Wednesday, 14th January, 2004
Oh darling! Iāve finally made it to Prague! Iāve always wanted to visit this beautiful city ā with its fairytale architecture, cobblestone streets, and the dreamy feel of history in every corner. It's a haven for ballet lovers and tutu-enthusiasts like myself, a city just brimming with culture and beauty. Iām going to be posting from Prague every Wednesday from now on for the next month so grab yourselves a cuppa and let's start this fabulous journey together, my loves!
It was quite a journey. I flew into Frankfurt and then it was a beautiful scenic train journey here. I adore the feeling of rolling through Europe by train, with a hot cup of tea, a good book, and a cheeky macaroon or two ā perfect for a fashionista like myself. Did you know the French word for macaroon is āmacaronā? It makes me think of macaron towersā¦ how divine are they?!
Arrival in Prague
Anyway, back to the matter at hand - my Prague adventure. Prague is just as delightful as I imagined. I have this adorable little hotel tucked away in the old town. I'm pretty sure it has its own resident ghost, but let's face it, a bit of spooky fun just adds to the fairytale feel of the place! The old-world charm here makes me feel like Iām in a ballet by Tchaikovsky. Imagine swirling around in a light pink tutu against the backdrop of Prague's stunning gothic architecture ā a truly heavenly scenario, donāt you think?
I am staying just off the Charles Bridge and you've just got to see this stunning structure! Imagine if the swans we see at the lakes in Derbyshire were white-grey. That's about the size of the pigeons on this bridge.
Fashion Frenzy
Naturally, the first thing on my list was to indulge in some much needed retail therapy! I popped into the cutest vintage shop by the bridge where I picked up a gorgeous sapphire-blue velvet hat. It was meant to be ā and perfectly complimented my pink tutu ensemble, which was, naturally, the centrepiece of my outfit. It was the pinkest tutu you could imagine and it went so perfectly with the blush pink blush that I bought. A good blush can make you look quite divine. I really must have some on a new brush each day. My brush has definitely seen better days! I hope one day my Pink Tutu blog will feature beauty tips and fashion tips as well. Perhaps I will become like a magazine but better! But maybe the whole beauty regime bit is best left to others.
Later, I headed over to Old Town Square and soaked in the enchanting atmosphere. Prague's architecture is absolutely magical, and it really brings out the princess in all of us, don't you think? The architecture is amazing! My camera was not letting me down and captured some stunning photos. Prague has a great mix of history, charm, and architecture all mixed into one!
A Night at the Opera
My first night in Prague included the most divine treat: an evening at the National Theatre. Imagine, darling, the lights dimmed, the plush velvet seats, the hush that falls over the audience, the anticipation. I don't need to describe the wonderful feeling that envelopes you.
This night's performance was an exquisite ballet version of Swan Lake. The music is just breathtaking and the choreography was simply phenomenal. The dancers, with their graceful movements and perfect timing, reminded me so much of ballerinas in a delicate, exquisite painting. They glided through every sequence like ballerinas on clouds. Their elegant moves are a source of pure joy, especially when wearing a beautiful, voluminous tulle tutu.
After the show, I had a most delicious dinner with one of my ballet friends who came from London especially for this trip! He had heard about how beautiful the city is but also how well known it is for its dance scene. He even recommended the restaurant to me. As I said, I adore a good dinner! It is quite vital in fact.
The meal was served by this beautiful young lady. I felt quite awful asking her if she wanted to be part of my next blog post as she just looked tired but still gave the most magnificent service I've had for years. It seems a bit bold but I thought it would be good for my blog to try to promote local talent so to speak. I do wonder if she felt pressured to comply with my rather gauche request.
However, what is a post from a new place if I don't add the extra ingredients, eh? Like my good old pal Mr. Kiplingās, every ingredient makes the best outcome.
Iām excited for the next few weeks! I have so many incredible things planned in Prague.
