Snow Globe

Even the most grumpy Londoner gets a leeetle excited to see their city transformed by snow. I thought I would be over it by now, but I couldn't resist going for a twirl in the little garden near our flat.

Just chillin'

There were more snowmen in the garden than people; it looked like they were congregating for a residents association meeting. Some were even up for a game of tennis. Mr Zissou built some kind of really thin snowman, I didn't question it:

Mr Zissou builds a weird snowman, and business as usual on the tennis court

I've learnt a lot about staying warm since moving to London. This "cinnamon" coat from Asos is really warm because it's 80% wool, long and double-breasted, and really quite thick. I think I got it in last year's sale. Winter clothes can be extremely expensive, so if you can it's best to buy them after winter when prices are slashed

Coat: Asos
Scarf: Dents
Gloves: Marks and Spencer
Alice band: thrifted

If I'm out in temperatures which hover around zero for extended periods I will opt for my North Face down-feather jacket which is the absolute warmest of all. This photo of me wearing it was snapped by my talented friend Dan Rosenthal on a VERY cold afternoon.

Photo by Dan Rosenthal 

A jacket from an outdoors brand like North Face is never going to be that fashion-forward but these are surprisingly urban-looking. What I love about my Arctic Parka is that it's thick like a down duvet while still being tailored, is waterproof but with a matte fabric, and has nice details like a detachable fur hood, and hidden inner tapered cuffs to keep the cold out. Here are some more offerings from North Face, essential for cold climates if you ask me:

North Face jackets: Arctic Parka (like mine), Boulevard and Insulated Juneau

Clearly the middle one, the Boulevard, is the most stylish but its warmth rating is lower so I didn't buy it, and the Insulated Juneau wasn't around when I was jacket shopping. I know I look a bit like a sausage wearing it, but frankly when you're a warm-blooded African with low cold-tolerance like me, I couldn't care less.

Some parts of London were completely unrecognisable in the snow, like Hyde Park:

Hyde Park, transformed

The snow featured heavily on my Instagram (@ello_mennopee) feed this month:

From my Instagram feed. PLEASE MIND THE GAP

Do you give in and wear an ugly jacket, or are you one of those cool city people who survives in a dainty little coat?