Well hello lovelies! Happy New Year from a very chilly (but oh-so-lovely!) Scotland! It's Emma here, back from my little Christmas break with a whole new bag of adventures and, of course, a fab new outfit for you all!
This trip has been all about stepping out of my comfort zone (as always!), and as you know, I'm a creature of comfort (unless you're talking about the gym, where I live to sweat it out). So this trip involved ...wait for it...a horse ride. Yep, you heard me right. And not just any horse ride, mind you! This one took me through the majestic Scottish Highlands, along wild trails, past tumbling waterfalls and the most stunning scenery you ever did see! I was utterly smitten! I mean, you all know my weakness for fluffy creatures, and who wouldn't love a giant fluffy horse?!
I must admit, I did have a bit of a panic attack in the first five minutes. We all have those little fears, don't we? Mine just happens to be anything involving large animals (except for the adorable penguins, obviously!) But my fears soon evaporated when I was presented with a beautiful, placid, brown and white beast called Daisy. She was a gentle soul and, to my delight, the horse was quite partial to pink. Let's just say my riding ensemble got a whole lot cuter with the addition of my trusty, fluffy, pink tutu. (Who can resist the added comfort and glamour of a tutu when you're riding a horse? I thought so!)
Anyway, we rode on for about three hours, the chilly December wind whipping through my hair, the snow-capped mountains on all sides of me. I had to keep pinching myself! It was so breathtakingly beautiful that it truly felt magical. Of course, Daisy took good care of me and, at times, even had a cheeky gallop which sent the snow flying into the air around us - such fun! It felt like something straight out of a fairytale, a bit like being in Brave!
But speaking of fairytales, let's talk about Cinderella - a film I never fail to be moved by, even after all these years. As it turns out, we were actually very near to the set of the upcoming movie! Yes, that's right - a certain iconic pink slipper might have even walked those same trails just weeks before! That really felt like the ultimate coincidence and definitely sealed my Scottish adventures as the ultimate fairy tale escape.
Speaking of movies, I finally managed to squeeze in a show! The Highlands is full of little towns and villages, and the village I was staying in was holding a panto, Jack and the Beanstalk. Of course, I had to make sure that my pink tutu took centre stage - so it ended up looking fabulously out of place (but in the best way possible) alongside the colourful costumes and lively stage performance!
I also managed to make time for a much-needed ballet class, and this one was extra special. Not only was the studio in the heart of the highlands, overlooking the iconic scenery (more pink!), but we even got a live performance by a Scottish highland fiddler. What a treat! We all did some seriously graceful Highland Fling-esque steps to the traditional music. It really reminded me why ballet is my passion - it transcends any boundaries and allows you to move with joy, expression, and pure grace.
If you ever get a chance to explore the Scottish Highlands, I urge you to add it to your bucket list! It's breathtakingly beautiful and, honestly, it felt so peaceful after the crazy, chaotic run-up to Christmas. I definitely left with a newfound sense of calm and a heart brimming with inspiration. (But I do hope those little tartan sheep know they have me to thank for their fabulous new hats - pink, obviously!)
Remember my darlings, there's no limit to where your passion can take you. So get those tutus on, put on your bravest face and go explore the world, wherever your little feet lead you! And let's be honest, when was the last time you wore a pink tutu and felt anything less than awesome?!
Until next time, lovelies! Don't forget to follow me at www.pink-tutu.com for more adventures in the world of pink!
