Sunday 31 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for getting excited about next weekend.

June will mark a year since the most life changing and tragic event of my life. But before I get sad about it all, I have next weekend to look forward to. My darling love and I are staying beautifully strong through any sad emotions and flashbacks we may have thus meaning next weekend will be filled with champagne, Hyde Park, the V&A, a pretty hotel and Britney Spears on Saturday 5th!

So today, my love and I have exchanging gorgeous words, booking spa hotels and getting excited about bring reunited! I have also, of course, spent today shopping! A simple skinny black belt which shall remain ever classy, elegant tan peep toes, a sparkly rose ring and the most divine dress which will make MYB want to marry me in an instant.

It's ironic, really, I shouldn't be wishing my life away when I am ever so lucky to be alive but I cannot wait until Friday night.

Saturday 30 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for the final of BGT.

Hurrah for Diversity. I take it you've all been watching it? I was clearly cheering for Hollie Steel, if only because of the spelling of her name. I'm currently talking to MYB over his dislike for the show but he'll have to get used to it if he's keeping me around!

The rest of today has, once more, been a day in the garden with wine and books and feature ideas. And beautiful messages from the man I would happily grow old with. Indeed, he feels the same whether we agree what we watch on TV or not! Normality is beautiful.

Friday 29 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for the beautiful weather.

Wow, how amazing has this lot of weather been? I soaked up the sun in the garden with magazines, notebooks filled with ideas for features and lots of pineapple juice. I have a silly little white ring where my Gucci watch has rested. I had to watch my brothers today so couldn't exactly leave home but had I done, a pretty walk along the beach would have been nice with nothing but my thoughts and my iPod.

Again, sorry for the lack of images.

Thursday 28 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for working in McDonalds.

Urgh, call me a snob if you will but getting my laptop out and working in a greasy McDonalds is pretty much my worst nightmare. Screaming kids, dirty tables and businessmen on their lunch hour- not so much to my taste but I, wish Internet unavailable right now, needs must. I had to finish and email an article so the free wifi in McDonalds proved fab.

Article sent, I spent the afternoon texting pretty messages to the love of my life, reading my favourite book and drinking coffee. I'm so blissfully happy today and it's all down to one man. Until tomorrow...

Wednesday 27 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a super productive day.

I'll admit, I didn't wake up until 930am today and that was only because MYB woke me with a sweet text. I even took the pleasure of a lazy breakfast of coffee and grapefruit in front of the TV (BBC news 24, if you're wondering). And all during the day I took upon myself the great modern day need that is to Twitter.

But when I did start working, I got so much done. I managed to 90% finish a freelance piece and do a really good 3000ish words on the novel. Between all that, I set to work as the baking queen! I made some simple biscuits which I later iced with tiny red hearts. I then made a yummy flourless chocolate cake which was deliciously gooey. For dinner, I made my famed super spicy sausage pasta bake- yummy! Oh, and I managed to find the time to watch season 1 of Sex and the City.

It's been a pretty little day with discussions of love and romance. Hope you've all had a gorgeous day.

Tuesday 26 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for report writing.

Dull, dull, dull. How, tell me, are reports interesting? I was trying my hardest to make it fun but I failed. 1.1, 2.5 , 4.7.6... Argh! I want to write about shoes and dating and pretty dresses and finding the love of my life. But sometimes we all have to do things we don't want to, right? Needs must and all.

So, what would I rather have done tonight? Well, I'm missing MYB so I would have loved to have done a pretty cinema and dinner date. Failing that, my actual night of working on an article, flicking through Vogue and relaxing in my pjs with a mocha and cake has actually been rather simple and lovely. How was your evening?

Just a little thing as regards images, connection isn't going to be fixed any time soon so you'll have to make do with words for a little while. But feel free to tell me all your current fashion must haves! I'm lusting after some blue Cavalli sandals and a pink H&M trench. Yum.

Monday 25 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for baking a cake.

I'm still stupidly ill so I failed to venture out into the glorious sunshine. In my sadness, I spent this morning drinking yards of coffee, sharing romantic words with the man I fully believe is The One and watched 'Secret Diary of a Call Girl' Season 1. Romance and an extreme lot of naughtiness- what more could a girl want?

