So while you’re writing out that list of things to pack in your suitcase, why not pack an umbrella with you just in case?  With this in mind, I have selected 4 ideal umbrellas that would make an excellent companion with you on your travels. They have been selected on the basis that they are foldable, they are not too bulky (so can easily be packed without taking up too much space) and they are also very lightweight (so they will take up a negligible amount of your baggage allowance.) With restrictions very tight on the amount we can pack on most flights, these umbrellas are ideal.

In addition, our selection below covers the latest fashions in umbrella design, and we have also chosen umbrellas for both ladies and gentlemen. Have a look below and let us know what you think. Most of all, enjoy your holiday, and don’t forget to send us a postcard!

Fulton Parasoleil UVP Folding Umbrella

Fulton’s Parasoleil UVP Folding Umbrella is new in stock for 2012. Although most of us love the sun, unprotected exposure can be harmful. Fulton’s high performance waterproof fabric has been technically developed to block more than 99%. This manual, folding umbrella’s shake dry water repellency and acrylic waterproofing features coupled with it’s UV protective layer offers high protection from sun and rain. Its unique square shaped cover is gauranteed to turn heads. It is lightweight, convenient and benefits from a wind resistant design. It comes in it’s own slimline clear zip case with colour matched piped edging and cheerful sun emblem zip pull.

• Specially developed high density nylon fabric canopy with refelective sillver coating
• Additional anti UV protective layer
• Healthy, cool and comfortable
• High protection from sun and rain
• Unique shading qualities
• Keeps you cooler and more comfortable
• Wind resistant design
• Quality manual 4 rib square design
• Length 23cm when folded
• Span when open approx 96cm
• Weight 140g

Totes Wonderlight Titanium Miniflat for Men

The Totes Wonderlight Titanium Miniflat umbrella made our holiday list because it is an ideal purchase for men, and also folds down to a very compact and flat size for easy packing. Not only is it a great umbrella for taking on holiday due to its small folded dimension, but it can then be used as an occasional umbrella to store in the car, briefcase, or to keep in the office drawer. Featuring a manual folding, 5-section aluminium/titanium frame for extra strength and lightness. Small enough to fit into a briefcase or pocket.

• Length folded 16cm
• Span when open approx 93cm
• Weight 204g

Curvetta Folding Umbrella by Rainbow of Milan

Available in a plethora of stunning colours, the Curvetta Folding Umbrella by Rainbow of Milan would make an ideal umbrella for your holiday travels this Summer. It is a lovely manual folding umbrella finished with high quality Italian made acrylic translucent smoked handle, self coloured on the inside to shine through the smoked acrylic crook. The case has a carry strap/draw string. This umbrella makes an ideal gift or why not just treat yourself to a superior umbrella.

• High quality manufacture
• High performance polyester pongee cover
• Manual aluminium/fibreglass frame, 8 ribs
• 3 section aluminium shaft
• Acrylic crook handle with self coloured centre
• Length folded 28cm
• Span when open approx 96cm
• Weight 300g

Fulton Minilite – Lightweight Folding Umbrella – Rose Garden

With its summery contemporary floral pattern and very lightweight frame, the Fulton Minilite Rose Garden Umbrella is an ideal purchase to stow away in your holiday suitcase this Summer. Lightweight and attractive, this manual folding umbrella by Fulton Umbrellas has a special aluminium and fibreglass frame construction, designed to withstand inversion in normal wind conditions. To revert to its normal shape, close and then open the umbrella.

• Rustproof frame, reinforced for extra strength.
• Manual lightweight aluminium and fibreglass frame ( only 236g ).
• Extra large cover when open – 8 ribs ( approx 96cm in diameter).
• Length closed – 25cm
• High performance polyester fabric.

If you haven’t been tempted by these beautiful brollies, why not visit our site at Brolliesgalore to see our full range. With a variety of styles and shapes to suit all budgets, we are sure you will find the ideal umbrella for your holiday this Summer!

Today I plan to look at a couple of apps for Android that are freely available on Google Play (formerly the Android Market). Next week I’ll also look at what is available for Apple’s iPhone/iPad.

