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

Borrowing from Coco

My go-to Easy Outfit of stripy top, skinnies and pumps is also giving me a bit of a Chanel vibe today (if we were to imagine Coco Chanel with a watermelon shoved underneath her top). The weather's not as glorious as it has been recently, but it's still bright and I don't want to lose that fresh, spring-like vibe, so I turned up the jeans and went for cheerful red stripes rather than navy. And I wore a black blazer, sleeves rolled up, instead of a coat, for a classic look and so that the outfit wasn't weighed down with anything too heavy-looking. Now if only Chanel did maternity wear...

Top, H&M; jeans, Dorothy Perkins; pumps, Primark

Easy Thursday

This morning I woke up and felt as if I needed another seven hours' sleep, so with my fuzzy head, I needed a quick and simple outfit that required minimal brain power. And so, the oversized white shirt and leggings combo. A crisp white shirt with brown leather riding boots is a classic look and so simple. I opted for mink leggings over black, as I was feeling the neutral vibe today (amid multiple yawns), and the green and gold silk scarf and tweed trilby manage to up the ante a notch and add a hint of country/heritage to my shirt-and-leggings basics (while making me feel as if I've managed to make a bit of an effort rather than just slinging on the nearest shirt and leggings to hand). I popped my camel cape over the top of it for my journey to work, and actually started feeling pretty good about myself in an 'I'm off to the country for a minibreak' kind of way. Except that I was actually just off to work and heading to the Tube with a bunch of other Norther Liners, as usual. Hey ho, nearly Friday!

Men's white shirt, Next; leggings, Dorothy Perkins; hat, New Look; scarf, Tie Rack; chain, Accessorize; boots, Dune

Style steal

I know, I know, all I ever seem to do is wear stripes at the moment. But they're just so eeeeeasy and go with everything. And anyway, it was even easier than normal today, as I totally stole my look from a girl I saw on the way to work yesterday (have you ever done that?). She was rocking her Breton top with skinnies, tan boots and a tan satchel bag, and it looked fab, so today it is my look also. Thanks anonymous stylista! You know what they say about imitation and flattery.

Top, River Island; jeans, Dorothy Perkins; trench, H&M; bag, from Florence; boots, Dune

Colour-pop scarf

I have a midwife appointment today, and as my bump will be measured, prodded and listened to, I needed to wear something loose, comfy and easy-access (as it were). Hence, flowing white linen-cotton-mix shirt over maternity leggings. And I've gone for a mink shade today, rather than my standard black, as the sun is streaming through the window and I'm still feeling spring-like and wanted to move away from dark colours. I've also lifted these two neautral tones with a floral scarf filled with aquas, reds and pinks. Flat cream pearlised ballet pumps with frill detail to finish off (I'm going to be hot-footing it from work to my appointment as fast as I can, so walk-friendly footwear is a must today) and I'm done. Happy Friday, everyone!

Shirt, Primark; leggings, Dorothy Perkins; scarf and pumps, both Primark

Spots and specs

Spots and stripes; more stripes; spots and specs - bit of a theme this week, no? Well I do tend to stick with what I know when I haven't got a lot of time to work out what I'm wearing. And this morning I really wanted an easy, no-fuss outfit, so a clean, off-white tunic Tshirt and skinny jeans was in order. And I put my signature stamp on it with my leopard scarf, knotted loose-handkerchief-style, which always seems more considered and stylish than just slinging it round my neck.

I also felt like wearing my specs today, and dark-rimmed glasses seem to team brilliantly with a top-knot, for a bit of a studious/studenty vibe. This does, however, mean I won't be able to sport the Wayfarers, but hey, you can't have everything. Maybe I can turn squinting into a style statement.

