Saturday 27 September 2014

#2 & #3: Bake With Friends and Movie Marathon


Last month I invited a couple friends over for a little catch up. I don't go to school with either of them any more so we don't get to see each other very often but I felt it was the perfect opportunity to tick another two items off of my 25 Thing to do This Summer list.


Our ingredients.
After a quick little chit-chat, we made a start with the baking. My friends and I have a little obsession with Oreo's so Oreo cupcakes were a natural choice. The recipe for these bad boys can be found here if you want to know more. We left out the cream cheese (it just doesn't need it) and preheated the oven a little too long causing us to overcook the first batch slightly. We also made twice as many cupcakes as the recipe suggested and we ran out of mixing bowls so ended using saucepans instead (just like all the best chefs do!). Nonetheless, they were easier to make than I first thought and were the most delicious cupcakes I have ever had (I am slightly bias but true!). Okay, so we aren't pro-bakers and we most certainly would not make the next round on Great British Bake Off on looks alone BUT it's what's on the inside that counts and you can never really go wrong with Oreos.


Saucepans: for when you've run out of mixing bowls!
I think Charlotte should have this photo as the cover for her own cookery book.
Chloe showing those biscuits whose boss.
Thank you Chloe and Charlotte for helping my with photos and just generally being amazing. :)
Ready to eat!
Next on our agenda was milkshakes and, as if the cupcakes weren't enough, our flavour of choice was Oreo. All you need is:
- 4 ice-cubes
- 4 Oreos (preferably double stuff)
- 200ml of milk
- 1 scoop of ice-cream
Put all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Top with squirty cream and serve with a straw for the tastiest homemade shake around.


From this...
...to this...
...to this!
To finish off our day, we had a mini Disney movie marathon. We had Inspector Gadget and The Little Mermaid playing on Sky Movies Disney whist we were baking and then watched Frozen and The Lion King on DVD. Believe it or not, I had never seen The Lion King before so I was actually a little scared. It's such an iconic film of our generations childhood and I was terrified that I wouldn't like it. However, I can confirm it is an amazing movie but you probably already knew that. I mean why was I doubtful, Disney never get it wrong.


We made way more than expected!
I often let school work pile up and get in the way of hanging out with these lovely ladies and I really need to stop doing that and organise more days like this. Especially as the weather is slowing starting to turn for the worse, more movie nights with friends are definitely needed!


The reason why a bunch of 17 year old's should not be left alone in a kitchen...
Tasmin x

Saturday 20 September 2014

A Vase Full of Joy


I've had a super jam packed few weeks recently. The pressure of A-Levels is starting to kick in and dance rehearsals are starting to heat up due to Eisteddfod coming up (finished the ballet dance this week though, woo!). Plus the past couple of days I've been with school on a photography workshop with the Guernsey Photography Festival and tonight all Guernsey and Jersey student work is being displayed in an Exhibit which is very exciting. I'm still not sure if I can share it on here quite yet but as soon as I can I assure you it will be up. 


It's all been a bit stressful so today I'm taking it easy and having a sort of do-nothing-day. My Mum was given this bouquet from her work for being such a good employee (aww!) and they look and smell beautiful. So I just couldn't resist getting my camera out and capture a few snaps.



Tasmin x

Sunday 7 September 2014

#23: Eat Fish and Chips on the Beach

So... It's September now... 25 things to do this summer hasn't been finished... Yep. Fail.

Yes, yet again I'm twisting the rules slightly to give me a chance to finish this list. Can you tell I've never fulfilled a New Years resolution? (Lies, I think I did one year. Yeah, I was shocked too) I don't know where it all went wrong, I planned everything out so carefully and yet here we are. I'm giving myself to the end of the year to finish the final six and get everything, the completed and the to/dos, blogged whilst simultaneously going to school and dance as well as uploading other blog posts. Just so we're on the same page, my full list of 25 things to do this summer can be found here if you're interested and I can only apologise for how extremely useless I have been the last couple of months. Got to get my brain back in gear.
Okay, so it doesn't look that appetizing but trust me it tasted good! 

Moving on, a couple of weeks back (yes, I am THAT behind) a couple of friends and I decided to head to the chippy for tea. We popped into the L'Ilest Chip Inn for our food then walked down to the beach to make the most of the glorious sunshine. I had the haddock which they hadn't actually cooked when we arrived so had to wait a while for that. At least I knew just how fresh it was as you often can't tell at places like this and it was delicious. Totally worth the wait. We sat and had a good old chat in front of this amazing view which I unfortunately didn't get the chance to photograph as my hands were fairly greasy from the food. However, I can assure you it was stunning. Overall, a great evening.

Tasmin x

Monday 1 September 2014

Back to School Playlist 2014


Just because it is my final year of school does not mean that I don't need the motivation to get through those school gates. Creating a playlist last year really helped me get through the early morning journey to school for the first few weeks so thought I'd do the same this year. I have been retracting to past music recently as I find the memories associated with them comforting and it has become obvious within this playlist. I've mixed in a few newbies but it is mainly older tracks that I love. Enjoy.

Good Girls- 5 Seconds of Summer: If only I was that kind of good girl that they are singing about. Sadly, my life isn't interesting enough to be put into song form but a girl can pretend...

Give you Hell- All American Rejects: This song reminds me of history lessons at High School. The teacher had a playlist that he'd play every lesson and this song was on it. It quickly became the class favourite and we would often have a whole class sing along. I miss that class.

She Moves In Her Own Way- The Kooks: This is a total summery feel good song and I'm hoping the sun will stick around for a little longer so this song doesn't feel too out of place. After finding their CD at a car boot sale I've been slightly obsessed with The Kooks again, I must get their new album.

Everybody Talks- Neon Trees: Unfortunately, this song is a very accurate representation of school and rumors. However, I absolutely love it and fear that I will be singing this out loud on my walk to school. No wonder no-one wants to walk with me. P.s. does the singers voice remind you of Brad from The Vamps or is it just me?

This Ain't A Scene- Fall Out Boy: I was born into a rock loving family and grew up listening to pretty much every rock band in existence. As a child, this was one of my favourites. Sometimes you just have to rock the stress away.

Surfer Babe- McFly: I may not be able to surf but this song reminds me of relaxing on the beach in the heat of July. Good memories are the best way to start the day.

I'm Just a Girl- No Doubt: I'm aware that a lot of you reading this are quite a bit younger than me and may of not heard of this one before. So if you haven't heard this song I suggest you do so right away. Girl power!

Runaway- Ed Sheeran: I am OBSESSED with Ed's new album 'X' and would happily listen to his music on repeat for the rest of my life. However, finding a song of his that fit into this mainly upbeat rock anthem playlist was a challenge. But, as its a back to school playlist and sometimes the stresses of school can make you want to runaway, I thought this would be the perfect song for the collection.

I Bet That You Look Good On the Dancefloor- Arctic Monkeys: This is my favourite song of all time. Arctic Monkeys is necessary on every playlist. End of.

If You Wanna- The Vaccines: If you listen to the opening lyrics closely, it pretty much describes every morning for me. I never want to get up and face the day but we all have to. This song has such a contagious beat too which is why I love it.

So there you go, the playlist that will get me through the month of September. It's a little more rockier than previous playlists but what I'm listening to more at the moment. What songs are you currently playing on repeat? Let's talk more in the comments.

Tasmin x