WeatherBug

WeatherBug is an excellent all-in-one app for providing you with an up-to-date weather forecast. When you install it, it asks you to click a few check boxes in order for it to establish your location (anwhere in the world!) using your GPS or proximity to cell-phone coverage. In addition, it also asks if you would like to receive severe weather alerts. I suggest that you click yes to both of these.  It then quickly establishes your location and fills out all the necessary data in display that is very pleasing to the eye.

The first view gives an excellent overview of the current weather in your location (see image), giving you the current temperature, wind direction & strength. But at the bottom there is a handy scrollbar that allows you to flick through to other views. You can also get a tabular breakdown of temperature, precipitation, wind, sun, humidity & pressure in another view.

Other views include tomorrow’s forecast and an extended 5 days’ forecast. There is a handy view showing rainfall satellite imagery overlaid on googlemaps. Other views are not so useful if you are living outside of the US – the pollen count and video weather forecasts only apply to the continental US.

The app also very usefully adds the temperature to the status bar at the top of the phone, so alongside your phonesignal strength you will be able to see the current temperature, even when you are not actually inside the app.

All in all this is a very useful app, and even although there are adverts on it, they are not too obtrusive, making it certainly worth downloading.

The Weather Channel

This app is from the trusted Weather Channel company. With a brand like this, you know that you can trust the data provided with this app. Like the previous app discussed above, this one is entirely free to download through the Google Play store.

I have to admit, at first I wasn’t as taken with this app as I was with the WeatherBug app. Even though this doesn’t have intrusive adverts, I much preferred the interface of WeatherBug. It just felt more intuitive to use. Furthermore, the Weather Channel App asked me to input my location rather than just find it through my phone’s GPS. Nevertheless, the Weather Channel App has a few more benefits up its sleeve.

This app feels a bit more scientific. You get a breakdown of the essentials – temperature, current weather, ‘feels like’ temperature, dew point temperature, relative humidity, wind direction, UV index, visibility, sunrise and sunset times – all providing a scientific meteorological breakdown of the current weather around you. It also has a handy little arrow tab to remove the menu interface at the bottom from sight.  In addition, you can break this down into hourly, 36 hour and 10 day forecasts! More than you can possibly need to predict the weather.

The maps interface is much better in my opinion – it is quicker to load, has better visualisation of the rainfall radar overlay and it also highlights local weather stations that you can click on to compare your weather with theirs. Much better than the WeatherBug app.

The weather alerts do seem to be much clearer (or perhaps more prepared) as I have been given a weather warning for my location in this app, but wasn’t given any by the WeatherBug app – so maybe this is a little over-cautious, or the Weather Channel just might be privvy to more local data.

This app also has a UK weather forecast video feed available through the app, so you do feel that this app is providing a much better prediction of UK weather compared to the more US-leaning WeatherBug app.

All in all, I would suggest that set side-by-side, the Weather Channel App is the better option between these two. Although I did enjoy the user interface of WeatherBug more! Why not try downloading these for yourself and see what you think. There are also lots more weather apps out there available for Android. Which ones would you suggest are best? Let us know on Facebook or in the comments below!

Also, don’t forget, these apps might tell you when it’s raining, but to make sure you are fully protected, get your lovely umbrellas from Brolliesgalore!

The latest trends in polka dots are most definitely designed to bring a feeling of pleasure and joy to any outfit they adorn. And there is of course a reason why they continually reappear on the scene over and over again: a new generation views them, loves them and takes it upon themselves the credit for being their “discoverer”.

It’s certainly not any surprise that fashion designers who draw inspiration from vintage stylings will turn to various polka dots in order to accentuate their stylings. Polka dots have returned in a wide range of sizes from bold to micro, and also appear in a wide variety of different colours. Therefore it doesn’t matter whether the intention of the wearer is to look quietly subtle and chic or to boldly stand out in a crowd. Polka dots are the thing that will get the job done just as they intended. There is no question that they will attract interest and attention!

With this in mind, today we look at some of our polka-dot umbrellas that we have available at Brolliesgalore. They come from a variety of designers and umbrella manufacturers, as they are incorporated into a diverse range of umbrella canopies.

Totes Ladies Slim Auto Walker Morrocan Dots Umbrella

This Totes Ladies Slim Morrocan Dots Umbrella has a striking overlapping-dots design of various hues of oranges and browns. This umbrellas would make a brilliant accessory for your outfit this summer!

