Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Well, the time has come for me to sign off for this year before packing my bags and hotfooting it around the UK to spend Christmas with my family. Hope you've enjoyed It's a Look, whether you like joining in with the style debates, enjoy checking out what outfits the A-listers have been rocking recently or simply get your kicks out of having a nosy at what I'm wearing that day, I'm grateful to all my regular readers. I like to think of the blog as a guilty pleasure – for me and for you, and I hope that's how you see it, too.

So, before I round up and start looking into what 2011 brings (motherhood being the standout event – eek!), I'll leave you with my Top 10 Best Dressed of 2010. From style butterflies who have blossomed before our eyes (Emma Watson and Carey Mulligan, that'll be you); Stateside A-listers who seem to look more and more groomed every time we look (Drew Barrymore, 90210's Gillian Zinser and UK-based Gwyneth Paltrow); faultless first ladies (Mobama – those arms, that outfit coordination! – and our very own super-elegant and ageless first lady, Helen Mirren); to uber-stylistas who know just what they're doing and seem to only get better (Rachel Zoe, Olivia Palermo and Vicky B), I salute you all and hope you continue to provide me with inspiration on all matters sartorial in the new year.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

L

x

Emma Watson: bye bye, Hermione, hello labels

Carey Mulligan: ever-changing hair, ever-stylish wardrobe

Drew Barrymore: looking damn hot right now

90210's Gillian Zinser: cool, quirky, eclectic

Gwyneth Paltrow: one groomed, stylish lady

Michelle Obama: never shies away from colour. Or a belt

Helen Mirren: proving that style is ageless

Rachel Zoe: ok, she's a stylist, but she's never off duty

Olivia Palermo: uber-stylish socialite who does groomed like no one else

Victoria Beckham: with a successful collection of her own and a more relaxed but still-chic style, she just gets better

Pictures: Harpersbazaar.com, Teenvogue.com, Dailymail.co.uk, Vanityfair.com, Hollywoodlife.com, Xposurephotos.com

Happy hands

After being stood on a frosty platform for half an hour waiting for a train at the beginning of this week, I realised I needed some decent gloves. I own quite a variety of gloves, but most of them just look pretty. Apart from my ski gloves, which do the job but make my hands look three times their normal size. And look odd when you're not fully ensconced in ski jacket and salopettes. So really, I'm thinking that what we really need is a a pair for gloves every eventuality – a portfolio of gloves, if you will. And my eventualities, or needs, gloves-wise, seem to be: Warm as Toast, Evening Glam, iPhone-Friendly and On Trend. Here's my round-up:

Warm as Toast: sheepskin-lined, £85, UGG

Evening Glam: metallic, £27.50, John Lewis

iPhone-Friendly: Echo Touch, £25, John Lewis

On Trend: camel studded, £16, Topshop

Signature outfit of 2010

Today I reckon I'm wearing what has become one of my signature looks of the year – a sweater and leggings combo. It's particularly come in handy since my middle has begun expanding and needing a more comfortable outfit. But I just love the simplicity of it. It doesn't sound like much, and could look unbelievably uninspired if it weren't for the odd detail – a just-the-right-size sweater, a wet/rubber-look legging, a red lip, an on-trend ankle boot or wedge, the addition of a print scarf or statement jewellery. It's all about the details. It's personal touches like this that show you've put a bit of thought into it and stopped it becoming yawnsville. Well, hopefully, anyway. For all I know you started yawning at the word 'leggings' and couldn't even bring yourself to read further.

I reckon my main AW2010 catwalk inspirations for today's simplistic signature outfit have been Chloe, for this season's swathe of camel, Stella McCartney, for making a minimalist sweater and trousers combo so chic and smart, yet so easy, and a touch of Balmain for the edgy, rubber-look leggings vibe. I've stolen a piece from each and, as they say, made it my own.

Sweater, Uniqlo; leggings, King's Road; boots, Primark

Chloe AW2010

Stella McCartney AW2010

Balmain AW2010

 Pictures: Imaxtree

Festive sweaters

Bridget Jones's Diary was on telly this weekend, which I love, as not only is it a great book and film (who knew Renee was going to be such a good Bridget??), but it always gets me feeling Christmassy. And I love that Mark Darcy is stood shamefully wearing a reindeer jumper at the turkey curry buffet. So, not that we fashionistas would ever be caught dead wearing an embarrassing Christmas jumper, but I thought, in the spirit of the season, I'd check out the more stylish festive sweaters out there right now.

