Articles written by Sarah Tennant
All 72 articles written by Sarah Tennant
Homemade Wedding Gifts: Handmade Inexpensive Ideas for Personalised Wedding Presents
Category: Wedding Style (general)
If buying a gift from the wedding registry seems too staid, try making a beautiful heirloom gift using home-grown skills. more...
Hair-Friendly Hair Accessories for Long Hair: Hair Toys That Will Not Damage Hair
Category: Hair Accessories
Using cheap or badly-made hair accessories can result in tangles and breakage. These non-damaging hair accessories are particularly useful for long hair. more...
Category: Hair Styling
Karen discusses her unusual career of braiding hair at historical festivals and weddings. Braiding since 1988, Karen has a wealth of experience to offer. more...
Category: Low Fat Cooking
Economists and nutritionists alike are recommending we eat more beans. A good vegetarian source of protein and folate, beans shine in this easy slow-cooker dish. more...
Fantasy and Sci-Fi Wedding Dresses: TV- and Movie-Inspired Geeky Bridal Gowns
Category: Wedding Fashion
Replicas of Eowyn's white dress from The Two Towers or Carrie Fisher's original Star Wars costume are quirky choices for the geeky bride. more...
Adding Olive Oil To Your Diet: Ideas and Recipes for Including This Heart Healthy Oil in Meals
Category: Heart Healthy Cooking
Heart-healthy extra-virgin olive oil is one of the key staples of the Mediterranean diet. These recipe ideas contain generous servings of the oil. more...
Foods to Fight Colds and Flu: Immune-Boosting Recipes to Eat When Sick
Category: Healthy Cooking (general)
Nourishing concoctions such as the classic chicken soup or hot lemon drink have proven medical benefits. Cure the common cold with these time-honoured remedies, more...
Healthy International Cuisine: Vegetarian and Mostly Meatless Meals From Around the World
Category: Healthy Cooking (general)
Meals from different cultures make dinner more exciting, while offering unique perspectives on nutrition. Try Italian, Indian or Japanese dishes a few times a week. more...
Picking a Great Wedding Theme: Co-ordinating Your Wedding Around a Phrase, Quotation or Object
Category: Wedding Planning
A harmonised wedding is about more than matching colours. Bring the whole day together with a key phrase or concept. more...
Wedding Hairstyles for Long Hair: Unique and Creative Hairdos for the Long Haired Bride
Category: Wedding Fashion
Frustrated with wedding magazines which consider 'long hair' to be shoulder-length? Here are some ideas for truly long-haired wedding styles. more...
Elvish Baby Names: A List of Male and Female Elven Characters from Tolkien
Category: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction (general)
Elvish names are becoming increasingly popular for babies. This list describes the meanings and characters behind several beautiful Elf names from LOTR. more...
Homemade Christmas Truffles: How to Make and Package Delicious Gifts
Category: Winter Recipes
Miniature Christmas puddings, chocolate-dipped fudge truffles and apricot-coconut balls make a unique gift for teachers and friends when packaged in an egg carton. more...
Hairstyles for Amish Men: Hats, Haircuts, Beards and Banned Moustaches among the Amish
Category: Amish
The rules and traditions surrounding Amish men's hairstyles are complex and divisive. From the width of a hat brim to the length of a trim, every aspect is significant. more...
Hairstyles for Amish Women: 'Plain' Amish Kapps, Straw Hats, Kerchiefs and Hairdos
Category: Amish
Amish women's hairstyles and head coverings are a matter of Biblical injunction, Ordnung and regional variation. more...
Traction Alopecia: Tension Hair Loss Cause and Prevention
Category: Hair Care
'Ballerina baldness' can easily be remedied by changing your hair care routine. more...
New York Cheesecake: Recipe for Delicious, Creamy Homemade Baked Cheesecake
Category: Baking & Desserts (general)
New York-style, delicatessan or baked cheesecakes are famous for their creamy, silky texture and richness. This recipe is simple and divine! more...
Religious Symbolism in E.T.: Spiritual Themes in Spielberg's 'E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial'
Category: Fantasy Films
Spielberg's classic children's film contains an alien who is not merely benevolent, but Messianic. more...
Hamilton NZ Wedding Locations: Wedding Reception and Ceremony Venues In New Zealand
Category: Wedding Services/Receptions
Hamilton and its surrounding areas have many famous and well-kept-secret wedding locations, suitable for intimate country weddings or huge town hall receptions. more...
