Bonjour mes amies!
It's Emma here, back from another exciting adventure. This time, I've landed in the City of Lights - Paris! Oh, the croissants! The beautiful buildings! The…drumroll…pink tutus!! Okay, maybe I haven't seen any Parisians in pink tutus yet (though, I'm determined to find them! wink). But even without a tutued Parisian to welcome me, this city has captured my heart in its whimsical embrace.
I boarded the Eurostar from Derbyshire, a vision of pink elegance with my signature tutu and a stylishly-packed suitcase. I love travelling by train - it feels so glamorous! And the journey flew by in a flash, I had my nose buried in a book on Parisian fashion and sketching new tutu designs inspired by the French capital’s elegance.
My arrival was like a dream come true. Stepping off the train at Gare du Nord, I felt a palpable energy in the air – this was truly the city of passion, romance, and fashion! My little Parisian flat (complete with a balcony overlooking a charming cobblestone street) was just as I’d pictured it. It’s petite, but full of Parisian charm, and of course, my favourite shades of pink and peach.
Day One in Paris: Pink Perfect
Of course, I was dying to see what Parisian ballet had to offer. As soon as I checked into my flat, I put on my latest pink tutu (it’s got tiny, iridescent sequins and a shimmery overlay) and headed to the Palais Garnier. I was so excited – it’s one of the most iconic opera houses in the world and a true jewel in the crown of Parisian culture!
I knew they were showing Giselle - the hauntingly beautiful classic by Adolphe Adam. And oh my, I wasn’t disappointed! The dancing was ethereal and elegant, the music was beautiful, and I almost shed a tear (a good, beautiful tear!) during the climax. It’s a real shame my tutu got caught on my suitcase handle just before we arrived, and I was unable to get my picture with the grand building, but that’s what dreams are for, I guess! The show inspired me, too! Back at the flat, I sketched a new design that channeled Giselle’s delicate strength - I can already imagine myself performing it on the stage!
After the ballet, I decided to wander. I explored the Latin Quarter, stopping to browse the adorable boutiques and take a million photos in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower. And the food? Simply divine. I couldn’t resist indulging in some macarons – a pink treat worthy of my pink-loving heart, naturally!
Day Two: Fashion Frenzy!
My dear friend Amelia was in Paris this weekend, too! She’s visiting her parents and came straight from work, her hair slicked back in a bun (looking seriously chic, but perhaps she should have gone with a messy bun for that extra effortless look). Amelia loves a bit of street fashion and she’s my go-to person for finding quirky and inspiring vintage pieces. She’s wearing some amazing patchwork boots I’m jealous of, so she was perfect company for me to do some shopping!
We explored the Left Bank, a true paradise for vintage clothing enthusiasts. We wandered into chic boutiques that were packed with one-of-a-kind gems – oh my, a vintage ballet leotard (in pink of course) for just 10 euros – what a steal! We stopped at a cafe and planned our weekend adventures. Of course, no Paris visit would be complete without a visit to the Musée Rodin, right? I just can’t wait to be inspired by his sculptures! I’ll be posting photos of my pink tutu with the sculptures tomorrow – a fusion of art and tulle – I just know it's going to be a pinklicious photo shoot!
Day Three: Artistic Delights
I love seeing the beauty of Parisian culture, not just on the streets and stages but also in its world-class museums! Today, we finally made it to the Musée Rodin – a masterpiece of a museum dedicated to the life and work of the famous sculptor! Oh, my heart – there is so much inspiration there, I had to jot down a hundred new ballet movements. I swear, even the way Rodin sculpted movement itself, with such captivating detail… I have to find a way to translate that into dance. And of course, a few ballet-inspired poses next to the sculpture The Thinker, (wearing a beautiful dusty pink tutu with cascading feathers) - how perfect? Amelia says my outfit is amazing, and a bit more theatrical than just taking photos like other tourists – exactly what I was going for! I do think we need to get an early start tomorrow, as the queues at The Louvre are going to be insane – I want to get all the shots I can in with my Parisian tutu outfit and not miss a beat of my perfect Parisian itinerary.
Day Four: Iconic Art and Inspiration
We decided to start the day off right – with a visit to The Louvre! Amelia and I waltzed into the building with our stylish street-fashion flair - Amelia’s got some gorgeous studded combat boots, and she’s looking perfectly fashionable. For me, a delicate pink tulle tutu with gold glitter accents to add a little Parisian flair (it’s the perfect pairing to go with my ballet pink blush!), of course. The art, oh, the art! I just get lost in the colours and stories! And just seeing the Mona Lisa for myself, after all these years of seeing her face everywhere – she lives up to all the hype!
Amelia, bless her cotton socks, decided I needed some extra photos with the famous art - she told me to own my pink tutus, so we got some beautiful pics of me posing next to the Venus de Milo! (The contrast was just brilliant!). We walked for hours, exploring everything from ancient Egyptian treasures to magnificent masterpieces of the Renaissance, and just * soaking in * the art of this iconic Parisian space. But then, after we had finished looking around at the Egyptian antiquities (who wouldn't want a golden headdress for their next ballet recital, just saying! I was already sketching a design for that later) my darling Amelia's stomach was seriously rumbling. She said she just needed a break, but I knew this was a brilliant opportunity for a little lunch on the Left Bank - some wine and baguette - we deserve it!
Day Five: A Parisian Finale
What can I say - my stay in Paris flew by! We spent the rest of the weekend exploring the Seine riverbank (a ballet class with that stunning view is on the to-do list for my next trip!). And I even surprised Amelia by bringing her a gift: a delicate pink vintage tutu. I just knew it would be the perfect addition to her quirky wardrobe. We also stopped for some afternoon tea with fresh scones and a lovely pot of chamomile tea, to give us a little pick-me-up before my train home.
After a wonderful whirlwind weekend of tutus and twirls, I boarded the Eurostar for Derbyshire, my head swimming with artistic inspiration and my heart filled with Parisian memories. It was a truly magical adventure that showed me the beauty and creativity of this stunning city, all from the comfort (and twirly delight) of a pink tutu! I can’t wait to share more of my Paris experiences - my inspiration is already blooming with new ideas for ballet classes, shows, and of course, * pink* tutus. See you all next week for another Pink Tutu adventure.
Ciao bella!
Emma x
Pink Tutu: A Reminder for You: Remember, every day is a chance to add a dash of pink magic into your life! So grab your best pink tutu, dance your way into the sunshine, and always remember… pink makes everything better.
And Remember: Find Emma online at www.pink-tutu.com where she writes her weekly pink tutu-inspired travel blog. She also runs ballet classes, has a YouTube channel for beginner ballet moves and has recently been featured in the ballet magazine Dancesteps with her pink tutu article "pink Makes Everything Better" for budding ballet dancers.