The man who started it off...

Sequinned stag, £17.99, New Look

Sequinned neck, £38, Vero Moda at House of Fraser

Sequinned winter wings, £65, French Connection

Sequinned panel, £85, John Lewis

Multicolour sequins, £85, Jaeger

Addition to the snowboot family

As you know, I'm slightly in love with my white Rubber Duck Snowboots, also popular with the LA celeb circuit, no less (Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan are fans). But regular It's a Look readers will know that my adoration is not so much about their A-list credentials, nor their practicality in icy, frosty conditions, but because my Snowjoggers make me feel a teensy bit like some snowy superhero. Well, can you imagine my glee when Hubby presented me with a box of Snowjogger-esque Juju boots in GOLD last week? 

G.O.L.D.

I don't think it is physically possible for me to ever get over the unsurpassed joy of wearing gold footwear. And even though all I'm wearing today is a leggings and sweater combo, my fabbo new gold boots totally take over and make me want to skip down the street (or fly through the air on my way towards preventing mortal danger). OMG! I even own a cape! I am already a superhero! Ahem, OK, back to work…

Sweater, Gap; wet-look leggings, King's Road; scarf, Primark; Juju boots, Amazon

Converse love

Routing through my spare room the other day, I spotted my turquoise Converse and had a surge of longing for them. You know when you sometimes forget you own something as you haven't worn it for ages, then it's like having it new all over again (kind of). Anyway, I haven't worn them in ages, mainly because my feet have been trussed up in boots for most of this toe-freezing season, but I thought that now I'm the proud owner of Heat Tech socks, I could brave the Converse again.

Hoody, New Look; jeans and necklace, both Primark; trainers, Converse

I remembered that you can actually design your own Converse, too, but only on the US website and the selfish fiends don't deliver internationally. However, I had an indulgent 'fantasy Converse' moment anyway, and customised myself a crazy pair for viewing purposes only (below). It's quite addictive, even though you can't buy them.

Design Your Own Converse (with It's A Look tag near the heel!), $62, www.converse.com

And oh, Converse – joy of comfort-induced joys – means skinny jeans and a soft, brushed cotton hoody combo (in my book, anyway). But to add an edge to today's dressed-down outfit, I've popped on a multi-chain necklace for a little neck hardware, and am sporting a red lip. As regular readers will be aware, I do love mixing casual with dressy. Plus-One insider secret: I'm concealing the fact that I'm wearing an elastic hair band around my jeans button for extra stretch, as my bump is preventing me from doing the skinnies up comfortably these days. Unless I want to spend the day without sitting down, that is.

Decorate yourself

We put the Christmas tree up at the weekend, and staring at all the sparkly baubles and decorations dangling from the branches made me want to adorn myself with similar shiny baubles, but of the costume jewellery variety, rather than merely swathing myself in tinsel garlands and hanging mini Santas from my earlobes. This time of year always brings out the magpie in me when it comes to jewellery choices, and I find myself lusting over anything with a giant rock or a bit of bling, and more often than not it has to be chunky and statement-making over more delicate pieces. Add some personality to a plain LBD with one fabulous standout piece, make bare arms more interesting by stacking up those cuffs or put the focus on a fantastic manicure by loading up on cocktail rings. It's Christmas! What better time to go totally OTT?

Clockwise from top left: bracelet, £10.50, Star by Julien Macdonald at Debenhams; cuff, £9.99, New Look; ring, £6, Boohoo.com; pendant, £30, Hed Kandi at Very; bracelet, £12.50, Evans; bracelet, £165, Bex Rox at Browns Fashion; ring, £8, Asos.com; cuff, £6, Boohoo.com; ring, £175, Monica Vinader; necklace, £10.50, Vicenza; ring, £75, Rodgers & Rodgers at Oliver Bonas; necklace, £25, Wallis; pendant, £6.99, New Look;

Whip that style

Willow Smith. What do we think? Whether you love her self-assured (and, let's face it, pretty out there) style, you hate it, you're confused by it or you're totally unaware of who the bejesus I'm talking about*, you can't say the girl doesn't make an effort. I mean she's ten years old, she has, on last count, two stylists (reportedly), a top-10 single and, by the sound of some of her confident soundbites, she's ready to take on the world (or at the very least Lady Gaga/Rihanna/Nicki Minaj). It's scary how cool and style savvy she is already. At that age, I was still climbing trees and cracking the camera lens at every opportunity with gap-toothed smiles and hideous excuses for outfits and hairdos. Ah well, maybe she'll peak at 18. Or she's rubbish at spelling, or something.

