I often use restoration, but seldom to heal. Wards! They're extraordinarily useful when fighting dragons, draugr and other mages. They block not simply damage, but any magical effects, including all dragon breath attacks, and all draugr shouts.
A dragon rears back its head and exhales a gout of flame and you, and you stand there with your hand out and block it with the force. What's more awesome than that? Nothing.
As for combinations, I'm partial to conjuration as well. But once my thralls are up, I usually switch off. But I have a sets for magika-less restoration/destruction, conjuration/destruction and Illusion/restoration.
I dress accordingly.