Ellie Ellie Wears

This week we've pieced together an outfit for a late afternoon BBQ! This maxi skirts is perfect for just the occasion, sitting just off your waist not only is it comfortable, but it's also not too revealing for when the temperature drops in the evening! Topshop has brought out a range of basic crop tops, in various colours which are bang on trend and work great with high waisted pieces. Ellie Ellie's Upcycled Storybook Necklaces are a great way to add a bit of vintage style to the outfit. Each one is handmade from original Ladybird books and are come in a beautiful antique gold finish, complimenting the warm palette.

Red Floral Maxi Skirt -Jolie Moi

Black Crop Top - Topshop

Upcycled Storybook Necklace - Ellie Ellie

Brown Gladiator Sandals - Topshop

101 Summer Activities

After all that inspiration if you're still stuck for ideas, you can't go wrong with Ellie Ellie's Pick Up Sticks Game! Hours of fun for all the family and can be played come rain or shine (we know what the British weather can be like!)

A great game for all the family, find it here!

Camping for beginners!

There really is no better way to escape the hustle and bustle of general life than escaping to the countryside for a camping trip. Whether you're looking for something to do with the kids, or a woodland party with some friends, a camping trip is a great option!

 

We've gathered together some great tips for first time campers! If you're new to camping, these handy tips should set you well on your way.

 
Tents-

Always go for a tent that's a bit bigger than what you think you need. 9 times out of 10 you'll need extra space, plus when it comes to sleeping it'll give you a bit more comfort than being sandwiched like sardines.

Bedding-

Sleeping bags are a handy tool, but if you're like us and you like your creature comforts ..take your duvet! Nothing spells a good nights sleep then your own duvet and pillows. We'd go for extra blankets to make a lining for the bottom of the tent too! If you can get your mits on some vacuum pack storage bags to make the bed stuff more easy to transport that would be a bonus!

Clothing-

Always be prepared for what ever the British weather can throw at you. Make sure you check the weather forecast before you pack to give you a rough (emphasis on rough) idea of what you are likely to be dealt.You'll need everything from wellies, to sun cream.

Light-

Make sure you've invested in some good torches, as it gets pretty dark out in the sticks no matter the season. If you decide to take a late night stroll to explore, you'll need a torch to find your way back! It's essential, so don't over look it!

Food-

Most likely you'll be cooking off a BBQ or open fire, so keep it simple. Think about taking things that don't need too much preparation (unless of course you can prepare it before you set off!) Remember anything that needs to be kept cool needs to be kept in a cool bag!

Ellie Ellie's Recycled Picnic Bags are a great piece of equipment for outdoor adventures - thermal lined to keep your food or drinks cool, it's a great size too so big enough for picnic nibbles!

Ellie Ellie Wears

This week we've been inspired by the prospect of the bank holiday weekend in the sunshine. Whether you're off down the beach with the family or having a seaside dog walk this outfit will put you in good stead. 

These little yellow wellies are a great for a mooch in the countryside, or even on the school run on a rainy day! We are big fans of Joules, so we have another dollop of their Spring collection in our outfit this week! This striped tunic is simple, effortless but still looks amazing on. We've styled it with an Ellie Ellie Building Brick Ring, in red to add to that bright and on-trend colour palette!  Alphabet Bag's shopper is such good fun, a great size too for all the necessities (like a kindle and a nice bottle of lemonade!).

Wellies - Joules
Building Brick Ring - Ellie Ellie
Seaside Shopper - Alphabet Bags
Stripe Dress- Joules

Get outside this May Bank Holiday!

As you're reading this, it's getting closer and closer to a 3 day weekend. Excited? We are.

Have you got much planned? If you have we hope it involved lots of outside activities- after being stuck at work there really is nothing better then getting out-and-about with friends or family. If it's a sunny afternoon, nothing better then grabbing a few bottles of pink lemonade and heading to the local park for a picnic!

Ellie Ellie has just launched a fab range of picnic and lunch bags, all made from recycled plastic bottles! Perfect for keeping goodies cool- each bag is thermal lined too! These cute red polka dot picnic bags are roomy enough for a bite to eat for all the family, plus folds flat when you're all full up making it easy to store!

Find our recycled picnic bags here!

 For packed lunches for all ages, how about our smaller lunch bags? We've fallen for this vintage inspired floral print - great for day trips, or indeed when Tuesday comes back around and we're all back at work!

Floral lunch bags, perfect for a girl of any age. Find it here!

Need them for this weekend? Don't you worry. We offer express delivery, you can have it on your doorstep by Friday for a fun packed bank holiday weekend! Head over to Ellie Ellie.