Top, Primark; maternity skinnies, Dorothy Perkins; glasses, Specsavers; scarf, Avon; black lace-up plimsolls, Primark

Flat mates: day 1 and 2

Apologies for yesterday's non-post. I'm making up for it today with a double-whammy of outfit pics, you lucky, lucky things. The theme of this week's posts is flats. And before you start thinking I've turned into a property blog, I am of course talking about flats of the footwear variety. After realising last week that a whole day in heels is now starting to result in lower backache, due to my centre of gravity being pulled forward by a growing bump, I thought I'd give my body a break this week by going flat all week. Yesterday I opted for my thigh-high flat suede boots (perhaps in some sort of attempt to avoid frumpiness despite the lack of a heel), and today's outfit is pulled together with those ever-favourite man-repellant fashion items: Uggs. Could I be more comfortable? No. Job done.

Top, Primark; maternity skinnies, Dorothy Perkins; boots, Asos.com

Hoodie, New Look; Tshirt dress, H&M; maternity tights, Topshop; boots, Ugg

Palazzo pants

Right, tricky trend here, as it appears palazzo pants are coming back in a big way. Blame the 1970s vibe that's buzzing about for the new season. They're way harder to wear than flares and high-waisted trousers in my humble opinion, but if you've tried out either of those styles, you're more likely to feel comfortable dipping a toe into the palazzo waters than if you're a die-hard skinnies fan. But as the style goddess that is Olivia Palermo has given it a go, perhaps we ought to follow suit. 

I think the key is to definitely try a few styles and see if a more structured fabric works better on you than an uber-floaty culottes-style material, and if you're going for print palazzos (there seem to be a few floral pairs out there - again, blame the trend for all things 70s), keep your top half plain. Also, I think the higher-waisted palazzos are more flattering, as the wide leg cut seems to take about half a foot away from your height (as well as add it to your width, which is great if you're trying to balance out broad shoulders/a large top half/curvy hips). A higher waist will give the impression of a longer leg.

Depending on the style, either a flat or wedge shoe seems to work well with palazzos, but decide in relation to your height and how wide the trousers are. Tops-wise, simple, cropped vests and Ts work well, as do silky shirts. Personally, I would go for a more structured fabric, plain palazzo pant with either a simple Tshirt top or a slinky, lightweight blouse tucked in, à la Olivia, teamed with a wedge heel. I'm not sure if I'm totally convinced yet, but let's see what the high street decides to throw at us as the weeks go on. Might give it a miss with the bump though - as if it's not already tricky enough dressing around a new shape, fashion then decides to challenge us even further. The minx.

Olivia Palermo shows us how it's done. Damn her.

Dorothy Perkins, £32

Topshop, £45

River Island, £34.99

Boohoo, £14

New Look, £21.99

Republic, £16.99

Topshop, £36

Topshop, £40

New Look, £29.99

Topshop, £30

Topshop, £18

Olivia Palermo pic, Wire Image

Red week: part 2

Today I'm wearing a nice, simple stripy top and skinnies combo (which is actually a bit of a gamble, as I've found that at many magazines I freelance for, many opt for stripy-top Tuesday. Must be the need for something simple and stylish that doesn't take up too much brain power for the second day of the week). We'll see today whether I've inadvertently turned myself into an office clone.

The easiest, chicest shoe to wear with a stripy top and skinnies combo is the ballet pump, as it's got a taste of the Left-Bank about it, and as today's pump is a patent red one, in keeping with this week's theme, I've also added a dash of Riviera to my look. Which is obviously where I'd prefer to be today. So if a red dress or top is a bit too full-on for your taste, dabble in the scarlet seas with your accessories instead. Just gives your whole look a pop of interest I think. And, come on, red shoes? They always have a little feel of Dorothy about them, don't they?

Top, River Island; cardi, Primark; jeans, Dorothy Perkins; pumps, Barratts

Faux yes

My Fabulous Friend is lending me one of her faux fur jackets for the black-tie wedding I'm going to in December - black tie + December = glam + cold. And there's nothing more warm-but-glam than fur, faux or otherwise (but for the sake of not upsetting any sensibilities, we are sticking with the faux option). Ridiculously, I still don't own a fur coat. I say ridiculously, as I've lusted after one ever since I moved to London and saw loads of lucky bods who'd picked one up for £3 or something insane at a cool charity shop (vintage, dahling). And yet I've still never managed to get my greedy little paws on one, despite possibly owning one of nearly every other conceivable type of coat in existence (see Subconscious hoarding).

