While the rest of the world braces for a white wintry spectacle, it’s been rain, rain and MORE rain all month long here. These pretty handmade couture umbrellas from Parasolerie Heurtault might just tempt someone into braving the gloomy weather. From top, Bagatelle embroidered parasol featuring a carved mahagony handle, Colette haute couture umbrella and Albert men’s brolly.

Lace and frills — Ayako waterproof silk haute couture parasol,  La Parisienne frilly shade, Brighton black sunshade, Biarritz embroidered UV treated sun shade,  Grace haute couture umbrella in white taffetta white black Chantilly lace.

Garden Plissé umbrella with hypnotic pattern. Transparent brollies, Neptune, in black and stripes.

Bridal parasols (ombrelles mariage) — Isabelle, Longchamps, Morgane and Opera. More designs from Parasolerie Heurtault by Michel Heurtault here.

Uniquely shaped briefcases and other carriers from Williams British Handmade luggage collection. Though the pale blue L-shaped briefcase is a little odd (I’d prefer it to be hinged at the corner so that the little flap may be flipped open without opening the whole thing), the red inverted U-shaped carrier is both pretty and practical.

How’s this for cute? Cheery orange + pink based patchwork with print of a dog with large, innocent eyes at the front cover plus another two cute dogs at the back makes beesocks’s patchwork passport cover a truly adorable travel companion.