*For those still wondering, Willow is uber-cool child number 2 of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Uber-cool child number 1, Jaden, starred in the recent Karate Kid remake. Hang on a minute, Will and Will-ow, Jada and Jad-en... is there some kind of egotistical mini-me creationism going on here? Surely not...

Pics: UK Press; Rex Features; Wire Image; Clutchmagonline.com

Winter Riviera

Today I'm wearing a black silk maxi dress with a stripey top I picked up in a market in St Tropez. This is quite a French-chic look (if I do say so myself), but I'm combining it with a Missoni-esque scarf, tights beneath the maxi and ankle boots worn with socks – along with another one of those sneaky Uniqlo Heat Tech tops concealed beneath the dress – to bring it into the current season. Anti-glam secret: I'm wearing maternity tights. Not so gorgeous to look at sans clothes, but oh-so-comfy on growing bump. Don't know why I shared, it's not like you can see them, but I feel we've cultivated a closeness, readers. Vive la winter riviera chic!

Top, St Tropez market; maxi dress, Topshop Boutique; scarf and boots, both Peacocks

Leopard Friday

It's the end of the Leopard Week challenge and today I'm showcasing my love of the big-cat print by wearing (bravely, some might chuckle - Dad, are you reading this?) leopard harems, which would surely make it onto the Manrepellant list. They're quite flimsy, so I've got a pair of leggings underneath, and I'm keeping my top half simple with a plain navy knit. I love wearing these harems with a patent heel and a glitzy, feminine top for a night out, but while that chilly air is hanging around and I'm off to work, it's long socks ruched down and a pair of ankle boots. Leopard print, I still love you, despite this week's saturation, and I couldn't be happier that you're a seasonal trend right now. Happy Friday gals.

Sweater and harems, both Zara; scarf, Primark; boots, Peacocks

Leopard Thursday

After yesterday's print clash, I've toned it down today with a bit of monochrome minimalism. White shirt + black skirt = classic combo. Add a bright block colour or a flash of print and it suddenly becomes more interesting. And as it's Leopard Week (it's like I'm on Big Cat Diaries or something...), I'm zinging up my monochrome with a simple leopard belt. I feel a bit like I'm channelling the Chung, who loves a bit of black and white herself. Or maybe she's channelling me, as she's an avid reader of It's a Look, apparently. Ha ha, no, really.

Shirt, M&S; skirt, Zara; necklace, Primark; belt, Century 21; multi-buckle wedges, Primark

Leopard Wednesday

Today I'm actually clashing prints (I know, quelle horreur! Although it can totally work) by wearing a floral skater skirt alongside my leopard scarf. I've toned down the clash with a black sweater in betwixt the two, to avoid comparisons with a magic-eye picture, and I'm actually quite enjoying my outfit. Which is always nice. It's simple, it's comfy, but the prints are keeping it interesting. Secret squirrel alert: I'm wearing hubby's rugby socks pulled up to my knee beneath the over-the-knee boots (all thermal and Heat Tech socks are in the laundry). It's fine if no one can see them, right? Still loving the leopard.

Sweater, Zara. Skirt, H&M. Scarf, Avon. Boots, Asos

Leopard week

I'm working at more! magazine this week and while mentally working out what I was going to wear, I realised nearly every outfit included a leopard print item. And I thought to myself, I've probably got enough leopard garments or accessories to rock the look all week, so that's what I decided to do, starting with today's leopard-print jumper. No reason for me doing this, it's purely for my own amusement really. From your perspective, you're probably just thinking, 'Seriously, I like a bit of leopard as much as the next person, but the girl needs to get herself a new print...' Whatevs. It's my blog. Next week: zebra. Just kidding.

Cardi, Primark. Jumper, Matalan. Leggings, Uniqlo. Scarf and wedge boots, Primark

Black-tie winter wedding

Got back yesterday from a lovely, wintry weekend in Stow-on-the-Wold for our friends' wedding. And wow, what an event. It was my first black-tie wedding, and was very chic. The snowy setting just seemed to add to the drama of it all, and everyone looked so glamorous - men in tuxes, women in super-elegant dresses and the bride, Sarah, who looked just stunning in a strapless ivory gown embroidered with sparkly crystals and a fur stole. I wore this gorgeous floor-length blue chiffony floaty dress from Asos, and avoided hypothermia by teaming it with 120 denier opaques, a camisole and a Uniqlo Heat Tech lightweight top underneath, as well as my friend's faux fur jacket over the top. It wasn't easy tottering between venues in platform sandals (what did you expect: Snowjoggers with black tie?!), but once inside for the reception, danger was averted. And despite some pretty nifty temperatures, the whole James-Bondness of a black tie affair is always enough to make you feel fabulous.