And as I've already cracked and worn said friend's jacket before the event I had actually borrowed it for*, I thought it best that I should start researching my own inevitable purchase. And so here are a few contenders - and I'm actually rather partial to the Asos Maternity one from my Bumpy coats post, now I'm all set for bumpage myself. I'll let you know if I choose one.

*NB, Fabulous Friend is already aware that I've cheated by wearing her coat on a separate occasion to the one for which it was intended. But it was scan day, and I thought I'd go glam for my first meet-the-baby event. I thought Plus One would appreciate me making an effort.

George at Asda, £29

French Connection, £120

New Look, £54.99

Dorothy Perkins, £85

Fashion Union, £35

Matthew Williamson rabbit fur panel coat (I know, I know, rabbit fur), £2,050. Not an actual 'contender', no, but just so lovely I wanted to stare at it a while, sigh...

Cold feet?

Brrrrrrr! Ok, it's officially winter. This week's temperature has totally dropped and if there's one thing that's guaranteed to make me miserable, it's cold feet. It's one of those things that stops you being able to focus on anything else, like being really hungry or thirsty when you've no money on you, needing the loo when you're out shopping or your new shoes rubbing on the way to work. Joyless.

So, option one involves spending the season in my Uggs and hubby's rugby socks (hardly the chicest of combinations, but if ever you find yourself with toes like icicles and you have either of these items to hand, I strongly recommend their central-heating-for-feet-like qualities. Just not in public, maybe). Therefore, I'm sure you'll agree, I need an option two. Can there be anything as warm and toasty as Ugg boots? I did a bit of window shopping and found some stylish, snuggly-feet alternatives. All I need now is some cashmere socks (ribbed, knee-length sports socks in team stripes just aren't cutting it with the rest of my wardrobe).

Office, £90

Rocket Dog at Very, £85

New Look, £65

Matalan, £24

Evans, £45

Dorothy Perkins, £58.50

Friday shirt and jeans

It looks like my wardrobe planning for the week was a good idea after all. I wasn't feeling overly well this morning, so the last thing I needed was the extra effort of having to think of something to wear. And jeans and a stretchy but smart shirt was a nice, easy outfit and just what the doctor ordered (with the addition of a polka dot ribbon for interest/personality). Tousled hair and jeans stop the shirt from looking too stiff and formal. I'm pleased with my accidental foresight into what I would feel like wearing today.

Only once this week did I start thinking 'Ooh, that's a nice idea, I might wear that tomorrow...' - but then I remembered this week's rule and decided sticking to it was much better for the experiment. Also, it means I have a cute outfit idea up my sleeve for next week, which can't be bad. I'm also thinking about  trying out one of those style apps, where you can upload pics of your wardrobe and mix and match outfits that way. Genius. But for now, my old-school method of planning my week ahead on a Sunday evening has proved a success. Hurrah for sartorial organisation.

Shirt, Ralph Lauren; jeans, Dorothy Perkins; boots, Peacocks

Keep shining

Right, last outfit posting for the week. Here's a selection of my recent summer-at-work outfits, featuring a handful of seasonal trends: the maxi, a dash of double denim, floral flippy skirt and shorts (apologies for dodgy mobile uploads. Not the best quality but I quite like the homey, grainy, spontaneous quality of them sometimes. Plus, I feel like it's becoming a bit of a trademark, my Mirror Me shots!).

Clockwise from top left: silk maxi dress, Topshop Boutique; turquoise ring, Miss Selfridge; belt, Primark. Denim jacket, Select; tunic, Matalan; jeans, Dorothy Perkins; wedges, Matalan; ring, as before; pendant, Primark. Black vest, Topshop; floral satin skirt, H&M; gladiators, New Look; long necklace, Banana Republic; chain link necklace, vintage. Waistcoat, Topman; white vest, M&S; shorts, Zara; gladiators, as before; sunglasses, Primark; chain necklace, vintage