Trudy, in one of our apartments the smoke alarm would go off all the time when I cooked.

I need more shopping help from buffistas. I'm looking for a non-wool, non-down winter coat that is still warm, at least knee length, preferably petite, and not much more than $100. I think I may be kidding myself that I am going to find this, but if anyone has any website suggestions I'd be very grateful.

Yep, I'm working tomorrow for an admissions open house at school and Monday for regular classes...but I have the whole thanksgiving week "off" (in reality, I will have 36 long papers that need extensive feedback and seven college recs to write and all the prep for hosting another big Thanksgiving). I'm really looking forward to not having to be on such a strict schedule, though. Also, Megan Walker will be down visiting, which makes me very happy. I haven't seen her in way too long.

sj

The Squall line of coats/jackets at Lands End uses fleece instead of down or wool for warmth. They are more expensive than I like but right now there is a 30% off sale plus free shipping that brought the cost of a parka down to just over $100. They only have a few styles but I'm pretty sure that one was a knee length coat.

And they do come in petite! I recently bought one of them, but am torn on whether it may be too warm for Seattle.

Thanks lcat. The one I really like link doesn't come in petite. Decisions, decisions.

I wondered about that too but it was 35 on the Oregon Coast yesterday morning and my unlined Squall just wasn't enough. I decided I need to acknowledge winter is here (where winter means wind and rain and temperatures in the 30s!)and dress for it. I figure I can always wear it partly unzipped if it gets too warm.

I need more shopping help from buffistas. I'm looking for a non-wool, non-down winter coat that is still warm, at least knee length, preferably petite, and not much more than $100. I think I may be kidding myself that I am going to find this, but if anyone has any website suggestions I'd be very grateful.

Look at the LL Bean Winter Warmer coat: [link] I just bought one, and I like it a lot (although the sleeves feel a little tight, but I suspect that is a function of my fat arms and not the coat). I *think* LL Bean is doing 15% off right now, too. Let me look in my email and see.

No it's 10%, using the code NOV10 at checkout. t edit Ahahaha, it's at the top of the LL Bean page for the coat. Steph can't read today.

I think what I really want is a coat that looks like a traditional wool coat but isn't wool.

Hmmm. That, I can't help with. I'm sure such a thing exists somewhere, though.