I would like to start this series of practical Princess Lessons off with something painfully practical, those most mundane of duties - household chores.

A Princess, in this day and age, is not always blessed with the benefit of servants and needs must do her own chores however un lady-like they may be. Unless you have an obliging family member or household staff you probably have to tidy your own things, clean the dishes, wash your gowns and do other menial labour.

How did Cinderella bear all the mopping and scrubbing with dignity and grace? I don’t know for a fact, but I imagine she managed to make it a little bit fun for herself, and this is what I try and do whenever faced with a my least favourite tasks. These suggestions may sound a little silly at first, but please try them for yourself, you will be surprised how they make the time fly!

We can’t really wear our loveliest clothes when doing dirty work, so instead set aside some clothes to be your ‘rags.’ It might be an old faded dress, an old t-shirt or even a peasant style blouse. Throw on a frilly apron and tie your hair back with a pretty scarf. I find dressing up makes everything more fun.

Put on some music. I always listen to music when I do chores, it allows your imagination to wander away from the dull handiwork and keeps you light hearted. Pick something you can sing along to and trill away to your heart’s content.

Please protect your hands! Cleaning products contain so many harsh chemicals that will age your skin and can cause rashes. Wear a pretty pair of gloves and moisturise your hands afterwards.

Do a little bit extra, when tidying your room add a bunch of flowers to brighten your day. Instead of throwing your clothes in the drier hang them outside to drip dry and revel in the warm sunlight scent of air dried linen. Finding some form of satisfaction and pleasure from your end results will make the hard work seem more worthwhile.

Reward yourself. After you have ticked off everything on your to-do list (written on cute printed paper!) give yourself a treat. A relaxing bubble bath, a bowl of ice cream and fruit or an hour to spend curled up with a good book. You’ve earnt it!

I seem to be on a run of re-watching old films I enjoyed as a child and The Labyrinth is certainly one of them. I know a lot of people love this movie for David Bowie, but I have to admit that is not what attracts me I adore the Labyrinth for its glitter coated sets, its quirky creatures and most of all, its creativity.

The Labyrinth is really a masterpiece of multiple geniuses, when you put together Brian Froud, Jim Henson, George Lucas and Terry Jones you can’t help but to get something special. Much like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the story is twisted and nonsensical and has many layers, like a dream apon dreams I have always had a fascination with the surreal and metaphorical in to which this story delves.

The plot is fairly simple, an imaginative young girl named Sarah asks the goblins to take her baby brother away (having a brother myself, I completely understand this!) she is inspired by her favourite book. However when her wish comes true and the King of the Goblins, Jareth, snatches up the little boy she is left regretting her wish. Jareth gives her 13 hours to find her way to the centre of the Labyrinth and rescue her brother, otherwise he will become a goblin too. Along the way she most solve riddles, evade enemies and make new friends to help her succeed.

The entire set and creature design is stunning, being the joint project of the Henson company and Brian Froud who previously made The Dark Crystal Some of the scenes I love best include; the opening scene in which Sarah, dressed as a medieval lady is reading the lines of the story, the beautiful maquerade, the scene where Sarah is back in her own room briefly with all her things (for some reason I find this part the most touching) and of course the fabulous Escher inspired maze in the castle.

I reccomend this movie to anyone who loves fairy tales, surrealism or simply wants to relive a little of their childhood dreams. I think I shall be buying the recently released Manga Return to The Labyrinth, out of curiousity.