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 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

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.

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. 

London Fashion Weekend

Yikes another stream of catwalk photos and outfits captured on the cobbles of the iconic Somerset House grounds. Yup I went to London Fashion Weekend! It was my first time at an event like this and what an experience it is! The good, the bad and the ugly took place in this bubble of extravagance and beauty. My Mom and I were in awe when we stepped under the arches and were hit by a tide of women dressed to the nines, huddled under umbrellas and giving everyone 'the eye'. I swear I heard the murmurs of 'Who are you wearing?' fluttering around us. Once we got our bearings, we found our seats at the Trends show and settled down to watch four key trends that'll be adopted by the masses this Spring Summer.

Lace, Luxe Sports, Florals and Metallics. 

So I think as far as losing your fashion show virginity goes, this was a pretty spectacular way to do it. I've never fallen harder for a pair of trousers in my life - Stella McCartney you are a genius. I'm definitely on board with introducing yet more Lace into my wardrobe. However I may take some persuading on Metallics reaching any item other than accessories.

Sports Luxe I can see reaching my own wardrobe soon, as I know I'm definitely becoming quite partial to a pencil skirt teamed with crisp white trainers. 

Florals aren't groundbreaking for a SS14 trend. Heck the streets would look a lot cloudier without this iconic print. Be it bold geometric styles or delicate pastel details, I for one have already dug out my patterns and will be wearing them under my winter coat to try and brighten up this chill.

Once the show was over we rushed to check out the sample sales adorning all of the many rooms littering Somerset House. I was definitely taken in by the bright colours, silks and chiffon that seemed to feature in many designers collections.

Despite falling in love with many pastel coloured blouses, anything in mint and that stunning monochrome dress with the most perfect collar I've ever seen, neither my Mom or I made a purchase. We did however enjoy some 'Beauty Water' claiming to contain collagen to make you younger (it was vile) and an obscene amount of Kinder Buenos in the lounge. All of this was accompanied by plenty of people watching, dodging of sharpened elbows near any rail, and a brutal encounter in the ladies room to rival that of Mean Girls.

My panic over my outfit when attending resulted in me reaching for my monochrome safety net. These Checkered Leggings were £25 from Topshop, as was my much loved Boyfriend Coat, Month Boots and very old, rabbit chewed, Bowler Hat. The Boyfriend t-shirt and Necklaces however were from the home of basics and fad pieces; Primark.

Will you be heading to an event like this next season? Make sure you take your sharpest handbags and enjoy the beauty that is fashion as an art form. 

Lily x

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Pinteresting On A Budget - Bedroom

It's no secret that in the last couple of years interior design has been transformed by Pinterest. I spend hours upon hours pinning yet another vase of Peonies and just one more shabby chic bedset. It's an addiction for the homely sort, spending their last few pounds on fresh flowers rather than a G&T on a Friday night. Crazy eh!

But how easy really is it to achieve the 'Pinterest Look' on a genuinely shabby (anything but chic) budget? Before you grab your coat, dash to Zara Home and empty your overdraft, take a moment to find your nearest Car Boot Sale or Secondhand Store and discover some fabulous eBay sellers. 

Starting with my Filing Cabinet; it's the perfect place to store all of my jumpers & underwear whilst still allowing my boyfriend to have plenty of room for all of his bits. This was a steal at £20 from Shabitat, our local warehouse shop in Brighton, which has provided me with some of the most beautiful and unique pieces in my home. I love the way the softer touches on and around it compliment the industrial features of this piece. 

In order to fill a dressing table shaped hole in my life as my makeup collection swelled and I grew tired of a pillow on the floor, I looked to Ikea. Although many bloggers seem to have either the Malm or Henmnes, I went for the Micke Desk. This still offers the clean lines and a large drawer for storage (plus, well, a perfect backdrop for makeup photos..!). But as a desk this also comes with a cupboard to store all my skincare & hair products.

Finally lets talk about my Leirvik Bed Frame from Ikea, which I'm 99% sure every blogger and their dog rests their head on.  It is the feature of my bedroom, set off with cheap as chips ebay fairy lights this gives the perfect ambiance in the evenings. However Ikea did let themselves down on structure with this one as it is not the most stable of beds. But hey I'm a girl who will take style over substance (Sorry Paul Hollywood) any day!

So tell me what are your favourite Pinterest ideas and what are you most treasured items that you picked up on a budget?

Lily x

The First Post

So how does one start their first blog post?

With 5 photos it seems to give you a glimpse of me. As an avid follower of countless blogs, I've always wanted to join the party. Now in 2014 I'm putting myself out there. 

Ramblings may include but are not limited too:

Makeup Musings
Secondhand Pinterest Interiors
Awkward Outfit Posts
Rabbits Rabbits Rabbits
Recipes For The 9-5'er

Watch this space kids.

Lily x