Hello, my lovely tutu-loving darlings! It's Emma here, ready to whisk you off on another adventure, this time to the charming town of Hanwell, West London. This past weekend, I took a jaunt up to the capital, not by Tube, oh no, but by train - a beautiful, bright red vintage carriage that chugged its way through the countryside, leaving me feeling as giddy as a schoolgirl.
Why Hanwell, you ask? Well, you see, Hanwell boasts a delightful dance studio with an abundance of classes, including, get this, Ballet for Beginners! I just couldn't resist - I believe that every single one of you deserves to twirl in a tutu at least once in your life.
But before we get to the ballet, let's talk about the pink, because it was, you guessed it, absolutely everywhere! From the candy floss clouds floating above Hanwell to the pastel-pink ice cream I indulged in (oh, how I adore the strawberry and rose variety!) - it was a pure pink-tastic dream. Even my tutu was in the most divine shade of bubblegum pink, which I lovingly call "Chilli's Delight," after my favourite chihuahua back in Derbyshire.
Now, the ballet class itself was truly exhilarating! The studio was a haven of twinkling lights and the softest, most inviting aroma of lavender. I joined the beginners class, a mix of ages and levels, but with a shared enthusiasm for ballet. We did pliés, relevés, and tendus, all while giggling, bumping into each other, and perfecting our pirouette turns (or at least attempting them). It was like a mini-ballet performance, except we were wearing mismatched shoes and our smiles were much more wide-eyed.
After class, I took a leisurely stroll through Hanwell, soaking in the charming, quaint streets, each one a vignette from a Jane Austen novel, I swear! The highlight was definitely stumbling upon a tiny, independent bookshop that housed the most beautiful ballet and vintage books, with delicate covers and titles that transported me back in time. It felt like a glimpse into a forgotten world, a world where tutus were a necessity, not an option.
Of course, no trip to London would be complete without a theatre show. I snagged a last-minute ticket to a ballet performance of Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House. Oh, darling, it was glorious! The dancers, effortlessly gliding across the stage, their movements flowing like silk ribbons. The costumes, breathtakingly elegant, a dazzling tapestry of black and white. And the music, oh, the music, it swelled with every graceful step and leaped with every thrilling jump, weaving its spell around the audience.
And yes, my outfit was perfectly on-theme. I paired my pink tutu with a vintage white blouse, and finished the look with a dainty pink feather boa, giving it an ethereal, almost fairy-like touch. (For all you dear readers, it's not a look you can pull off if you don't have the personality to match, so don't even try it without a tutu-loving heart, darling!)
As I walked back to the station, my head buzzing with the thrill of the performance, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the beautiful, vibrant, and passionate world of ballet. It is, for me, a world of limitless possibilities, where elegance meets athleticism, where dreams take flight, and where everyone, regardless of age, background, or skill, is welcome to join the grand dance.
So, remember, darling, wear your tutu with confidence and never, ever stop dancing. And let's spread the pink, the passion, and the sheer joy of ballet far and wide.
Till next time,
Emma.
P.S: I did see a gorgeous black swan in St. James' Park during my trip! I'll post the photo tomorrow! 🦢
