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.

He said sorry. by hollieanne featuring Monsoon Accessories

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.

Girly evening. by hollieanne featuring Current/Elliott jeans

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being an editor.

Well, an editor of my own work. As many of you know, I'm working on my first novel and I'm finding it much harder work than I ever thought despite it being an utter pleasure. The editing of all my writing can take so long and I change my mind over things all the time so a lot of work needs to be put in. When I write, I just go and go and go and I often scribble 5,000 words in a day without taking a moment to stop and do some editing. Then it catches up with me. I've spent today just working my way through it all and doing some much needed editing of my book. My mind feels so much clearer now.

I'm exhausted today, though. I have that quite nice feeling of being sleepy and warm and needing a nap. I'll sleep well tonight!

My outfit for today is all about comfort but style- popping out to the shops for a newspaper and a sly bar of chocolate, sitting at my desk and working away with Radio 2 in the background, laughing at photographs from the past few days and scribbling down feature ideas. This top is so stunning but I sadly have no idea where it's from, I believe it's some sort of Japanese label. The jeans are Stella McCartney, I've gone for some cute Converse and added a gorgeous Prada bag. The ring featured here is Disney Couture, the watch is DKNY and the bracelet is from ASOS.

Editor. by hollieanne featuring Stella McCartney jeans

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for the cinema with friends.

I have had such a fun night! Isn't it lovely how a few people getting together for a drink or two and a movie can cause such happiness? Simple evenings filled with laughter and a silly film are the best. I went to see 17 Again with a few friends, picking the film because it was the only thing we could all agree on. It was a sweet movie, you know, rather typical but lovely nonetheless.

Cinema hotdogs taste so much nicer, don't they? Especially when you're taking a bite out of a one belonging to your friend as they share your chocolates. I think the experience of just getting together, the five of us like it was tonight, and having fun just like children is really great and people don't do it as often as they should. I adore my friends more than ever tonight.

I'm really looking forward to this week. I have a date tomorrow, lovely plans for Thursday and the same again for Friday. It's nice having things all planned out, isn't it? I'll still be blogging though, don't worry!

I needed to dress casual but smart enough to sit and look pretty in a wine bar. My outfit tonight- a simple jeans/trench/clutch combo- really worked and so does this. This pretty grey cardigan is by Stella McCartney, I've added True Religion jeans and a stunning pair of heels by Fendi. Lanvin provide this pretty bracelet and this gorgeous purple crystal statement necklace. To finish off the outfit, I've gone for some studs from Dorothy Perkins and a lovely soft clutch by Marni. Hope you've had a great evening!

An evening with friends. by hollieanne featuring Lanvin bracelets

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for Easter.

Happy Easter, Everyone! How are you all? Feeling sick from too much chocolate? Luckily, I didn't start on the chocolate this morning so I'm going to indulge tonight with a few bites and a glass of wine. Yum!

I always find it interesting what people get up to at Easter. My atheist best friend sleeps all day (like any other day), my father takes to church and dives into the whole tradition, children binge on chocolate and receive money as if it were their birthday and I am but somewhere in between. I've never spoken about my religious beliefs, really, nor do I think I will to a full extent but I've found today very beautiful and very enjoyable.

However, one part of today that I didn't find lovely at all was falling over! I don't say it often but I cannot wait to move out- my brothers are driving me mad! My brother had left his bag in the front room and I went flying over the handle of it and almost hit my head on the radiator, I was crying with the shock. I now have one rather vile lump on my knee, pain in my back and bruises all over me. How lovely am I going to look on my date next week?!

OK, time for the fashion. I've gone for a Stella McCartney playsuit which is long enough to hide my lumps and bumps on my legs. I've added a tribal edge with some incredible Dries Van Noten heels, a scarf from Topshop and a Juicy Couture bag. The earrings are available from Forever21, the floral bangle is by Wet Seal and the coloured bangles are from Dorothy Perkins. Happy Easter, everyone!

Easter. by hollieanne featuring Forever21 earrings

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for getting her bottom in gear.

So, the lack of blogging over the past two days has been for a very worthwhile reason. Of course, I cannot reveal a word but I can let you all know that I've never been happier, more inspired and nor have I felt more successful.

Sitting comfortably in my Ralph Lauren-esque cardigan and jeans, I find myself realising that the things I have in life are all the things I didn't want when I was 13/14. My father and I had some hysterical plan to travel together and my father- a slight wannabe hippy- always encouraged "free thinking" meaning that he would rather I avoided the "middle-class bore" side of life and spend my years studying art, dating men with long hair and travelling until I reached fifty, settled down on my own in a cottage in France and made a living from selling home-made wine.

