The Dubliner Magazine: How to Live Like a Princess (on a Pauper’s Salary)

So the credit crunch has you in a headlock? But you don’t want to go back to Scrumpy Jack now that Dom Pérignon is your VBF? What to do? Here’s a survival guide for princesses still bravely clinging to their tiaras. By Amanda Spencer

Castle Refurb Keep an eye online – you never know when some benevolent prince will be downsizing. You’ll spend most of your time sifting through fridge magnets and old RTÉ Guides, but tenacity is key. If questioned, claim eco-chic-centricity. dublinwaste.ie, gumtree.ie, jumbletown.ie, freecycle.net

Wardrobe These days, ‘vintage’ means anything older than last season, so it pays to stock up on cast-offs. Plunder Bodytonic’s car-boot sales, taking advantage of the pissed and privileged vendors. Next sale: September 27th from 1pm. www.bodytonicmusic.com

Body beautiful Forget Pilates sessions at €200 a pop. Instead, brisk walk to Chartbusters for a €3.75 jiggle on their Power Plate. Private room, minimum effort, maximum laughs, calories evaporating. www.chartbusters.ie

Charidee Be a giving princess! After doing your bit “for the little people,” you’ll be invited to innumerable fundraisers – aka boozy ligs. Pick your charity with care: one false move might mean less celebrity face time and more soup-kitchen action.

Exposure Beat the paps to it – get your lovely face out there by becoming an extra. Swan around movie sets, mingle with the stars and wangle invites to the all-important wrap party. www.irishequity.ie, www.movieextras.ie

Bag, borrow, steal Reuse and recycle all your unwanted clothes, keep on trend and remain in touch with your nearest and dearest. Gather your most fashion-forward friends, get tipsy on Prosecco and put your Tupperware-party hat on.

By royal appointment Take a hop-on, hop-off tour of Dublin. You’ll need an entourage, a full hip flask, a rainy day (discourages the plebs) and an active imagination. Take your position at the front of the bus, top deck, and royal-wave at your minions. €15 for 90 minutes. www.dublinbus.ie/sightseeing

Eye on society Crown yourself the new Perez Hilton. Blog until you’re blue in the face. Mention yourself over and over until PRs start to take you seriously.

Deportment 101 Every princess knows it’s 90 per cent attitude, 10 per cent fact. One must give one’s people what they want. Send out an image of the life you want, not the life you have.

Comments

ask hairdressers if they need models,sell last years clothes,go to swop idol in shebeen,lk out for sponsored nights out(4,dame lane does these).hv home facials,shop in oxfam and enable ireland.hit rds shows for trade show freebies.discover the 2 euro shops,they are brilliant.dont do ibiza this year,refurbish yr home using ideas thieved from interior magazines.hold a yard sale,anything you make is pure profit.discover the hill market,i gt eccos there last week,barely worn for 2 euros.

Posted by: darla | December 12, 2008 at 21:59