This afternoon, however, I made the decision to prove my wifery skills and cooked up a storm. First was an incredible orange, passionfruit and mango sugar cake and second came a masala with roti bread for dinner. Cooking certainly cheered me up a bit.

Hope you've all had a beautiful weekend.

Sunday 24 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for missing out on the sunshine.

Have the tummy bug from hell, sorry for lack of blog post.

Saturday 23 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for baking.

I've been feeling quite ill today (ouch- sore tummy!) so I've managed little else but soaking in the bath, throwing my favourite jersey dress/leggings/pashmina combo on and doing the grocery shopping. But what I did manage , however, was finding the time to teach my younger brother how to bake a chocolate fudge cake! He delighted in all the folding, mixing and pouring of the cake but what we both really enjoyed was a sneaky lick from the bowls once we were all done. Needless to say, the cake turned out amazingly scrumptious and we all ate some after dinner.

For those of you who were wondering how last night went, I have little to say but for the very fact that I came away feeling empowered and inspired. Beyonce is an inspirational angel and I adore her.

Friday 22 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for seeing Beyonce.

Oh my God, I'm seeing my girl tonight! So many of Beyonce's songs mean so much to me so I'm guessing I'll be crying a tiny tear when I hear the likes of 'halo' and 'hello' live tonight. Beyonce is such an idol to me because she's so confident, gorgeous and hard working.

I'm currently sat with my hair in curlers and the gold draped dress I wore on my birthday is hanging up. I heart getting all dressed up, I just wish my man could be with me but we're off to see Britney at the O2 in two weeks.

Again, no image but we're hoping to get the connection fixed soon.

Thursday 21 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for the ontological argument.

I'm so tired! Aren't you? I've had such a busy day that has mainly been filled with writing around ten billion words on theories for the existance of God. I was tempted to write about my own God that is Dylan Jones but I'm guessing it wouldn't have gone down well with the philosophy department!

When it came to finishing up the essay, a mixture of time and satisfying my chorizo craving meant I didn't blog so you'll have to make do with just words once more. No visual just doesn't feel right, does it? It's getting me down but I hope all technicalities are sorted soon.

Tomorrow night is the night i've been waiting for for weeks- I'm seeing Beyonce! I will be blogging before I go. I'm so excited that I'm already getting butterflies.

I'm 90% sure I'm not spending the weekend with my love so i'm certainly going to make the most of tomorrow evening.

Wednesday 20 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for forgetting her ID card.

Is the entire world against Dressing For this week? I had hoped to deliver you all a blog sized fashion treat
as I was in the library today but I stupidly forgot my ID card this no fashion aided blog post. But all is not lost, I
promise to deliver tomorrow and may well style up a few outfits to replace the lack of input this week. Please stay with me, those of you that know me well will know I'm rubbish with all this technology and new media lark. Until tomorrow...

Tuesday 19 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for another day without connectionzm.

Oh how I miss the simple pleasure of bloggging but my iPhone is coming in a treat right now. I'll be blogging sometime during the day tomorrow. Missing you lots!

Monday 18 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a third day without internet connection.

No idea what's wrong, hope everything will be sorted soon.

Sunday 17 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a second day without Internet connection.

Another day without pretty clothes- sorry! How did you lot spend your Sunday? I spent my morning having a delicious black bottom cupcake that I'd brought home from London. My afternoon was spent in a weird little pub by the river Tyne with a stack load of family friends and some cider. Tonight? Well, i'm exhausted so it'll be an early one for me. Hope you've had a fab weekend.

Saturday 16 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for Eurovision.

Horray! How fabulous was Eurovision tonight? Don't tell me you don't love it. I'm a total sucker for Euro electro pop and I fear my darling love will never move in with me during to being ever so slightly afraid of my CD collection. Personally, I adored the entry from Greece- total OTT pop verging between fabulous and utter rubbish. A huge well done to the beautiful Jade who not only sang her heart out but looked astonishingly beautiful too.

Sadly no outfit tonight as my Internet connection is down and I'm blogging from my iphone but I think it would have involved way too many sequins and glitter. Hope you've had a wonderful night.

Friday 15 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for filming.

