Andrew and his Mum looked after Ashley, Mark and Gina beautifully, and I think you can tell from the smiles, that they all had a great time. The house really sets off the outfits, that you can see on both Suits Men, and Lucy Alice.

Its worth noting, that they have plenty of Self catering Accomodation, set out to a very high standard, and Ashley happy took a few photos for Andrew of the recently refurbished flats.

If you decide to try one, you will not be disappointed.

Also worth Noting, if if you need a good Photographer in Derbyshire, consider Ashley Franklin.

All these decisions take time to make correctly, as there is a massive explosion of new products about at the moment, from energy monitors to different solar panels, and inverters (They make the electricity from the photovoltaic panels into a usable form for the lights and computers to use. )

We had 6 quotes in all, and eventually decided to go with SPS  Solar Panels as they impressed us with their knowledge and honest approach.  As a a young company, (lets face it, they all are in this game)  Chris was interested to learn about other offers, and see how he could improve his.  Jason, who commissioned the panels, is what I would call a Geek, meaning it in the nicest possible way. He has been building solar units, and “playing ” with inverters for many years, so finds himself as a man in demand, as the interest in PV panels grows.

I will put up some pictures of them later, but the important part, is to let you know that we are doing what we can.  Another key point, is that we save our energy bills, therefore reducing our costs, and so your prices.

I know you will all like the sound of that!

A Suit made with Gold or Platinum

What this suit is, is a very bold statement. The cloth that goes into this suit, is rare, hence only a few have been made. Even getting samples for me to photograph has been difficult.  Usually only Oligarchs have the opportunity to wear this sort of a fabric, so we are delighted to offer it as a bit less exclusive….   But not a lot.

If you find the gold a little too ostentatious, then the same navy first class wool has been woven with platinum.  It makes for a more subtle pinstripe,  but will still  catch the light as you turn round the room, drawing eyes towards you.

Get one while you can.  Gold and Platinum Pinstripe suits

Ashley found two  great people, and Actor and an Actress, Mark and Tamzin. I think you will agree that they both make the garments look fabulous, and we had such fun taking the pictures in Ashbourne.

Indeed we could not have done it without the help of a lot of people in Ashbourne.  First Mick Hulme, the fishmonger, kindly lent us a room for the day to change in.  He does not have a website, selling fish online is not an easy thing to do, as it does not stay fresh for long.  But thank you Mick for your help.  The Leather Coat  you particularly liked is now online, so I await your call!

Thanks also to Alan at Avanti Jewellery, the Ashbourne Jewelers.  Alan, keeps a stunning range of rings, Broaches, necklaces etc that are real quality individual items, you will not get this quality in the usual high street shops.

Next we went to the St John Art Gallery, where you can get an excellent cup of coffee, and superb slice of cake!  If you come to Ashbourne, you really do need to make sure you visit.  I cannot promise that all the art in the images are still there, but I can promise you will find some lovely pieces.

Finally, we went to Manion  Antiques, where Vivyan kindly lent us both her court yard and her superb furniture.  I think you will agree that they make a superb setting, if you are ever in Ashbourne, then you will find Vivyan opposite Mick Hulme, the Fish Monger, on St Johns Street.

So a thank you to everyone.

Next we are hoping to see Helen at Meynell Langley Hall for some more pictures.

It is with that in mind, I would like to tell you about my dealings with Kate, at SillyJokes.  It was not a silly joke I was ordering from her, but Fancy Dress for my Daughter Lucy.

Lucy is proacticing for her school show, that they put on every Christmas at her School in Osmaston. The school put a huge amount of effort into it, and the children benefit enormously.

As usual we started planning her outfit too late, but found a great villagers outfit, with next day delivery, At SillyJokes.  It is a lovely outfit, but when it did not arrived yesterday as planned, we started to panic.  Kate came straight back to our query, with a refund on the delivery, and a tracking number, saying it would be delivered today.

It was not her fault.  The country is covered in snow.  I needed reassurance that the garment was on its way to me, not still in the warehouse, as is always possible.   So if you are looking for some Fancy Dress for the office party, then consider her site

 I wrote this for a bit of fun.  I love weddings, they are the best parties to go to. Everyone is always sooo happy, (well the odd sad person who is regreting not getting married that day, but it is a natural part of life).

The fine 100% cotton has a quality lustre to it, and as they are all machine washable, they are without doubt an excellent addition to any mans wardrobe.  hopefully in the future we will be able to extend the range to extra long sleeved shirts, as one of our goals is to offer products for everyone, at “off the shelf” prices.

Please try one, we offer free delivery and free returns if you are not delighted.

I am not a medical expert, but thought it might be of interest to explain to some of our customers the point of compression socks.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs when a clot forms in veins that are deep within the body. It can occur in any part of the body, but is most common in the legs. This is an extremely dangerous condition, because clots that form through DVT can break off, be carried off in the bloodstream, and end up in the heart or lungs, where they can block blood flow and cause a heart attack or stroke.

DVT is most common in adults over 60. Obesity, smoking, cancer, recent surgery, and childbirth all increase the risk for DVT. So do long periods of immobility, such as sitting in a car or airplane, or lying in bed. It is possible for DVT to strike without any symptoms, but the disease is frequently accompained by pain, swelling, and redness in the leg, as well as dilation of the surface veins. Varicose veins and spider veins are also signs of possible DVT.

If your doctor detects DVT, he or she will likely prescribe the use of blood thinners such as heparin or warfarin, and may also recommend that you wear compression socks. These are stockings, usually knee-high, that are designed to provide variable pressure along the leg — tighter at the ankle, looser at the knee. These socks provide support to the muscles of your leg, which squeeze blood through your leg as you move, and help ensure that blood does not pool and possibly clot. compression socks are available in a variety of styles today, and look no different from regular hosiery.

While compression socks can reduce the risk of DVT, they are no substitute for losing weight, quitting smoking, and being sure to get up and move around periodically. If you are concerned that you may be at risk for DVT, your doctor will be able to help you with more information.

Winter suits were generally made of wool and in dark colours. They would be completely lined with a sturdy material and sometimes used with a matching waistcoat to keep in the warmth. Waistcoats have fallen out of fashion with the advent of central heating and the adoption of continental style. They are still a good solution to keeping in the heat during cold weather, as they surround what the medical profession refers to as the “core.”

While there is really no good substitute for wool in a winter suit, dark colors could no longer be considered mandatory. Extremely light colours such as khaki are not appropriate to the colder months. Lighter shades of the primary colours are fashionably correct. Patterns and stripes should be, as at any season, subdued. Tweeds and similar patterns are permissible in a country setting but are really not appropriate business or evening wear in the city.

Fashion and fit change with each year just as styles and fabrics change with the seasons. The help of a good and knowledgeable salesperson can be invaluable in the choice of a new suit. The internet is also a good source of information. At our blog www.suitblog.co.uk we are building a wealth of invaluable information and advice as well as a source for the items themselves at www.SuitsMen.co.uk