Using A Boar Bristle Hairbrush: A Cleaning, Conditioning and Polishing Tool For Hair
Category: Hair Care
Used correctly, a boar bristle brush is a product-free and non-damaging way to achieve sleek, shiny, healthy hair. more...
Common Cake Decorating Problems: Troubleshooting Cake Icing Mistakes and Disasters
Category: Baking/Decorating Cakes
A guide to preventing or fixing some common cake decorating glitches, from curdled buttercream to cracked fondant. more...
Day Trips Around Hamilton, NZ: Sights and Attractions for Tourists in the Waikato
Category: New Zealand Travel
The Waikato region offers a number of activities within an hour of Hamilton, ranging from Lord of the Rings locations to extreme sports and quaint craft villages. more...
How to Stack Cake Tiers: Instructions for Arranging a Tiered Cake With or Without Pillars
Category: Baking/Decorating Cakes
Three-decker cakes are not made simply by stacking the layers on top of each other. Learn how to construct a sturdy, topple-free wedding cake. more...
Roast Chicken with Apple Stuffing: Recipe for Home-Cooked Chicken Dinner From Scratch
Category: Dinner Recipes
This recipe includes instructions for making the delicious homemade apple stuffing and a glaze for the chicken. more...
Different Types of Icing: Common Frostings & Glazes: Marzipan, Buttercream, Flower Paste
Category: Baking/Decorating Cakes
Cake decorating can call for many different tastes and textures of icing, from silky-smooth chocolate ganache to fluffy cream cheese icing. more...
Icing a Wedding Cake with Fondant: Step-by-Step Instructions for Applying Roll-Out Icing
Category: Baking/Decorating Cakes
A quick-and-dirty guide to masking a fruit or chocolate mud cake with almond paste (marzipan) and white fondant. Suitable for wedding and Christmas cakes. more...
Mixing Henna to Dye Hair: Additives to Henna for Colour Variation and Hair Treatment
Category: Hair Care Products
Adding extra ingredients to your henna brew can subtly alter the final colour, treat or condition your hair, or simply make the mixture more pleasant to apply. more...
Riding Pillion on a Motorbike: Safety and Comfort for Motorcycle Passengers
Category: Motorcycles/Off-Road (general)
Riding on the back of a motorbike can either be thrilling or disastrous, depending on how well you follow some commonsense rules. more...
Saving Money on Wedding Flowers: Cheap and Creative Ideas for the Bridal Bouquet
Category: Wedding Style (general)
It is possible to have gorgeous wedding flowers without spending half the budget on a florist. Here's how: more...
How to Shape Homemade Bread: A Guide to Traditional Loaf Styles and Shapes
Category: Breads & Muffins
It's surprising how different ways of shaping and slashing dough can affect the finished product. Here's a quick glossary of traditional shapes. more...
Benefits and Functions of Biotin: Vitamin H for Hair Growth, Treating Dermatitis and Diabetes
Category: Vitamins & Minerals
This little-known vitamin may prevent birth defects, improve quality of life for diabetics, and treat a number of skin conditions. more...
Polish Rye Bread Recipe: A Light, No-Molasses Homemade Version of a Northern European Loaf
Category: Breads & Muffins
Rye bread, usually heavily darkened with molasses, is eaten primarily in climates too cold for wheat. Originally something of a famine bread, rye is now back in fashion. more...
Children's Books About World War 2: Fiction and Non-Fiction Resources for Kids Aged 8-12 On WWII
Category: Children’s Books (general)
These quality works of literature are an excellent starting point for a homeschool or history fair project, or simply to be read aloud to your children. more...
Natural Pain Relief for Labor: Alternative Methods of Pain Management for a Drug-Free Childbirth
Category: Birthing Options
Opting out of an epidural or Pethadine doesn't mean you have no options when labor gets rough! Consider these safe, natural, drug-free options. more...
Marinated Steak Recipe and Tips: Hints for Creating a Moist, Tender, Juicy Steak with Easy Marinade
Category: Dinner Recipes
Follow these instructions and you'll end up with a divinely flavourful, melt-in-your-mouth grilled steak dinner. more...
Gentle Hair Care Techniques: How To Minimise Damage for Long, Healthy Hair
Category: Beauty (general)
A single hair can stay on the head for years. Make its time less traumatic by applying some gentle hair care techniques. more...
