Family Fun Month - Fruit animals!

For the last few days of the school holidays and bank holiday weekend, we thought you might need an idea for how to keep the kids (and you!) occupied. So for our last Family Fun Month post, we've found a fun-filled creative way to encourage healthy eating!

So how you do you make fruit & vegetables more exciting? Easy - make animals and creatures with them first! From banana caterpillars, and apple turtles, there's combinations you never would've known existed.

The recipe is simple:-

- A varied selection of fruit & veg

- Imagination!

It's a fantastic way for children to stretch their imaginations, and make ears and noses out of healthy foods - you can even encourage a bit of healthy competition - who can make the scariest bear or a colourful fish? Maybe the winner gets to eat it all!

We'd love to see some of your fruit creations! 

www.ellieellie.co.uk

Brighton Festival: Ellie's Ellie's picks! Part 2

We're halfway through one of Brighton's biggest celebrations of the year, and we haven't been disappointed! There's been something for everyone, from fancy dress and book-reading for kids, to plays and live music performances in the city's best-loved venues.

So what's in store for the last few days of one of the biggest highlights in the UK's event calendar?

Nina Conti: This Tuesday, for comedic fun for all the family, don't miss the ventriloquism talents of Nina Conti (along with her puppet friends of course). See a screening of her 'docu-mockumentary" her Master's Voice, alongside a live performance guaranteed to leave both adult and kids wanting more.

Carousel: What goes on at fairground after closing time? You'll find out in this enchanting journey through dramatic movement with an equally enticing soundtrack - meeting all the weird and wonderful characters along with way. For a breathtaking performance of energetic choreography and music, visit the Southpaw Dance company on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 to experience at atmosphere you won't find anywhere else. 

How We Used To Live: This is definitely one for history enthusiasts and vintage lovers. Narrated by Ian McShane, it's a film of rare footage of London from the fifties through to the eighties. See the transformation of England's capital and an insight into its developing nightlife, vehicles and housing. The brains behind the idea and who made it a reality are nineties band Saint Etienne and filmmaker Paul Kelly, who will be on hand to give a special treat to their viewers with a live performance of the intriguing soundtrack too!

www.ellieellie.co.uk 

Brighton Festival: Ellie Ellie's picks! Part 1

This year, the early May Bank Holiday Weekend is kicking off with a bang - marking the start of Brighton Festival! The highly anticipated event is now in it's 49th year, and from tomorrow until the 24th of the month, has plenty of amazing acts, art, and exhibitions to keep its growing reputation as one of the most exciting festivals in the UK for all ages to enjoy. 

When there's so much to do and see, it can be hard to decide where to begin! So this week we've chosen our top recommendations of what you definitely shouldn't miss in the coming days:

- Children's Parade: What better way to open a festival than with thousands of local children stepping out in extravagant and obscure costumes that they have designed and made just for the special event! Several schools from around the area get involved in the parade every year, with kids from infant to secondly school taking to the streets along with their teachers and parents. Always based on different subject, "taking flight" has been announced as the theme for 2015. From Kensington Street to Madeira Drive, you can expect some spectacular sights!

Louder than words - it wouldn't be Brighton Festival without some showstopping dance acts. This Sunday 3rd, The Cathy Walker Company brings us some explosive choreography alongside live instruments being played, with two talented dancers caught up in a complex and competitive dance-off! Taking place in Woodingdean Central Park, this is definitely where to go for some mesmerizing excitement for all the family.

A Morning with Jacqueline Wilson: On Sunday 10th, head down to the Brighton Dome Concert Hall where the best-selling author will be chatting about her work and novels, including how she created much loved characters such as Tracy Beaker and Opal Plumstead. Tickets are £6 and there is also the opportunity to purchase pre-signed books, as well as hear all about her brand new creation The Butterfly Club (which is her 101st novel!) for younger readers.

www.ellieellie.co.uk

Goodwood Bank Holiday Weekend

Goodwood have a treat lined up for families on the August Bank Holiday starting this Friday (23^rd) as they rekindle the British nostalgic Summer Holidays of yesteryear, just what Ellie Ellie likes to hear.

The Goodwood August Bank Holiday Weekend provides a three-day festival of 1950s fun and excitement, with traditional entertainment, live music and lovely food. 

There is fun for all the family at this superb festival, including an old fashioned fun fair and magnificent racing!

Pop over to the Goodwood website for all the details and get excited for what is sure to be a great weekend with the family!

Happy Bank Holiday Weekend!!

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.

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!