Stay tuned, darling! My pink tutu will lead the way.
Love,
Emma
xx
Wednesday, 21st January, 2004
Oh darling! Can you believe Iāve been in Prague for a week already? Iām still mesmerised by this city, but I'm determined to really experience the heart and soul of this city. Prague's got the most romantic vibe to it ā itās just one beautiful scene after another! And of course, you all know I am still absolutely loving the chance to twirl my tutu around some of Pragueās amazing sights ā it's really something special!
*Breakfast with the Angels * Every morning in Prague has become something quite lovely! The aroma of coffee, bread, pastries - a combination that would tempt even a hardened heart to be happy and enjoy every sip and chew. What I don't mention is the delightful company I have, my darling poodle Coco! The owners here are all really happy that Coco can come everywhere. In my experience, this isn't the norm everywhere but I would like to think it's all to do with her well-mannered character.
Coco likes to have breakfast with me and is most impressed with the pastries and the warm croissant! The last time Coco tried to eat something from the pastries shelf at a cafƩ, I got quite a scare. I really think her favourite part of our trip was the cafe scene and her fascination with anything she could possibly try. Coco can't help her nature though and she's a good girl after all!
*A Ballet Love Story
*
Yesterday, I had a fabulous experience! A dance teacher from my old dancing school emailed me to see if I was in town and told me he had a little ballet studio close to where I was. The studio looked great with large windows looking out to the cobbles and it seemed so old and characterful with that lovely vintage charm about it. As soon as he'd opened the door I knew he was just one of those wonderfully genuine kind people you meet only occasionally and there he was, being kind and generous and a great dancer. It was simply fantastic.
*Tutu Talk: Fashion in Prague
*
I took Coco on a trip today down some streets which we thought might be full of clothes boutiques, but honestly the best shops for fashion, were to be found in the grand halls of some of the grand houses of Prague. I did pick up this beautiful little antique mirror which looks very similar to a ballerinaās mirror. I must have picked it up as I could envision the perfect mirror that any little tutu-wearer in this world would want to own.
Youāre going to want to take out your trusty notepads, darlings! Hereās a few little Prague fashion finds, that just scream āballet inspired!ā
A beautiful dusty rose velvet coat in one of those stunning, character-filled antique boutiques on the narrow cobbles in the city center. A blush pink velvet coat in the winter months, what could be more decadent?
A dainty pearl necklace in a shop with an enchanting name ā āDancing Lilies.ā It looked perfect over a light blue ballet dress with some fabulous, puffy sleeves that swished just like a butterflyās wings as you move. The kind of tutu that a swan queen ballerina would wear, right?
A pair of shoes I just fell in love with at an old leather boot store with so many unique pieces! They were these stunning ballerina flats with a gorgeous ruby red ribbon. I just have to try them on and hopefully theyāll make it to Derbyshire! They could so easily make your steps so soft and delicate just like a ballerina dancing. They had other shoes that are not made for dance - imagine wearing some little shoes from this shop. It really would look amazing to make a dramatic outfit.
*Ballet Beauty Spots *
The city centre was awash with pretty things! From flower stands to bakeries with beautiful breads. A bakery on my road had such amazing window displays and all sorts of delicious baked goodies with fruit toppings. I wanted to just get it all and put it all in my pocket and take it back home. The smell was so fabulous, but just looking in and thinking what a glorious view to wake up to was wonderful. The shops on the cobbles were simply captivating - the sights and smells of Europe at its very best, especially on a crisp cold January day with a blanket of soft fresh snow, it felt almost as though it would just remain crisp, clean and as new. Oh to go back to that kind of purity...
And speaking of ballet, did I mention that Prague has one of the oldest and most famous ballet schools in the world? Oh yes. And there are tons of theatres hosting incredible ballet productions. You would feel right at home with a tutu. I just know I am in my rightful home in Prague.
