Wednesday 3rd October 2018
Ciao bella!
It's Emma here, bringing you a brand new Pink Tutu Rome blog post from the Eternal City itself! It feels so good to be back in Italy, the sun is shining, the air is warm, and my heart is bursting with excitement. As usual, I've packed my most fabulous pink tutu (this time it's a beautiful vintage creation with layers of tulle and sparkly embroidery, I got it in a charming little shop on the outskirts of Rome). It goes without saying, it's perfect for exploring the Roman streets and feeling like a fairytale princess.
I love train travel, it allows me to relax and let my imagination wander, it always makes the journey feel special, and somehow always gets me in the mood for adventure. I was so lucky to score a first-class carriage this time, so I've been lounging back, sipping espresso, and taking in the scenery (including a very handsome Italian gentleman reading a copy of Dante's Inferno – he did give me a wink – so cheeky!) The countryside of Italy is so beautiful, all olive groves and vineyards and rolling hills.
Speaking of rolling hills – what do you think about the little black dress I wore on the train? It was perfectly sleek and chic with an amazing high slit, I found it at this amazing vintage shop back in Derbyshire. It’s just my style, but the real cherry on the cake was the matching pink satin clutch I chose for my day bag, a delightful find in a vintage shop back in Derbyshire. The owner even threw in a set of adorable pink silk earrings as a gift – so sweet! I can’t wait to post pics to Pink-Tutu.com later tonight – keep an eye out!
The only downside of the journey was I was very excited, I could barely sit still for all the delicious food smells coming from the buffet carriage, which, needless to say, lead to some uncontrollable tummy rumbles – my little tummy rumbles which thankfully went unnoticed, luckily there was no-one else sitting in my little corner.
It was just after lunchtime when I finally arrived at Termini, the train station is always a bustle of activity, the scent of warm bread and spices from the bakeries filled the air. I navigated the crowd, it was hot, my legs were tired from the train journey, but I was just so excited! My suitcase wheels whizzed across the cobblestones as I searched for a taxi to take me to the beautiful hotel – the Hotel Villa Borghese in the heart of Rome.
My little suitcase is practically overflowing with gorgeous outfits and even a pink tutu, which will be coming in handy during this trip to the Eternal City! Of course, I brought some sparkling pink trainers – for long walks in the Roman streets (let's face it, these cobblestones can be brutal), and I've packed some pink heels for evening galas and special dinners – can't forget a stylish touch! And there’s one pink ballet shoe (you can never be too careful, you just never know when a performance opportunity will present itself) – you never know who you might meet on a night out!
I made my way through the crowd and out to the main square where the smell of gelato was everywhere. You just know, the creamy deliciousness of freshly-made gelato will be an essential part of this trip. My hotel has an Italian Restaurant in the courtyard, and the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming. As a lovely gesture, they let me pick from the Italian breakfast menu even though it was nearly evening! (The restaurant menu said that it wasn't normally allowed, but because it was so warm the waiter let me try it!). I chose the sweet ricotta pancakes - what can I say, I'm a creature of habit. After all, how could you turn down ricotta pancakes?
Before my late Italian breakfast I went to take a bath, and while in the hotel room bathroom, a delicious, and extremely delicious and romantic aroma wafted up, I just had to follow it, and you wouldn’t believe who was down by the pool, but none other than the very Italian waiter! Now, he was wearing a tuxedo, which did nothing to hide his handsome looks. There was no way I was going to miss this opportunity to make friends in Rome. So, I joined him for a romantic stroll by the beautiful pool (we spent an age gossiping) and shared a small pot of raspberry jam that I'd brought from Derbyshire (I can never resist a sweet treat and the raspberry jam I got was made by a local producer in my village.)
Anyway, I don’t want to get sidetracked, because we need to get back to my fabulous schedule! The Italian Waiter has helped me plan out some exciting excursions. And don’t worry, I will be documenting every second for my lovely Pink-Tutu readers, just as always!
So, what is planned for this week, I hear you say, well listen to this! Tomorrow I am planning to walk around the city to take in all the amazing landmarks. My plans are to start in the morning, and maybe go for some lunch, have some more gelato (because gelato!) and take a trip to the Trevi Fountain - this was one of my all time favourite parts of visiting Rome when I last visited ten years ago. As well as seeing a show at the Teatro dell'Opera, if I can find a spare tutu to wear! After, I am going to look at buying some hand-crafted souvenirs to bring home to Derbyshire! (If I haven't already bought enough by that point – you know me, I can never say no to a little bit of souvenir shopping!). It’s going to be an amazing day!
And if all that isn’t enough, later tonight I have booked a tour of The Colosseum with a fabulous local historian - what’s not to love?! I just hope the tour guides have heard about me! I'm going to put my pinkest, most sparkling tutu on and try my best to make a memorable entrance!
Of course, you know me, I love shopping!
Today’s little gem was a little black dress (black with pink hearts! This was the first shop I went into. The little black dress I saw today has the perfect little pink sequin hearts. I already know what I’m wearing tonight and, well, all next week).
Now you guys know that pink is my life and you also know I just love ballet! Today, I had the pleasure of visiting a small vintage ballet shop and discovered this wonderful silk ballet skirt (pink with a tiny, gorgeous hand-embroidered design with tiny flowers around the waistband) and some beautiful pointe shoes. The pointe shoes are cream and white satin. Of course, I couldn't resist them – I'm always searching for a beautiful shoe. Plus they have been beautifully crafted, they will look stunning for my ballet performances!
I think I've spent a bit too much, it seems the cobblestones were slippery, and the Italian air must have something intoxicating in it, the prices I was paying, oh dear! I feel the purse strings pulling a little tighter - and, well, who hasn't lost their money, well, at least in a fashion way?! This dress will be perfect for a glamorous evening at a high class ballet gala, it is a shame it's only just begun because I can't wait for evening so I can go and get changed.
Well, I've got so much to do – and that's not including eating a huge pile of spaghetti and drinking Italian wine. And maybe going to that famous gelateria everyone’s been telling me about, a real famous one near the Pantheon.
The city really is alive! And the only thing missing is a little bit more Pink! So what’s a ballerina to do but grab my pinkest, sparkliest tutu and get out there and spread the love. Until next week. Ciao Bella!
Emma x
