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

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.

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...

Snowjogger joy

Continuing with this week's 'Bugger me, it's cold' theme, I'm avoiding inadvertent ice-skating on the way to work (inadvisable when you're with child, apparently) with my ski holiday favourite, The Snowjogger. It was with a childlike joy that I first stumbled across these beauties a few years ago, when searching for apres-ski footwear (trainers too cold, Uggs too slippy). I say childlike, because I remember the unadulterated glee upon wearing my first pair of moon boots when I was little. Somehow, padded, thick-soled footwear in wintry colours makes me feel like a cross between an astronaut and some sort of sci-fi superhero. Anyway, aside from giving me the chance to secretly turn myself into some fantasy comic book character, they're also very effective at keeping feet warm and dry in snowy, freezing conditions, while also preventing you from sliding all over the place like Bambi on ice. The fact that I teamed them with shiny, spandex leggings and day-glo pink thermal socks is merely coincidental and nothing to do with furthering my sci-fi fantasy. At all.

Snood, Primark; sweater, UniQlo; long vest (beneath), H&M; fingerless indoor gloves, Peacocks; leggings, UniQlo; thermal ski socks, ski shop; Snowjoggers, Amazon

Dressing for two...

Apologies for lack of post yesterday, but it was quite an important day. You see, I've been keeping a little secret from you for the past few weeks - I am carrying my very own Plus One! I'm 12 weeks' pregnant today and had my first scan yesterday, so had a few things on my mind other than blogging (I know, very selfish of me...). But, so as not to let the side down, a quick run through yesterday's outfit: nice and comfy loose-sweater-and-leggings affair, but with an on-trend camel Merino wool sweater (UniQlo) and my leather-look leggings (King's Rd) with heritage-style riding boots (Dune), trusty leopard print scarf (Avon) and a slick of red lippy for good measure (camel + red lips = fabulousness). Let's see if my 'comfy chic' wardrobe turns into just 'comfy' as the bump grows, or whether I can attempt to fly the style flag for as long as possible... Eek! I'm going to be a mummy!

There's someone in there!

Denim skirt: winter upgrade

I was sifting through my wardrobe working out what to wear this week, when I came across one of my summer favourites - a denim pencil skirt. My first thought was to relegate it to my summer wardrobe, but then I decided it could easily be brought into the new season with the addition of some tights and a warmer layer. Which is what I've done today. Grey woollen tights and a long-sleeved navy Tshirt with a print swing top over it and a pair of warm ankle boots and I'm good to go. I could equally have teamed it with opaques, a chunky court shoe, a silky blouse and a cashmere cardi and gone for smart-casual office chic (ooh, now that's an idea, might have to remember that one). Summer staple gets a winter overhaul.

(Excuse the clunky cut-out...) Print top, New Look; navy top, UniQlo; skirt, Miss Sixty; tights and boots, Primark

Maxi Monday

I'm at home today sorting out some life admin (dull), and with that in mind, combined with the fact that I'm just about over a rubbish cold that lasted most of the weekend (double dull), today I needed the comfort-food equivalent of an outfit. Soft grey jersey/brushed cotton and comfort go hand in hand for me, so I reached for one of my ever-favourite maxis, and added a long-sleeved navy Tshirt and some tights underneath so I wouldn't be cold, and draped hubby's stripy scarf around my neck for colour (doubling up as a neck warmer). Teamed with my sheepskin-lined slipper boots, I'm so snuggly it hurts. Perfect for tackling gruesome tasks such as tax returns and a hundred and one loads of washing, yawn...

Dress, Asos.com; top, UniQlo; scarf, Jack Wills; slippers, Debenhams

1 maxi, 6 ways

I'm slightly obsessed with my maxis this summer. They're so versatile - which is handy really, as you can never count on the weather. I discovered this at the weekend when I put together a couple of looks with just one jersey dress. So, in the aim of research - and with AW10/11 just around the corner, meaning we'll need to make our summer pieces more trans-seasonal - I've been working a handful of maxi looks for you, to show just how far you can take these little beauties. Dress them up with wedges, keep it slouchy with a hoody and lace-ups, and layer up or down depending on whether the sun is shining or not. Which is your favourite?

Khaki jersey maxi dress, New Look; Straw trilby, Primark; Sunglasses, Foster Grant; Pink scarf, gift; Grey woven belt, H&M; Bronze gladiators, New Look

Grey hoody, Uniqlo; Grey lace-up pumps, Primark

Long grey cardigan, New Look; Rope necklace, Accessorize; Tan belt, New Look; Snakeskin platform wedges, Matalan

Striped top, River Island; Wayfarers, Ray-Ban; Tan loafers, Primark

White thin cotton T-shirt, Banana Republic; Tan belt, New Look; Bangles, Primark; Espadrille wedges, from Spain

White and pale blue pinstriped shirt, Ralph Lauren; Tweed hat, New Look; Tan belt, New Look; Tan ankle boots, Peacocks