Oh my darling readers, you wouldn’t BELIEVE what a day I’ve had! I know, I know, I say that every day, but this time it’s truly special. Today I packed my trusty pink-tutu-lined suitcase, grabbed my darling tutu (a magnificent hot pink number with a dazzling silver trim!), and hopped on the train, a glorious old-fashioned steam train no less, to journey from the charming countryside of Derbyshire to the bustling city of London.
I've always been drawn to the charm of the Victorian era, you see, with its extravagant dresses, elegant trains, and whimsical charm. It's a theme that often creeps into my fashion choices - what’s a ballerina girl to do, but add a touch of vintage elegance, a sprinkle of frills, and, of course, a generous dollop of pink to make everything just that much more fabulous, darling?
Anyway, back to my adventure! London always feels like a magical place to me, buzzing with energy and exciting possibilities, a stark contrast to my quiet Derbyshire life. The train chugged along, the steam billowing into the air, and I happily lost myself in my book - Swan Lake, My Life by Dame Margot Fonteyn (of course! You can’t be a proper ballerina without knowing your classics, dear).
I had a delicious picnic lunch of sandwiches (with the crusts off, naturally) and a strawberry tart on the platform, then it was off on the tube to Southall! Did you know that the world’s first commercial airline was established here? Well, I learned something new today, and it was an absolute joy to be part of this historical journey - not only through my train ride, but through the history of flight, and perhaps through your lives too!
My final stop? The Southall Arts Centre, for a truly fabulous performance by the Birmingham Royal Ballet! Oh my, it was splendid - all graceful leaps, powerful pirouettes, and a sheer sense of passion. I must confess, it brought a tear to my eye. I just love the pure emotion and artistry of ballet, don’t you?
The ballet, "The Nutcracker", was full of captivating costumes (did you see that Sugar Plum Fairy outfit?! Heavenly!), an enchanting set, and truly delightful dancing.
You wouldn’t believe what I wore for my grand Southall ballet outing! A luscious hot pink chiffon tutu that billowed around me like a dream, paired with a sparkly black corset (which hugged my curves like a dream, sigh!), and, of course, my signature black satin ballerina pumps. If I'm honest, a few extra pink-tinted butterflies fluttered in my stomach because a rather dashing fellow ballerina from the company stopped by our table afterwards. We discussed the performance, he complimented my exquisite taste (of course!), and invited me for a morning coffee next week in Richmond! Fingers crossed!
Afterwards, we strolled around Southall for a bit, and I found a wonderful little boutique brimming with whimsical pink and white accessories! I couldn’t resist picking up a delightful feathered headband and a shimmering pink shawl - because what's a ballerina to do without a little extra sparkle?
Then it was back on the train (again, vintage steam! Who knew Southall had such a charming transport system? And just look at those antique carriages!). Back home, with the rhythmic sway of the carriage almost putting me to sleep, I couldn't help but daydream about all the exciting adventures waiting for me in the next few days, the next few weeks, and the next few years, filled with new ballets, new experiences, and hopefully, many more moments of romance (though that can wait until after tomorrow's morning barre).
Now, dear readers, I leave you with a challenge: what’s the most whimsical thing you’ve done this week? And what’s your favourite ballet performance? Tell me everything!
P.S. Have you signed up to join my Pink Tutu Movement? Our mission, should we choose to accept it (which we most certainly do), is to encourage everyone, everywhere to try ballet, to embrace the colour pink, and to bring a bit more whimsy into their lives. If you haven't signed up already, I invite you to head over to the website, www.pink-tutu.com, and become a member of our vibrant community!
Because darling, the world needs more pink tutus, and even more importantly, it needs more ballet.
Until tomorrow, Emma x
