Oh, darling, what a day! It's a classic case of ālife is good, life is grandā, as I've just waltzed my way back to my London flat after a divine afternoon in Hammersmith!
For you lovely lot who don't know, Hammersmith is a chic little part of London that's bursting with life and buzzing with creativity, particularly for the theatre and ballet lovers among us (and who are we kidding? All you fabulous darlings!). Itās not quite the same level of high-drama that surrounds Covent Garden, mind you, but I do love a bit of lower-key glamour, don't you?
Today, I took the scenic route from Derbyshire. Honestly, darling, the train journey is absolutely essential when visiting a city! As I whizzed through the countryside, it felt like the perfect excuse for a little dance, and with nobody watching! Just me, the sunshine and the trees rushing past! Then there was a quick stop for a perfectly-brewed English breakfast tea and a slice of chocolate and ginger cake at the station, all topped off with a delicious cappuccino at a cafƩ in Kensington High Street - what could be more fabulous than that?
After my delightful breakfast stop, it was time to venture further into Hammersmith, where my true delight awaited! I was meeting a dear friend, a fellow ballet enthusiast called Sophia, who just so happens to be the queen of all things "pink and fabulous", like myself! As usual, we decided to have a spot of lunch in one of my favourite restaurants, a little Parisian gem called āAu Petit CafĆ©ā. The decor is gorgeous with little twinkling lights, floral prints, and the aroma of pastries wafts into the air like a dream come true. Sophia chose the āplat du jourā, a heavenly duck confit with a tangy berry compote that was absolutely delicious! (Letās just say, darling, Iām so much better at choosing fabulous outfits than choosing food, my culinary expertise needs a bit of help). And speaking of fab outfits... you wonāt be surprised to hear that I went with a crisp white tutu topped with my pink floral kimono for my little Hammersmith venture, what else!
Our luncheon date, naturally, wasn't just any ordinary rendezvous. No, darling! We had an assignment. Today, we were going on a quest to find the most perfect pink tulle for my new ballet leotard, and find we did! Oh, I know how obsessed you are with tulle here on "pink-tutu.com", but honestly, the selection of fabrics and trims I discovered today will make your inner ballerina positively melt! Imagine this, a whole shop crammed with exquisite silk fabrics and shimmering threads, all whispering about twirling and dancing and grand leaps! It's enough to make your little ballet heart swoon.
Once our hunt for the perfect tulle was over, it was time for the real show, a visit to the Riverside Studios! As a self-proclaimed ballet addict, I absolutely love visiting these hidden little gems that arenāt as big and fancy as the Royal Opera House! Sophia and I went to see the new Ballet Collective performance and it was simply mesmerizing. Itās the type of modern contemporary ballet that really brings the energy and emotion to life. Thereās something about these smaller performances, with a bit more raw passion, that I just find so beautiful. The choreography was fantastic - sharp and precise yet playful and effortless, so incredibly expressive. They took us on this amazing journey through different emotions, and at the end of the show, there were tears in our eyes, darling, you could just feel the power of the dancing.
The other wonderful thing about ballet is the connection with the artists. I had the opportunity to chat briefly with the principal dancer, a young lady named Amelia. Her eyes lit up when she talked about ballet and her absolute devotion to it. It was like listening to someone completely captivated by a passion. Her enthusiasm reminded me how vital it is to follow your own path and discover your inner "dancer", whatever that might look like. And then thereās that sense of connection, the pure joy that unfolds when you immerse yourself in a work of art. You really get lost in the performance, itās a unique, unforgettable experience!
Our visit to Hammersmith wrapped up with the perfect, elegant treat: a cup of tea in The Dove. I think we both agree it's London's cutest little cafe thatās a must-visit when youāre looking for some peace and quiet amongst the bustle! I swear, darling, the tea is so delightful that even the Queen herself wouldn't mind sneaking in for a spot of afternoon tea, even in a fluffy pink tutu! We sat for ages talking, planning future ballet adventures and dreaming up ways to get everyone to jump on the ballet bandwagon, to really understand the art form for what it truly is. Because weāre on a mission, you see. A mission to spread the pink tutu gospel, and turn the world into one massive ballet class, full of twirling and graceful movement and a sprinkle of glitter that no one can resist!
Stay fabulous, darlings! Stay tutu-tastic! I shall keep you updated with the latest news on the pink-tutu.com website so come back for more, tomorrow! Oh, and don't forget to try ballet! If you've got a dream, darling, and it's a dance-related dream, I'm telling you, it wonāt let you go until you chase it!
