Hello my darling tutufarians! Emma here, ready to twirl you all into a world of pink bliss from my Derbyshire base. As you know, I'm a firm believer in embracing every single ounce of femininity, and today's post is brimming with just that - from a fabulous new Italian tutu to a whirlwind day in Highbury.
A New Tutu: It's Like Finding a Missing Shoe, But Better
You know how sometimes you just know you're going to fall in love with something? That was me and this tutu. I spied it in a little shop nestled away on a cobbled street in Milan last week, a gorgeous powder-pink concoction, layers of soft tulle that practically begged me to pirouette in them.
My Italian adventure, which involved a very elegant train journey through the Italian countryside - and lots of dreaming about my new pink ensemble, naturally - inspired me to call this tutu "La Bella Ballerina." She's got an air of sophistication and grace about her that perfectly matches my style, and she's just the right length to make me feel like a graceful swan while I twirl around my studio.
A Highbury Whirlwind: Ballet, Food, and Fancying a Fancy Dress Ball
After my Italian escape, I was craving a touch of London life, so I booked a train to Highbury. There's something about the elegant charm of that area, and the old Victorian houses, that makes me want to waltz down the street and sing my heart out.
I kicked off the day with a fabulous ballet class at the Highbury Ballet Studio. Their open-door policy lets me dip in and out of classes with abandon, a perfect solution for a ballet-obsessed girl like me. There was such an energy in the room, a sense of pure joy in each pirouette and grand jeté. It reminded me why I fell in love with ballet in the first place.
Post-ballet, a scrumptious lunch at La Cucina Italiana, a small, unassuming Italian trattoria with the most delicious pesto I've ever had. They do the best carbonara in London, and the panna cotta is almost too pretty to eat, although I manage, of course.
Afternoon delight came in the form of a delightful performance by the London Contemporary Ballet Company at the Almeida Theatre. They were incredible, their movements so powerful yet fluid, like watching a beautiful story come to life. Their final piece was a contemporary ballet based on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," with tutus reimagined in flowing, abstract pieces. I came home utterly mesmerized, inspired, and already scheming my next dance adventure!
Dreams of Pink Tutu Parties and Ballroom Ballrooms
It's funny how sometimes an event can trigger a flood of memories, and today's experience with the contemporary ballet dancers reminded me of a fantastic time I had last summer at a garden party themed around Jane Austen's novels. It was absolutely incredible!
We all wore our finest petticoats, ruffled blouses and fancy bonnets - even our own creations - and I managed to incorporate my most dramatic, flowing tutu into the whole ensemble. It felt magical. I dreamt up this elaborate scene where the ladies would dance amongst the roses in their full tutus, each lady representing one of Jane Austen's novels. It would be the ultimate fairytale gathering. Maybe someday…
Let’s Talk Pink Tutus and the Power of Movement!
This day has really solidified my belief that life's about embracing the things that make us feel vibrant and alive.
I truly believe every single person in the world should give ballet a try, even if it’s just a single class. There’s nothing quite like feeling those muscles work and that grace flow through your body. And yes, you should wear a tutu while doing it. Go big or go home! I want to see a world filled with pink tutus, not just at the ballet, but on the streets, at parties, in the office... Pink tutus for everyone!
Stay fabulous, darling tutufarians, and don't forget to embrace the magic of your own personal dance!
With all my love,
Emma
