In addition to working on her new Storybook Valley
chick lit/sweet romance series, set at a theme park, Stacy Juba has written
books about ice hockey, teen psychics, U.S. flag etiquette for kids, and
determined women sleuths. She also runs an editing service and is the founder
of the Glass Slipper Sisters, a group of fifteen authors who have published
Cinderella-themed romance novels. Learn more about Stacy and her books at her
website/blog.
After researching princess fashion for my new chick lit
novel Fooling Around With Cinderella,
I can only imagine what Kate Middleton had to go through as a real
princess-in-training. As the new replacement Cinderella for the Storybook
Valley theme park, Jaine Andersen needed to learn a lot. As it turns out, you
need more than a fancy ball gown to pull off the royal look. Here are Jaine’s
fashion tips:
1. Watch Audrey Hepburn in the movie Roman Holiday in desperate hope of picking up Audrey’s regal
bearing. It may be depressing as you’ll never be as regal as Audrey, but you
might learn a thing or two.
2. For makeup, eyes are crucial. Not only will you need eye shadow
base, a few complementary hues of eye shadow, eyeliner, and mascara, but you
will also require lash curling and eyebrow plucking. You should probably do the
curling and plucking first so your eyes don’t tear up, making your eye makeup
smear. In addition, you will need powder, blush, lipstick, and lip liner.
3. Next, you need to dress the part. Jaine wears a rich gold
ball gown embroidered with silver thread and gleaming pearls. You will need to
get used to lots of tulle, and to feeling like a parade float. Warning: going
to the bathroom will become an ordeal.
4. If your own hair isn’t lovely enough, then you will
require a wig or hair extensions. A classic blonde Gibson girl wig is a popular
princess choice, with its fluffy upsweep style and soft curls across the
forehead.
5. A pair of killer shoes is essential. And unfortunately,
killer isn’t an exaggeration. These shoes will hurt and cause blisters. Jaine
wears translucent pumps that resemble glass slippers. When no one is around,
she kicks off the shoes and slips her feet into a pair of flip-flops.
6. No one ever tells princesses about animation lessons.
Once you look the part, now you have to act the part. This means you must
enhance your role through nonverbal communication, also known as animation. For
example, when waving to your subjects, pretend that you are screwing in a
lightbulb. Recite this mantra: elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist.
7. When signing autographs, your signature must say, “I am a
princess.” Not literally, but your handwriting must possess a certain beauty
and flourish. This requires endless lessons and may lead to carpal tunnel
syndrome.
8. Watch your posture. Don’t slouch. Ever.
9. All princesses need pearly white teeth. One secret for
white teeth is extra brushing with lemon and baking soda.
10. Here is how to do a proper curtsy: gather the folds of
your gown, tuck your right foot behind the left, and bend the knees into a
curtsy. Slowly and gracefully, resume the upright position, lower your hand to
the sides, and raise your head. Know it. Live it. Do it. All the time.
And here is one bonus tip. Never break character. People expect
princesses to act a certain way. Even when you want to kick and scream, wear a
bright smile and act polite. If you absolutely cannot be civil, then signal to
your assistant, who will then usher you out of the public eye as quickly as
possible and tell everyone that you have food poisoning.
There you have it, everything you need to act and look like a princess.
Jaine wishes you good luck. Lots of it.
Fooling Around with Cinderella
What happens when the glass slippers pinch Cinderella's toes? When Jaine Andersen proposes a new
marketing role to the local amusement park, general manager Dylan Callahan
charms her into filling Cinderella’s glass slippers for the summer. Her reign
transforms Jaine’s ordinary life into chaos that would bewilder a fairy
godmother. Secretly dating her bad boy boss, running wedding errands for her
ungrateful sisters, and defending herself from the park’s resident villain
means Jaine needs lots more than a comfy pair of shoes to restore order in her
kingdom. First in the Storybook Valley series, a blend of sweet romance, chick
lit, and fairy tale fun.
Roman Holiday -- what a great movie! This post makes me want to pop the DVD in the DVD player.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting me, Lois, and thank you for coming by, Angela. It is a great movie - Audrey Hepburn was terrific in it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. Audrey Hepburn was a classy woman. Your book sounds like a fun read.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Judy! I had fun writing it.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover. It sounds like a fun story!
ReplyDeleteLove the princess tips. That's a lot remember. What a fun story!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteI love this premise. Is it an entire series or a stand alone? And very clever tips. Something I'd expect to read on Buzzfeed. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting, Jennifer! It is a series, but each book in the series can stand by itself. The romantic leads will be different in each book and will play supporting roles in the other installments. I plan to release a mix of novels and short stories. Right now I am writing Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty, in which Dylan's sister Rory takes center stage. It is such fun to write! Glad you liked the tips!
ReplyDelete