• Automatic opening
• High performance nylon fabric
• Rust resistant frame
• Length 91cm
• Span when open approx 92cm
• Weight 370g

Totes Thin Mini Globe Handle Folding Umbrellas – Black/Multi Dots

This Mini lightweight round umbrella by Totes is a had a very playful and colourful polka-dot canopy with an attractive frill border. Folds small enough to fit into your pocket or handbag.

• Globe handle.
• Multicolour Dots on Black background
• High Performance nylon fabric
• 3 section aluminium/fibreglass frame.
• Rust resistant frame
• 25.5 cm folded length
• Approx. weight 250g
• Span when open approx. 90cm.

Retro Chic – Automatic Opening Umbrella – Red with White Dots

This Retro Chic dainty ruffled umbrella in red with white dots has a taste of the 60′s – 70′s chic styling. The full sized and slightly domed canopy is attractively finished off by a delightful gathered frill in a matching fabric. Slender shaft and crook handle gives this umbrella a distinctly feminine look.

• Automatic opening, black metal shaft and 8 ribs
• Handle covered in self coloured leatherette.
• Fabric 100% Polyester.
• Length closed 93cm
• Span when open approx 86cm
• Weight 355g

Fulton Birdcage Spots – PVC dome umbrella

This contemporary Spots birdcage umbrella is a domed umbrella to cover head and shoulders by Fulton Umbrellas. Patented extended runner for ease of opening and closing. Deep transparent PVC cover for ease of vision when walking. Manual frame, 8 ribs. Features a new improved fibreglass frame for added strength and durability.

• Length 94cm
• Span when open approx 89cm
• Weight 500g

Enjoyed looking at these umbrellas? Why not check out our website at Brolliesgalore.co.uk for more inspiration for Spring/Summer 2012?

All of the umbrellas we will look at today are under £10, so even with the credit crunch continuing to bite at our bank books, we can still afford to protect ourselves from getting soaked in the very unpredictable British weather! So why not take a look at our lovely budget umbrellas and treat yourself!

Yellow Daisy Dome Umbrella

This fashionable Yellow Daisy Dome Umbrella is an automatic transparent umbrella with a fantastic daisy print over clear PVC. Absolutely fabulous for the rain with a domed canopy to cover head and shoulders but you can see through the clear PVC panels.

• Self coloured plastic crook handle, ferrule and tips
• Automatic frame, 8 ribs.
• Length folded 83cm
• Span when open approx 80cm
• Weight 387g
• Also available in Blue, Lilac and Pink!

Regular Dome Slimtrim Umbrella with Coloured Trim – Black/White Trim

This very stylish dome slimtrim umbrella with with Black/White Trim is the height of fashion this year. It has an absolutely fabulous domed canopy to cover head and shoulders allowing you to see whilst walking, yet keeping you protected from the rain. See through PVC panels with coloured PVC trim, self coloured plastic handle.

• Manual frame, 8 ribs
• Length 82cm
• Span when open approx 80cm
• Weight 385g
• Also available with Red or Black trim

Raindrops Wiggly Stripe Supermini Umbrella

This Raindrops Wiggly-Stripe Supermini umbrella is extremely portable, able to be folded down to handbag size when required. It has a super stylish, brightly coloured wiggly striped pattern over a black background canopy. An ideal budget buy for those in need of a fashionable occasional-use umbrella.

• Manual opening
• 3 section steel frame, 6 ribs
• Length folded 23cm
• Span when open approx 86cm
• Weight 200g

Incognito-2 Folding Umbrella Crook Leatherette Handle – Purple/White Floral

Last, but certainly not least, this Incognito-2 super-compact mini folding umbrella with matching purple leatherette crook handle is an ideal budget buy for those in need of a fashionable umbrella at a low price.

It is has a light, 3 stage frame with 8 ribs with a stunning Apollonia Floral Deign in Purple and White.

• Length folded 30cm
• Span when open approx 91cm
• Weight 240g

So with these fantastically fashionable umbrellas on offer at superbly low prices, you definitely don’t need to go without treating yourself this year. We have a wide-range of budget umbrellas available at £10 or less at Brolliesgalore to suit all tastes and fashions, so why not visit our site today and check them out!

