Bad Hair Day?

Remember awhile back when I said I would post more of my Photography on this blog? No? Well neither did I, until now.

This small collection of images comes from a self-portraiture shoot of mine called Crazy Hair. My unit 4 project was on Unusual Portraiture and I decided to move my focus onto hair with this shoot after studying English Photographer Ben Hassett's shoot with model Magdalena Frackowiak for German Vogue (highly reccomend looking up, some beautiful fashion photography). He edited his pictures into very highly contrasted black and white to make the final image appear more dramatic, so I decided to follow suit and I am very please with the results. In fact, I ended up printing the image below as a final for the project.

Art is supposed to strike an opinion so I would love to hear what yours are of these. Please let me know in the comments.

Tasmin x

P.s. the fact the images are not all the same size angers me as a perfectionist.

Girls Night Playlist

The amount of weird looks we got for this. Ha! Thank you Charlotte,
Chloe and Rosie for taking me to Jersey and taking this photo!

I feel like August is already flying past at lightning speed and I've barely had the chance to welcome a new month with a brand new playlist. And, as promised last time, it's a girls only party so lets celebrate girl power. I've been hanging out with my friends a lot this month, including an awesome day trip to Jersey (thanks again guys, I had an amazing time) so it really couldn't be more fitting right now.

Salute- Little Mix: Strong, powerful and all about girl power, what more could you ask for in a girl band? Since becoming the first ever group to win the X-Factor, Little Mix have conquered the charts world wide with their catchy and positive music. Plus I remember having a blast dancing to Salute at my prom.

Light Up The Dark- Gabrielle Aplin: Remember the John Lewis Christmas advert a couple of years ago now with the two snowmen? No? Well, anyway, Gabrielle Aplin sung a beautiful rendition of 'The Power of Love' for it and now she's back with some great new music. Now a bit edgier, I prefer this more confident track to some of her more acoustic sounding songs. Can't wait to hear more from her.

Baby Love- Petite Meller: The wonderfully peculiar French songstress Petite Meller debuted this single in the UK this year, however she is still a relatively unknown artist in this country. I find this song really summery and fun. I'll admit, I don't completely understand what the song is about but it's got a very dance-able back track. Plus I am obsessed with the gigantic floppy hat that she and another lady wear in the video, you'll know when you see it.

West Coast- Lana Del Rey: This track embodies Lana Del Rey's classic laid back vibe beautifully. She has such a distinctive voice and style to her music that sends me into some form of trance or daydream. I know many people find her relaxed style a bit boring but I just love it. Listening to Lana Del Rey cures stress, I swear!

My Life Would Suck Without You- Kelly Clarkson: A classic Kelly Clarkson track here that just demands to be screamed out. Seriously, I don't think I've ever seen anyone actually sing along to it, more just screaming the lyrics. I feel like a little throwback is necessary in every playlist.

Can't Rely On You- Paloma Faith: Bringing the funk now with a little bit of Paloma Faith. I mean, any song that Pharrell Williams has anything to do with is obviously going to be a hit (I think he either wrote it or helped write it) but Paloma Faith's vocal range is something else. Such a huge fan and this funky track is guaranteed to get you dancing.

Selfies- Nina Nesbitt: Well who has a girls night with taking the odd selfie? I thought this was just a fun little song about a very relevant issue. Warning: it's very catchy and may cause an increase of selfies on your mobile.

LDN- Lily Allen: Although the recent weather does not reflect the current season (sometimes I really do hate British summer), it is August and I felt it was important to add some summery notes to this playlist. I love how dark the lyrics of Lily Allen's songs are as you often don't notice because the beat is so upbeat and fun.

Pack Up- Eliza Doolittle: Another summer-themed tune here from Eliza Doolittle. I remember playing this song on repeat for an entire summer and now every time I play it I can literally feel the sunshine beam through every note.

Crazy In Love: Beyonce (feat. JAY Z): How could I possibly create a girl power playlist without a Beyonce track? It's just not possible. The woman embodies girl power and perfection. I chose Crazy In Love as it is a personal favourite of mine but honestly any song by Beyonce could slot in effortlessly into this playlist; every song is a flawless hit.

Wow, I'm feeling empowered now, like I can watch an entire season of Skins in one sitting. Ha, I promise I'm joking. I do not have a problem. If you wish to have a little listen to this playlist you can find a link to my YouTube version HERE. What's your ultimate girl power song? Let's share in the comments.

Tasmin x

C - C - D

It's results season again and this year is the most important one yet. Along with thousands of students across the country, I will be receiving my A-Level results on Thursday and the fear is really starting to kick in.

As if spending months stressing over exams, studying/revising and coursework wasn't enough, now the press appear to have taken it upon themselves to churn out horrors stories of exam boards loosing exam papers and casually making up grades, which only adds to the stress and anxiety of results day. I have had nightmares for months about my exam papers going missing and having to repeat Year 13 in September, so seeing these stories pop up in the news really hasn't helped my nerves. If anything, it has confirmed my worst fears and now every scary thought that crops into my head feels like fact. Thank you Daily Telegraph.

Personally, my exams did not go too well and I am not confident my grades will be enough to get me into my chosen University. The grades I need are CCD, however I honestly believe that the best realistic outcome would be receiving BDD. This will not get me into the pre-degree course I plan on taking and, even though I know that those grades aren't definitely what I'll get, it's enough to force me back into my shell and the thought of showing up at sixth form makes me feel physically sick. People keep asking me to go in with them to collect our results but quite frankly I can't handle the thought of anyone seeing me genuinely upset and I would rather attend alone. I'm expected to do well. I'm expected to pass. Disappointing everyone is so much easier when you can't see everyones reaction.

And I know what your all thinking; "Shut up Tasmin you'll do fine, just like every year." Doesn't anybody realise that is the most uncomforting phrase. I am genuinely worried and all anyone wants to do is brush off, like I'm attention seeking or my opinion of the situation doesn't matter. To be fair, I don't really know what I expect from such conversations, but a little understanding isn't too much to ask, is it? I feel as though I can't talk to anyone about it as that is all I get. No words of comfort or advice, just 'whatever'. That's why I write this blog, even if I'm the only one who reads it, at least I feel that my opinion is valid.

Regardless, the day I have spent three months dreading is very nearly here and I will have to face my fate just like everyone else, whether I can stomach it or not. I just don't think I am mentally prepared for the whole ordeal. 

Good luck to everyone whose expecting results this week or in two weeks time (at least I think that is when the GCSE results are released). I hope you get the results you want/need/deserve. I have my fingers crossed for you.

Tasmin x