Buongiorno, darlings! It's Emma from Pink Tutu, and this week we're twirling our way through the eternal city – Rome! This week's post is a bit late, as I got sidetracked by an unexpected performance at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma last night. I simply had to go. The music was just divine and the set designs were absolutely stunning – not to mention the choreography was breathtakingly beautiful! (Oh, and there was the most gorgeous pink tutu I've ever seen!) So forgive the tardiness, but I had to share my Rome adventures with you all!
You know how much I adore taking the train for long journeys. The anticipation of reaching a new destination – the excitement of the views flying past, the dreamy conversations with fellow passengers (who are usually just as enthusiastic as I am!)... It's such a charming and delightful way to travel.
This trip, however, had a slightly delayed start! Getting from my darling Derbyshire, where I live, to the glorious, sun-drenched Italy, involves a bit of travel time. As always, I'm all for making it a fashion experience, so I dressed for the journey in a pink gingham dress (which paired perfectly with my favourite pale pink ballet shoes), complete with a pale pink floral beret, a pink sparkly bag, and a tiny, embroidered, floral-patterned pink tutu! (My "mini-tutu" as I call it – you've gotta have your "everyday-tutu", darling).
So, let’s get on with it – a fabulous tour of my beloved Roma. This city is so overflowing with history, culture, and pink that I'm bursting at the seams to share every detail with you all.
First things first, my darling readers, food! I mean, how can I talk about Rome without gushing about the pasta! Carbonara is my absolute favourite. Who needs diamonds when you can have perfectly al dente pasta tossed in rich, creamy sauce with the salty snap of guanciale? (Sighs contentedly). I think my taste buds did a little dance when I first tasted it. But let me tell you, every bite of food in Rome was a delicious treat. The freshest, juiciest fruit (imagine bright orange juicy satsumas and perfectly ripened figs). The pizzas, with their fluffy, slightly charred crusts and generous dollops of tangy tomato sauce... swoon I literally felt like I was in heaven!
Speaking of divine inspiration…
You'd think the Pantheon is about history and all, and I appreciate that too, don't get me wrong. But there's this beautiful symmetry in it, like a graceful, graceful ballet dancer spinning perfectly on a point – it takes your breath away! The soft lighting, the echoing stillness – it's a sanctuary, it's a masterpiece. It's pink. Okay, so maybe not literally pink (I mean, it's marble, duh), but it’s definitely one of those architectural gems that whispers of romance and fairytale moments! And when I stood under that amazing dome, the first thing I thought about was tutus!
I mean, it’s so obvious. When I dream up a performance under the dome – all the grandeur, all that space to move, and those echoes that follow you... It's practically made for ballet, don't you think? It’s truly divine.
Fashion and Shopping
And of course, my dearest, a trip to Rome is not complete without a spot of shopping. Now, all those fabulous cobblestone streets have to be explored, right? Every shop I wandered into had something lovely: gorgeous handmade bags, hand-stitched clothes in beautiful colours, the most beautiful shoes and bags in luxurious buttery leather... Even my "everyday tutu" had to take a little stroll along these gorgeous avenues. (By the way, my darling readers, I bought two stunning silk scarves to remember my time in Rome! One was a swoon-worthy burgundy floral number with silk tassels, and the other – wait for it! – a pink damask silk print featuring ancient Roman motifs... How gorgeous, right?!)
Art, Beauty, Culture – oh my!
One afternoon I found myself at the Galleria Borghese - the stunning sculpture park - and boy oh boy, is it something! We're talking exquisite marble, intricate details, beautiful flowing shapes and postures, like a whole museum of ballet dancers. Imagine the grace of the “Borghese Gladiator" - a real life interpretation of powerful poise and agility. You could see the stories sculpted into their eyes - a perfect blend of art and drama. And it goes without saying that the stunning garden itself was just divine. Filled with manicured green hedges, fragrant flowers, water features, and a serene little lake. Honestly, the whole thing just felt magical!
And did I tell you about the gelato I had in Piazza Navona? Imagine this – creamy, smooth gelato, perfectly blended colours, flavours bursting with fruit... That first scoop, with the taste of sweet strawberry and creamy vanilla on my tongue... It was an absolute explosion of sensory delight. Pure bliss, right here in the heart of the Eternal City!
Time for Ballet, Darling!
But, Rome is more than just about my tutu – it's about Ballet. Every city needs its own graceful heart beat, right? And so we ventured off to the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma! It was amazing! And what was on? "La Traviata". This iconic ballet set me right on the edge of my seat. The drama, the passion, and oh, those costumes. I felt like I had entered the heart of the Italian soul, watching this grand performance, dressed in my pink mini-tutu of course, And the orchestra - divine! They poured out such heartfelt emotion – my soul practically soared with every note! It’s not easy being on tour, but that performance in Rome - it’s a memory I will cherish.
This Rome has really blown me away! It's overflowing with life, laughter, romance, delicious food, art and history - and, of course, pink! (Pink is my absolute favourite colour. If I can inspire people to put on pink, wear pink, paint their rooms pink – that is the way to spread joy and a bit of glamour around the world!)
Until next week, darlings!
Stay fabulous,
Emma.
- P.S: Be sure to check back next Wednesday for a brand new "Pink Tutu Rome" post - you know, where we get into the nitty-gritty of Rome! We’ll be exploring more shops, exploring more history, finding the most beautiful cafés, and discovering what makes this city truly tick. But of course, we’ll still be looking for the most fabulously pink things I can find in this amazing city. Stay tuned, you lovelies. See you next Wednesday!
xx