The Met office figures for the month of April, show that the amount of rain which has fallen is almost double the long term average for April of 69.6mm, in records dating back to 1910. The town of Liscombe, on Exmoor in Somerset, has experienced the greatest rainfall throughout April, with 273.8mm of rain compared with its 86.4mm average.

Overall the distribution of the rain has been quite varied, with much of the rain having been focussed on the south of the UK, with England recording more rainfall than Scotland. In fact, Prestwick in Ayrshire has seen only 39.2mm of rain and Skye has had just over half of its monthly rainfall – with 52.0mm of its 99.5mm average – a start contrast to the downpours experienced south of the border!

This also contrasts quite dramatically with March 2012, where we experienced the fifth driest March on record with 36.4mm of rain compared to the average of 95.9mm (if we can extend our rain-drenched memories back to those drier sunnier days!  Also, according to Dave Britton from the Met Office, the weather is not expected to improve next month either:

“it does look like the outlook remains rather unsettled. Further spells of rain to come certainly through May and remaining rather unsettled and temperatures a bit below average as well”

So with a very wet May ahead of us, perhaps it might be worthwhile ensuring your umbrellas are up to the job. Do you maybe need to have a few on hand – one for the house, the car, the handbag or briefcase? If so, make sure you check out Brolliesgalore today, treat yourself to a new brolly or two, and keep yourself dry this May! All the evidence points to the whole country being due for a good soaking, so make sure that you’re not!

Ideal for commuting to the office, or out at the weekend, the umbrellas we have featured in our blog today will make an ideal companion no matter the activity. The Huntsman and Governor walking length umbrellas by Fulton are well designed, very stylish and exceedingly popular with our male customers. The colours and patterns are reserved and sophisticated, so that they can be mixed and matched no matter what the user is wearing.

With an archetypal domed shape, detailed styling, and a classic crook handle, these stylishly urbane umbrellas would make the ideal gift for the man in your life.

Fulton Governor – Walking Length Umbrella for Gents – Weave Print Grey

The Governor Umbrella in weave print grey pattern is a manual men’s walking length umbrella by Fulton Umbrellas. It has a fetching grey weave print with a black handle. Strong 10mm black shaft and gilt ferrule.

• High performance polyester pongee cover
• Black manual steel frame. 8 ribs
• Length 90cm
• Large canopy approx 104cm when open
• Weight 450g

Governor – Black Walking Length Umbrella for Gents

This Governor umbrella with a classic black canopy is a manual men’s walking length umbrella by Fulton Umbrellas with a black moulded plastic handle. Strong 10mm black shaft and gilt ferrule.

• High performance polyester pongee cover
• Black manual steel frame. 8 ribs
• Length 90cm
• Large canopy approx 104cm when open
• Weight 450g

Fulton Huntsman – Gents Walking Length Umbrella – Weave Print Khaki

The Fulton Huntsman umbrella with a khaki-colored weave print is a manual men’s walking length umbrella. It has beautiful canopy fabric, double ribs and 14mm diameter shaft for extra strength. High performance polyester pongee cover and a brown wooden handle.

• Made by Fulton
• Black plated steel frame, 8 ribs.
• Length 90cm
• Span when open approx 106cm
• Weight 632g

Fulton Huntsman – Gents Walking Length Umbrella

Last but not least we have the stunning classic Fulton Huntsman in black. This is a manual mens walking length umbrella, double ribs and 14mm diameter shaft for extra strength. High performance polyester pongee cover and a dark wood handle.

• Made by Fulton
• Black plated steel frame, 8 ribs.
• Length 90cm
• Span when open approx 106cm
• Weight 632g

We hope that this selection has been food for thought. However, if you’d like to see more of our Gentlemen’s Long Umbrellas, please visit our dedicated page at Brolliesgalore.

With the wedding season under way, a lot of people are busy planning their big day. We have already covered some of our fantastic ranges of wedding umbrellas in previous posts, but there are other ways in which you can incorporate the beauty and style of our umbrellas into your decoration for big events such as weddings, or even family parties!

Table Decoration at Events

Umbrellas make a fabulously original centrepiece for anyone planning a big event. Due to their beauty and symmetry, they provide a focal point that looks great from all angles, and they can be embellished with extra decorative features.