However, my now stands that I vote Conservative, drink red wine in those wine bars my father hates, work hard to be a success in the media industry and plan a future with a short-haired broadcasting boss. I know A LOT of people would find that dull and boring- a life like any other- but I love the normality, I love the substance of my life in the form of love and success and life is only as dull as one makes it. I can still have a mortgage and have fun, right? Actually, I'll get back to you on that when I do have a mortgage- sure I won't be saying that than!

But today has been spent relaxing after the most beautifully successful week of my life to date (probably). I'm energised, excited, I feel alive and more than ready to double my load of work. I've never felt better.

I'd wear the outfit for today for dinner with MYB- my one and only love, the man who- and I never thought I'd say this about anyone- comes before career success. The Elizabeth and James satin blouse featured here is such a lovely colour for spring, I've gone for K Karl Lagerfeld waxed skinny jeans, some amazing cord heels by Stella McCartney and a pretty floral clutch from Topshop. The feminine daisy necklace is by Coach and the earrings are vintage. Finally, a STUNNING diamond ring by Cartier.


Stepping up. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being super tired.

Hi! How have you all been? Managed to live without me for a few days? Oh my word, what a few days! Good friends, incredible food, a load of champagne and incredible success. I can't even begin to describe how great everything was and it was brilliant to see old friends and new colleagues. 2009 is clearly my year!

So, like I said, things went very well and I received a few bits of astonishing news which left me in tears of happiness. I've spent the past few days giggling, working really hard, going for pretty walks and drinking champagne cocktails with a large group of dear friends. I'd love to go into more detail but, for the time being, it'll all have to stay a lovely secret.

I've spent today trying to recover and enjoying a lie-in. I'm going to be doing the same thing tomorrow but with more magazines, a lot longer in my nightwear, a pretty catch up with MYB and perhaps an afternoon nap. I am getting old!

I love the outfit for today- it's cute, simple and cosy. This Forever21 cardigan really reminds me of something my granny would knit me back in the day and it has a lovely vintage feel to it. I've gone for a simple Topshop tee, Stella McCartney jeans and flats from Boden. The colourful bangles are Oasis, the ring is Topshop and the watch and bag are from ASOS. Hope you had a great Thursday and Friday, everyone!


Super tired! - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a beautiful day taking photographs.

Calm. Simple. Cold. Sunny. My day has been utterly wonderful. I went into college to use the arts library only to find it was closed due to teacher training- gutted. I spent the next hour in the "normal" library sending e-mails and sourcing inspiration.

This afternoon I wandered around a local park I'd never visited. It was frosted white and looked so beautiful with a mix of old age buildings and the backdrop of a modern city. I loved hearing the frost crunch under my pink leather flats and seeing my hands turn more and more red as the temperature dropped.

Walking around the park with nothing but the sounds of birds and passing traffic was so calming. Normally my iPod is plugged in constantly but not today, I wanted the quiet. There was perhaps an added comfort knowing my mother was only two minutes away as the park faces the hospital where she works. I always feel better within myself when my beautiful mother is near.

I took many photographs as I soaked up the winter sun and a load have turned out beautifully. I'm very proud. Oh, and there was the odd self portrait in there too. Vanity o'clock!

Currently talking to MYB online. Perfect way to end the day.

So, I've gone all casual and nautical today. I really like this Burberry coat, it looks really plain but there's something about it. I've selected wonderfully dark jeans by Levi and added a sweet t-shirt by Stella McCartney which induced the nautical theme. There pretty anchor earrings come from Urban Outiftters and I've picked a lovely nautical bag. Finally, some gorgeous flats by French Sole. Happy Friday, Guys!



A day taking photographs. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for the end of a rather nice weekend.

I'm a writer so I should have a problem with the word 'nice' but I do not thus I am using it to describe my weekend. My weekend was a rather divine old one with comfort being the key word. There was lots of Moloko, half drunk glasses of all sorts and cold toes as it snowed.

I ended last night in bed with a fabulous novel a la some 40something. Blissfully happy and locked in a tale of 1930s photographs turning up in library books, MYB called me and I had a decent little moan about my father. MYB and I ended up chatting and giggling for a while and I tried to go sleep but couldn't stop grinning from the previous conversation. Needless to say, I am exhausted today after several hours of early hours texting with my love. Worth it though!

My mother, brothers and I took a brief but sweet shopping trip today and had lunch together. I returned home to find snow and a decent hour on the clock so I took the Sunday newspapers and supplements and spent a while flicking through and reading whatever grabbed my attention enough. The rest of the night has been novel reading, novel writing and Stella McCartney geekiness with MYB. Sunday evening is a rather busy time at his place but I'm hoping to steal him for five minutes tonight to remind him I need his old magazine articles ASAP.

