Mango Casual Sportswear 60% Wool medium length lined coat

These wool town coats are absolutely lovely.  Like many mixed fabric things they don't last forever, but most people would tell you to expect something like this to last 2-4 years, especially in brighter colours.  Whilst its something of a luxury for some, I'd brand it an absolute necessity for others.  The coat is medium in length, so just goes to the top of my thighs.  Its belted, so helps to create or enhance your shape nicely.  The collar is brilliant, allowing for scarves, stylish, but warm in its own right. I have a red one, and they're superb, but I've seen them in other colours and even in black. It starts to defeat the point in black, but if for example you dress all in black it could be worthwhile.

As far as durability, I have worn it most days in the winter/wintery months for about two and a half years.  It had one minor tear along a seam which I got fixed professionally, and after that it held together. The threads on the buttons have a tendency to have issues, I do need to cut them somewhat regularly. Clear nail polish helped the problem but didn't stop it. None of the buttons has ever fallen off, though.  It fits closely or allows thinner jumpers, struggles with thicker ones, but can be forgiving of a bit of extra fat centrally.  After two and a half years it has definitely started to show some wear patches, but probably can be gotten away with for errands in this age of austerity without being entirely shabby.

I'd love to replace it but can't afford to so am wearing country coats in London right now - my tweed or my waterproof riding/hacking/hiking one.  I would class it as essential to have this or similar for someone who lives/works/studies exclusively in a city or large town (I originally lived in York.)  I would class it as a luxury for someone who is mostly village or countryside, and if you go between the two only you can say.  Its a perfect fashion point, but not an infinitely durable one.

Also, when I wear it with a shorter skirt or shorts teamed with leg warmers I get called 'manga detective' owing in part to the cute japanese leg warmers and utter lack of being able to tell I'm wearing a skirt/shorts.  This is by someone more into anime than fashion - its a good belted wool coat with buttons and a flashy quasi-military collar. Still, its fun.

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 5
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 4 (I do want to give it more, but I'm forced to admit its lower)
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 5
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 8
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 7 (With variability from 2-10)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 8
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 9 

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES, BUT MY LIFE WOULDN'T BE AS GOOD
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Teenagers, People living in cities / large towns, People who regularly travel to cities/towns, Fashion conscious

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

RIP Steve Jobs - Macbook Pro

My publishing date happening just before his death, I was going to wait until next week but decided that I would do an extra one instead. I wouldn't usually have wandered into something moderately controversial, but it seemed fitting that I tote up a beloved product (I also have an iPod touch which I like, replacing previous iPod + poor obsolete palm). Lets be clear, not everyone needs a Macbook Pro, heck not everyone needs a Mac at all, but unless you programme or otherwise work with computers for a living and are confident what you want, or truly budget strapped, I do recommend them.

The operating system is easy to use, and very sleek, as are the computers themselves, the silvery pros more than many of the others. You wouldn't think that necessarily makes a huge difference, but if you spend loads of time a day in front of your computer, that extra feel good factor will really help. I learned this lesson the hard way, over duvets of all things... its worth spending the extra £100 on something that you use constantly even when budget strapped, even if it means giving up lots of things you thought you wanted or needed. You see the benefits surprisingly quickly. If you rarely use computers tho, your return on investment is lower, and you should consider on other factors.

They are however hard to break both physically and software wise, easy to get repaired under warranty, and the metal casing particularly is rather durable, doesn't even scuff too badly. Yes it can get slightly cold or hot, but not as much as I was expecting (and I think I'm unusual at putting laptops on my bare skin!). Things like pages and iMovie are enough for me to love Mac OS brilliantly, and the monitors are great for setting to colour realism... but now I have my pro, finding a particular love for its structure, weight, and looks. Weigh it up, but give it more consideration than you might have at first glance.


Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 9 (I'm not going to recommend much in this price range in the near future, and probably nothing that actually requires replacing with any regularity...)
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 7 (Your mileage may vary in this rating, both more or less)
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 8 (Its hardly invincible but its not prone to issues)
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10 (Its a great computer with a great battery life, its one of the things I use the most)
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 7 (Again, mileage may vary)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 9 (Its not a perfect outfit or "the cutest thing ever" but I never knew electronics that were well made and looked good could cause such general pleasure in life)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 10

*Do I think its the best in its field: YES
*Could I live without it: MAYBE, BUT I'D BE UNHAPPY (If I had to live without a computer at all, my life would have to have changed rather drastically from what it is right now, but I could theoretically survive with a different computer, even if I'd be unhappy.)
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Female, Male, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors, People who use computers a lot or have the money, or seriously are into style

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.