In the image (right) we can see that combining different coloured upturned umbrellas, with matching floral arrangements, that a stunning pastel arrangement has been created for all the tables at this event. This colour coding has been extended throughout for each table and provides a unique and memorable visual statement for any event.

In a similar style, why not decorate head-tables, side-tables, or even tables serving food with a row of decorated parasols similar to those in the second image (left). This brings the outside in, and when floral details are added it gives your event a quaint and ‘garden in spring’ feel.

By keeping the colour palette of the umbrellas or parasols simple and reserved, and adding the accent colours through floral displays and soft furnishings, this type of decoration is deceptively simple to achieve, and provides an almost theatrical backdrop to any event.

The only limit with these table decorations is your own creative imagination!

Suspended Umbrellas & Parasols at Events

Umbrellas and Parasols suspended from the ceiling at a variety of heights can achieve a dramatic transformation of a room. If your event needs a bit more colour, or visual impact, this technique is the one for you!

By selecting a palette of colours or patterns that correspond with the rest of your event, you will certainly create a day or night to remember for your guests. Many event halls are vast, and this technique can break up the large expanses of height common to these locations, particularly above dance stages, or the areas where your guests are dining.

Again, this technique is limited only by your imagination, but if undertaken correctly, you will be very impressed at how effective, and how economical, this form of room decoration can actually be!

This technique requires a bit more thought and is logistically a bit trickier. However if pulled off well, it can utterly transform a room.

Just ensure that you put safety first; that the umbrellas are hanging securely, and that you are secure when climbing any ladders.

We hope this has given you some ideas on how to use umbrellas and parasols to decorate any events you might have planned in the near future. Please visit our site at Brolliesgalore for our wide range of umbrellas and parasols. We are sure we will have the ideal styles to suit!

John and Sandy, the owners of the beautiful Southfield House B&B in Dartmouth, Devon, sent us their story.  About six years ago they decided that they needed roof blinds in their B&B’s conservatory. They obtained quotes for the roof blinds but found that they would cost in the region of £3000! Being extremely creative, they mulled over the issue and thought about using parasols instead.

So for approximately one-twentieth of the price of the rather costly roof blinds they hung a range of colourful paper parasols from the glass ceiling of the conservatory.  They help to keep the glare of the sun out through the summer, whilst being extremely attractive and providing a focal point for the guests. And in the winter they simply take the parasols down. All of the guests at the Southfield House B&B comment on how wonderful the parasols are because they look so pretty; they’re a real talking point! An additional benefit is that, bees (or occasionally butterflies) don’t get stuck behind them! Saving on pesky maintenance! If you look closely at the photographs that John and Sandy have provided, you’ll see that they chop the handles down where there’s any risk of someone walking into them.

Inevitably, over time the colours fade in direct sunlight, and by the end of a couple of summers, they get replaced, but compared to the prohibitive cost of conservatory blinds, they are still much more economical and do an excellent job!

The team at Brolliesgalore thought this was a fantastic idea and we’re wondering if any of our other customers have been creative with their umbrellas. If you have a story, why not send in your information along with a photo and we might feature it on our blog in future.

If you are looking for a break in Devon, we’d highly recommend the Southfield House B&B, you can visit their website at www.southfieldhouse.co.uk for further information and bookings. If you plan a visit, tell them Brolliesgalore sent you. We wish John and Sandy all the best for the future and thank them for allowing us to feature them on our blog.

To see our full range of paper parasols, please visit our dedicated page at Brolliesgalore.

~The Brolliesgalore Team

Surely a brolly would be better?

Well as many folk will know, it was the Grand National at the weekend. And this year was certainly not without its controversies; particularly regarding animal safety and the unfortunate deaths of two horses. However, today’s blog isn’t about the rights or wrongs of the steeplechase itself, but it looks at the event of glitz and glam that is Ladies’ Day at Aintree, which took place on Friday 13th.

Perhaps the date itself was an omen, but the British weather certainly let itself be known on Friday! Ladies’ day is on of the North-West’s biggest days out for those that like to be seen, in style. Now, the idea of ‘fashion’ is always highly subjective and individual, but this year’s Raceday fashions didn’t

A rather rainy Ladies' Day at Aintree

disappoint, providing a spectacle of colour and ostentation in the Red Rum Garden. With make-up sampling, goody bag giveaways and fashion shows all happening in this area, it’s always billed to be the ultimate raceday style experience!