Also, have you ever shared a silly moment of "made up French" madness with your BFF which ended in laughter over the French word for 'goat'? No? Just us then...

I created the outfit for today with Sunday style very much in mind; that need to look stylish as you have lunch out and do some shopping but to also relish in the last few hours before office attire is needed. I've been in love with this Roberto Cavalli blouse for some time now and have finally used it in a set. As much as the the blouse would look great during the week with smart trousers, I've used some Kate Moss for Topshop white skinny jeans and added a flat silver sandal by Miu Miu. Keeping with the silver tones, I've gone for a large bag by See by Chloé and jewellery by Chanel. Hope you've had a great weekend!



Sunday times. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for flowers.

I was given flowers today! What a wonderful surprise it was indeed and the pinks and reds of the buds sit beautifully on my inspiration desk on the right hand side of my bedroom.

So, as I'm sure you're all wonderful, who sent the pretty petals? I can tell you now that it certainly wasn't MYB and nor was it my Yummy Mummy. I can also inform you it wasn't a gesture of love from my BFF or an apology gift from my father. The flowers didn't come from Office Man or some lecturer of mine to say congratulations; they actually came from my Ellie! Ellie is the partner of my mother (my step-dad, if you will) and he bought them as a congratulations for my top marks in philosophy. It was really kind of him and I'm very grateful.

I last received flowers a few days before my sixteenth birthday and they were from my BFF who, back then, was my boyfriend. I was sent 12 red roses which lasted for weeks and I remember feeling ever so sophisticated at having flowers delivered to me. I was a loser, yeah?

I'd like MYB to buy me flowers but it's a bit of a silly romantic gesture with little thought and MYB knows very well that, to me, romance equals holding my hand over the dinner table or running me a bath when I'm exhausted. But. MYB, I would adore some lillies!

Another part of my day was finding the perfect pair of boots therefore I've popped a beautiful pair Miu Miu patent boots in this set. The boots are in good company with a black polo neck, simple black ribbed tights and a beautiful floral dress by Forever21. The glam earrings and pretty petal ring are also by American label Forever21 and this wonderful piece of arm candy is by Stella McCartney. Until tomorrow...


Someone gave me flowers... by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for going running.

I am successfully sticking to my resolution and, although it's only 48 hours into the year, I feel brilliant! I made the decision that my ill fated Converse, which I sometimes used for the gym, were going to cause me a stupid amount of pain if I carried on using them for sport. MYB, the sensible one in our relationship, informed me of ever so many troubles that bad footwear would cause for my spine and the like so I made a trip to a sports store (a sports store!) and picked up some new footwear which I simply purchased out of my love for the silver and pink colouring.

This evening I threw on my gym wear, popped my iPod in my ears and went jogging/running for an hour with Rihanna blasting in my ears. I aim to do it around three times a week and perhaps attend some yoga classes by the end of the month.

Therefore, in the need to feel fashionable and fit, I've picked an outfit created entirely from the ADIDAS and Stella McCartney fusion rather simply because it's the most gorgeous and desirable sportswear out there. But I must add that the water bottle is by William Morris.


Running. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for Boxing Day.

The last three Dressing For topics have been pretty straight forward. Sorry. But what else is there but Christmas? I could write about a personal event happening today which is making me feel a wee bit rubbish but it's probably too personal (or too related to MYB) to blog.

Chin up, eh? It's Boxing Day. A day of sale shopping, binging on more food and enjoying all the gifts of yesterday. I made a last minute decision to hit the sales today but didn't have too much time so mainly went to New Look. Must say, I was slightly disappointed. I managed to buy a fabulous gold/cream colour swishy skirt that was reduced to £7 from £28 in the New Look sale and a few little bits of jewellery but nothing substantial.

I think I'll go back tomorrow and try and seek out bargains in the likes of M&S, H&M and any other store which I didn't have a chance to raid.

The best purchase of today was my Fujifilm Finepix S8000fd! My mum and her bloke bought it for me much to my delight. It's pretty and takes snappy snaps. I'm happy enough.

On with the outfit! I've picked something stylish but comfortable today; an outfit which is easily slipped on and off in changing rooms to try on that ugly but cheap dress from Topshop. The boy-fit blazer should be a wardrobe staple and this one is by Stella McCartney. Under the blazer I've added an ACDC tee and the jeans are Republic. Keeping with the navy and black theme, the flats are Debenhams, the ring is by ASOS and the guitar watch is Marc by Marc Jacobs. A splash of colour is added with some adorable Betsey Johnson earrings and a Marni bag. Happy Boxing Day!



