Bonjour, darlings! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu enthusiast, and I'm finally in Paris! Oh, my darling Paris! I just can't believe it, my love affair with the City of Lights has truly begun, and I'm absolutely smitten! Iâve been so excited about this trip ever since I landed that coveted part in the Royal Ballet's âSwan Lakeâ a few months ago - it gave me the perfect opportunity to combine two of my greatest loves: ballet and travelling.
So, where to start? Oh darling, my Eurostar journey itself was like a little dream. The whizzing past the English countryside was exhilarating and the champagne on board, divine! It's just not the same sitting in coach class, is it? Especially when you've got a rather glamorous pink tutu, and all its ribbons and tulle, to take care of. Iâve finally realised, girls, the perfect travelling attire: a pretty pink tutu! I wore a pale pink chiffon one and paired it with a soft grey cashmere cardigan and white leather ballet flats (flat shoes, darling, I find the high heels just impractical for travel). Absolutely perfect!
My Parisian flat is straight out of a fairy tale! Think, wrought-iron balconies, windows overlooking a cobblestone square, a little café across the street with red gingham tablecloths... ah! It is so enchanting I could just sit on my window seat and write about it all day!
So, my dear readers, let me tell you about Saturday. Oh, darling, I had a lovely day.
Morning: Ballet Bliss at the Opéra Garnier
This was top of my list: a trip to the Opéra Garnier! Just as glamorous as the picture postcards and every bit as spectacular. This place is practically a temple to ballet and the sheer artistry of the building, let alone the stage and the chandeliers, just takes your breath away. They've had so many famous performers and productions through the doors, you just feel the history in the air. The ballet class I attended was incredible. So many incredibly talented dancers - and I had to be discreet of course, just quietly soaking up all the amazing moves. (And hoping no one recognised my little pink tutu under the black, baggy trackies.)
Lunchtime: Gourmet Goodies & Pink Lemonade
My lunch was a delectable affair. I chose a cafĂ© right outside the OpĂ©ra Garnier. I'm still trying to master the French language. But 'bonjour' and 'merci' have gotten me pretty far so far! This delightful cafe is charming as can be with pink gingham tablecloths and little lace doilies. Theyâve a pink umbrella hanging on the back wall for a touch of summer sunshine!
The pink lemonade I had, so delicious! The sweetness mixed with a little tartness just divine, I felt like a real Parisian sipping it on a little bistro seat and watching the world go by. The waiter, so very handsome, but alas! he seemed uninterested in my pink tutu. Never mind, a girl can dream, darling, a girl can dream!
Afternoon: Shopping Paradise on the Champs-ĂlysĂ©es
Then it was time to take a jaunt along the Champs-ĂlysĂ©es - oh la la, my dream destination! The most glamorous shopping street ever imagined! And just like I thought, all the boutiques just sparkle with their gorgeous fashion, oh, darling!
Of course, I had to browse through Chanel and Dior, then found myself stopping at a few vintage boutiques tucked between the bigger chains, where the window displays sparkled with jewels and accessories from days gone by. I could tell there was a very lovely emerald green satin tutu just waiting for me, so naturally I bought it, to go with the green lace gloves and little pearl earrings, of course. I found an amazing antique mirror for my flat at a lovely vintage shop, it had a gold frame that perfectly complemented my newly-acquired pink, vintage tulle tutu. (Did I tell you, darling? A pink, vintage, tulle tutu?!)
But honestly, you can get caught up in the whirlwind of beautiful things and lose sight of your surroundings - you can spend a day on the Champs-ĂlysĂ©es just going in and out of each one of those glamorous boutiques. You do have to be careful! It is rather expensive in these posh shops! And darling, one really can overindulge - which is what I nearly did until I pulled myself together! I didnât quite make it to the last shop before I realized I was on a budget! I decided a visit to the nearby MusĂ©e d'Orsay, with its iconic Impressionist masterpieces, was more fitting for my budget.
Evening: Art and Ballet Inspiration
After shopping I needed to see something that was actually affordable! It was time for the MusĂ©e d'Orsay. This art museum is a gem in itself, housed in a grand former railway station - the architecture itself is breath-taking, let alone the paintings! You're surrounded by Monet's water lilies, Degasâ ballet dancers, Manet's nudes, and so much more! It was like an artistic wonderland and I found myself getting lost in the sheer beauty and skill. Oh darling, the colors and the textures were like music to my eyes and made me realise why pink tutu dancing feels so at home in these kind of spaces! There's definitely something magical about combining ballet and art.
I was even more excited when, upon entering the café within the Musée d'Orsay, I noticed the beautiful pink gingham tablecloth that it had chosen as decor. The chairs are even pink with floral designs - I was in paradise! This pink and white theme makes me want to wear my little pink tutu around Paris so the world can experience all the beauty that it possesses. Maybe the other cafes around the city could take inspiration from them and be inspired to include this Parisian fashion! I could have just sat there for hours, letting my imagination wander and sketching designs for the tutu and shoes that came to mind. It truly was a feast for my senses, and for the soul.
After all the ballet classes, art and shopping, it was time to indulge in a delicious traditional Parisian dinner, and I know, I know, this sounds very clichĂ©, but there is nothing like French food, darling! I chose a little French bistro on a side street off the Champs-ĂlysĂ©es and enjoyed the delicious charcuterie and some crusty French bread. The bread alone made my taste buds happy. It felt wonderful just to be enjoying my little meal. I can tell this is going to be the most special of trips - youâve got no idea! And, if my Parisian adventures weren't good enough for you all, darling, well, here's some juicy news to whet your appetites: my blog has just launched! So, you can keep up with all my adventures at www.pink-tutu.com, a space that's all about sharing my love for dance, fashion, and exploring the world in my little pink tutu. Come and join me!
I'm signing off now, darlings, but rest assured, there will be many more fabulous Parisian posts in the future - all about dancing, fashion, food, art, and of course, my endless love affair with Paris. Keep checking my blog - you never know what little gem you might find!
Until next time, and au revoir, my sweet pink tutu angels.
P.S. Make sure to keep sending those tutus! If we all get wearing them we can truly transform the world one pink tulle at a time! Iâll see you all next Saturday with a whole new blog, right here!
Emma.