Biggest Spring Fashion Trends 2013

Spring has finally decided to catch up with the catwalk, and bring a little sunshine to the UK. It may finally be time to put your Autumn/Winter knitwear away and say 'hello' to a Spring 2013.

Tailored shorts are cocooned by massive hype this year, with sharp tailored pieces set to be a must-have for this season's girl about town.Featured in no fewer than 8 shows at LFW, the short/suit combo is everywhere. Topshop are already all over it like bees on honey, bringing out some bold and sharp prints. For women, shorts are all about the length- know what suits your body.

Love Marissa Webb's tweed look. Grey with turquoise works beautifully for a great Spring combo.

 Sporty dresses are tipped to be pretty big on the festival scene this year. Sleeveless, with a soft skater feel they are perfect to most figures and is already cropping up on the high street and online fashion stores.

ASOS are already jumping on the sporty dress bandwagon. We love this simply jersey- easy to wear and style.

 Cutouts. If you like your abs, they are a great little way to show 'em off. They are adventurous. With conveniently and strategically placed windows they allow you to flash a bit of skin without looking like you belong in a downtown gentleman's club, seriously regretting your lifestyle choice.

BAFTA nominee Jennifer Lawrence shows how it's done in this cutout paneled number.

Monochrome is perhaps the strongest trend this season. Whoever said black and white was dull? Tipped to be bigger than hip hop, bold stripes are back. Vertical is the most flattering, giving an slimming effect for most.

Spring Nail Art Inspiration

Gorgeous aren't they? Follow the step by step guide below to create your own floral nails! We love these spring colours, but how about mixing it up a bit? Brilliant brights are bang on trend, so get creative! We'd love to see what you guys can come up with - tweet us an image @ellieelliecouk!

History of the American and UK Mother's Day

The UK's Mothering Sunday was a fair few weeks ago and it got us thinking why the difference in dates?

The origins of our day has no connection with the US/AUS version. In the UK the day falls on the 4th Sunday of Lent, whereby across the pond it take place on the second Sunday in May. The day for us Brits was originally formed back in the 16th century, where Christians would go back to their 'mother church' on that specific day which would mean that families would be brought together. 

After the American Civil War, a Mother's Day Proclamation was formed in a call for peace and disarmament. Some states then began to celebrate the day, but it wasn't until 1914 that it was officially declared as a national holiday, where flags would be flown to remember those mother's who had lost their sons in the war effort.

All of us at Ellie Ellie wish all the American and Australian Mums a Happy Mother's Day!

How to transform vintage tea cups into candles

Wednesday 8th May= National Tea Drinking Day. I kid you not. This does actually exist, I've googled it and it's totally kosher.

We love all things vintage - you literally have to surgically remove Danielle from any vintage china at the jumble sale. She's brought so many her house looks like a tea cup convention.

So it got us thinking, what else can you do with them (apart from the obvious). Tea cup candles are a great way of getting your old china out of the cupboard and out into your home to be admired, or of course they make fantastic presents for friends and family. 

You can use different oils and colourings to make no-end of different teacup candles!

We stumbled across this great idea from Martha Stewart - it's a great way to up-cycle your tea cups and old candles.

"Here's what you need -

Pans
Partially burned candles
Candy or candle thermometer
Tongs
New wicking
Teacups
Wick sustainers
Wooden skewers

How you do it -

 1. In a small pan set over a larger pan of simmering water, melt down old candles; clip the thermometer to the upper pot, and keep temperature at about 185 degrees. Remove old wicks with tongs.

2. Cut a piece of wicking to the cup's height plus 2 inches. Clamp one end to a wick sustainer; tie the other end around a skewer. Dip wicking and sustainer into melted wax to coat them. Remove and stick sustainer to cup's bottom.

3. Pour in the wax, stopping 1/2 inch below the cup's rim. Allow wax to set, about 1 hour. The candle will harden with a well in the center. To even it out, use another skewer to prick a circle of holes about 1/16 inch deep around the wick. Pour in melted wax until surface is 1/4 inch below rim. Cut wick."

Meet Ellie Ellie's Dispatch Manager!

Meet Lindsay, resident Dispatch Manager at Ellie Ellie. We decided to grill her on why she loves the brand, her favourite products and her favourite cheese (which let's be honest, we were all itching to know!) 

What is your role at Ellie Ellie?

My official role is Dispatch Manager/Customer Service Manager, So I have to make sure everyone gets their orders on time and also answer all customers questions and enquires. I also spend a lot of time engrossed in maps making cufflinks, pendants, keyrings and all other map related products.

How did you first get involved with Ellie Ellie?

I have known Danielle for 7 years due to her being my future sister in law, so have also known about Ellie Ellie for a long time. I have always loved her ideas of bringing new life to once forgotten things.

What’s your favourite EE product?