I am so exhausted. I was up at 530 and haven't long got home. I was filming in London today for thesite.org and I'd like to thank everyone there for helping things run so smoothly.

Another lot of thanks goes out to the famed Start Boutique and I was totally blown away to meet the owner, Philip Start. I've always had an urge to own my own boutique one day and perhaps that's something I'd do once I've finished my degree. Start really is something else though and I've admired it for ever so long.

The outfit I put together today is pretty, girly and fabulous- just like today. I've started with a blazer from Fredflare.com, added a pretty Forever21 lace shift and some pearls which also come from Forever21. The look is finished with some fab Miu Miu flats and a colour pop Marni bag.

Thursday 14 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for an apology from her father.

I didn't blog about it too much on Monday but, in normal fashion, my father had me in tears once more. This time it was worse than ever though, I have to stay. My stunningly beautiful boyfriend and my darling mother made everything better and I went from feeling like death inside to feeling like normal Hollie once more.

My father made a call to my mother today and made an apology to me via my mum. What made me sad was that he didn't have the guts to say it to me. What do I make of it all? My father is my father, he messes up and says sorry and we all go along and pretend his toxic lifestyle of women and alcohol is fine. It's not fine this time but I have some incredible friends and a wonderful family and that's all I need.

But the sad thing is is that when my dad popped by tonight to pick up some keys (don't ask!), I rushed to change from my leggings and vest to a pretty dress and cardigan. I also did my hair. Why? Because I want him to know I'm fine without his dollars, I'm fine alone.

The outfit today is set to impress. I've started with this beautiful Anna Sui floral dress, added some Valentino shoes that I'd love to get married in and finished with a Stella McCartney bag. The earrings are Forever21, the bangles are Miss Selfridge and the hair pin is Accessorize.




Wednesday 13 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a girly evening in with mum.

I have the best mother and boyfriend in the entire world. I'd love someone to live my life for a day and just see how kind, caring, sweet and gorgeous my two most important people are. But it's all about my yummy mummy tonight!

My mum called me this morning to make sure I was well and insisted we have a sweet little evening of cooking dinner, painting nails and just being fabulous. It's been such a simple evening of cooking chicken and pesto pizza, watching television and my mother plaiting my hair as if I was three once more. But it's what I've needed and I'm much happier than I was at the start of the day.

The outfit I've styled for today is perfect for a relaxed dinner out or a few chilled glasses of white wine in the spring heat. I've started with this pretty Topshop tunic, added some Current/Elliot jeans and beautiful sandals by Musa. Forever21 provide pretty extras in the form of a bracelet and ring and this simple but chic clutch is Stella McCartney.

Tuesday 12 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for sleeping super late.

Wow, this medication is certainly taking over me. I slept until an appalling time today, curled up in a sweet white tee and pink bottoms until lunch time. Luckily, I have Tuesdays free but today feels like such a waste. Once I did wake, I snacked on rice cakes and strawberries for lunch and did a little work before soaking in a hot bath.

However, as willed as I was to be really productive with the rest of the day, I fell back to sleep this afternoon for a good two hours whilst I was in the middle of reading. And I'm ready for bed again! My word, I'm so tired of sleeping.

I've put together such a simple outfit today but it's a classic casual that always looks comfortable and chic. I've started with a tee by James Perse, added some jeans by Adili and thrown on some Dorothy Perkins bangles. Statement pieces come via this cute Chloé bag, Antik Batik sandals and this gorgeous floral bib necklace by Dorothy Perkins.


Monday 11 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for dinner with the English Language lot.

Ah, will my Monday evenings ever be the same? No more English Language lectures, no more note taking and no more late night bus journeys. How I'll miss it.

Our last task was to review our favourite book and I did so in the allocated time. I titled my essay "A good girl comes undone: a tale of ambition, morals and mind blowing orgasms with powerful older men". I think that sneakily tells a tale of my own life, hehe.

After we finished writing, we headed into town and ignored the match evening mess to feast on Chinese food until we were all so full we could hardly move. Good night out!

