Hello my darlings!
It's Saturday morning here in Paris, the sun is streaming in through the window of my hotel room, illuminating the soft pink of my tutu (naturally!). I'm absolutely buzzing with excitement because you know what? I'm officially in Paris!
For the last week, my little ballerina heart has been filled with nothing but Parisian dreams. Ever since I was a little girl twirling around in my own homemade pink tutus, I've dreamt of coming to this beautiful city. And guess what? My dreams came true!
My journey started yesterday morning, as I boarded the Eurostar in Derbyshire. It's amazing how quickly you can travel on this magical train - the journey from London to Paris is like a flash of silver and streamlined efficiency. Of course, I was dressed to the nines for the occasion - a beautiful dusky pink skirt and a matching lace top, paired with my trusty tutu worn underneath, just in case a impromptu ballet session broke out on the train. Thankfully, the other passengers were all very civilised (and stylish, I might add) so there wasn't any impromptu twirling (although it's on my list for the return journey - just you wait!).
The journey itself was a joy. I love travelling by train. There's something so romantic and elegant about it - a chance to watch the world whizzing by and to lose yourself in a good book or simply enjoy the quiet peacefulness of the carriage. I even had a rather charming conversation with an elderly French gentleman, who, after looking at my tutu (it’s hard to miss!), said that Paris was the perfect city for it. “Full of grace and elegance, just like a ballerina,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. He was right, of course, even the air here smells of art and inspiration.
After a seamless journey, I finally stepped out onto the platform at Gare du Nord. It felt surreal! The air vibrated with the sounds of laughter and conversation, the air itself seemed to crackle with energy. The moment I emerged from the station and took my first breath of Parisian air, I knew that I was home.
Paris is just as beautiful as I imagined. The grand buildings, the winding streets, the quaint little cafes tucked away on cobblestone corners… everything exudes a timeless charm and sophistication. My senses were overwhelmed by the aromas of fresh pastries, the cheerful chatter of Parisians, the sounds of buskers playing melodies on the streets, the magnificent architectural designs - truly, a feast for the senses.
Of course, I wasted no time in diving headfirst into the heart of the city, my trusty tutu safely packed away, ready for a special occasion. First stop: shopping! And you bet I made a beeline for the Parisian boutiques. The fashion here is simply divine. It’s so chic and effortless, yet always elegant and timeless. It was all I could do not to clear out the whole shop. I picked up some exquisite fabrics to make a new, very Paris-themed pink tutu (can you ever have too many?), and some gorgeous new outfits to celebrate being in the most stylish city in the world.
In the afternoon, I decided to visit the stunning Louvre museum. The place is massive, a veritable treasure trove of art, sculpture, and history. It was awe-inspiring to stand before iconic masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo - the very essence of human creativity and genius.
Later, I enjoyed a leisurely dinner in a charming bistro, relishing the delicious French cuisine, a glass of delicious, chilled rose and of course, a little people-watching, a Parisian past-time I am beginning to excel at! I noticed that everyone seems to walk with an air of confidence, as if they possess a secret to the art of living well. I want to unlock that secret and add it to my tutu’s little secret pocket (it has more storage space than you think!)!
Now, I know what you are all thinking – where is the tutu going to make a public appearance? You bet, I had my tutu moment last night - I ventured out into the heart of the city to watch a ballet performance. It was magnificent, I have never felt such a potent energy at a performance, you could feel the audience and the dancers being transported somewhere else together. It was just pure magic and, yes, I made an entrance to match. The audience loved it, of course - after all, it was my Pink Tutu Debut in Paris. And of course, as it's the perfect Parisian fashion accessory, I will definitely be sporting my tutu in public more than once this week, I can tell you that!
And finally, I must mention, this isn't just a solo trip. My little poodle, Lily, came with me! Of course, she’s been my loyal travel companion since day one. She's a little ball of fluff who always manages to find a way to look stylish, even with a tutu on (not the usual ballerina look, I’ll grant you, but very elegant!) She's currently asleep next to me in her pink tutu-shaped bed, and she dreamed all night of a little Parisian rat. Let’s just say she's happy to be in the city of love and will be sure to make many more appearances here in Paris with me on this pink tutu-fuelled Parisian adventure!
So, what can you expect this week in my Pink Tutu Paris blog? A whole heap of Parisian fun, fabulous fashion finds, breathtaking art, incredible performances, delightful meals and a whole lot of tutu-wearing magic! Follow me as we explore the magic of this truly inspiring city and maybe, just maybe, I’ll finally convince Lily to do some pink tutu ballet – or perhaps a little “pink tutu fashion show” to impress the stylish Parisians!
Bisous,
Emma