Wow! There is too many to chose from! I LOVE all of the Ellie Ellie products but I think I do have a soft spot for the Lego men, they are so cute! Also as I do spend a lot of time engrossed in all the maps at Ellie Ellie I love the map pendant. It’s so versatile and it’s like a memory in a bubble.

What’s your favourite product to make?

Again I think this one goes to the map pendant. So many different looks can be accomplished with different scales and ages of maps. Also as it come in 4 shapes (round, oval, square and heart) so is perfect for any occasion.

Where do you see Ellie Ellie in 5 years time?

I’d love Ellie Ellie to be trading on the high street. Especially some where like The Lanes in Brighton and somewhere in Chichester, both very funky and alternative places but also places that are well known and loved.

If you could only listen to one song again, which song would that be?

Anything by Placebo, my favourite band ever!! I have 2 absolute favourite songs: Seal – Kiss From a Rose. Placebo – My Sweet Prince so either of them!

What is your favourite cheese?

Oooooh tough one! Can’t beat a mature cheddar, either by its self of on a hot buttered jacket potato.

If you could bring back one animal from extinction, which would it be?

I think it would have to be the Woolly Mammoth. They are big strong animals who where a big part of the Alaskan life and were covered in fur to keep warm, (plus the one in Ice Age seems pretty cool!) Also I know Unicorns are a myth but I would love it if they were real!!

What is your favourite date of the year?

My birthday. 4th May. It means the whole day is about me and me only!!

If you were president for the day, what’s the one thing you would ban?

Being on the phone at a restaurant. I hate it with a passion! Whether it’s texting, calling or being on the internet (why do you need to be on Facebook when out to dinner with friends?!) Just NO!

 

Ellie Ellie Wears

 

We don't know about you, but we are loving this weather. Finally, Spring has started to pull it's socks up. This week's Ellie Ellie Wears has been inspired by, Mr Blue Sky- that illusive chap who's been lying rather low of late, but like the prodigal son he's back and everyone's celebrating.

So we've taken the blue baton and ran with it- this little vintage inspired dress can be found at Get Cutie. Love it's femine pattern and ability to create that 50's hourglass figure. Nipped in at the waist, soft over the hips- it's bound to flatter most. Sling on a pair of these blue bow pumps to make it the perfect day time outfit, whether you're off out for a stroll along the pier or at a May bank holiday village fête.

In terms of accessories, we've kept it simple with a statement Ellie Ellie ring. Our rings can be personalised with any location from around the world, using vintage maps. The location is what it's all about- how about your hometown, or where you met your partner in crime? Choice is yours! Find it here

We feel a tad guilty that we've added a cashmere scarf to this one, especially as it's our first post for May. But let's not kid ourselves. We're British. The weather can never make up it's mind and its best to always be prepped for anything from heat to hail.

Bow Pumps - Instant Vintage

Bluebird Dress- Get Cutie

Personalised Map Location Ring- Ellie Ellie

Blue Cashmere Scarf- LuLLilu

May Bank Holiday Family Activity Ideas!

Well the bank holiday weekend is just around the corner, and we're all hoping the sunshine stays for some fun and games! We've put together a little inspiration, packed with ideas to keep all the family entertained with Ellie Ellie's traditional games! 

Ellie Ellie has just launched a fabulous range of nostalgic games, including our favourite Pin the Tail on the Donkey game kit! It's a family classic- good old fashioned fun for all ages! The game is definitely an investment and make the best of it, you can either play it outside on a sunny afternoon or take it inside and play in the living room! What ever the weather throws at you, you have hours worth of entertainment.

Ellie Ellie's Pin the Tail on the Donkey game! Complete with adhesive tails, vintage style blindfold, donkey poster and simply game instructions! Perfect afternoon family activity!

Ellie Ellie also offers the traditional Snakes and Ladders game which makes a great birthday present as well as a weekend or school holiday activity! Great fun and easy to play makes it suitable for a wide audience. The set contains simple instructions and rules of the game, colourful playing board, 6 wooden playing pieces, one die and a handy keep sake bag.

Vintage style Snakes and Ladders game - great fun come rain or shine!

If we are lucky enough to get a sunny bank holiday weekend, there really is nothing better to do than fly a kite! Whether you're off for a walk in the countryside, camping, taking the kids down the park or off down the beach! We LOVE these Traditional Diamond Kites - the very best of fun on a bright and breezy day with your best friends or family!

Ellie Ellie's gorgeous kites, complete with ribbon tail! Easy to assemble too!

If you are still stuck for ideas, how about a game of Pick Up Sticks? A great game of nimbleness and skill. Can be played inside or outside on the patio in the sunshine! Why not up the stakes and play for prizes? How about an ice cream to the winner?

Make your way over to www.ellieellie.co.uk for more information!