Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for dinner out.

This entry shall be short. I need you to know that the wine was good but the cocktails were even better. There was also yummy food.

Nautical look o'clock! The playsuit is Dollydagger.co.uk (please, can I have a size 6 figure?!), the heels are New Look, the bag is Debenhams and the hairband is Topshop. The earrings come from ModCloth and the look is finished with a white anchor necklace from Forever21.



Dinner. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for hurting her back.

Ouch! A simple shopping and lunch day turned into me almost crying with the pain in my back. Not good. I was out for lunch with the family when I slipped on some spilt juice that hadn't been cleaned up, nor had a caution sign stuck up. I was fine at the time but a few hours later, rushing around Toys'R'Us and trying to gather last minute gifts for my brothers, I felt the pain. And it has not stopped, despite taking pills.

I could do with an early night tonight to soothe the pain. I'm wondering if a hot water bottle might help? I certainly think being stretched out in the bed I share with MYB on occasion could help but sadly he is busy and I'm in too much pain to hop on the train.

But if MYB and I were to be enjoying a night of tea, Strictly Come Dancing and cuddles, I'd wear this. The outfit is comfortable, stylish enough to pop out to Tesco with and is a perfect mix of textures. These pants are pretty much my dream pair of trousers but sadly Roberto Cavalli won't stock these satin beauties in my size. Same goes for this amazing Paul Smith tee, really. But I'd probably have better look with a simple grey cashmere cardigan like this one here. Pre-back accident I found myself buying some silver Converse shoes so I've popped some in my set for today. Also featured is a beautiful blue Chloé bag and a kitsch apple ring by Dolly Dagger.


I have broken my back. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for reflection.

This weekend was incredible. The best weekend of the year. One of the best weekends ever.

I've always been open about having Borderline Personality Disorder but thing the said mental illness has the most silly name. I guess, to anyone uneducated in mental health terminology, BPD sounds similar to schizophrenia but actually it's more about one's reactions, or perceived reactions, to situations and emotions. BPD has a lot to do with insecurity, perceived ideas of rejection, manic highs and crazed lows and issues to do with identity. Although many people will read this text and think they can occur in "perfectly sane" people, BPD sufferers tend to be more on the extreme side to that point that it's dangerous. Wikipedia is actually a brilliant source of information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderline_personality_disorder#Associated_features

So, having had about six years of my life controlled by an illness I could never grasp nor understand, I am finally regaining control. Actually, I'd go as far as saying I am in control. I admit, I still show some major signs of a textbook BPD sufferer but before I'd have every kind of behaviour or emotion associated with it. I am in control of it now.

And this weekend proved that. I'd love to write and write about it but I fear if I do then I'll never stop and I want to re-live the entire weekend over in my head for the rest of my life. This weekend was filled with cocktails, shopping, Starbucks and discussions about the small things. Nothing unusual, right? No. But it was the discussions about what I'm doing with my future which got me. The discussions about where I'm going and, more importantly, who with. I've never been happier.

Being like this, normal and calm and content and blissfully happy, is abnormal to me and it almost feels strange but it really is everything I've ever wanted and this weekend just topped it off. Oh my God!

Let's feel pretty and feminine and twirl about in a pretty Roberto Cavalli dress because, well, why not? Slip over a 3.1 Phillip Lim cardigan to keep out the cold (although, thanks to my company this weekend, I've caught a killer cold so I think it would take more than this chiffon beauty to keep the chill away). I've added some Marni flats and a gorgeous green Chloé bag. For your last accessory, slide this fab apple ring on from Dolly Dagger. Top off with a lip-gloss coated smile!


Reflection. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a not quite gig in Italy.

As I was scribbling away ideas for my novel, working on my UCAS form and getting some very exciting news from across the pond, I had my Last.fm radio playing. I like Last.fm. Not only does it record all that I listen to (actually, that can be a bad thing when I'm listening to bad pop music such as Rachel Stevens and Billie Piper- eeek!) but it has a brilliant feature which allows me to listen to the "radio" made up of artists and songs that I adore.

I'm proud of MYB in lots of ways, sometimes his past career choices make me giggle but mostly I find it fascinating. Not only is MYB a rather brilliant media bloke *Insert "I Wish He Was My Boss" fantasies here* but the man also happens to be a successful musician (although I use the term "successful" rather loosely. I'm joking!). I guess you could insert musician/groupie fantasies right now too, couldn't you? Anyway, so away spins my radio filled with the likes of The Cure, Emiliana Torrini and Damien Rice. My mind, at this point, was focused on my main character's latest love affair so I pay little attention when MYB's music turns up on my radio and am humming along. For some reason, I click onto my Last.fm page and read the short brief about the artist and then notice a gig date. A gig? Sure, MYB is working on the new album but I didn't realise he'd be playing any gigs right now. And it's in Italy? With New Young Pony Club? And some others? Whaaaaaaaaa?

November 20th apparently sees MYB take the stage at some Nokia music event. Was I happy? Hell No! Excuse me, Monsieur, but you do not go off to Italy and not tell your girlfriend. And where's my invite? Jesus, if anyone is going to be pulling the lead singer then it'll be me, Love!

I e-mailed MYB at his workplace. I knew it would be a weird situation to bring up because I knew that he knew that I'd go ballistic about it without some other explanation apart from that the trip was a surprise and he was taking me to Milan to go on a shopping spree after the gig. I panicked. Italy? Really? And he didn't think to tell me? Bugger. Would it all be over? I mean, we tell each other everything, right? But Italy? Playing a gig?

Eventually, I text MYB and asked him what on earth was going on. He pretty much replied straight away. He had zero clue what I was talking about. Was he telling the truth? Of course he was! We sent giggly text messages back and forth about Last.fm's silly mistake. Alas, no trip to Italy for either of us. Gutted.

However, there's zero reason I can't Dress For Italy today. You lot get the outfit I would have worn had I been sipping on a cocktail as he played. And it's a colour pop today to match my (imaginary) tan. Starting with this Juicy Couture lace and silk dress. I heart yellow- why don't people wear it too often? Add a Topshop pink belt around the waist and carry on the love theme with a necklace from Dolly Dagger. Slip on some sequin Topshop bracelets and a Marc by Marc Jacobs ring for extra colour fantastic. I've added a gorgeous pair of sandals by Steve Madden and then a vintage blue clutch from Rokit. Finally, check your lippie in this fab little Dolly Dagger compact mirror- after all, a musician's girlfriend must look sweet at all times. Ahh, to be summer again.


Italy. by hollieanne