Maxing out the maternity leave

Well, we have a maxi four-day weekend nearly upon us, and I have an even maxi-er holiday coming up, as today is my last official day at work before I go off on maternity leave! I say holiday, obviously I mean time-off-work-to-prepare-for-the-biggest-journey-of-my-life. And what better way to celebrate these exciting times than by debuting a new maxi dress? It's in a gorgeous deep purple with a bottom-of-the-ocean meets paisley-esque print, giving it a cool 70s vibe. It even features stars, for a little touch of magic. And on that word magic is where I sign off for the time being, as I get set for something truly magical, and look forward to meeting my little boy in a few weeks. Obviously he'll arrive into the world in style, and maybe he'll even pop up on the blog at some point (looking fabulous, natch). But for now, aside from the odd post here and there, it's time for me to go. Yummy Mummyville, here I come...

Dress, Boohoo.com

Pretty cover-up

It's set to be another scorcher in the City today, so once again I need to think cool, light layers. I've gone for a long camel vest over black leggings and metallic gladiator sandals, with gold and juicy lemon jewellery and a fuchsia nail for a colour pop. The long vest is pretty shapeless on its own, despite the bump creating its own shape underneath, so I need to stop it looking tent-like on my rotund middle. I've popped a blossom-print chiffon kimono-style jacket on, tied at the front at an empire length, to give me the illusion of a waist(!) and cover my arms for the office. The pretty print also adds a bit of interest to the plain camel. Mind you, from the side I still look ginormous, but what can you do? The baby bump is this year's hottest accessory, so I'm just going to work it.

Kimono jacket, Primark; vest, See by Chloe; gladiators, New Look

Navy and white striped light cotton blazer for the journey to work, Zara Woman

Layering up (and down)

Today is looking very promising, weather-wise, and the south east could even get up to the heady heights of 25C (lunchtime ice-cream alert!). This, of course, throws a bit of a dilemma into the mix when you've got to dress for work. You don't want to under-dress, show off too much flesh in the office and generally look uncomfortable and inappropriate as you tap away at your keyboard, pulling up your strapless bra and edging down the hemline of your shorts as you check your emails. On the other hand, you don't want to be so covered up that you're melting away by the printer, either. Oh, and Hubby has just helpfully pointed out - while reading over my shoulder - that women need to be careful when summer-dressing for work, as their male colleagues aren't always sure where to look when all the cleavage and thigh exposure comes out to play. He also mentioned some 'statistic' about women wearing on average 30% less clothing when the sun comes out, and that men don't just wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun, if you get where I'm going (the sly pervs)...

So, taking all this into consideration, I'm utilising layers today. I shall be making my way to work in cargo pants, a Breton top with a red vest peeping out underneath, strappy flat sandals and a smart but light black blazer. In the office, I should be nice and cool in my stripy top and lightweight trousers. Then, when I head out by the river for lunch, I can whip off the top and bask in the sunshine in my vest, maybe even going crazy and rolling up the bottom of my trousers. Clever old layering - keeps you warm, keeps you cool, gives you a couple of outfit alternatives during the day. Nice.

Blazer, Principles

Top, River Island

Vest, See by Chloe; cargo pants, H&M Mama; sandals, Clarks

Details

There's a glimmer of sunshine out there today so I'm wearing a few pops of colour in readiness. A simple white longline granddad top against my slouchy leopard harem pants makes a good background for an orange silk scarf clashing with a red lip. And I've gone accessories-tastic with an oversized turquoise cocktail ring, teamed with a tangerine enamel cuff and gold chunky chain bracelet. Gold, turquoise, tangerine, red - juicy, ready-for-summer colours. Time for those clouds to clear now.

Top, H&M; trousers, Zara; scarf, Oliver Bonas; pumps, Primark

Colour clash: red lip, orange scarf

Ring and chain bracelet, both Primark; enamel cuff, gift

Friday print

I wanted to be comfy today, as I had a morning antenatal class and wasn't sure whether I would be sat on birthing balls or swaying my pelvis or anything (did both, actually!). But also I wanted to look nice, as it's Friday and my last day at More! mag before maternity leave, so I thought a stretch jean and a nice print would do the job a treat. My berry-gold-pink DVF wrap top looks great with denim (and with bump), and I wanted to wear ballet pumps but wasn't sure if it was going to rain, hence opting for a sturdier plimsoll-type affair. Just in case you were interested. Have a fab weekend!

Top, DVF; jeans, Dorothy Perkins; turquoise cocktail ring and plimsolls, both Primark

Little Black Day Dress

Ladies, we all know what a key item the LBD is, especially when it comes to speedy dressing for a night out. But I love how flexible a Little Black Dress is for daytime wear, too. As easy as it is to dress up a slinky black number with statement jewellery, to-die-for heels, a spritz of expensive scent and a slick of lippy, I actually enjoy working out all the different ways you can dress it down for work/weekends. Today I'm wearing a bang-on-season midi length 3/4 sleeve stretch cotton LBD to the office, with black tights and flat tan loafers (and yes, the ubiquitous leopard-print scarf), further adding to the  casual vibe with a denim jacket. Swapping the scarf for a bit of bling, the flats for heels and the denim for a smarter jacket would take it into evening mode in a jiffy. Had I some swanky do to attend after work, other than a night in with Sky+ and the birthing ball, that is.

Denim jacket, New Look; dress and loafers, both Primark; scarf, Oasis

Easy monochrome

As much as I love an accessory – cocktail ring, chain necklace, hoop earrings, leopard scarf – there's something quite calming about a simple, pared down outfit. And you don't get more pared down than monochrome. I was tempted to jazz this up a little with some red lippy or fuchsia nails or a printed scarf, but then I thought, no, keep it clean. It kind of gives you a bit of a relaxed mind when you wear a minimal outfit – like the Zen you get when you've tidied your house and all the surfaces are clutter-free. OK, so colour brightens up neutrals and accessories add personality and interest, but sometimes you just need that easy, fuss-free Outfit Zen. So today I'm keeping a calm head with a simple billowy white shirt and my standard black leggings, with a tan loafer and a classic trench. Done. 

Trench, H&M; shirt, Primark; leggings, Topshop; loafers, Primark