#ruby shores

I have to admit, I was a bit... desperate as my editor practically banned me here to Ponyville. As a Manehattan born unicorn, this town is a stark contrast to what I am used to. So I had a drink, or rather a few dozen. They only have one bar here. Only one!

So after the last night, a night so quiet I woke up several times to check that I was still alive, I looked horrid. No way to argue around it. As a lifestyle reporter, I often have to deal with hang-overs. In Canterlot, I had my usual program, first coffee, then a bathe and then going to my hairdresser.

I doubt that the Z has opened up a shop here over night. So whatever shall I do? With frazzled mane, red eyes and yawning constantly, I stumbled through the town. You need less than twenty minutes to cross it completely...

And there I found a gem: Ponyville's Spa and Bathhouse. It is run by the twins Lotus and Aloe, and they know their job. Just after trotting in, and after they got over the shock, they ushered me through the entire list of their beauty program. And they have everything, including a very cute colt to massage my sore back.

And it all had what I somehow missed back at Canterlot: The personal touch. In every one of their twenty spas, I felt like just another customer, but Lotus and Aloe made me feel special. Just what I needed after being sacked like that.

So whenever you are feeling down or just have to deal with a bad hair day, those twins will help you out in a jiffy!

After that last report on Princess Celestia's castle, my editor went up to me and urged me to take another position. It may or may not have to be to do with the things I did with Luna's socks. According to his friendly suggestion, I have now been volunteered to move to some little rural town called Ponyville. Some stories I've already done about spots there.

So now I am doing the entire people and lifestyle part of the local edition. This town is so boring, finding something interesting every week will be hard. Anyway, I greet my fellow ponyvillians.

Ruby Shores

Only rarely a humble reporter gets to meet royalty. And considering that, getting invited by royalty is even more exciting.

As I was in Canterlot, I was allowed to visit a part of the castle that hardly any visitor was to see: Princess Celestia's private chambers. And they hold some surprises.

When you get into her working room, you see a tasteful, darkly kept room, draped with cushions and a fireplace. A little secretary stand adds to the atmosphere, but no surprises here. Very tasteful and overall, soothing. You cannot help but relax. This is were our benevolent ruler decides the fates of Equestria.

But right behind it is a door to a completely different room. Celestia's bedroom is brightly coloured, mostly in a tasteful shade of pink. Every inch of the walls is covered with all the paintings and images the Princess received over the years of her reign: A portrait by Manecasso as well as the one dedicated to her by Pony Warhol.

A small dresser (she uses Mane Nr 5 to brighten up that hair), a big and snuggly bed. She obviously designed the interior herself and after her own, regal tastes. I feel honoured to be given a chance to have a look at her most private chambers!

And after I had been led out, the guard could be persuaded to let me trot a bit around in the other uncharted areas of the castle. As you and me know there is some room that interests us all more than Celestia's chamber: Those of Princess Luna.

I was told she was currently off to get her daily teachings in Equestrian Law and History. So I was not to meet her, but at least take a look into her bedroom. And let me tell you: It is messy and dark. You remember what your room looked like when you were a young filly and more interested in colts than picking up your socks from the floor? Like that.

We all heard of Luna's strange sock fetish, and it seems all true. They were simply everywhere. But otherwise, her chamber looks like any other teen filly's: A TV, all sorts of video game consoles, posters of the Wonderbolts and surprisingly many of a pegasus mare with rainbow mane. And in her wardrobe: One regal outfit and more socks.

I did not have much time to look closer, but this little insight will be very valuable to you, I hope.

Oh and I can recommend socks. Very comfy.

When us fashion reporters come together, we discuss famous ponies like Hoity Toity, Photo Finish and Celly Parts, talk about their amazing designs and how they enrich our lives. Fabulous dresses and a clear feeling for all things fashion make these ponies the stars of the scene.

But what do these ponies talk about, when they meet in a quiet separate room after a successful fashion show? We can only speculate. But I am very sure that Miss Rarity would be a topic that comes up very often.

The secret fashion star, a celebrity incognito, Rarity seems to revolutionise fashion as we know it. She seems to have an amazing feeling for what a pony's inner beauty is, and manages to emphasise it with an amazing design.

What is even more astonishing than this unicorn's talent is how unknown it is to the scene. In Canterlot, Hoofington, Manehatten she did not appear. Her boutique is in Ponyville. It is a long way for a fashion fan to travel, but worth it.

Miss Rarity is a new kind of designer, fresh, down to earth, close to the model. Let's hope any fame will not affect her talent.

For years it was regarded outdated, old-fashioned, but it seems to be in fashion again. Young fillies and colts are engaging in this new-found activity.

Neighing is popular and cool again. We asked the most credibly of fillies in Ponyville, and concluded it a harmless fun for young and old ponies.

Only trend-setter unicorn Lyra, whose special way of sitting on benches caused a short-lived trend and a sharp increase in chiropractors' businesses, did not leave us any positive comment. Is she just jealous of not being as cool as the other fillies, or actually regards neighing as an over-emphasised activity?

Soon we will see if this new trend is here to stay.