Boxing Day. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for learning how to relax.

Last night went well. Just after I finished blogging, a car pulled up outside the house and drove me to the hospital. I was seen by the crisis team who spoke to me for about an hour and we made some plans and rationalised my behaviour and thoughts. I arrived home about 1230am this morning and, after chatting to the incredibly calming MYB, fell fast asleep for about eleven hours.

One thing that did come up was that I struggle with the issue of relaxing. I guess that's the manic side of things that stays permanent. Sure, I can spend a day doing nothing but watch DVDs and taking a bath but I'm always on edge.

Today I tried to do some "positive relaxing" but it really hasn't worked. I now feel stupidly lazy because I've spent the day reading magazines, watching rubbish daytime television and working on my novel. I guess even when I'm with MYB and all we're doing is lying in bed chatting or when we're going for a pretty walk in some gorgeous park I'm never that relaxed. I need to add "positive relaxing" to my 2009 resolutions.

This outfit isn't supposed to be seen out in public too much but it is pretty. The peach tank is Adidas by Stella McCartney and the silk trousers are Rick Owens. The hat and sandals are cheap and chic and available from Republic and Wet Seal respectively. If you need to go out for wine and chocolate (like I did today) then grab this Prada bag. Finally, I've added the Gucci bracelet because I feel naked without at least one piece of jewellery. MYB and I were having a chat in the pub on Thursday about how girly I am and how I despise not being feminine and this outfit proves it, I can't even relax around the house without something feminine on; I'm sure MYB appreciates that, though!


Positive relaxing. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for Christmas shopping.

When I was tiny I would always make an annual event to Newcastle each year for a special female only day of Christmas shopping with my mum. My mum would take me to Fenwicks every year and select millions of party dresses for me to try on; ruffles, sequins, glitter and frills would fly all across the room as both my mother and the shop assistants delighted in seeing the small girl with the big pout and perfectly styled bob twirl with delight and astonishment at each and every dress. My love of fashion will never cease.

As I became older, the shopping trips never stopped but they'd never be as special. The one a year McDonalds I'd consumer on the cold winter Saturday became tasteless as consumerism changed and fast-food became trendy and Fenwicks Christmas window became nothing but a huge crowd as I struggled with fear of losing my mother amongst the free-for-all. Once I was in my teens, Christmas became a time to be deeply sad as I became torn between spending time with my separated mother and father and feelings of guilt over spending more cash on my mother or vise versa.

Last Christmas was a rush of boring Oxford Street gift shopping as I covered the festive period with freelancing shifts and moved from a manic house in East London to a calm Heaven south of the river.

So it was nice to be back. It was nice to have my mum tell me to button up my coat and make sure I had everything ready for the day ahead. And today was amazing! My mother, my youngest step-brother and myself ventured out into the utter cold and braved every high street store you could imagine. We stopped off for lunch, pulled on our mittens and marvelled at the spinning and singing frogs in that beloved window. Traditions are always the best.

I also managed to finish off buying MYB's Christmas gift. Fabulous! Although my smile, once knowing all purchases were complete, may well be bigger than his on Christmas day. MYB was clearly on my mind today as, for the first time in ages, we did the gorgeous yet slightly silly thing of staying up well into the early hours and just talking. When I finally crawled into bed at 4am, my face hurt from smiling so much. I'm exhausted and I had planned on having an early night last night in preparation for such a long and exhausting day but I just couldn't help myself! For MYB and I, it's our first real Christmas together. Having been friends for a few years now and never anything more, it'll be nice to say I'm coupled up this Christmas and explain to distant aunts and uncles that I'm certainly no spinster and that yes, my boyfriend is rather fabulous. Fingers crossed he'll love his gift!

I'm wrapped up warm for Dressing For today. How beautiful is this coat? The scarlet colour, the bow neck and the cut look really pretty and it's available from high street fave Dorothy Perkins! Underneath I've added a cosy looking Stella McCartney grey dress which would be paired with some much needed tights to combat this cold weather! Accessories are bright, minus the classic leather Marc Jacobs boots, in the form of some pretty red heart studs and a statement velvet trim mustard hat. Finally, I've fallen in love with this D&G bag which, when walking hand and hand around Harvey Nichols once, MYB described as "a toaster". Happy shopping!

N.B: Polyvore isn't working too well right now so I'm going to have to link you up for now!

http://www.polyvore.com/christmas_shopping/set?id=4762586