Iām already counting down the days until my next Prague post, darlings. So stay tuned! It's going to be another magical week of ballet and beautiful things!
Love,
Emma
xx
Wednesday, 28th January, 2004
Greetings, my darlings!
It's another week, another dazzling discovery in beautiful, magical Prague! This week was full of charming boutiques, enchanting theatres, and the sweetest waltzes imaginable. Yes, it's true: Pragueās romantic side is out in force this week, especially as it snowed so much on Monday night. A new crisp layer of pure clean snow had completely coated everything with its wonderful purity. It feels quite heavenly, actually, almost a balm for the soul.
Tutu Tales ** There is a little gift shop around the corner where I spotted a fabulous sparkly crown with fake gems, the perfect pink glitter - an accessory worthy of any queen or ballerina! As a perfect pink tutu girl, my own tiara can only be the colour of the most delectable pink! In fact, that will be my mission: I will own the perfect tiara for the most magnificent tutu for the next post. I'm a princess at heart, my darlings, itās true! A pink tiara is surely the way to go. I think I have a little more tiara-research to do! The pink tiara with sparklesā¦ thereās got to be one just for me somewhere, just waiting for me.
Speaking of gorgeous sparkle, my journey to Prague took me to the beautiful āHouse of the Black Madonnaā - the name alone has a magical quality to it! I picked up a magnificent sequined pink scarf there. The detail was simply beautiful with lots of pink and white sequin patterns that would fit the most wonderful tulle skirt. I imagine a black sequin scarf for ballet too and for the everyday too - a beautiful mix for a wonderful contrast. And then a red scarf as a statement for ballet practice ā a beautiful idea for some fantastic and very dramatic costumes.
*Twirling under a Moonlit Sky
*
On Sunday, we watched the moon, shining bright over the city of Prague and strolled on the Charles Bridge where it looks like it just goes on for miles and miles and has a fantastic backdrop. With snow crunching underfoot and the twinkling lights, and then the soft silvery light of the moon, the most beautiful light I've ever seen. That's the essence of the āCity of a Hundred Spires!ā The moon was like the reflection of a mirror - thatās the magic of this city! It is not hard to get those poetic feels flowing through you, right?! I did tell you Iām a romantic and this city really makes me embrace it.
From Stage to Street
*
*Prague is absolutely bursting with talented street performers, all so talented! I saw some dancers outside the Opera house in the snow last week who seemed just as talented as the ones we saw at the National Theatre the previous week. How can people get so talented? They werenāt just simply dancing - the quality was truly professional and itās inspiring to watch people taking ballet and dance onto the streets of a truly historic city. That is really taking something magical, such a traditional and intricate artform, into the realm of everyday, right in front of your very eyes! How exciting is that, right? It truly reminded me that every day, wherever we go, life can be a dance and even something as traditional as ballet can be part of the daily routine for some. How fabulous!
Iāve definitely made it a mission to find more street dance performances - it's really what gives any city an extra bit of magic. We are just going to explore and I hope that my pink tutu can show a few locals that ballet doesn't have to be just in a grand theater and that street performances give the best show for free! It's something special - the way the world opens up in front of your eyes when we look out for street art!
* A Farewell Waltz *
My time in Prague is starting to fly by, and it's all a whirlwind of fabulous moments - twirling my pink tutu under a moonlit sky, watching talented dancers perform in the snow and just discovering amazing streets. Oh! This time next week, I'll be heading home and starting my rehearsals for the upcoming performance season back in Derbyshire. My suitcase, darling, it's already overflowing with new pink tutu treats! My dance studio, the Pink Tutu Studio as my ballet class pupils now like to call it, will benefit from a little bit of magic too, a dash of this enchanting city for my pupils to enjoy. Iāll even post pictures on our Pink Tutu studio's blog. They may even learn the steps for a waltz with my latest discoveries! I wonder what exciting adventures next week might bringā¦.
Love, Emma xx
