Hello my lovelies, and welcome to another Wednesday with Pink Tutu Vienna!
The sun is shining in Vienna, the birds are chirping, and the air smells of freshly baked pastries. I am sitting here in my favourite cafe, a little hidden gem in a cobbled alleyway, watching the world go by. I've been here for almost a week now, and I have to say, it's been a whirlwind of a time, filled with the most exquisite ballet shows, dazzling shops and the most magical streets I've ever seen.
I've spent my week immersed in all things ballet, and Vienna just lends itself so perfectly to this world. The architecture, with its ornate details and grand facades, makes it feel like a set designed for a grand ballet production. And speaking of grand productions, I got to see a phenomenal performance at the Vienna State Opera - "Swan Lake" in all its graceful glory. My eyes, ears, and heart were truly spoiled. I even found the perfect fluffy, voluminous, pink tutu to wear to the show (naturally!), and I received a flurry of compliments for it, with the opera house staff smiling warmly and telling me how delightful it was!
On a much less fancy note, let me share a little secret with you... I tried my hand at riding a horse while I was here! You see, a charming horse carriage driver took pity on me when he heard I wanted to experience the city like they used to in the old days. And guess what? I managed to stay on! I have a slight confession, though... a slight wobble while trotting down a cobbled path made my lovely new pink tutu lose its perfect fluff, which was most undignified... But my lovely carriage driver, Herr Wolfgang, helped me re-arrange my feathers (if you can call tulle feathers!), and we finished our lovely ride on a beautiful note. He even helped me navigate some tricky stairs up to the hotel, as one can imagine, getting up in this tutu without looking like a fluffy pink cloud is a tricky feat!
I've been making the most of this city's gorgeous green spaces, taking leisurely strolls through the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace Gardens, where I find myself getting lost in the intricate, whimsical floral patterns. Each and every garden here has been like stepping into a romantic novel, and Vienna's flower-filled squares are truly the perfect inspiration for a new tutu. I may be just a little bit inspired for my next project… whispers A Vienna Waltz tutu. Think a swirling, ethereal design with soft pastel shades, flowing to and fro like the dance of the waltz. Maybe even some shimmering metallic thread for a bit of glitz!
And you know, the best part about Vienna is that every street is an exciting opportunity for finding treasures. Shopping here has been a truly unique experience - think stunning shops nestled into old alleyways with centuries-old facades and vintage delights tucked in amongst the modern brands. Oh, I discovered a fantastic fabric shop tucked away in the centre of town – the kind of place that sends shivers down your spine, with stacks and stacks of delicate silks and lace, not to mention some glorious swathes of pale pink silk for my new waltz creation! This has got to be one of the most beautiful places I have been.
And when I wasn’t exploring these incredible shops, I was immersed in a whirlwind of ballet history! I visited the Museum of Music, which has the most delightful exhibition on the history of dance in Vienna. My favourite section was definitely dedicated to the era of the grand waltzes, with costumes from some of Vienna’s famous waltzes from the early 1900s, like The Blue Danube Waltz, and some of the costumes were even worn by the famous Johann Strauss! Can you imagine!? My jaw hit the floor when I saw some of the amazing feathered hats and long white ballgowns with feathers flowing as far as the eye could see, just like they used to be in the old days. I even found an old pamphlet with a very specific drawing of a beautiful tutu they would have worn then! This has given me a fresh sense of inspiration!
This Wednesday, Vienna has enchanted me completely, and I can’t wait to continue exploring all the wonders of this magical city. Don't forget to check back in with Pink Tutu Vienna next Wednesday, when I'll be sharing my favourite Viennese spots with you, along with a delightful recipe for Viennese apple strudel (maybe I will try and make it in my pink tutu. We'll see if I make a mess!), and of course, plenty more photos!
Keep twirling my little darlings!
With love, Emma Pink Tutu Vienna. xx
P.S. Do you have any suggestions for Vienna? I would love to hear your recommendations, or if you have any photos of yourselves in pink tutus, please tag me @PinkTutuVienna, and I would love to see them!
