Wednesday 25th November 2020
Oh darling, it's me, Emma, your resident Pink Tutu blogger! Back from the whirlwind that is Prague, and let me tell you, my tutu hasn't stopped twirling since I landed! This city is truly something special, a fairytale land of cobblestone streets, charming cafes and, of course, amazing ballet!
As you know, dear readers, this week is all about Pink Tutu Prague. I know I say this every week, but Prague just seemed to call out to me with its old world charm and its renowned ballet scene.
Before I dive into all the ballet goodness, I simply must share my journey. Firstly, don't ever travel to Prague via train. It took me a good ten hours from Derbyshire, and while I was very impressed with the English countryside (so pretty!) the train carriage was filled with people eating fish and chips and talking loudly about their "football teams." Oh darling, it was all so... common. The whole experience was not a bit Pink Tutu. I could feel my Parisian-inspired polka dot fascinator beginning to wilt.
But don't worry, a good dose of shopping perked me right up. As soon as I arrived in Prague, I dashed to a charming little shop on the Old Town Square called The Pretty Little Thing. It was bursting with frilly lace blouses and silk scarves, oh darling, you could almost hear the fabric whispering vintage romance. It reminded me of the scene in The Princess Diaries where Mia goes shopping with Clarisse in that Parisian boutique. I found the perfect pink bow-tied blouse to complement my tutu for my ballet debut at the National Theatre. It was absolute fate!
The theatre, oh darling, is an architectural dream, right out of a classic fairytale. All grand chandeliers and sweeping staircases, it makes me feel like I've stepped onto the set of Sleeping Beauty! The programme boasted an impressive repertoire, from Giselle to Swan Lake (my favourite, naturally). But it was a rare and modern interpretation of Don Quixote that I chose for my evening, featuring the celebrated ballerina Natalia Semenova. The choreography was utterly breathtaking. There were lifts and pirouettes, a captivating performance of delicate grace. It almost brought a tear to my eye. And of course, I was glowing in my new bow-tied blouse and tulle. My friend Sarah remarked that I must have stolen the spotlight from Ms Semenova! You know me, darling, I do enjoy a little attention, ha ha.
Prague's vibrant streets provided a plethora of photo opportunities, all of which, of course, I embraced in my best pink tutu poses! From the picturesque Charles Bridge, overlooked by magnificent medieval architecture, to the whimsical Prague Castle, every corner held a photo-op that screamed Pink Tutu Perfection. I just wish my pony, Rosie, had been able to come along, her beautiful white coat would have blended in beautifully. She'd have looked sensational against the backdrop of those medieval churches.
Talking of fairytale, did I mention I found a tiny little shop selling hand-made ballet shoes on Uliczka Malgorzata? Now, you know how much I love a bit of ballet history, don't you? Turns out, Prague boasts one of the most storied ballet schools in the world. It has been inspiring dancers for over 300 years! 300! Imagine all the pink tutus that must have graced that stage.
As for Prague itself, it was everything I'd ever dreamed of! I ate delicious Czech pastries, marvelled at the stunning gothic architecture and found the most perfect vintage feather boa for a mere £10 at a charming little vintage shop.
After the divine performance at the National Theatre, Sarah and I took a stroll through the illuminated Old Town Square. We marveled at the stunning Christmas market. I was totally smitten by all the wooden carvings and traditional decorations. The air was perfumed with roasted nuts and gingerbread - an absolute delight. There's a sparkle in the air around the festive period, don't you think? I just can't wait to create my Christmas outfits, the perfect opportunity for a sparkly tutu, wouldn't you say?
Back in Derbyshire
Oh darling, as I'm writing this, I can still smell those roasted chestnuts, imagine, even here in my little cosy cottage. Prague was a truly magical trip, but my heart already belongs to the stage. You see, this weekend is a very special one for a Pink Tutu blogger, as my ballet company is holding The Annual Fundraising Gala for our school, which is oh-so important, darling, for our little ballerinas-in-training. This year, I'll be dancing en pointe in our performance of Cinderella - do be sure to take a peak on my instagram story. It promises to be magnificent!
But more than anything, darling, I'm so excited for all of you to get inspired and wear your own pink tutus. What better way to show the world your unique spark than by rocking a beautiful, shimmering tutu? Let your inner princess out, darlings, embrace the pink tutu revolution! It's time to embrace our inner ballerinas and make the world a more colourful and whimsical place!
Stay twirling,
Emma x
