Water levels still rising 
On the plus side so are temperatures, which has me in coat conundrums again. Now contemplating taking a leather jacket (but a few sizes too big so not the best fit but can layer a big jumper underneath) and my cape to layer over it when it's colder as it doesn't require much space packing wise but is rather impractical. Probably best to just take the warm Jon Snow parka and suffer some overheating on the metro now and then.
My Joseph LL and K. Jacques sandals came in yesterday. Unfortunately had to send it all back again, the LL were the right size on paper (FR 34, my usual size, was a bit confusing as they'd listed various conversion sizes which didn't make sense) but they were too big regardless I refuse to accept I've gone down another size but if you happen to be in Paris next week and spot a tourist having a massive hissy fit that may be me, no love lost though as they were much brighter green than the dark bottle green they appeared to be online so even with a perfect fit I would have returned them. I ordered two sizes of the K. Jacques and whilst the smaller of the two was fine my entire front foot seemed to slip on through, don't really consider my feet narrow at the front, average I would say and narrow at the back so was a bit odd, summer shoes are usually a touch tight. Shame, they were lovely and a good price. On the upside, more money for Paris 
Sock, was it the Welsh jeans this time? I think jeans are the worst to get right online, the sizes are all over the place, even within a single brand they're rarely consistent.
Other, I would wager neutral that leans cool. Though it's all just a theory, there will be plenty who just don't fit in a black and white way. Even if you tick the boxes to a T on all fronts, it remains a starting point. Time of year makes a big difference, light is harsher and colder in winter and vice versa. I'm neutral that leans warm (with a warm body but cool hair) but in winter I can be mistaken for cool, especially if I have redness from sensitivities acting up and I dye my hair a shade darker and knock some of the summer red out of it. Speaking of hair dye, do you find that harder to get right? I've given up on it mostly, it's either very expensive with several colours in advanced techniques or a semi that is slightly transparent, which is a lot more affordable but rather dull and more successful in winter than summer for me.
jane, thanks again, Aine looks lovely and very well priced. Will also look at the arancrafts site Edina. Thanks, both. Now to stop looking at that Aran jumper on the Burberry's men's site.
I've done Venice with high water too Edina, but it was unseasonably warm and sunny as well in spring, so quite doable in flip-flops 
. It's one of my favourite cities in Italy and I'd really anticipated not liking it all that much, mostly been out of season which I think makes it less Disneyland for adults. Speaking of Italy, WRT Rome, it's probably my least liked city if I have to be honest. It's a bit, once you've been there once and seen the major sites (there really isn't much else, plenty of it, also worth venturing a bit out of the way, I remember really enjoying Hadrian's Villa, the restaurant there had amazing food as well but I think it's an hour out of Rome). The restaurants are all generally tourist traps if you're not careful, tacking on a lot of extra charges (most notably for inedible bread) and the food is mediocre where anywhere else in Italy you struggle to eat badly. My tip, look for the most dreary restaurants with fluorescent lighting (a flickering one is a plus), staff that argues with each other and where the tablecloths don't match their uniforms. If there's a giant TV playing football really loudly you know you're in for good food. recently aired, probably a few addresses in there worth looking up. The Autogrill restaurants are usually good for a quick bite, especially since you're with DC, they're a bit like food courts fast food but Italian style, not the best in ambiance but cheap and lots of choice food wise, I'm always rather fond of the Arrancini at Spizzico (which sells pizza slices which also are pretty good).
S&B wise, I love Sermoneta Gloves, the shops are a feast for the eyes alone. They're a lovely treat without blowing the bank to insanity levels, I always remember where I bought them, fond memories of the holidays whenever I put them on. I'd be surprised if they didn't have a shop in Rome too. There's a very spendy street by the Spanish steps which is good for window shopping, go just after closing time to flâneur like the Italiens seem to always do, they're just as interesting as the shop windows, maybe more so. Max Mara is relatively more affordable there and a lot of their other brands are more easily available. Stefanel is always worth having a nose in.
overine, have you had a look at the invisible heels I linked to in a previous thread? They may be useful for you too to get that lift in flatter shoes.
pretty, I always like to regard funerals as a celebration of someone's life rather than a cold demarcation of their end. The dressing up is less about respect for me but about acknowledging and remembering a life well lived and also in memory of how they would see you. We always tend think the world of others but rarely ourselves. Someone who thought the world of you always saw you at your finest, only fair to make that a reality on their day, especially if you thought the world of them too. Hope all goes well Monday 
cactus, thing is I actually do a lot of yoga without realising it. I do burpees as a warmup and they're an altered version that includes two sets of downward and up dogs and a seal dive (but maybe that one is a Pilates move?). Pilates also has a load of yoga in it, just on its own it doesn't appeal, I've wondered if it's down to the pace or the fact that I'm hypermobile (so it doesn't feel as challenging and when it is challenging I'm constantly safeguarding that I don't end up with injuries, Hot Yoga was the worst experience ever). Anyhow, I agree with quirky that an exercise you enjoy doing is the best type.
Elle, I'm now left wondering if we ended up buying the same Dries skirt as mine was also too big (but I knew this ahead of time) but a lot longer than expected (thought it was midi but it's below the ankles on me). I attempted to take a picture of it when it came in but the light wasn't working with me, is yours also a brocade pleated one? Have to say the DMag CS was also very friendly, had to contact them for returns and they were lovely, yet to receive my money back but it's still within the projected time frame.
Mary, ehm I haven't really looked at them much lately . Have been preoccupied debating the Joseph coat, I'm still leaning towards keeping as there have been several occasions where I see it hanging and would have ripped off the tags and taken it out had the weather been warmer. I've also been looking at my leather jackets which is usually what I start wearing at the end of winter and realised they're all massive now, they look fine worn open but not closed and it won't be open coat season for quite some time so the Joseph coat will helpfully bridge that gap I think.
Anyhow, sorry for ramblings. I went three sizes bigger with the 501s, one size bigger looked the same as one down awful. Two sizes up looked like I had a prolapse at the back I was steadily losing faith at this point and the legs were an awkward not wide enough, not fitted enough for a boyfriend fit look. Three sizes up gave the look I wanted but they do sit perilously loose on my hips and they will stretch a half size. I've attached their up-sizing materials so you can sort of see the difference (although it's the 501 CT version which is more tailored I believe, I should really try one of those ones on), although with the 501 I think body shape makes a big difference. Mine is called 'You Pretty Thing', if you google that you can see it on a whole host of different models, on some a more fitted version is definitely more flattering, on me the blunt raw edge isn't all that flattering but on taller people, it looks much better. I've always found the 501 a challenging cut, but it's nice to have found a new way to look at it.