Dearest Tutu Tribe,
How utterly fabulous is it to be back on my pink-tinted blog after my little jaunt through the cobbled lanes of beautiful Prague? Iâm writing this post from a charming cafĂ© overlooking the Charles Bridge, sipping a rather delicious latte with an artfully frothed heart (oh how very fitting for the Pink Tutu princess, eh?). This trip has been absolutely bonkers, with just the right blend of elegant ballet, delicious fashion, and a whole heap of unexpected fun - as you can see, dear readers, I truly do enjoy the finer things in life, and what's more exquisite than dancing beneath sparkling chandeliers and shopping until my tiny pink-shod toes practically tap out a waltz!
As ever, letâs start at the beginning, shall we? I embarked on my latest escapade from the rolling hills of Derbyshire - thatâs the quaint little English county that gave birth to a certain pink-tutu-wearing, world-trotting ballerina blogger, if you please! â aboard the most glorious train imaginable. Honestly, imagine this: scarlet velvet seats, perfectly placed cushions, silver champagne flutes⊠and my darling pink tutu (yes, I always travel with it!), draped strategically over the plush, velvet headrest! Who needs a first-class ticket when you can travel like royalty, eh?
My destination, dear readers, was the very heart of Prague! After my fabulous, slightly melodramatic train journey, I arrived at the main station and - in a moment of pure magic - stepped onto a horse-drawn carriage! I literally shrieked, and the horse looked at me with the kindest, most intelligent brown eyes you've ever seen. Talk about the fairytale life! He pulled me all the way to the city centre, where I checked into a little boutique hotel that had more gilt-framed mirrors than you could shake a wand at, and oh, darling! Every corner was just so pink. It felt like my very own pink tutu haven!
My first stop? Of course, the beautiful, grand National Theatre. Did you know that it's home to some of the most renowned opera and ballet companies in the world? And that's where my heart truly took flight. This Wednesday, November 19th, saw me perched in the most spectacular box, adorned with intricate carvings, enjoying a performance of "La Sylphide" by the illustrious Prague Ballet Company. My darling, it was a show for the ages! Delicate choreography, beautiful music, stunning costumes - everything simply shone. The ballerina portraying Sylphide looked absolutely ethereal, floating through the air in a billowing white tulle gown that could rival any Parisian ballgown! My darling readers, I could have watched that performance forever, and, honestly, it wasn't the dancing that took my breath away - but those shoes! They twirled with such grace, and had this oh-so-dazzling gleam to them. Oh, I absolutely had to try them on! Unfortunately, I could never quite find the perfect opportunity, or a tiny pair that could fit my ridiculously petite feet.
Fashion, Footwear and Prague
The shopping, darling! That was a tale to tell! After "La Sylphide" had brought me to a blissful state of complete bliss, I felt like indulging in some truly luxurious shopping. So off I dashed, navigating the cobblestone streets with a newfound vigour. Prague is such an incredible city for clothes - imagine centuries-old buildings adorned with twinkling lights and all sorts of quaint boutiques tucked in every little alley!
The best part? A little gem I discovered while perusing a local shop â oh darling, the most exquisite little pink tutus! They werenât the grand, full-bodied tutu that takes a room, no no, darling, these were much more understated - the type youâd slip on with your best cocktail dress or wear out for an evening out with friends. One little gem caught my eye, with a single pink tulle layer with a glittering star adorning the bodice â it was a dream come true. And did it match my pink leather bag perfectly! Thatâs another story entirely⊠(Spoiler alert, dear reader, this tale includes a glamorous antique shop in Prague, a very dashing vintage bag and a lovely, but rather clumsy antique dealer).
As for the shoe situation, darling, this is where the magic truly happened. One can always find a wonderful selection of ballet flats, even if they are just the ballet style, in Prague, but you just havenât experienced the true joy of the pink tutu life until youâve found your own bespoke pink tutu flats! I stumbled upon the most delightful shop â âPink Flamingo Flatsâ â which boasts an unparalleled collection of everything pink. Weâre talking satin shoes, glitter, fluffy pompoms â the works. They also do bespoke orders, just like mine. This fabulous footwear artist (donât you love that? It really does sound so fairytale-esque) had me standing on a plush pink carpet for hours while I perused an exquisite selection of sequins, feathers and⊠a selection of pink glitter so dazzling, it actually blinded me momentarily! After what seemed like a century of joyous indecision, I chose the most intricate of embroidery designs, the finest silk, and a shimmer that could only be described as "heavenly.â
And my new pair of pink flats are just the thing to bring a hint of whimsy and grace to every look, from my bohemian bohemian skirt and flower crown combo to a sassy evening dress. Who says practicality and glamor canât coexist? Not me!
Oh darling!
You know what really struck me during this trip, dear reader? As I floated about the city in my new ballet flats and sparkling, pink tutus, it felt as if every building and every cobblestone was imbued with the magic of a fairytale.
Donât get me wrong, Prague is utterly modern in a sense, there are trendy little bars in every alley and fantastic fashion on every corner - but at the same time, it holds this unique romantic air, with stories whispered through the centuries in the arches and fountains, and I felt as if it whispered stories about ballet, graceful ballerinas and tiny, twinkling tutus.
Next stop... The World!
Well, my darling readers, thatâs my tale for today - but my story doesn't end here. As I write this, a big, pink bubble of excitement starts rising up inside me â the excitement of the world waiting beyond Prague, the joy of new journeys and incredible shows, and the chance to spread the Pink Tutu love wherever my travels take me. Maybe a trip to Vienna next? Who knows?
Until next Wednesday, darling, remember to live your life with a twinkle in your eye, a bounce in your step and the ever-so-fabulous magic of the pink tutu!
P.S I must remind my lovely readers to be sure to keep a look out for the latest Pink Tutu postings! Don't forget to visit the Pink Tutu blog each Wednesday. Don't be shy - do come and join the Tutu Tribe and tell us about your own amazing adventures. It can be anything, even just about that beautiful pink hair ribbon youâve just got! You can find us at www.pink-tutu.com.
See you next week, lovelies!
XOXO, Emma, the Pink Tutu Princess!
