Darling dears! Welcome to another week of #PinkTutuVienna. As you know, my heart belongs to the dance floor, and this week itās skipping and swirling its way through the romantic and elegant city of Vienna! I absolutely adore this place, with its waltzing history, its beautiful architecture, and the endless cups of delicious Viennese coffee that Iāve been enjoying!
Now, my darlings, before I get carried away with the Vienna-isms, youāll all be desperate to know what Iām wearing today ā a little pink flamingo print tutu of course! Itās quite fluffy and a bit sparkly, as befits a city so grand and gorgeous. The weather has been lovely here. Just a touch chilly but a crisp blue sky and perfect sunshine, a wonderful start to Valentine's Day.
So, I began my Viennese adventure in true Pink Tutu fashion: with a visit to the exquisite Kunsthistorisches Museum. I've always been a bit of a history buff, and I simply had to admire those gorgeous Renaissance paintings and sculptures, especially those with dancing ladies in their own versions of pink tutus! (Iāve been dreaming about getting a portrait of myself done in one! Imagine ā Pink Tutu Emma for the ages!)
After a bit of art-inspiring excitement, my tummy was rumbling for some delicious Viennese treats. I went straight to CafĆ© Central and treated myself to a glorious piece of Sachertorte. Oh, the joy! That decadent chocolate cake, laced with apricot jam and dusted with icing sugar - itās the perfect comfort food in this romantic city!
But my lovelies, it wasn't just all about indulgence. Vienna, after all, is synonymous with dance, and particularly the waltz, so my day ended with an utterly magical evening at the Vienna State Opera. I saw a breathtaking production of āDer Rosenkavalierā (The Knight of the Rose) which I found completely immersive, with exquisite sets, dazzling costumes and incredibly talented dancers! I felt so inspired, like my own tutus were tingling with inspiration! I've always had a deep respect for the legacy of classical ballet, and here in Vienna, I can feel its rich history literally seeping from the cobbled streets. Itās everywhere you go! The grace and beauty of the waltz have made my heart sing all week, but not before I explored the Hofburg Imperial Palace - itās just magnificent! This former Imperial residence has some truly dazzling state apartments, adorned with the finest gold leaf and chandeliers - I felt like I'd stepped back in time! And what do you think I saw in one of the rooms? You guessed it: a portrait of Empress Maria Theresa in a (very pink) silk gown - she'd surely have been a fellow Pink Tutu lover if this had been a couple of centuries later!
You might be wondering about the "tutu history" bit for today's blog - well my darlings, the Vienna State Opera is pretty darn famous for being home to one of the oldest and most important ballet companies in the world. The Viennese ballet tradition stretches back centuries, long before the tulle we know today was even invented. I did a bit of research on some of the early forms of dance. It turns out that even in the 1800s they weren't really called tutus - there were lots of different styles for dancers, including shorter ones that looked almost like long skirts, and slightly shorter skirts - all very exciting to discover!
Youāll never believe it my lovely lot, I bumped into two adorable horses in the middle of my trip. It was on a day trip to the stunning Schƶnbrunn Palace gardens, with its exquisite gardens, baroque pavilions and its fabulous Schƶnbrunn Zoo! They were attached to a gorgeous golden carriage, which felt like I was in a fairytale! Just me and two wonderful horses, taking in the scenery, enjoying the lovely weather - oh my, it was so magical! The stables were stunning - they even have an equestrian academy here. I wish Iād had the time to take a riding lesson!
For my final night in Vienna, I dressed in my most sparkling, sparkly pink tutu - my āGlitter-ific Vienna Tutuā if you will - and found the most delightful street performer, a charismatic young woman playing an exquisite melody on a violin - it made my heart flutter! It was pure perfection, especially on this enchanting and romantic night.
You might be thinking: why am I spending so much time on all these amazing things, and not enough time on tutu-making and dancing lessons? Well, I do! I fit in some wonderful lessons at the Ballet Academy. The Viennese dancers were amazing, the very best of the very best and they even introduced me to the waltz in a traditional style, which has been a truly amazing experience. (I even dared to twirl in my little flamingo tutu!) I even squeezed in a trip to a dance costume store, of course, which was like walking into a wonderland! It was a little hard to choose what to buy as there was SO MUCH choice! In the end, I treated myself to a gorgeous lavender tutu for my very special new "Pink Tutu Waltz Collection" (coming soon!) - I'm certain it's going to look perfect with all my upcoming dance performances and photoshoots back home.
So, darlings, I have to tell you, Iāve been on a real emotional roller coaster these past few days ā a rollercoaster I certainly wouldnāt have it any other way. From breathtaking historical architecture to magnificent ballet performances, delicious food and an even more wonderful culture of dancing and dress-up, itās certainly been an experience to remember. I leave you, my darlings, with this message - embrace the beauty of your passions and never stop twirling. And, most importantly, remember - you can always look stunning in a pink tutu. Always.
Until next week darlings! Keep dancing.
Emma
#PinkTutuVienna
www.pink-tutu.com