The outfit I've styled today is a lot like what I'm currently wearing. Indeed, this New Look blazer is my very own boyfriend blazer that I've just taken off. I've added a Diane von Furstenberg maxi dress, a bag and hair band by Miss Selfridge and a necklace by Forever21. The look is finished with gladiators from modcloth.com and my darling Disney Couture necklace.


Sunday 10 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for book reading.

Tomorrow will see my reviewing a certain book. Covered in gold card, gold leaf flowers, a slash of red for Louboutin-esque shoes and a white silhouette. Behind the cover lies "A good girl comes undone" by Polly Williams. Behind the cover you'll find me- the sensible magazine writer with high aspirations and a certain niceness which can sometimes mean one suffers in this industry. Amongst the pages you'll find a character who reminds me of the love of my life (intelligent, powerful and intriguing no matter how long time passes) and you'll find characters who remind me of my best friend, of my mother, of people I've met through work. It's simply my favourite book because it is one in which I relate to more than any other on the shelves of our libraries and book stores across the world. It may not be a classic but it's mine and I adore it.

Perhaps I should memorise that paragraph and include that in the review tomorrow? I'm sure I'll write something similar. I've been flicking through the pages again today, reading with the type of hunger I only get when I'm put in an enchanting work situation of kissing my darling boyfriend for the first time in two weeks.

What's your favourite book? It surprises me that people often think a favourite book should be "a classic"and something millions of others have enjoyed but a favourite book is simply something which touches you to the point that, by the end of several hours of reading, you feel you actually are the character.

The outfit I've styled for today would be worn for an afternoon reading in a coffee shop, looking outside at the sun and busy people. I've started with this stunning Chloé sequin vest which I've teamed with Topshop jeans and super gorgeous Rupert Sanderson t-bar sandals. Accessories are peachy and nude with a Topshop bag, Barbara Hulanicki for Topshop scarf, bracelets by Miss Selfridge and a fab straw trilby by American Eagle.

Saturday 9 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for falling asleep.

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. I fell asleep before I had a chance to blog last night. I feel so bad! I started a new course of medication yesterday and the side effects include extreme tiredness. After an hour and a half of taking the first pill, my head was hitting the pillow and I went to sleep straight away. I may have to start blogging during the day for the next few weeks until I get used to the medication.

MYB (my yummy bloke) called me around 830 last night and I can hardly remember our conversation because the medication had made me so sleepy, dizzy and drowsy. Apparently we barely had a conversation because I was that zonked out!

So, I do super apologise to you lovely lot.

The outfit I've made up for today would be worn for a pretty walk around the park and dinner eaten in the garden. I've started with this beautiful red animal print dress by Just Cavalli, added some heels by Kors by Micheal Kors and a bag from Accessorize. The gorgeous tribal necklace is By Malene Birger, the ring is- again- Accessorize and the sunnies are from Topshop. Hope you all had a fab Friday.


Thursday 7 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for an early morning in Manchester.

I'm back. Indeed, I was back twelve hours ago. My plan to stay wriggling in bed and enjoy several more hours of sleep whilst my love got an early morning train kind of changed. Once he woke up, the idea of a hot bubble bath was too tempting and I threw my outfit together and was holding hands with my love on the streets of Manchester by 0610am.

Early mornings are nice sometimes, aren't they? I enjoyed the crisp air hitting my face as I snuggled into my love as we walked to the station. By 0630, I was alone as MYB went off for a train to work and I used my spare half hour to grab an iced mocha and a granola bar from Starbucks.

I had such a lovely morning. I like normality best so silly things like morning walks to the train station and waving goodbye to the man I am in love with make me a very happy girl indeed. It's similar to the smell of library books, seeing a man in a tuxedo, wearing my hair in plaits or drinking hot chocolate. Y'all know I'm a simple country girl!

I have to admit, my darling and I looked rather stunning together this morning- perfectly styled clothes, shiny hair, shiny shoes and loving smiles- and I felt beautiful despite the early hour. I've styled up a really sharp outfit for today, starting with this Rebecca Taylor ruffle front sweater. I've added some fab purple A.P.C cotton shorts and Fendi strappy heels and finished the look with a white Celine frame bag. Jewellery comes in the form of these crest earrings by ModCloth and a cute little turtle necklace by Accessorize.


Wednesday 6 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for romantic reunions at terminal 3.

