Bonjour, mes chers Pink Tutu fans! It's Saturday, 28th April 2007, and I'm writing this from a sunny little café tucked away in the heart of Paris, with the Eiffel Tower glittering in the distance, like a giant pink diamond. (Oh, how I love Paris!) I’ve just popped out from a wonderful shopping spree at Printemps and am already planning my outfit for this evening’s ballet at the Palais Garnier – a truly magnificent building fit for a princess, don’t you think?
I’m positively bursting with excitement about this trip – I can’t wait to share my adventures with you. As you know, this is my weekly Paris blog post, going live on the fabulous www.pink-tutu.com, just like clockwork. It’s my way of bringing the Parisian dream to your doorstep, sharing my experiences of this truly magical city. And believe me, this weekend is a dream come true.
My journey began on a gloriously sunny Thursday morning, in the rolling hills of Derbyshire, England. (Just a quick disclaimer: even a ballet dancer like myself gets to go back home now and then). My train to Paris was the magical EuroStar – that’s my favourite way to travel, honestly! I love those sleek carriages, all chrome and polished surfaces, and the view of the English countryside slowly morphing into the flat lands of France – just breathtaking!
Oh, but it’s not all glamour, you know? You may find it surprising but I'm a firm believer in a 'good honest' ballet performance at a village hall to finance all these travels. Last week, I managed to twirl my way into a generous donation at a charity gala – thanks, Derbyshire! That's how I afford to indulge in all the pleasures Paris has to offer, from delicious pastries to the breathtaking elegance of the opera houses, from fabulous shops to the glorious art in the Louvre.
So, where have I been since Thursday? Let me fill you in!
Thursday - Paris, Je T’aime!
I arrived in Paris feeling like I was waltzing onto a stage! As soon as I stepped off the EuroStar at Gare du Nord, I knew I was home. Paris has this je ne sais quoi… A magical blend of history and charm, with just a dash of sass.
My little Parisian pied-à-terre is in a quiet corner near the Champs-Élysées. It's charming – all pink and floral, with a beautiful little balcony overlooking a cobbled street. Just like my style! You see, I always pack my pink tutu for these Parisian adventures. The Parisians are very chic, they do like a little pink here and there – I must teach them to love pink tutus! 😉
That Thursday evening, I had to indulge in a Parisian treat. I simply had to visit Ladurée, home to the most magnificent macarons – delicate pastel colours, nestled like precious gemstones. Each bite was pure happiness. Let's just say my "pink" craving was fully satisfied!
Friday - A Day for Parisian Shopping!
It's a well-known fact: a good ballerina loves to shop! And my darling Paris, my fashionista dream come true!
After a scrumptious breakfast at the hotel (more pink macarons – a girl needs her energy!), I made a beeline to my favourite shops in the Marais – so much colour, so much style! This is the spot for the most exquisite vintage clothes and unique, whimsical jewellery – a ballerina’s paradise!
Imagine delicate porcelain dolls peeking out from brogues, rainbow lace tutus draped over velvet jackets, a riot of colours and textures... pure inspiration! My shopping bag is brimming with gems for my dance recitals – think sequins, glitter and feathers! And of course, I couldn't resist buying a delicate silk scarf, hand-painted with tiny butterflies – perfect for my new spring ballet piece!
By Friday afternoon, I had found myself in the grand and majestic department store, Le Bon Marché. A magnificent world of elegance, elegance, and elegance. Think beautiful, sweeping stairways, high ceilings with magnificent chandeliers, an entire floor of lingerie that makes me think "pink is my colour". My pink heart was filled with joy. I even found the perfect outfit for my evening opera performance. I can't reveal too much, just a hint: pink feathers and black lace. Oh, so chic, my dears!
Later that evening, I found myself surrounded by Parisian romance and glamour at the Opéra Garnier – a place where history literally shimmers in every gilded detail. We watched an enchanting performance of "Carmen" – I absolutely adored the fiery and passionate choreography. But the real star? My outfit! And as I walked out, my tutu swishing with the night air, I knew that even if the Parisian pigeons hadn’t fallen head over heels for me, the opera audience definitely had!
Saturday - A Ballet Dancer's Dream
This morning, I started with a cup of French coffee – oh, the aroma! - then spent an hour enjoying the most exquisite croissants I’ve ever tasted. (Forgive me, darling Derbyshire!) Next, I indulged in some people-watching from a bench on a leafy boulevard. This city is a canvas of human drama and laughter. Every passerby feels like a character straight from a book! You could spot a royal ballerina and a Parisian playboy on the same corner, or a young couple, their hands intertwined in a sweet romantic ballet.
Today’s treasure was a small boutique tucked away on a quaint street – I found a dazzling feather headpiece to complete my ensemble for this evening's performance at the Palais Garnier. (It's almost like the feather had a pink tutu on, just waiting for me!)
Before the evening's ballet performance, I decided on a trip to the Louvre. Walking into that iconic pyramid of glass, surrounded by art and history, truly made me feel like I’d stepped into an enchanting fairytale. As I gazed upon the Mona Lisa, her enigmatic smile and cool gaze, I wondered if even she secretly dreams of twirling in a pink tutu! I spent a lovely afternoon roaming through galleries filled with masterpieces, trying to decipher their mysteries – what secrets do these paintings hold, what emotions do they embody? I think the Mona Lisa was watching me and admiring my pink tutu, maybe even wondering if it would suit her too!
I couldn’t resist popping into a Parisian brasserie for a light dinner of creamy pasta and an exquisite glass of red wine – and oh my goodness, I must admit I succumbed to another, yet another macaron… (but the pastel shades really compliment the wine!)
The most wonderful part of my Saturday is right ahead of me - the magical performance at the Palais Garnier! Just imagining the sweeping balconies, the stunning chandeliers and the music, makes my heart flutter with excitement! After weeks of rehearsals, it’s finally time to unleash my own interpretation of a delicate dance. But you know what's more magical? You all will get to see my performance in a full-blown pink tutu, with an extraordinary Parisian backdrop, when I post the video of my performance on my website in the coming weeks!
I promise to share all the wonderful stories, glimpses into Parisian life, fashion discoveries and a sneak peak of my performance. Be sure to check in again next week for a new blog post!
Au revoir, until then!
Emma 💋
