Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for an up and down day.

Friday 13th is supposed to be unlucky, right? It's all supposed to be about sadness and bad accidents and a general feeling of nerves. So why did all the bad stuff that happened to me today have an equal in some good luck?

I have had some bad luck today, it made me cry a lot, but I've had such thrilling news that I've found myself in tears of happiness. I'm not sure that's how Friday 13th is supposed to work, is it?

Bad news was in the form of my rubbish BFF cancelling on me. We were supposed to be spending Monday and Tuesday of next week together but he's had to call it all off for some reason. Cue me getting rather cross, rather angry and super emotional. And yet, my silly BFF doesn't understand why I would get upset? Er...because I care about him? Because I miss him? Because I hate being let down more than anything?

There was actually lots of good news today. There are two bits of major news but I'm afraid I cannot report on such things right now but all should be revealed by two weeks time. Other good news is perhaps more simple: finding the perfect denim skirt and having to buy it two dress sizes down from the normal size I'd pick, buying new luggage and spending a wonderful afternoon and evening being girly and giggly with my mother. Tonight will conclude with Cosmopolitan magazine and a lovely chat with MYB. MYB will probably have to suffer me moaning and bitching about my BFF for an hour but it'll be lovely all the same.

I picked two key colours for today- a black (for bad luck) and a pretty bright blue (for good luck). However, as my day has been so up and down and rather crazy, I feel this skirt by Topshop really represents my day: a total mix of madness! The shoes featured here are also by Topshop and I've gone for some blue tights from Toast. The plain black tee is H&M, this sweet blue clutch is Loyd Maish, the ring is Urban Outfitters and this incredible necklace is Burberry Prorsum. Finally, I've added a brooch which symbolises just how I feel today! Happy Friday 13th, everyone!



Up and down. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for making notes.

I'm exhausted today. Really, if all had gone how I wanted it to, I should have been spending this weekend with MYB at his place but sadly it's been delayed until next weekend. Must admit I was a bit gutted but he never promised anything and he is a daddy so all is forgiven.

In absence of constant kisses and beautiful hand-in-hand countryside walks, I've kicked off my weekend by making an abundance of notes on everything from television to British history to Brixton to future political change. I need said notes for various projects and my thoughts that it would be boring were dashed after I spent about five hours listening to music and learning so many new things.

My brain has had a total workout today and I needed a physical one too so I did another hour long run and feel incredible for it. I'm doing well!

The outfit for today is clearly not designed for the gym but is designed for an entire afternoon spent sitting at my desk listening to Zero 7 with notebooks, glue and scissors for snipping at bits from newspapers and every colour pen I'd ever need for colour coding. The waistcoat is Superfine, the tee is Luella and the simple but chic skirt is Forever21. I've gone for bright blue tights from Toast, the bag is vintage and the watch is Marc by Marc Jacobs. Finally, some fabulous floral Dr Martens to finish the look!


Making notes. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being rejected for washing.

Imagine the scene: I'm watching Season 1 of Sex And The City, I've got an afternoon glass of rosé in my hand and I'm totally relaxed in the house alone. And then my father calls.

My dad and I had planned a pub lunch for tomorrow and my expectations were high: talking about Muffin Top was out, talking about my half-sister was out but chatting about our hopes for 2009 and stories about my granny were in. When my dad called I figured he was ringing to confirm our plans and see how I was. But no. He called to cancel on me.

OK, sure, you have to work? Or your sister is ill and you need to visit? Not that either, eh? Ah yes, you're cancelling on me because you "have loads of washing to do". Yes, my dad cancelled on me with the excuse that he had lots of clothes to wash. Pardon me but we both know that's bollocks- he cancelled on me to spend more time with that Muffin Top. Thanks, Dad, I'll be off to see the crisis team tonight.

Never mind him though, he's an idiot. I'll go out for lunch myself tomorrow and sit in a pretty coffee shop with a marketing book in hand and a bigger smile on my face than if I was seeing him. I like the outfit for today; it's really pretty, really feminine and reminds me of a summer festival. I've had my eye on this Billabong dress for a while as it's really versatile (black tights and heels on a night out, over a bikini on the beach...) and the geometric pattern is fab. I've put the dress over some skinny jeans and added a Miss Selfridge slouchy cardigan for a more casual look. Accessories are tan dull golds and I know these wedge gladiators will be a total love or hate split; personally, I ADORE them! The ring and satchel are vintage and the long chain necklace is available from Toast.


Rejection. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for preparing to feel sad.

My father lands tomorrow. No, he isn't flying in from some small island near South America but he is coming to visit me and I must say that I've spent all of today worrying. Still shockingly ill, I spent today working on some visual pieces and jotting down an idea for my book but it was all so overshadowed by the thought of how many jelly stings my father will force on me tomorrow.

You've seen Bridget Jones' Diary: The Edge of Reason, right? Bridget Jones et al have a friend, married and smug which is always the case, who just has to sting you. We all have one. The friend who tells you just how many degrees your new boyfriend's assistant has and that his ex-wife was a model for Gucci (zero chance in the case of MYB and I!) or that you're looking well...considering you have put on weight since your last bloke left you. Well, the jellyfish in my life happens to be my father but rather than picking at the small things with me, he throws out one big net and I'm the only one that is caught up in it. I have to listen to him go on for hours about his latest love conquest and how my life will change endlessly once I'm in love myself and that careers and friends appear dismal once faced with love. I always want to bite back and tell him I am in love but actually, my career is equally delightful!

I don't know, my father just drains me and I cannot even cope with the thought. I was hoping to rant to MYB about it all but he's two hours late in calling me and I'm too stubborn to call him. Onwards and upwards, eh?

I'd wear this outfit for a day writing at home. What would start out as feature ideas would end up in lists on how much my father annoys me and then finally a list in ways to keep calm around him tomorrow. OK, so it's freezing outside so perhaps a playsuit isn't the best option but it's fine for spending afternoons with the fire on. Throw this burnt orange cardigan on from Toast for a snuggly feeling and slip on some fringed flats if you must wear something on your feet. And if the mood takes you and you just have to pop out to the Starbucks across the road for a 4 shot mocha, throw your notebooks in this Jil Sander number. Finally, a sweet little elephant necklace from Forever21.



Preparing. by hollieanne