However, when you add ‘rain’ into the mix, you certainly end up with a very different picture!

No matter whether the ladies were sporting the latest fashions, the rain certainly poured down on Friday and left its mark! Both Umbrellagirl and I were astonished at the pictures we saw coming from Aintree. In only one picture did we see anyone with an umbrella! The rest of them

Someone had a Brolly, although maybe didn't get the fully benefit using it like this!

were either soaked to the skin, or wearing those hugely unattractive transparent polythene rain-cheaters that you generally see American tourists in when they’re visiting our rain-soaked cities! With so many stunning umbrellas available to go with any outfit, surely the purchase of a brolly beforehand would have avoided this, while adding to (rather than detracting from) their outfit!?

Then again, perhaps it’s not surprising. I (BrollyBoy) was out in Edinburgh the other weekend on a particularly rainy Friday evening. The post-work pub crawls were just getting started. But, I was still surprised by the number of younger ladies out in their weekend best, without a jacket or brolly, and soaked to the skin!  Now, if this were

Fake tan & rain do not mix

the Mediterranean, I’d say go for it! But this is Britain – a very wet Britain – and we have awful weather!

So, in the interests of keeping dry, of preventing hypothermia, of retaining that newly-styled hair, of fundamental public safety Buy an umbrella! You won’t regret it!

… and when you do, make sure it’s from Brolliesgalore

Timelessly opulent, these gorgeous lace parasols are made from pure cotton battenberg lace and will complete your outfit with an elegant old world look. If you are planning a retro style to your wedding this year, or simply wish to have a sumptuous accessory with which to shade from the sun, these parasols are most definitely perfect to complete the effect!

White Emma – Battenberg Lace Parasol

The Emma Parasol is a cotton all-over Battenberg Lace parasol which is full of old world elegance, giving it a retro Edwardian charm. It has a long straight wooden shaft and handle, lace ruffle trim to ferrule and tie band to rib tips. Partially lined but is not waterproof.

• Manual opening, silver frame and ribs.
• Wooden shaft and turned handle
• Includes a drawstring storage bag
• Length including handle 88cm
• Span when open approx 84cm
• Weight 450g

Abigail Lace Parasol – Antique Ivory

The Abigail parasol is exquisitely crafted in cotton Battenburg lace and embroidery. It has a wooden manual shaft, with 10 ribs and a straight turned wooden handle. It has a tie to the rib tips and a nylon draw-string bag.This parasol makes an elegant accessory to any outfit but is not waterproof.

• Manual opening, silver frame and ribs.
• Wooden shaft and turned handle
• Includes a drawstring storage bag
• Length including handle 68cm
• Span when open approx 74cm
• Weight 320g

Alice Childs Lace Parasol – White

Following the same pattern as the Abigail Parasol above, the Alice Parasol is a child’s parasol exquisitely crafted in cotton Battenburg lace and embroidery. It has a tie to the rib tips and a nylon draw-string bag. Not waterproof.

• Manual opening, silver frame and ribs.
• Wooden shaft and turned handle
• Includes a drawstring storage bag
• Length including handle 43cm
• Span when open approx 54cm
• Weight 145g

White Heidi – Heart Shaped Lace Parasol

This ladies’ Heidi parasol is again made from cotton batttenberg lace but this time the panels are of plain cotton and are heart shaped for that romantic touch.  It has a wooden manual shaft, with 10 ribs and a straight turned wooden handle. It has a tie to the rib tips and a nylon draw-string bag. This parasol makes an elegant accessory to any outfit but is not waterproof.

• Manual opening, silver frame and ribs.
• Wooden shaft and turned handle
• Includes a drawstring storage bag
• Length including handle 68cm
• Span when open approx 74cm
• Available in white and antique ivory
• Weight 320g

To see our full range of Lace parasols, please visit our dedicated page at Brolliesgalore. They would certainly make a wonderful wedding accessory or even as wedding favours or gifts at the end of the day.

Please note that although these parasols are partially lined, they are not waterproof.