toronto preparedness course

One month from now Deano and I will be trucking along the Number One, eastward. Destination: Toronto, and our new lives therein.

I have been getting pretty excited about our cross-country/Atlantic move until I got off the plane in Saskatoon this week and met with a rude shock. Negative 25 degrees. There I was with no mitts, no toque, and a coat designed merely to ward off the evils of London's acrid rain—certainly not to cope with Siberian temperatures. Anything below -5 is a shock to this Vancourite's system, but surely these prairie temperatures are unlivable!

The funny thing is, I've endured Saskatchewan Decembers before, but this is the first year I've taken it personally. I realize that, come February, I too will be living in such a cruel climate, and frankly I'm not sure how I'll cope!

Since this holiday is the longest stretch I'v ever spent in the prairies (ten days!) I figure this time is meant to break me in... or beat me down... either way.

So I'm in the market for a warm coat and a sturdy pair of boots. Is it aiming too high to hope to find a marriage of function and fashion in both? Any tips?