Secret Cinema | Back To The Future

Back To The Future is one of those fabulous Sunday films you can watch a million times and always get swept up in the 80's hairstyles and 50's glamour. So whilst I'd known about Secret Cinema events for a while, it wasn't until this one rolled around that I actually stumped up the cash for one. On the 1st August myself, Tomas and my friend Nancy took the DeLorean with flux capacitor set to our destination - Hill Valley circa 1955!

Getting ready for this evening was an event in itself. From the frocks to pomade slicked hair, I have to say this was definitely an era we all relished taking part in (and, let's be honest we all have wished we could dress like this every day!) We were each assigned characters to play (this didn't amount to anything in the end but it was a nice quirk I guess) and luckily we all became High School Seniors going to the Enchanted Under The Sea Dance. Fabulous! So for the evening Nancy became Joan, Tomas turned into Richard and I to 'Shaquanna Nettles'. Yeah I'm not sure I quite fitted the persona either!

The town had everything from a diner serving Byron burgers and shakes to Hill Valley High School where a real-life prom was being held, with swing dancers aplenty. There was a promenade of shops where you could pick up a tonne of vintage goodies or make yourself a little crafty souvenir to remember the night. To top it off there was even a working fun fair. Of course the graphic designer in my boyfriend ensured we walked away with a hand printed, super cool letter press poster for our flat. Nancy and I however were smitten with the corsage stool and enjoyed glue-gun-fun making high quality wrist foliage! 

I think though one of the big highlights of the night had to be our time spent as cheerleaders, all three of us really showed off our moves but for some reason only Nancy & I were documented shaking our pom poms..!

Genuinely, though expensive, for the immersive experience you get in going back to the 1950's this was totally worth it. There was definite room for improvement with certain aspects of crowd control, technical hitches during the show (we went to the second performance so there were a few rough edges) and for out of towners' the journey to deepest darkest Hackney was a little much, but overall the night gets a 7/10 from me.

Did any of you folks make your way down to this event? I know this attire would work perfectly for the Goodwood Revival which I went to last year so definitely let me know if you rate our 1950's get ups!

Lily x

P.s. Sorry for the blogging break! Life got a little bit crazy for a few weeks, there was a storm which took out our internet for 2 weeks too but I promise not to leave it this long again! 

A Shy Girl's Guide To Flashing Tummy | Primark Highwaisted Trousers

If you'd have told me 6 months ago I'd be flashing my tummy to the world on my own little blog I would have laughed in your face. My tummy is my worst feature in my opinion. So when the whole tummy 'cleavage/slither?!' trend came about I was sure I'd be giving that a wide birth! However after a fair few months' working my butt off with Nancy in boxcercise, I finally felt brave enough to dip my toe in. 

Now the beauty of this trend is that it doesn't call for a Britney Spear's style flesh flash, no no no with a good highwaist and a long crop top you end up showing the slimmest part of the tummy - hurrah!

I picked up these gorgeous blue (they also come in black), gingham, high-waisted trousers from Primark recently for £13 and they could not be better quality! They have the feel of Topshop Leigh Jeans but with a slightly thicker material (great for hiding lumps & bumps!). I got a size 10 in the end but they have so much stretch in them I would recommend down sizing if you pick these up. 

Paired quite simply with a H&M long crop top (a bargain at £2.99!) and of course my trusty, well loved, 'white' Converse and we are done!

Let me know what you think of this look, how you'll wear this trend and if you think I can justify buying the black pair too...!

Lily x

Topshop White Summer Dress | Birthday Outfit

Less than a week before my Birthday I realised I had a wardrobe full of nothing I could possibly wear. Well at least that's what I told myself..! So obviously I sought solace in Topshop.com and went hunting for a crisp white summer dress. I knew as soon as I laid eyes on this beauty that we were meant to be. When I picked this up, the subtle embroidery in the fabric really was so much more perfect in real life. The quality and weight in the fabric warrants the £34 price tag and has already washed incredibly well. I also love how there is detail upon detail in this dress, from the delicate button fastening and cut-out back panel, to the double shoulder straps. Size wise, I ordered a size 10 and I would say it's a true size 10 (not the usual 'Topshop 10' that I'd struggle to get my calf into..). As you can tell I'm utterly smitten and can safely say this is an investment you should all make!

Are you a summer dress fiend like myself? Let me know any must have pieces and I'll try and resist ordering another 'essential'...!

Lily x

A Month In Instagram | June '14

Well hello there stranger! I can't tell you how nice it is to get a large cup of Earl Grey and settle back into my corner of the internet. It feels like forever! And what a lot has happened in the last four weeks! I wanted to catch you up on where I've been on my little 'holiday from blogging' with a few moments I've shared on my instagram - @lilyseaspray.

The biggest event has probably been THE BIG MOVE. Tomas and I moved in together during May and though there were a few teething issues at first (a flood through the bathroom ceiling on Day 2..), we're now incredibly settled and very happy with our new home. 

