Winter Coat Help!

Hello my lovies (no, not lovelies, it's not a typo ;)!

I need your opinion please! I'm planning on buying a new winter coat, but I'm stuck on which one to buy. I love North Face jackets because they are so super warm and pretty lightweight, and I definitely need a warm coat for those brutal Chicago winters!

I can't decide between the following two. I picked these two in particular because they are longer in length so they are probably a lot warmer, like a body suit! hehe. I'm looking more for warmth than style as you can probably see.

Please pick the one you like best! All your help is really appreciated. Thanks all! xoxo

1) Women's Arctic Parka


or

2) Women's Metropolis Parka

The Daily Commute

Snow-covered persimmons, dangling over the shivering surface of the Kiso River like tangerine tear drops of sunshine. This is the view from my beautiful mountain school, North Ena Junior High. (Click on the photo to see a larger version).

Nothing says "Saftey Driving" (as our Japanese friends say) as operating a motor vehicle on a slippery, winding road through the mountains with one hand out the window taking pictures! The ride to work, this morning was just too breath-taking. The pine covered slopes, frosted with a fresh cover of over-night snow, seemed to rise higher on every side as I headed towards my beautiful mountain school. The blue sky, the warm sun, and the way the sugar powdered mountains melded with the fluffy, frosty, clouds hanging low with heavy snow was like a dream...a winter fantasy. Before the snow started falling, I could have sworn I would be happy to skip winter all together, but i will never be able to forget the way the mountains look blanketed in snow, or seeing Ontake's pristine peak rise over the southern alps that embrace my town. Yay for winter!