FSB Author Article
How to Live the High
Life on the Cheap
By Bridie Clark,
Author of The Overnight Socialite
A dinner party doesn't need to break the bank, if you're resourceful. Visit Costco for frozen cheese puffs and salted almonds. Serve a simple but refined pasta, such as cappelini with lemon zest and a soupcon of caviar, and your guests will feel they've been treated to something special. Hopefully they'll return the invitation in the future.
2. Socialites never miss an opening night.
Ballet enthusiast? Opera aficionado? Don't be shy about calling your local performing arts centers and asking what kind of discounts they might offer. Carnegie Hall, for example, sells a limited number of partial view tickets for $10. At the Metropolitan Opera House, standing room tickets for the following week's performance go on sale Saturday mornings at 10 am. Show up at least an hour in advance, and you can score Orchestra standing room tickets for $20 and Family Circle for $15.
3. Socialites love publicists.
The next time you're at a fun event, make a special effort to find out who's throwing it. Since publicists are responsible for organizing guest lists at fabulous, see-and-be-seen parties, they're the right people to know if you're looking to be included.
4. Socialites tend to skip dinner.
Meet friends for a drink. A 9pm glass of bubbly somewhere chic can be just as fun as an 8pm dinner -- and you'll save yourself some money and calories.
5. Socialites love to jet set.
Sunning in St. Tropez, skiing in St. Moritz not in your budget this year? You can jet set for less by swapping your home for a vacation in a fabulous location. Visit www.homeexchange.com for more details. Another site to check regularly is the aptly named jetsetter.com (become a member by visiting gilt.com/theovernightsocialite) for discounted rates at the world's most coveted destinations.
© 2010 Bridie Clark, author of The
Overnight Socialite
Bridie Clark graduated from Harvard University, and has written for The New York Times, Vanity Fair, New York, and Quest. Her debut novel, Because She Can, was published in nineteen countries. She lives in New York City.
For more information, please visit www.bridieclark.com.