my layout gives me the most customization I can without bloating up the system the same way that Stardock's skinner and utilities do (Sorry, it's true.)
Miranda IM is my IM program. I use it for AIM, MSN, and IRC all at the same time, and I make my own skins for it.
Rainmeter for when I want an on-desktop system monitor for whatever reason. I tend to modify/make my own here too.
RocketDock extremely customizable and lightweight dock program. I outfit it with Token Icons and my own custom skins.
TweaksLogon just to make the login screen nicer.
For the windows themselves I use a custom Visual Style (currently still WIP, lazy) with an in-memory UXTheme patcher service that I can't remember the name of anymore.
Yes, Windows 7.