Work has been keeping me rather busy recently but I've still found time to enjoy payday cocktails with my Mummy, Pimms on the beach and indulge in the new season of Orange Is The New Black. Oh and I've managed to become hooked on homemade smoothies after my Dad got me a snazzy Smoothie-2-Go maker for my birthday. 

Oh yes my birthday, I turned the grand old age of 23. No that isn't mid-twenties yet (Dad I'm looking at you). I was thoroughly spoilt, ate a cupcake a day for four days and shared the weekend with my favourite people. 

I also had the exciting and slightly nerve wracking moment of meeting Tomas's Mum and her husband for the first time since we'd been together. They both live in New Zealand and it was lovely to meet the people you have only 'met' on Skype in person! I cooked a pulled pork dinner for Tomas's family and the only slight blip was my soggy cous cous. You can't win them all eh!

Anyway, fill me in on you and I'll promise not to leave it so long next time.

Lily x

A Quick Hello From Me

Just a little note from me to say I promise I've not dropped off the blogging planet ! However a few little life bits have come up this month which has meant my little blog has gone rather quiet. My lovely boyfriend and I have both had to have minor surgeries this month (we're both on the mend now though!) but teamed with also preparing to move in together this Friday, I've struggled to find enough time for normal Lily Life.

I am really missing blogging and have loads of posts in the pipeline, so as soon as we are settled in, I will be starting a blogging routine with at least a couple of posts a week! Expect to see a lot of interior posts as we pinterest an entire flat, recipes, outfit posts (hopefully of more summery looks!) and of course more beauty!

So hang in there guys because I'm going to come back with a bang :)

Lily x

Spring Office Look | The Pencil Skirt

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes & Shu Umera S Curler | Review

Hello my name is Lily and I have a mascara problem. I am forever telling my mum to go and buy my latest holy grail mascara, only for a few weeks later to hop on to another mascara bandwagon. Well Ladies and Gentlemen, I've now found my perfect eye combo for lashes that literally just go POW!

Easy Easter Cake | Fluffy Tails & Big Ears

Easter is one of my favourite times of year. Spring is upon us, Daffodils are sitting in every vase I own, chocolate is an acceptable food group and there are Bunnies adorning everything in shops (seriously I do NOT need any more novelty bunny things). 

I got the idea for this treat, combining my loves of chocolate, baking and bunnies, after speaking with my lovely friend Nancy who is also an avid baker. Essentially this is simply a chocolate sponge with a 'well' cut out in the middle for a chocolate cornflake nest and covered in Nutella buttercream.

Spring Make Up | Bronze Eyes & Red-Orange Lips

This season the makeup look of the moment is a bright and bold, orange-red toned lip, teamed with gold/bronze eyes. I'm not one to follow trends for the sake of trends, but if you remember my Lipstick Doughtnut Post, then you'll know how much I love the Hourglass Opaque Rouge in Riviera! With that in my stash it would be rude not to put down my eyeliner and take out my trusty Urban Decay Naked Palette for a bronze eye. I simply swept Half Baked all over the lid with my Mac 217 Brush and blended out. Running a little Darkhorse along the lash line, adding lashings of mascara and I was good to go!

I also took this opportunity to take my Tarte Blush in Tipsy out for a spin. Oh wow! Never has a blush applied so buttery and blended so well. Blushes normally last on me a max of 3hours but this one genuinely lasted until bed time!

Finally an ode to the Dior BB Cream. I remember when I hadn't ever thought my skin was good enough for a BB. Then my lovely friend & blogger Alice of Bright Town Girl wrote THIS post and it went straight on my birthday list. Now the sun is out and my skin is behaving (touch wood!) I dug it back out. Teamed with the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light and this is a glowy, lightweight base that stays put.

Let me know what you think of this look and what trends you'll be trying out this Spring/Summer ! 

Lily x

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American Haul & Review | Sephora and Bath & Body Works

Now to me Sephora and Bath & Body Works are all I thought of when my Dad told me he had to go to America on business. Gone are the days of longing for Hershey's Cookies & Cream, thanks to watching and reading so many amazing American & Canadian Beauty 'gurus' (such a funny term but what else do you say?) I long to peruse the aisles of these two beauty meccas.

Now luckily for us Sephora now ships to the UK (sorry Dad when I gave you this giant list that wasn't the case!). However thanks to pesky shipping regulations, this means we still cannot get perfumes or nail polishes delivered. Hearing so much about Sephora's Formula X Polishes ($10.50) and the Fresh's Sugar Lychee Perfume ($22), I had to pop these on my list first. 

Just A Walk In The Park | Springtime Saturday

Sometimes the best days are unplanned. I've not been feeling myself the last few weeks and have been quite ill. Feeling slightly better, yesterday I attempted a boxcercise session and then proceeded to recover at home watching Spice World The Movie (totally still know all the dance moves!), baking a little something for an Easter post and watching the rabbits play in their castle. 

