Wednesday, 15 January 2014

Postal Bag Origami

We are always thinking of ways to re-use the materials we use in the office so that we can limit the impact on the environment of throwing rubbish away. Since introducing our jolly new postal bags to send out our orders in we have played around with origami and the result is a lovely Ellie Ellie boat!

Our postal bags can be recycled, but if you are up for a fun activity you can make an origami boat or hat! We are on hand to help you have a go at origami, and save the planet by recycling our new postal bags!


How to make an origami boat (that actually floats) Yipee!

1. Begin by cutting our postal bags so you have one rectangle piece (you can make two boats with both sides as well)


2. Fold the rectangle piece in half


3. Partially fold it again, which will make a crease near the top. This helps line up the corners


4. Fold down the top left and right corner


5. Fold each edge of the paper upwards, and open it up into a hat



6. To continue making the boat, bring the corners of the hat brim towards each other, the edges of the brim will be pushed forward (your squashing the hat into a square)


7. Take one lower corner of the square and fold it upwards, so the same to the other side


8. Now you have a folded triangle! Open up the folded triangle and bring the corners together, again you are squashing the triangle into a square


9. Pull the outer  corners of the square, one in each hand



10. Keep pulling to fully unfold your boat, staple the sides to keep in place!


We hope you've enjoyed creating your origami boat, the next time you receive your Ellie Ellie order you know what to do!

If origami doesn't float your boat, pop it in the recycling bin!

Have Fun!

Sunday, 12 January 2014

Post Christmas Deco!

Your house can always feel a little empty after you have taken down all your Christmas decorations, your Christmas tree and Christmas cards. Ellie Ellie have what you need this January to put a little bit of sparkle back in your home after the Christmas season! All it takes is a little imagination and some simple things you normally find in your home.

This is a great piece of wall art, made from used corks, just save up your corks, make a backing for the artwork and stick on your corks, you can make different shaped ones too!


A cheese grater is a family staple and can always be found in the kitchen. This light fitting is a innovative way of making use of an old cheese grater and would it perfectly in the kitchen area.


Although this lampshade looks lovely and pretty, it is actually only made from plastic bottles! This is an example of a great way to get creative and see what you can make from such an easy object, your end result may not look like this but there are many ways in could be done to look great!


An ingenious way to reuse an old rake from the garden to make a wine holder for the kitchen! If you had more time you could paint it as well to match it to the decor and colours in your kitchen!

 
This is the simplest way to refresh your home in the new year, clean your old jam jars and add some flowers for the prettiest arrangements with a vintage feel on your mantelpiece or windowsill.



What are you doing to your home this January?

Friday, 10 January 2014

Ellie Ellie Wears: Cold Weather Blues

It may be cold outside but here at Ellie Ellie we are thinking about the summer and all the lovely summer dresses we can take out of hibernation. This dress from Beautiful Soul, is, as the name suggests, beautiful. The company is committed to fair fabric sourcing and is conscious of the environmental impact of style. They support local and UK based production by supporting the regeneration of UK manufacturing. This dress would look fabulous on a warm summers day, but we think, teamed with this chunky knit from Cath Kidston, or a smart blazer, it will look great whatever the weather.

Finish off this look with these tanned boots from ted baker and Ellie Ellie's Lucky Sixpence Customised Date Coin Necklace, the perfect accessory!

Takara Dress - Beautiful Soul
Chunky Knit Cardigan - Cath Kidston
Lucky Sixpence Necklace - Ellie Ellie
Tanned Boots - Ted Baker



Wednesday, 8 January 2014

Let's Celebrate National Hobby Month!

January is National Hobby Month and the team at Ellie Ellie like nothing better than embracing other activities and crafts outside of the office! Everybody has a hobby and January seems like a great month to spend your free time doing what you love best! Maybe it's coin or stamp collecting, or playing a musical instrument.

As well as enjoying your current hobby, like many others in January who make new years resolutions to exercise more or eat healthier, make this the month you start something new, maybe something you've always wanted to have a go at but have never had the chance!

Make January the time to start a new hobby!!

Here are some crazy hobby ideas that may give you some inspiration:
  • Fork Bending 
  • Crayon Carving 
  • Money Origami 
  • Egg Shell Carving 
  • Extreme Ironing
  • Mooing
  • Tape Art
  • Soap Carving


What are your hobbies? Anything as crazy as the ideas above!

Sunday, 5 January 2014

New Year Heathly Smoothies to Kick Start January!

As we move into the first full week of January Ellie Ellie can keep you going with some vitamin boosting and delicious healthy smoothie recipes. Great to take to work or to start off the day!

If you have started off the year feeling a little under the weather here are some great recipes to get you back to feeling your best!

 
Here are some other great healthy recipes for a super start to the day!
 
This clean breeze smoothie recipe includes:
 
  • 1 small cucumber, chopped
  • 2 ripe kiwis, peeled
  • 1 cup ginger-flavored kombucha (see Tip)
  • 1/2 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
  • 6 ice cubes
  •  
    This banana berry recipe is great if you like your berries!
     
  • 1 1/4 cups orange juice
  • 1 ripe medium banana, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup frozen blueberries, blackberries or raspberries
  • 1/2 cup silken tofu
  • 2 ice cubes, crushed (see Tip)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar, (optional)
  •  
    

    Friday, 3 January 2014

    Ellie Ellie Wears: New Year New Print!

    What better way to start the year then getting dressed up for work or going out with a fun print like this flower print on this vintage skirt from Beyond retro, the perfect wardrobe staple to start 2014! Wear the skirt with this white knitted jumper to stay warm or dare to wear a black crop top to transform the look to evening. Add a vintage touch with our Ellie Ellie circus initial pendant and these great Lewknor tanned boots from Hudson boots, which are perfect from day to night!

    We hope you enjoyed a great new year! Here's to 2014!

    Flower print skirt - Beyond Retro
    Circus Initial pendant necklace - Ellie Ellie
    White Jumper - Topshop
    Tanned Boots - Hudson

    Wednesday, 1 January 2014

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    Happy New Year from the team at Ellie Ellie
     
    Ring in the new year with a further 20% OFF during our sale with our discount code
     
    'ellieelliesthebest'