#PinkTutuBlogParis - Saturday 2017-06-24 Exploring Paris

Bonjour mes amies! It's Saturday, the 24th of June, and the sun is shining gloriously in Paris. I've been dreaming about this trip for months and I am positively brimming with excitement! My latest ballet performances have gone fabulously and I managed to squirrel away enough to make my dream come true - a trip to Paris!

I hopped on the EuroStar from London St Pancras. It was amazing! The train was sleek and modern, and there was even a little cafe where I got a lovely pot of tea and a pain au chocolat. The journey flew by, filled with excited anticipation and a soundtrack of French pop music – all about love, liberté, and, of course, la vie en rose. It seems everyone is a romantic at heart when they travel on the EuroStar. I couldn't help but dream about my Parisian adventures ahead, about waltzing down the Champs-Élysées in my favourite pink tutu and making everyone smile with a twirl!

I checked into my charming hotel in the Latin Quarter and promptly settled into the room. It's so Parisian, it’s got me swooning! It’s full of character with exposed brick, delicate vintage furnishings and even a tiny Juliette balcony looking out onto the cobblestone street. I’ve been feeling a bit lost and overwhelmed since I got here, so I decided to head to the nearby park and unwind. The trees provided much-needed shade from the Parisian heat, and I could almost feel myself turning into a real Parisian. The little children playing in the park in their vibrant, colourful clothes were so joyous, so Parisian! Even without the pink tutu, the atmosphere is definitely "Parisian Chic."

As I strolled through the streets, I felt inspired to unleash my inner Parisian. My pink tutu was packed, waiting for its moment to shine. This is Paris, after all, the city of love and fashion! As I wandered down the Rue Saint-André-des-Arts, a magical little bookstore caught my eye. It was crammed with books, treasures and trinkets, and I had to go in! I found the most darling miniature replica of the Eiffel Tower, perfect for my growing collection of travel souvenirs. My little treasure now sits proudly on my dresser, reminding me of my Parisian escapade.

Tonight, I'm heading to the Opéra Garnier for an incredible ballet performance. My friends know my obsession with the Nutcracker, and so we have booked tickets for the famous show! Imagine a beautiful auditorium adorned with glittering chandeliers and painted with a symphony of gold and velvet. This is the setting where a story of a magic nutcracker, a sugarplum fairy, and a journey to the Land of Sweets comes alive! This show is truly special. Even now as I think of the swirling dancers, I can feel the anticipation in my stomach.

Of course, I can’t go to Paris without venturing into the boutiques. In fact, it’s my primary objective for tomorrow, and what a shopping spree it will be! I am determined to find the most amazing, most wonderful pink tutu! Something extravagant! A Paris tutu that I will cherish forever and that will be a reminder of the city where fashion comes alive!

Today, as I stroll through the Marais district, I’m not just soaking in the beauty and elegance of Paris, I'm feeling an incredible sense of energy and inspiration! I feel connected to the city, a real Parisian for the moment. Maybe that’s because of my gorgeous pink tutu? It truly brings me a burst of joy! And while my pink tutu doesn’t really match the sophisticated black and white palette that Paris is so well-known for, the pink provides a striking contrast, reminding everyone that pink can be playful, chic and powerful, all at the same time!

A Parisian is about so much more than looking impeccably put-together. It’s also about living with passion, embracing your individuality and radiating confidence. There’s a playful, almost child-like quality to a Parisian, a desire to enjoy every moment! Perhaps that is what resonates most with me; there's an inherent joy in wearing pink that’s undeniably uplifting and fun, which makes it completely at home in the atmosphere of joie de vivre that I'm feeling!

While I have had an absolute blast roaming the streets, it’s no secret that I have my heart set on discovering the treasures of Paris and the magic that’s hidden behind every corner. In particular, I am a sucker for vintage boutiques! The sheer abundance of beautiful vintage clothes just screams “romance” and “romance” is all about that little touch of magic and Parisian charm. I’m already picturing myself browsing racks full of exquisite velvet gowns, sparkly lace jackets and the most enchanting Parisian hats – all perfectly complimenting my favourite pink tutus!

But, like all true romantics, I don't want to just see the famous landmarks and indulge in beautiful clothes. I crave a deeper understanding of Parisian culture! I have heard rumours about this fascinating hidden world of underground performances, a mixture of art, music and theatrical passion known as the "Ballet Street". They say that, despite being a clandestine event, it has an energy all of its own. It's supposed to be an open space where dancers can express their talent, explore new forms of movement and challenge convention! That really appeals to my love of bold individuality and expression.

It's been a day of pure discovery, filled with unexpected gems and captivating surprises. I was walking through the bustling Le Marais, and stumbled across the most amazing little shop! It was overflowing with colourful trinkets and decorations, each piece with its own quirky personality! This tiny store is, it turns out, run by the sweetest old woman, Marie. I have just the feeling this was her grandmother's store from before the war, and Marie has managed to capture all the charm and energy from its history in her vibrant selection of trinkets and souvenirs! I swear I even spotted a small collection of hand-painted miniature tutus on her shelves – my heart soared! It was the sweetest thing I've ever seen, it was impossible not to buy one. Marie helped me find the perfect little ballerina tutu – delicate pink tulle with delicate gold sequins! I knew immediately that it would take pride of place in my room, a reminder of my Parisian adventure!

My favourite spot to find pink treasures, of course, is in the stunning and extravagant department stores! But it seems that even they need to play by the Parisian rules – black, white and grey – and my pink tutu almost looked lost in those boutiques. But even when everything is monochrome, the occasional glimpse of vibrant pink stands out! My eyes were drawn to the most magnificent pink bag displayed on a mannequin in Galeries Lafayette. A small but exquisite little bag! It felt as if it was made specifically for my pink tutus, for someone like me!

Today, I’m savouring the excitement of exploring the famous Parisian bakeries and shops! I'm absolutely convinced the Parisians are experts in all things stylish and delicious. Everything is chic and elegant and exquisitely made! The perfect pairing of classic sophistication and the excitement of vibrant colours, of the extraordinary alongside the familiar!

I can already imagine myself stepping onto the stage at the Opera Garnier, swirling in my new pink tutu and enchanting the audience. I've been trying to picture the scene in my mind: soft lights bathing the stage in an ethereal glow, the audience completely captivated as I perform every movement with precision, grace and most importantly, joy! That's the magic of dance - to share the stories that live in the soul. And right now, the only story in my mind is a whirlwind romance that includes a beautiful pink tutu, a French bakery, and a city full of adventure!

The streets are lined with beautiful old buildings, each with its own unique story and architectural splendour! Paris really is a magical city and I've never felt such a feeling of artistic inspiration! Paris seems to exude an inherent artistic magic that awakens my imagination! I want to capture that spark in my blog!

For the time being, though, I have a delicious croissant to eat. I'm also considering getting a beret, a very fashionable piece of headwear, of course, and the beret definitely goes with a pink tutu. Now it’s time for me to slip into my pink tutu and twirl my way around the city of lights, capturing every delicious Parisian moment.

But what about you? Would you like to see me try my best beret-wearing, twirling, Parisian pink tutu ensemble in action? Leave me a comment and tell me all about it! Perhaps you’ve been to Paris, and have a favourite Parisian moment you want to share! And as always, remember my message – there's a little pink in all of us! Now go find yours!

A bientôt!