Henna Hair Colour Facts and Myths: Natural, Safe and Permanent – Henna as an Alternative to Hair Dye
Category: Hair Care Products
The vivid, orange-red dye produced by the henna bush is safer and more permanent than regular hair dyes. Henna is the subject of many myths and misconceptions, however. more...
Category: Baking/Decorating Cakes
Cake decorating stores often hire out Winnie-the-Pooh or Harry Potter-shaped cake tins. Icing them with buttercream is easy if you follow a few simple rules. more...
How to Make a Lace Braid: Plaiting a Headband-Style Braid Across the Top of Your Head
Category: Hair Styling
Lace braids are fashionable, stylish and easy. This step-by-step guide shows you how to braid your own French or Dutch lace braid. more...
Pros and Cons of Water-Only Hair Washing: How to Wash Hair Without Shampoo or Conditioner
Category: Hair Care
Product-free hair washing involves using a boar bristle brush, water and plenty of scalp scrubbing to clean hair without chemicals. more...
Slicing and Serving a Wedding Cake: How to Disassemble, Cut and Present Slices of Cake to Guests
Category: Wedding Style (general)
This little wedding task can be surprisingly awkward. Techniques for cutting the wedding cake correctly, serving it attractively and storing leftovers. more...
Prejudice Against Redheads: Significant Cases of Gingerism In the UK
Category: British/UK Affairs (general)
Historically teased, feared or even persecuted because of their red hair, redheads in the UK have faced extreme and sometimes violent prejudice in recent years. more...
The Diet Phenomenon of Superfoods: Remarketing Common Foods and Introducing New Miracle Foods
Category: Diet Food Trends
The recent trend of superfoods has changed the way food is marketed. Both common and exotic foods are benefiting in sales and popularity from the superfood label. more...
Low-Carb Italian Cooking: Meal Ideas for Italian Low-Carbohydrate Food
Category: Low Carb Cooking
Not all Italian meals involve copious quantities of pasta and bread. Try some low-carbohydrate Mediterranean cuisine. more...
Amish Kapps: Traditional Head Coverings for Amish Women
Category: Amish
The traditional bonnet-like kapps or prayer veils for plain women vary in design across communities, but not in function. more...
Homemade Hummus: A Recipe for Healthy, Delicious Chickpea Dip
Category: Low Fat Cooking
Hummus is incredibly cheap to make at home, and it's easy, tasty and good for you! more...
How to Prevent & Treat Split Ends: Prevention and Solutions for Damaged, Broken Hair
Category: Hair Care
Forget miracle hair products which claim to heal or repair split ends. Preventing and treating split ends is a physical process to eliminate physical damage. more...
Crown Braids and Heidi Braids: How to Style Your Hair Like Yulia Tymoshenko and Princess Leia
Category: Hair Styling
Hair that is braided around the head, or braided and then wrapped around the head gives a regal and beautiful look. Crown and Heidi braids are flattering for round faces. more...
Category: Autism/Asperger's Syndrome (general)
Referring to 'people with autism' rather than 'autistics' is not as PC as it seems; the autistic community objects to characterising autism as a disease. more...
Helmet Friendly Hair Styles: Indestructible Hairdos for Wearing Long Hair Under a Helmet
Category: Hair Styling
Construction, safety, sports and motorcycle helmets all play havoc with hair. Avoid helmet hair by wearing an unsquashable coiffure. more...
Types of Braids for Hair: The Terminology of Hair Braids and Plaits
Category: Hair Styling
Different hair braiding styles and looks, from regal crown braids to medieval 5-strand plaits. more...
Tips for Tangled Hair: How to Avoid, Prevent and Remove Knots From Hair
Category: Hair Care
Detangling knotted hair can be painful, frustrating and time-consuming. These tips will help keep your hair sleek and tangle-free. more...
Homemade Chocolate Mousse: A Recipe for Delicious Chocolate Dessert From Scratch
Category: Baking & Desserts (general)
This easy chocolate mousse recipe is made from only a few simple ingredients and produces a rich, creamy, fluffy result. more...
Les Misérables and Miss Saigon: Comparing Techniques in Boublil and Schonberg's Famous Musicals
Category: Musical Theatre (general)
One tells the tale of France's Student Revolution, the other examines the effects of the Vietnam War, yet both shows have striking similarities. more...
