings to his subjects. He captures a little piece of joy on each canvas, and who doesn't need a little bit of joy these days, right? And of course, a perfect setting for twirling in my blush-pink tulle skirt! (Spoiler: I did twirl - there's a very important sculpture in the middle of the gallery floor, just saying…)
The Seine: You can't talk about Paris without talking about the Seine, can you? I love taking a boat tour on this grand river - it’s the best way to see the city from a new perspective. As we sailed past Notre-Dame, I closed my eyes for a moment, imagining all the stories that river has carried on its surface over centuries - love, sorrow, war, peace - it truly is a living thing! And yes, you guessed it, I even wore my pink tutu - imagine me gliding across the water in it like a swan - a swan with a twinkle!
A Walk Down Memory Lane: And finally, a walk along the Champs-Élysées is a rite of passage in Paris - a visual feast for any fashionista like me! I’m on the lookout for vintage treasures, cute boutiques, and any signs of Paris Fashion Week buzz (I’ve heard whispers of it!). It’s a great place to see and be seen! You’ll spot me in my cherry red polka-dot dress and a jaunty pink feather boa, dancing through the crowds like a little ballet dancer (after all, I am the Pink Tutu queen!) And yes, I do plan to snap a photo of me, perched proudly on one of those Parisian benches - for those who enjoy a little je ne sais quoi...
The Ballet:
And how could I possibly be in Paris without catching a performance at the Palais Garnier? The opera house is an incredible example of architecture, lavish and majestic, it’s a true ode to the past - and let's face it, a pink tutu looks spectacular against the grandeur of such a space, right?! This week, the Opera National de Paris presented a modern dance interpretation of "The Nutcracker". Oh, I absolutely loved it! There’s something special about seeing dancers bring life to the stories we’ve loved since childhood, even with a contemporary twist. And for me, the experience felt very “Pink Tutu-esque” in a way - all that beautiful dance, movement, music, and visual art… all brought together to create magic!
Le Shopping, Chérie!
Every trip to Paris has to include a good dose of shopping! As you may know, I've a passion for clothes, so shopping in Paris is something of a pilgrimage. There’s simply nothing like finding the perfect dress in a vintage store, tucked away on a cobblestone street - just imagine my delight in finding the cutest, tiniest pink hat perched atop a rack of 1950s dresses, or a pair of vintage ballet shoes (it's been hard finding those! Not many vintage ballerinas!), or a pearl-beaded bolero (the perfect addition to my next recital!)
But this trip wasn’t just about scouring vintage stores and searching for bargains - it’s about seeing the new season's trends, absorbing the Parisian street style, soaking up the creativity in the air! And you know what, my latest obsession is all things pastel! It's the perfect way to combine my love for ballet with my love for Parisian style - light and feminine, whimsical and chic. So you can imagine how my luggage will be looking for the trip back to Derby!
Pink Tutu Travels… It’s a Life, Darling!
So, darling, I know what you're thinking: how on earth do I manage to afford these fabulous adventures, you ask?
Well, a girl has to be smart! Balancing my love for ballet, travel and my blog isn't always easy - and my budget is definitely not "la dolce vita" - but I make it work, you see? Between my freelance gigs, my weekly performance in the Peak District Ballet Theatre, and the wonderful world of "Pink Tutu" blogging, I'm managing to make a living and see the world in style. Who needs to be a prince to live like a princess, eh? And who knows, perhaps one day I might just meet a prince on a trip, a prince with an appreciation for all things pink! I’m sure, in time, he’ll see the light and the magic that surrounds the world of the Pink Tutu.
I’ll keep you posted next Saturday with all the gossip, the photos, and all the latest Pink Tutu news from the city of lights.
Until next week, darling!
*Emma *
www.pink-tutu.com
xx
