Hair Accessories

Unfortunately my mum and dad did not give me the luscious, thick, long curly hair I wanted. Instead I have mid-length straight, fine hair. I think it's an unwritten rule somewhere that girls are not allowed to be happy with the hair they've got, and for some reason we always want the opposite! However having come to the realisation at the age of 21 that I'm never getting my dream hair I've found new ways to make my hair work for me. 

My latest discovery and new love are hair accessories. They're great as they add instant life and style to any hairstyle. From ribbons and bows to statement hairbands, a hair accessory can really add something to an outfit. Whether it's a flower behind the ear for a laid back summer look, or a big bow in a bun for a more fashion forward look, experiment, play around and see what suits you and your hair. 

And definitely try out this summer's must have flower crown. I got mine nice and cheap from Primark but you can get some really lovely ones in other shops and online. Fashion can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you like. A lot of my hairbands came from Primark and my ribbons were scavenged from my mum's sewing box. 

If you're handy with a needle and thread you can even make your own, using fabrics and materials that express your style. Unfortunately I am not skilled in the sewing department but have a lovely friend Caz (check her stuff out here https://www.facebook.com/carolineevelyncostumes?fref=ts ) who is very talented and made me some brilliant hair accessories. 

My top tip is not to be afraid, go bold, if your confident and love it others will too. Hair accessories come in such a wide range and can be used as a quick way to show you've made an effort when really all you've done is put on a hair band, or alternatively they can be used to add something to a more styled look. 

Remember it's summer, time to literally let your hair down - so go on jazz it up with a hair accessory! 

Thank you for reading - sorry about my pouty face! 

Meme Dendy 

A bit of cards and a lot of cakes

I have always been quite a creative/ arty person; unfortunately I have no direct outlet for my arty ways! Thus I find things to keep my hands busy and fulfil my need to make things pretty. I love to personalise things with badges or bows, but due to my lack of sewing ability this is often short-lived.

One way I have found to satisfy my arty ways is by making my own cards. I love to collect pretty paper, buttons, scraps of fabric and cut outs from magazines. With a box load of these it becomes quite easy to create cards for any occasion! People love to receive handmade, personalised cards and it saves me a lot of money on expensive generic cards.

   

Another way I have found to display my creative side is through baking. My favourite things to make are cupcakes. They are so simple and quick and when they’re cool you can go crazy decorating! I use a very simple recipe taken from a children’s cook book. Simply weigh an even amount of eggs and then it’s the same amount of butter, sugar and self-raising flour. A very humble recipe which is easy to adapt to make many or a few cakes. Flavours such as lemon or cocoa powder can also easily be added with no alterations. You know when they're done when slighlty golden and a skewer comes out clean when poked in the middle. 

Top tip: melt your butter, it makes it easier to mix and makes the cakes very light and fluffy

.It’s taken me quite a while to perfect my icing abilities, I don't use a traditional icing bag but rather a syringe, but once you’ve found a way that works for you its easy peasy lemon squeezy! I go a little crazy with what I like to call cake accessories, edible glitter is most definitely my best friend. Whether you’re the next Mary Berry or not, cupcakes are nice little canvas’ to be creative with, without the pressure of having to decorate a whole cake. 

They are good gifts for birthdays if you're a little short on cash, I know my friends love receiving them and people really appreciate the effort. They're also easy to hand around at any occasion compared to the palava of cutting a cake and all the napkins etc. So why not have a go? With my easy recipe you can't go far wrong and have fun when decorating - I know I do. 

Thank you for reading 

Meme Dendy 

Garden Sunday

I live in a lovely little village in Buckinghamshire, which no one has heard of (even people from Bucks) called Radnage. It's a typical village in many ways in that it doesn't have a lot in it! However what it has bundles of is community spirit. If you have read my other posts you will know I'm an RAF brat and so have lived all across the country and abroad, but I've grown to love Radnage. I'm not that suited to the countryside, not liking animals and all (and there's a lot!) but I do enjoy all the events Radnage holds. 

One such event is Garden Sunday. An odd but fun concept, it is basically a day to be really nosey! Every year villagers open up their gardens and people are freely allowed to wander around. It's a small fee to take part but all procedures go to the village church. You may be thinking that looking at other peoples gardens isn't actually that interesting, if like me you're not into horticulture- but you'd be surprised! 

It's lovely to see what people do to their gardens and how they use them. There are also events in some of the gardens, such as the adorable Rita (whose just had her 90th birthday) who opens up her garden and swimming pool for all the kids, and big kids to have a swim. The WI also has a tea and cake stand set up in one of the gardens and there's a big BBQ lunch at the village hall. Some of the gardens are simply amazing, whether they be immaculately pruned to an inch of their life, or have mazes made of hedges, secret gardens, Monet bridges or the pub garden which has some spectacular sculptures. 

