As with all Spotty Otter products, the beauty of this coat is in the quality and the detail. You know there’s always a few things that make you ‘ggrrrr’ to yourself as you watch your child charge around the park in their winter coat, or when you peel it off them when you get home? Well – I have to say that we’ve had Toby living in this one for the last two months, and I haven’t found a single ‘ggrrr’ moment. Not one. And we really have put it through its paces. A bitterly cold October break in the Brecon Beacons, out for hours walking on the hillsides. An even more bitter (read FREEZING biting sheering hoolie of a wind) trip to Kimmeridge Bay on the Dorset coast.

And of course the very toughest of all tests. School – and more specifically Key Stage 1.

And how does the coat look after we have submitted it to all this? Like new, that’s how. Because, you see, you can just throw it in the washing machine. And even after numerous washes it’s still waterproof; REALLY waterproof, not showerproof, not dry-body-but-wet-arms proof, but real unzip-it-and-there’s-a-dry-boy-underneath waterproof.

The whole coat is lined with thick comfortable fleece – including the sleeves; I hate that when they don’t bother lining the sleeves – specially designed to wick away dampness, so there’s none of that nasty chilly clamminess going on during a long walk in it, either.

The hood deserves a special mention – not only is it amply sized to make sure it covers a woolly hat comfortably without being restrictive, but it also has a proper sized peak which does a very good job of keeping the rain of the face. To top it off, it is adjustable with a strap on the back so you can stop it flopping forward and obscuring their vision (which always leads to the hood being shoved off in frustration, and a very wet head/neck/back, yes?).

The reflective piping is reassuring on winter evenings, and surprisingly bright and effective. The zips are sturdy enough for even Toby not to break them, and of course weather sealed, too. The Velcro cuff tapes hold firmly and are easily adjustable… and it really is strong enough to keep out the most biting of English winds, whilst managing not to restrict a 5 yr old Spiderman saving the world.

What else is there to love about this coat? Oh – it’s the first coat we’ve had where the back dips low enough to keep the vulnerable area warm and dry even when they’ve had enough walking and are riding on daddy’s shoulders.

Toby’s very favourite part? The pockets. They’re fleece lined too – so when he forgets his gloves (*eyes rolling*) he simply jams his hands into his pockets and they’re warm as toast.

The machine is sitting prettily and washing beautifully. The first thing I’ve noticed is the sheer amount of laundry this thing can manage – this is ONE load on my washing line – and I ran out of room and had to place some socks on the basket on the grass.
That’s a full change of a single bed, a weeks worth of toddler clothes, plus the rest of the family’s small items.
At present I’m still investigating all that it can do – back soon with the full review.

We love Groovy Mummy – and now under the new ownership of the lovely Judi, it is bigger and better (and groovier) than ever before. Groovy Mummy’s love of gorgeous fabrics and dress down chic has led to an eclectic collection of baby booty from all over the globe.

Bags disguised as changing bags from new designers Jooki from Australia, fantastic leather bags in funky colours from Lin & Leo, changing mats that look like clutch bags with secret compartments from Gaia & Ko and Go Mats from Funkie Baby (check out the yippee design – fabulous!).

There’s bibs, burp clothes, blankets, booties and bedding…and plenty of other things that don’t actually begin with ‘B’!

Go see for yourself – but don’t say we didn’t warn you just how lovely it all is!

The review is now live over on LittleStuff. I didn’t like the cups from this range at all, but the bowls really are fab. Totally practical, brilliantly designed, funky colours and bargainous pricing, too – what more could you want??

Ooohhhh, am LOVING the bread maker. Here, this is this morning’s loaf, just a plain ole organic white one – fancy a slice with some butter and jam with your mug o’ tea?
D’you know, I haven’t bought a shop loaf since I started reviewing this machine for Lakeland… and can’t see me reverting any time soon :)