Wednesday 5th October, 2016
Hello darlings! It's Emma from Derbyshire, your Pink Tutu girl, back from the most incredible whirlwind waltz through Vienna! As always, I'm writing this post fresh from the carriage, (yes, I travelled to Vienna by horse, a beautiful grey gelding called Storm, isn't he gorgeous? I’ll post pictures soon!), and I am positively buzzing with excitement. This city, my loves, is pure magic. A blend of history, music, culture, and breathtaking beauty – and oh, the pink tutus, you wouldn't believe it!
This week has been an absolute dream. I started the week by catching a captivating performance by the Vienna State Opera. They say that Mozart’s music haunts this city, and the air certainly seems to thrum with melody! After all, Vienna's a city synonymous with classical music, a birthplace of legends like Strauss, Beethoven, and Mahler. Their productions were out of this world, filled with grandeur, emotion, and exquisite costumes. (I was especially smitten with the stunning lilac tutus in "Giselle," just lovely!)
Naturally, I couldn't resist stepping into the world of Viennese dance myself. The Hofburg Palace's ballet school held an open class and I simply had to join in. My favourite moment was definitely the elegant sequence where we pirouetted around the ballroom. Oh, the elegance, the precision, the sheer joy of moving like a beautiful swan!
After my morning waltz, I treated myself to a decadent afternoon tea at Demel's, a renowned Viennese confectionary with a history dating back to 1786. The tea was utterly divine and the delicate pastries were positively melting in my mouth. I'm going to try recreating a version of their incredible almond cake at home for my next tea party – it's definitely a pink tutu-worthy delicacy!
Speaking of tea, my trip wasn't all twirling and tutus! (Although that would be quite a lovely lifestyle!) I dedicated some time to discovering the cultural treasures hidden within the city’s grand museums. From the Kunsthistorisches Museum, packed with artwork from the Habsburg era, to the Leopold Museum, where I marvelled at Gustav Klimt's vibrant, often gold-embellished pieces – Vienna really is a feast for the senses.
Speaking of visual delights, my favourite discovery was definitely the charming “Tutu Shop,” located on a cobblestone street tucked away behind the Hofburg Palace. I was in absolute heaven amongst layers of exquisite tutus – pale pink, shimmering peach, candy pink, all the glorious shades! I actually snagged a breathtaking champagne pink tutu with delicately-sequined layers. (Let's be honest, it was more for my eyes than for my own dancing, but still, a girl can dream!)
As the sun began to set, I found myself standing on the banks of the Danube River, mesmerized by the beauty of the city lights reflecting in the water. That’s when the city truly feels magical, as the moon reflects in the river. I spent the evening soaking in the atmosphere at a charming, traditional Austrian restaurant, where I savoured the delicious cuisine accompanied by Viennese waltz music.
Shopping and fashion were also high on my agenda, naturally. Vienna boasts some fantastic shops for any budding ballerina with an eye for elegance. I spent hours wandering through the boutiques in the First District, marveling at the window displays and collecting inspiration for my own pink tutu looks! My haul included a pair of adorable ballet flats in blush pink, a soft lilac lace top perfect for a ballerina date, and a delicate charm bracelet in silver and pink - so very "Pink Tutu!"
Now, back in England, my thoughts are already drifting back to my Viennese adventures. I know you all are dying to know when my next European escapade will be! You can expect more blog posts full of dancing adventures, exquisite tutus, and, of course, pink-hued inspiration coming soon to www.pink-tutu.com.
Until then, keep your spirits high, wear your pinkest tutus, and remember, you can dance anywhere!
Love and tutus, Emma xx
P.S. For the record, my next post is on Wednesday, 12th October, where I'll be blogging live from the Royal Ballet’s opening night at Covent Garden in London! (Get excited!). And, be sure to check out the “Pink Tutu” Instagram page for a sneak peek of my latest Viennese finds and my adventures there!