The Danger of Black Henna: Fake Henna is Unsafe For Use on Skin or Hair
Category: Tattoos/Body Art
Para-Phenylendiamine ('black henna') is a dangerous and toxic chemical which is sold in hair dyes and as a temporary tattoo dye. more...
Tolkien Themed Birthday Cake Ideas: Lord of the Rings Inspired Cake Decorating
Category: Baking/Decorating Cakes
Ideas for thrilling the birthday geek with a Middle-Earth novelty cake. more...
Piping on Cakes With Fondant Icing: How to Write or Pipe Royal Icing Patterns When Cake Decorating
Category: Baking/Decorating Cakes
Wedding and Christmas cakes are often embellished with piped writing, curclicues or even pictures. Doing it yourself takes practice, but is not difficult. more...
Tourist Activities in Hamilton, NZ: Sights Events and and Attractions in the Waikato
Category: New Zealand Travel
Hamilton, nestled in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand, is more than just a popular hub for tourists wishing to explore the Waikato region. more...
Best Buffy Episodes: Memorable Highlights From Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Category: Fantasy TV
The cult show Buffy the Vampire Slayer attracted the attention of critics with a few unforgettable episodes that are television craftsmanship at its best. more...
How To Roast a Chicken: Basting, Stuffing and Roasting Tips for Juicy and Flavoursome Meat
Category: Cooking Basics
Make the 'Sunday roast' a delicious family tradition by following these easy roasting guidelines. more...
Basic Cake Decorating Equipment: Must-Have Items For Easier Cake Icing
Category: Baking/Decorating Cakes
Specialist cakes require expensive equipment, but for the amateur cake decorator, these simple items will make a world of difference for stress-free decorating. more...
Easy Wedding Cake Decorations: Cheating Ways to Make the Cake Look Good
Category: Wedding Style (general)
Icing a fantastic cake no longer requires spending fiddly hours constructing tiny icing roses. These ideas are fast, simple and snazzy! more...
Writing Your Own Wedding Vows: Memorable, Unique Vows You Can Cherish For a Lifetime
Category: Wedding Style (general)
Declaring your love and commitment with vows you wrote yourself is an opportunity for a touching memory that will last a lifetime... or a disaster. more...
Christmas Breads Around The World: Traditional International Holiday Baking
Category: Breads & Muffins
Bakers whose Christmas menu is flagging will appreciate these rich and varied ethnic Christmas breads, hailing from Denmark to Finland to Italy. more...
Green Living Gift Ideas: Environmentally Friendly Presents
Category: Green/Simple Living (general)
If you're buying for a greenie, or just trying to nudge a friend into ecological living, read these tips. more...
Choosing a Baby Name from Tolkien: LOTR and Elvish-Sounding Names For Your Child
Category: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction (general)
JRR Tolkien has inspired a number of parents to call their babies Galadriel and Arwen. Here are some Professor-esque alternatives. more...
Preventing Post-Partum Hair Loss: Vitamins and Diet to Help Thinning Hair
Category: Hair Care (general)
The dreaded "post-partum shed" can add to the stress of a new baby and leave mothers feeling depressed about their appearance. more...
How to Copy Celebrity Hair Styles: Successfully Choosing a Flattering Hair Cut From the Stars
Category: Hair Styling
There's more to finding an A-list hairdo than simply plunking a copy on Woman's Day in front of your stylist and demanding "That one!". Consider these factors... more...
Wheat Bags for Warmth and Comfort: Making and Using a Wheatie Bag
Category: Sewing/Needlework (general)
A safer, more convenient alternative to hot water bottles, wheatie bags are versatile, easy to make and comforting to use! more...
Category: Baking & Desserts (general)
Baked cheesecakes have something of a reputation for being difficult and temperamental. However, these hints can help avoid two of the most common problems. more...
Tips for Baking Better Bread: Breadmaking Hints for Delicious Home-Made Loaves
Category: Breads & Muffins
Baking bread isn't difficult, but there is a knack to creating perfect, light, tasty loaves every time. To ensure success, follow these guidelines: more...
Using Henna to Dye Hair: How to Choose, Mix and Apply Henna as a Natural Hair Color
Category: Hair Care Products
A vivid, multi-tonal and non-damaging alternative to chemical dyes, henna is simple to apply once a few basic rules have been learned. more...
Transporting Wedding Cakes: Getting the Cake by Car to the Reception Without Disaster
Category: Catering
Don't attempt to transport a wedding cake to its location without considering its style, structure and even flavour. These tips can help avert disaster... more...