Review | Dove Dry Shampoo

What girl could live without dry shampoo? I mean seriously. When you have a fringe, dry shampoo becomes less of a 'Oh I'll just refresh my locks a little' and more 'Christ how has my forehead deposited THAT much oil into my fringe!'. TMI? Probably. But this long winded introduction is essentially to say how much I rely on Dry Shampoo and how many varieties I've tried. From the veteran that is Batiste to other drugstore hybrids, I've now found 'The One'. The Dove Dry Shampoo is as many bloggers have written before me, not laden down with starch like many others. It still gets rid of any oil in the hair, but it does not leave it feeling chalky and heavy. Not to mention, like the entire Dove range, it smells like a dream. In terms of styling uses, I find that it can really 'de-fluff' fresh hair and give it the elusive grit we're all told we want. Even FleurDeForce herself has likened it's styling properties to that of the Orbie Dry Texturising Spray.

At around £4.59 for 200ml it is slightly pricer than Batiste. But oh boy is it worth it.

Let me know if you've tried this & what you thought!

Lily x

Follow Me On Twitter: Lily_SeaSpray

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Mint for Life | Matching Outfits to Beach Huts

You may have noticed a theme with my posts recently - I've gone Spring mad! As a summer baby, I've always been a big fan of the warmer months, but this year my excitement has gotten a little silly. I genuinely believe I may have a problem with bright and pastel spring colours.

Hello my name is Lily and I'm a Mint & Coral Addict.

Last Saturday when Tomas and I decided to take a lazy beach stroll on Hove Promenade I just threw on my comfiest, slouchiest outfit and hit the pebbles!

My latest finds have come from Boohoo.com. This gorgeous Off The Shoulder Mint Jumper joined my knitwear floordrobe last week, along with a Cardigan in the same shade. See I told you I had a problem. Not only were they around £10 each, but Boohoo are always doing Free Delivery and other great offers so how was I to refuse. 

Jeans - H&M £7.99!

Trainers - Primark £3/4

Coral Bag - Primark £8

I think I'll now be purchasing some nail varnish in every Beach Hut colour and going even more mad for Spring. Let me know your Spring obsessions so I know that I'm not alone for Pastel rehab!

Lily x

Follow Me On Twitter: Lily_SeaSpray

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Review | Bésame Cosmetics Cake Mascara & Eyeliner

A little something different today on the blog! We're all more than familiar with the treasures of Boots & Space NK, so when I first heard about the brand Besame Cosemetics; I was so excited to try it! For those who lust after the glamour and beauty of a time gone by, this brand allows you to indulge your inner starlet, with vintage inspired make-up products. I mean can we just take a second to coo over the stunning packaging! Beautiful on any dressing table let's be honest. 

Now the concept of the Cake Mascara & Eyeliner* is as the name suggests, a dual use product. The black cream is activated with just a small amount of water (with some trial and error I found a little really is best, you want to try and create a thick paste) and then you just rotate either the mascara wand or dab in the eyeliner brush to pick up your product. 

Coral Accents | Spring Has Sprung

What a lovely warm, sunny day it has been today! I know it's a cliche but the sun really does make everything just look that little bit more beautiful doesn't it? With the sun streaming in I woke up early, so Tomas and I decided that we would indeed catch the worm and pop down to grab some ingredients for a healthy brunch to start off the day well. After a breakfast of mashed up avocado on brown toast, topped with spinach and poached eggs, we popped out to enjoy more of the sunshine and what a lovely day it was too! 

It goes without saying that come springtime, everyone wants to put down the greys and blacks (yes even Miss Monochrome over here) and incorporate the vibrancy of colour around us, into our own style. One of my favourite colours right now has to be coral. That strong, pinky orange toned colour can make my heart flutter no matter what form it takes. So I've put together a few of my favourite ways to incorporate it into your day to day style without breaking the bank.

Easy, Breezy, Monochrome Outfit

The sun was shining yesterday and like everyone else there was a spring in my step with that warmth on my skin! I even detoured to work just to go along the seafront to see the sun shining over Brighton Pier. 

So with the weekend set to see the sun perk his head out once more, I wanted to share my lighter approach to wearing Monochrome. Yes really it's another monochrome post..! This outfit suits me down to the ground. The Boohoo T-Shirt is loose, baggy and clings just enough to not look I'm still in my PJS. My Leggings however are the key feature. These Topshop beauties were a steal at £24 and are highwaisted & thick enough to feel you're really 'held in'. 

A classic Black Leather Jacket from Miss Selfridge, a Alex McQueen'esque Scarf from eBay, Topshop Month Boots and my Raybans completed this casual, easy breezy look!

Sorry I've been MIA for the last 10days folks! I took a weekend away with my lovely boyfriend to Manchester as a late Christmas present to him and with work being quite busy of late I let my blogging slip. Well no more I promise! This weekend I've got a list as long as my arm of what to plan, shoot and post over the coming weeks! Watch this space!

Lily x