Each year there is also a competition for best Scarecrow, this is open to everyone whether they have opened up their garden or not. People get very creative, my personal favourtie this year was the scarecrow decked out in cycling gear on a bike, helmet and all! It's a great day, with everyone walking or cycling through the village and it all ends at what is know as Sun-downers at the local pub, where there is a big marquee, hog roast and live bands. 

I've really enjoyed all the Garden Sunday's I've be able to go to over the last few years. Not only because I get to be nosey or because seeing countless Scarecrows is amusing but because it only works with everyone working together. You can say what you like about the countryside, but something they have got right is having a jolly good time together. 


Thank you for reading.

Meme Dendy 

RAF Summer Ball

Me and my lovely friend Caz.

I am very lucky to be an RAF brat. It means I've lived in 10 plus places throughout the UK and even had a few years in Cyprus. However, out of all the opportunities the RAF has given me and the places its taken me, the best thing in the last couple of years about being an RAF brat is getting to go to the Officer's Summer Ball!

My first experience of the summer ball was in 2010. To say I was excited was an understatement. I had seen my dad in his fancy uniform and mum in several ball gowns over the years and my sister in more recent years leave the house at 7 and return in the early hours in the morning, usually quite tipsy and often with random props they had 'borrowed' from the Mess (where the Officer's hang out).  I couldn't wait to go and see what it was all about.

My Dad and Boyfriend in the 
dining hall.

Each year the ball is themed, in 2010 it was a Venetian masked ball. So not only did I get to buy a beautiful ball gown ( if I do say so myself)  I got to wear a mask as well! It was all very Disney esc. In 2012 the theme was Alice In Wonderland which meant for some very cool and quirky decorations. And this year the theme was a traditional British summer- and to tie in with the theme the weather was a bit dreary. 

The infamous dessert room. 

The night starts with canapes suited to theme and a champagne reception. This is followed by dinner, which is usually the same every year. It includes salmon wellington, often a joint of beef, chicken of some sorts and honey roast gammon, and if that wasn't enough there's sides of various salads, potatoes and bread rolls. 

Even better after dinner there is the 'dessert room' - my favourite place by far! In here there are deserts as far as the eye can see. Sometimes there is a chocolate fountain and one year there was a crepe making station. There is no lack of food at the ball, there is also a cheese and biscuits room and often a BBQ later in the evening followed by breakfast at 3-4. 

My mum and the vodka luge. 

Each year there are some things specific to the theme, such as the pizza bar in 2010, the mad hatter's vodka luge in 2012 and the coconut shy and 'bucking sheep' this year. 

Girls Team.

With a little help mum won
the magnum!

However there are some things that are standard at every ball. These include fair ground rides such as dodgems, electronic clay pigeon shooting, dance floor with different bands throughout the night and a casino with fake chips but the chance for the player with the most chips at the end of the night to win a Magnum of champagne. 

O, and did I mention that everything is free? You simply pay your ticket price and then that's it! If nothing else its a unique experience being able to walk up to a bar or a fairground ride and not ask how much is that? 

I've been lucky enough to enjoy 3 RAF balls and would suggest if you ever get the chance to go- go! Its an experience of a lifetime and a unique insight into the world of the military. 

Alex and Nikki on dodgems. 

Thanks for reading! 

Meme Dendy 

Pub-Cycle

A couple of weekends ago I was lucky enough to be invited to a friend's birthday party, he had decided to do a pub-cycle. Not sure what this is? Neither was I! It seems to me the main aim is to have a good time as with most birthday parties. The difference seems to be you have to work for it! 

We are very lucky to live in the beautiful county of Buckinghamshire and even luckier to get a fair day on which to do said pub-cycle. We started the day by half of us meeting at High Wycombe train station, we met the other half one stop away at Beaconsfield station. Simple enough - although 7 people getting on a train with extra bikes for the others does attract just a few looks! 

From Beaconsfield we met up with the other half and made our way to the first pub. Here, the ground rules were laid out. The aim was to get back to High Wycombe town centre. Along the way we would stop at over 10 pubs! At each pub a group photo must be taken. Other challenges were also established such as get a picture with a barmaid or get a group photo behind the bar. Another rule stated that a shot must be done at any pub that had the same name as one we had previously visited, and let me tell you apparently the namers of pubs aren't very inventive! 

The day was very easy-going with people joining and dipping out along the way. We had great food at one pub and got to have a drink at what's claimed to be the oldest pub in England. I enjoyed being able to celebrate a birthday in a different way and gain some new experiences, because lets be fair, we all know what its like to go out for a night in town. 

The flexibility of the day and the way in which the route and rules can be adapted to suit the group means I would recommend the experience to everyone! Birthday party or just something to do on a weekend it was a good laugh and something a bit different to the usual. 

First group picture of the day. 

Pub number 4. 

'Oldest' pub in England. 

Pub number 7- definitely on the way to tipsy now!

Thanks for reading! 

Meme Dendy