Sometimes love really is like the movies. I love those scenes in films where lovers embrace at train stations or airports and they share a wildly passionate smooch as if they've been apart for years due to war or some such.

After an afternoon of writing and editing, I popped into Manchester Selfridges and bought the prettiest cupcakes. I had a relaxing bath, threw on a simple outfit of amazingly fitting jeans and my new boyfriend blazer and headed off to the airport to meet my love. Everything felt a bit 1950s as I saw the love of my life emerge from the arrivals doors and he scooped me up like I was his dream come true- and perhaps I am!

It's been a very odd day: lots of hard work, lots of travel and now there's about to be a big spoonful of romance and kisses to finish the day off. Hope you've had a good one, guys. Outfits resume tomorrow.

Tuesday 5 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for refreshing the page.

Oh my god, I hate the Internet! I had some stuff to sort out online today and the website went down/crashed/died and I spent ages in my pajamas just wishing for the website to work. After many phone calls, a few tears and hours of stress, all was sorted and I'll reveal some information very soon.

But, for tonight, I feel low. Deadlines and idiots being the main problem but isn't that just life as a journalist? Not even chocolate could help me cope tonight but I keep clicking through the beautiful pictures of my beautiful man and I at the weekend and I grin when I'm reminded how stunning we look together and how happy we look. I think the best way to deal with stress is just to scream and cry all you want through it and then think of some beautifully happy times.

I'm going for an early night tonight as I think it'll do me some good. I'm off to Manchester tomorrow for work, a little shopping and perhaps a romantic late dinner with my love. I'll make sure I blog!

The outfit I've picked for today is so cute just for staying at home and working in. I love this quirky McQ scarf/tee which I've paired with Miss Selfridge jeans. The pink shoes are Converse, these sweet seahorse earrings are Topshop and this gorgeously classic bag is Anya Hindmarch.


Monday 4 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being so sorry she missed an entry.

Yesterday was my birthday and, in the evening, I was rather too drunk for words- literally. My birthday was a little stressful (the whole weekend didn't go to plan by far) so when I finally went out in the evening with my love, we were stressed and in the mood for one too many cocktails.

We sat sipping on AMAZING cocktails and it didn't occour to me that I hadn't blogged. And the more cocktails I had, the less I thought about the real world and the more I thought about tramp food, swine flu and penguins. The conversation got silly, we got giggly and we had a legendary night out.

Thanks to my lovely family and friends, my birthday was wonderful. I have the most incredible people around me who know my taste so well and know just what to say at the right times. I treasured every second of this weekend, even in the really low points, I was happy just to be Hollie-Anne and I'm never going to change that, people love me for it and that makes me happy.

The outfit styled for tonight would be worn for more celebrations- perhaps a tea party with my family or a pub lunch just like I had earlier today? I've kept it simple with shades of blue and yellow- a colour combination that spells happiness and fun. This Marc by Marc Jacobs dress looks like it would be so flattering and the colour is gorgeous with a tan. I've added a Monsoon bracelet, a gorgeous daisy ring by modcloth.com and a clutch by Dorothy Perkins who are my current fave. Finally, some gorgeous as gorgeous can be heels by Brian Atwood which are perfect for dancing the night away. Hope you've had a lovely holiday weekend.


Saturday 2 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for the night before her birthday.

It's the night before my birthday and I'm lying alone in a huge bed with half a glass of wine next to me and magazines surrounding me- I'm making the best of a bad situation. I was meant to be out drinking champagne tonight but plans have changed. Tomorrow morning I shall be joined by my love where I'll open birthday cards and gifts from family and then enjoy a day filled with beautiful surprises and lots of love. I've been promised another birthday weekend (as such) as this one hasn't turned out as planned but I'm still going to make the most of tomorrow.

I went on a mini shopping spree this afternoon and dropped a small fortune- who knew Dorothy Perkins would become my new favourire store? Check out their bags this season, I picked up a coral satchel today which looks like it's worth some serious dollars but cost a mere £35!

Outfits resume on Monday, guys. Thanks for all the birthday messages so far.

Friday 1 May 2009

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for room service.

Spending birthday weekend in beautiful hotel. So full from nomming on french fries.