Bonjour, mes chérie!
It’s Saturday, the sun is shining (well, it's not quite London levels of sunshine but I'm making do!), and you know what that means: it's time for another dose of pink tutu goodness from your favourite Derbyshire ballerina, Emma, live from the City of Lights!
This week, Paris has truly been a fairytale. I mean, imagine: Parisian cobblestones under my pink tutu, the Eiffel Tower shimmering in the distance, and the scent of freshly baked croissants wafting through the air… I'm living a real-life dream, darlings!
Speaking of dreams, the Eurostar whisked me away on Wednesday. Oh, how I love that train journey! The sleekness, the speed, the anticipation - I'm already planning my next trip just for the ride!
As soon as I stepped off the train in Gare du Nord, the magic of Paris enveloped me. The charm, the vibrancy, the chic - it was enough to make even the most seasoned traveller feel like a little girl again, ready to explore and embrace everything this magical city has to offer.
Of course, no Parisian adventure is complete without a trip to the ballet. My schedule was jam-packed with performances this week, starting with "La Bayadère" at the Palais Garnier on Wednesday night. Oh, the costumes, the sets, the story, the passion! The music, the dancing - I simply couldn't stop smiling all night. I even managed to squeeze in a sneak peek at the "Giselle" rehearsals on Friday. They are so professional, it is inspiring! I came away feeling full of inspiration.
But darling, you know me - I'm all about that Parisian lifestyle. So, of course, my time in Paris involved a whirlwind of shopping! It wouldn't be fair to describe it as just a 'whirlwind' though - it was a pink tutu-clad rampage through the fashion houses!
The Galeries Lafayette! Le Bon Marché! All those amazing boutiques, I simply had to sample them all. My suitcase is bursting at the seams with fabulous French fashion. A stunning floral print dress, a Parisian beret, and of course, a whole collection of pink tutus, just in case you were wondering.
We also made a pilgrimage to the Moulin Rouge, an iconic landmark and home to can-can dance, where the dancers looked phenomenal in their gorgeous outfits and the show itself was dazzling and fun! You'll see me performing at my next show, I will channel all that French cabaret charm and glamour - I will have the perfect outfit too!
But, this Parisian trip wasn't all ballet and shopping, darlings.
Sunday: The Perfect Parisian Picnics
We began the week by exploring the romantic Latin Quarter. Who needs a fairytale book when you have Parisian cobblestones, hidden squares and picturesque cafes? I spent the morning sipping coffee with croissants in a charming little cafe with an almost impossibly elegant waiter who could have easily been a model from a couture fashion campaign - the air, oh my, I practically choked on a croissant with such sophistication! And just like magic, it started to rain. Nothing too severe, a delightful sprinkle just perfect to enhance the fairytale feeling. So I bought a large bouquet of lilies for myself, picked them at random from a local florist and decided to treat myself to a picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens, you know, the type with real picnic rugs on the grass. It really was a picture of Parisian chic!
Monday: Montmartre Madness
The next day we explored the enchanting streets of Montmartre, home to the Sacré-Cœur basilica, art, and artists! There were performers singing, sketching, painting and some fantastic buskers - Paris really does attract such talent! I picked up the most beautiful oil painting of a Parisian street - it will look wonderful on my wall, next to the ballet photograph my mama gave me for my birthday.
Tuesday: A Touch of Paris Chic
Parisian evenings are filled with a special kind of magic, a touch of chic that transforms everything. A walk along the Seine, bathed in golden light, with the Eiffel Tower towering over you, is a true spectacle! So I decided to walk along the river at twilight and just soak it all up, taking my inspiration from the chic Parisian style of the people around me. The people! From couples strolling hand-in-hand to a lone artist sketching with a captivating artistic style - everything was infused with Parisian charm! I felt completely inspired.
Wednesday: Bonjour, Ballet!
After such a glorious day spent with my friends at the park and a delightful coffee at Café de Flore, I took to the stage! We all enjoyed "La Bayadère", so beautifully danced and perfectly captured. It made me dream about a stage career with a bit of Parisian sparkle! The music, the story, the elegance, the costuming… It truly was the perfect start to my Parisian adventure!
Thursday: A Night of Fashion & Glamour
It's impossible to be in Paris and not be swept up in the glamour! A fabulous lunch at a little bistro off the Champs-Élysées in an exclusive fashion area, shopping for my dream shoes, and then a cocktail before another ballet! The show "Swan Lake" at the beautiful Theatre des Champs-Élysées truly stole my breath away, the staging was impeccable, the dancing beautiful! A night of ballet under Parisian skies. How amazing is that!
Friday: French Flair at a Market
What would a trip to Paris be without a little market action?! I've discovered some stunning French delicacies, my little pink tote is full of beautiful French bread and baguettes (oh the scents are so intoxicating!) and delicious artisan cheeses. And just look at those colourful fabrics. I cannot wait to sew some new outfits for my performances in the near future. All the creativity flowing and I’ve come home with more fabric than I thought possible, not that I’m complaining, of course! I had the most divine quiche for lunch with an array of colourful salad leaves in an adorable cafe on Rue Mouffetard, with a bouquet of daisies as an extra.
Now, I'm back in Derbyshire, my little flat overflowing with new fashion treasures, my head spinning with Parisian memories, and a heart bursting with inspiration.
Stay tuned, darlings, as I unleash my Parisian style and inspiration on the stage, at my next ballet performance. Until then, stay fabulous, stay sparkly, and above all, don't forget to wear a pink tutu!
Love always,
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
