When the kind folk over at Bonmarche got in touch and asked if I could like to treat my Mam to a piece of clothing from their Autumn / Winter line I jumped at the chance.
My Mam is a loyal customer of Bonmarche’s for work wear basics and staples at an affordable price. You may remember she reviewed a coat back in 2013 HERE
Drawn to red coats, she picked the vibrant Ann Harvey contrast lined coat (£40)*
Last week, we headed on down to Bill’s, a brand new opening in Durham.
The newest resident on the Saddler Street foodie strip has a prime double fronted location on the street which attracts huge footfall from both residents and visitors alike. This is the first location for the chain in the North East and it is exactly what Durham needs as the food buzz is starting to take off.
On entering the venue, we were escorted through a vast property to a dining room at the back with views over the Elvet Bridge. The space at the back would make a great private dining room for functions! All stripped wood, bare walls and exposed ducting, the décor blends well with the existing architecture of the building providing endless charm.
When purchasing a new Land Rover or Range Rover you are given a Land Rover Owners Experience Day (£225) held at one of the Land Rover accredited off roading sites across the country. For us, Yorkshire was the closest so we found ourselves booking a midweek stay at the Coniston Hotel who host the site. You can read a full review of our stay HERE.
On arrival, we were welcomed by friendly staff and shown to the abundantly supplied waiting area. After a quick cuppa and obligatory custard cream, our tutor for the day came to collect us. We felt instanly at ease with our instructor and Katie was fully included just as much as I was.
As I had just bought a brand new Freelander and I am new to the Land Rover family I chose to do the Land Rover Owners Experience Day in the same model so that I could really find out what the car can do – without breaking mine; I am well aware of the merits of the Freelander on paper but I really wanted to put it through it’s paces in person! Of course Katie would have chosen the Defender. I’m sure if you cut her in half, she’d say Defender through the middle.
We recently paid visit to Bierrex which opened at the end of 2014. As part of the De Giorgi family empire, the hop and smoke venue is inhabiting the old Popolo premises on Pilgrim Street which is a handy walk away from the shops. It is in pleasant company along with the sister bars such as Dat Bar and it’s next door neighbours Alvinos and Paradiso. View Post
I picked this 3 in 1 coat up in the sales at Christmas in Simply Be for £55 and it was just what I was looking for. I wanted a coat to keep in the car ready for those bad weather days that creep up on us and for impromptu long wintery country walks. I spend a lot of time outside and it is often quite hard to find plus size waterproof items.
I find a lot of waterproof coats are either drab or “cheap” looking so I have been hunting high and low. This one from Simply Be has a demure base of navy blue but lifted with the addition of cute polka dots. It is purely for casual wear which I think is perfect. Coming into the spring the outer jacket will be perfect for April showers and it has a touch of nautical chic.
The 3 in 1 construction of the coat means I have a light weight fleece, a light weight water proof coat or when worn together, a thick warm water proof coat. The 3 in 1 coats really offer brilliant value for money.
You can buy similar from Simply Be