Oh, hello my darlings! Emma here, your pink-tutu-loving, ballet-obsessed blogger, ready to whisk you away on a whimsical journey to the charming town of Leith. It's been a whirlwind of pink, feathers, and pirouettes these last few weeks, so grab a cuppa, settle in, and let me tell you all about it!
My heart was bursting with excitement when the train pulled into Waverley Station in Edinburgh. I always feel a little bit of magic in the air here, a city brimming with history, quirky characters, and of course, plenty of fantastic ballet opportunities! This time, however, I wasn't heading for the Royal Opera House. Instead, I was embarking on a delightful little adventure in Leith, the bohemian district on the shores of the Firth of Forth.
The moment I stepped off the train, a gust of salty sea air blew through my hair, and I felt an immediate sense of liberation. I inhaled deeply, reveling in the freshness, and it dawned on me: this trip wasn't about high drama and grand theaters. It was about experiencing something new, something a little more grounded, a little more real.
That morning, I'd slipped on my brand new tutu, a darling little number in the most fabulous shade of blush pink with delicate, pearl-toned embellishments. It had been gifted to me by my dearest friend Sarah, who runs a vintage boutique in the heart of Derby. "Wear it to Leith," she'd whispered, a mischievous glint in her eye. "You'll find your inner Mermaid, I just know it."
Well, Sarah was right, as usual. That afternoon, I stumbled upon a little craft shop tucked away down a cobbled lane. It was crammed with vibrant seashells, driftwood sculptures, and beautiful hand-painted pottery. As I admired the colours, I suddenly realised there was a familiar theme running through the work. All of the colours – even the darkest, most brooding hues – had a sense of delicate, pearlescent depth to them. It was like they were trying to whisper, "Let the light in. Be your authentic self. Embrace your true beauty." I realised, in that moment, that my tutu was more than just a dance costume – it was a symbol of expressing your true self, of letting the world know you embrace a bit of magic, a little sparkle, and a lot of heart!
Of course, the real magic was out there on the beach! I spent the rest of the afternoon wandering along the waterfront, my feet sinking into the sand. The wind danced through my hair, pulling strands of it out from my neat ballet bun, and the crashing waves whispered their stories into my ears. It felt as if the ocean itself was celebrating this vibrant city. It was intoxicatingly beautiful, and I had a sudden urge to do a pirouette right on the shore – but I thought better of it, the thought of ruining my new tutu filled me with too much dread!
That evening, I went to a charming little café tucked away in a corner of the Leith Walk. As I sat there, sipping a steaming cup of lavender tea and munching on a delicious cranberry and walnut scone (yes, the lavender and the cranberry, a very Parisian combo, but with a hint of British home baking), I scribbled down my thoughts in my trusty notebook. My plan, I decided, was to bring a little bit of ballet magic to Leith. I would spend the next few days exploring local studios, meeting other dancers, and trying my hand at some new routines! It’s all about bringing some joy to others and, of course, wearing a beautiful, pink tutu while doing it!
My adventure in Leith was only just beginning, and I couldn’t wait to see what came next! In fact, I decided to take a short detour to see a ballet street performance – the “Leith Little Steps” were a real hit. Their costumes were wonderful; an explosion of colours in a bright blue sky, and I enjoyed getting to chat to the dancers afterwards and congratulate them on their success.
It's incredible how dancing can bring people together. I had the pleasure of meeting Jenny, a bubbly young woman who teaches ballet classes at the Leith Dance Centre, where they had a fabulous community open day this week. There was even a little market with some beautiful, handmade jewellery made by a local artist called Hazel. It seemed everyone in Leith was bursting with creativity – a delightful contrast to the sleek studios of the city centre, even if those places hold a special place in my heart!
Now, one thing I truly loved about Leith was its connection to the natural world. We have been going to Edinburgh Zoo regularly as a family ever since I was a small girl, and the little train ride down the waterfront always evokes such a sense of wonder and freedom. There's nothing quite like watching the seagulls gliding effortlessly above the waves and spotting a curious seal basking in the sun. But in Leith, the connection is so much more profound – you feel it in the salty breeze on your skin, in the delicate flowers blooming beside the cobbles, in the whisper of waves crashing against the shore.
This sense of connection to the natural world – to our planet – is something that resonates deeply with my dance. In ballet, the most exquisite moments happen when we move in sync with our own bodies, listening to the whispers of our muscles, allowing our movements to flow freely like the ocean tides. This beautiful symphony of nature and movement – it's what I try to capture in every twirl, every leap, every graceful gesture.
And speaking of nature, you guys are not going to believe what happened! Remember Sarah's lovely pearl-pink tutu? It was as if it was destined for Leith. On my last day, I found myself wandering through the park beside the beach – a haven of tranquillity with a little playground hidden among the trees. I had to try it! A playful mood gripped me, so I twirled around on the roundabout, feeling my skirt billow around me like a pink cloud. And then – this is so cliché I can almost hear your eye rolls, darlings! – a white rabbit hopped out from behind a bush and stared at me. It wasn’t an ordinary, tiny white rabbit. Oh, no! It was majestic, with thick, silken fur that shimmered like moonlight on the ocean, and it stood there for a moment, blinking its black button eyes, like a fairy prince sprung straight from a childhood fable!
I know, I know – it sounds too good to be true. But there I was, in the heart of Leith, a white rabbit watching me dance in my pink tutu, and for a moment, I thought my dreams had finally come true! What can I say? I have a real soft spot for pink tutus and mystical creatures, but who can say that seeing a fluffy rabbit wearing a pink tutu wasn't magic?
Of course, the experience had me dreaming up some new moves. So for my next blog post, I’m thinking of sharing a tutorial, combining some graceful, fluid movements inspired by the ocean with a little dash of bunny hop charm!
The beauty of Leith – like ballet – is all about embracing our creativity, finding our own rhythm, and allowing ourselves to be swept away by the beauty of life. It's about listening to our hearts, trusting our intuition, and always – always, darlings – remembering that a little bit of magic and a whole lot of pink will always see you through!
So, my loves, until next time – let your spirits soar high, embrace your inner dancer, and keep twirling! Don’t forget, the world’s waiting for you – go out there, shine your light, and dance like no one’s watching (or rather, watch all you want – just give me a shout!).
With much love and endless twirls,
Emma
PS: Keep an eye on www.pink-tutu.com – you won’t want to miss a post.
