Tutu Tuesday 18094

## Tutu Tuesday in Saint-Ouen, Île-de-France: A Parisian Pointe Okay, chics, this week’s Tutu Tuesday is a little different, because I’m absolutely *living* my best Parisian life right now! This city just has something *magical* in the air. Maybe it's the history, the incredible food (I swear the pastries here are unreal!), or the constant whirl of artistic inspiration that surrounds you - you feel it, right?! But seriously, one thing that’s truly captivated me is the ballet scene in Paris. I know, I know - the stereotypes are strong, right? We've all seen the whimsical French ballet dancer clichés. But, let me tell ya, French ballet has got something very unique and beautiful going on. There’s this incredible emphasis on tradition, and artistry that really elevates their work. They truly embrace every little detail, and there's an elegance that feels timeless, classic, and so much fun to watch! But it’s not just the performances. You walk through these charming little streets, and even the way they use architecture to celebrate the arts… it just takes my breath away! I mean, I’m completely captivated by the ballet schools here. The building styles are incredible! Plus, it’s absolutely buzzing with dancers! You see them warming up in the squares, strutting through the streets - it's inspiring. And this Tutu Tuesday, I just have to shout-out this incredible boutique in Saint-Ouen. I stumbled upon this gem the other day. You’d never guess this Parisian treasure exists amidst the cobbled alleys. The moment I stepped inside, I knew this was where dreams were made - well, at least the ones that involved the most fabulous ballet costumes ever! First things first, let’s talk tutu styles. Now, in Australia, our tutus are often pretty modern and bold, right? You get a lot of high-contrast colour palettes, playful silhouettes - that kind of vibe. But here in France, everything is a little more… dare I say, romantic? The designs here are breathtaking, and oh so elegant. Picture lace, satin, soft colours - think of those classic French paintings. Oh my! And this particular boutique, “Le Ballet Chic”, just blew my mind. I mean, seriously, just picture: - A little boutique crammed with shimmering fabrics, each with a texture and design you wouldn't believe! - Little hand-painted figurines depicting iconic ballerinas. - The most divine vintage costumes - ones that literally whispered tales of grand ballet nights! - And of course, absolutely gorgeous new tutus, bursting with colour and artistry, just begging to be twirled on stage. I even had the chance to talk with the owner, Madame Le Bon. And wow, this woman's knowledge and passion about dance and its history - I mean, she even showed me some amazing sketches for her own custom tutus! I ended up buying two little things - because, well, how can you not? (And they weren't as expensive as I thought they’d be! A win for my bank account, and my ballet soul). Anyway, I just had to share this beautiful Parisian ballet discovery with all of you! Now that my Tutu Tuesday is firmly established in the capital, this is a journey I can’t wait to continue! And I’m not just talking about tutus either - just wait until you hear about the *incredible* places I’m discovering to enjoy a good ol’ fashioned coffee and croissant! And, don’t worry, I’m gonna find some local ballet studios for some impromptu classes. It's all part of embracing the culture! #tututuesday #saintouen #iledefrance