It's a Look at another fabulous blogger!

If you like reading my blog (guilty pleasure, anyone?), that might mean you like reading other fabulous blogs, too, so I thought I'd introduce you to one of my faves. As I said in Leopard-print Wednesday, I met up with a lovely friend of mine for cake after work (Hummingbird Bakery in Soho, since you ask), and we gossiped, laughed, caught up and generally annoyed the staff who wanted to close up long before we'd finished gabbing. Well, this lovely friend, Lucy Higgins, is a sub editor/writer/traveller/photographer/photographee and general blogger extraordinaire, and a totally inspiring person who lives and works all over the place, from the Wirral to Berlin to London to Austria to maybe down under... Air Miles are her accessory du jour, basically. Not only did I want to razz on about her because she's lovely and talented, but because she very kindly blogged about yours truly on her own fantastic blog, Eleven Eleven (Wednesday 1 December - A piece of cake).

Lucy's blog is brilliant, and talks about what she's up to at 11.11am/pm every day, and let me tell you, the girl gets up to a lot of stuff. Reading it always puts a smile on my face. And, as she has made it onto my blog for the second time now (see Today's special guests), that also makes her one officially stylish lady. Miss H, you know just how to style a knotted head band, precisely how to style a star jump, and unquestionably how to style out a blog. Special guest indeed. Catch her at http://at-eleven-eleven.blogspot.com.

Lucy's blog

Uniqlo Heat Tech Frenzy!

And the award for services to layering this season goes to... Uniqlo, surely, for it's amazing Heat Tech range, without which, I'd be bundled up in all manner of unflattering uber-padded garments. I stocked up on more of its heat-generating clothing last night just to see me through this wintry burst of weather.

Quick rundown without turning into a press release: basically, Uniqlo's Heat Tech range is a collection of lightweight clothing in fabric that creates heat to insulate you. And when layered underneath normal outfits, they keep you from turning blue (when we all know this season's colours of choice are camel and red, so we don't want that). Simply put, it means you can wear less in winter and avoid turning into a woolly mammoth. There are some good offers on too, as long-sleeved Ts are only £12.99, or buy two for £19.99, as I did last night (you can't beat a black or neutral-coloured long-sleeved scoop neck for layering under jumpers, dresses, etc). Considering the five women in front of me in the queue all had at least one Heat Tech item, too, it's proving a fashion hit.

My haul? The two long-sleeved scoop necks (black and royal blue, in case I need an extra layer underneath my similar colour dress for this weekend's wedding); a pair of grey leggings, £12.99, which I'm wearing underneath a normal pair of leggings today, and a two-pack of knee-length patterned socks for boots. Uniqlo, I salute you.

*NB Uniqlo's also doing a limited offer on pure cashmere sweaters for £49.99 at the moment (normally £69.99). £49.99 for 100% PURE CASHMERE! And free delivery online, too. Seriously, I should be on commission...

Leopard-print Wednesday

I'm meeting a very good friend after work for cake and catch-up, so I wanted to dress up a little today. Don't worry (I know you do), I shall still be layering away for warmth and sporting a long, chunky cardi, but I wanted to add a dash of leopard print for a midweek je ne sais quoi (perhaps adding a hit of red lippy later on - you know how I like red lips with leopard). I'm wearing a long-sleeved top underneath my tunic dress for extra warmth, too. Sadly, the plan was to debut my new over-the-knee boots to work (whit-woo, get me...). These are multitasking little beauties - over-the-knee gives them a cheeky, sexy hit, but they're flat, which stops them being over-the-top for work and means I can walk in them (delightful pregnancy hormones are already giving me backache). Plus, they cover up over half of my legs, adding extra heat, which makes them practical as well as fabulous! However, they are suede, and suede boots without a substantial enough sole in this weather? Even though I was assured by the BBC weather website that there would only be a light dusting of snow today, those pavements are not looking overly friendly to me. So, new boots relegated to the wardrobe and back out with the Snowjoggers, sigh... Safety first and all that *sulks*.

Cardi, tunic dress and skinnies, all Primark. Thermal socks, ski shop. Snowjoggers, Amazon