Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for hating the bank.

Hmm, slightly odd day. I've never had major financial troubles in the sense of worrying about money for long periods of time but I did find myself feeling quite down today. Why is the bank such an unhappy place? They've made a muddle with my account and caused me a lot of stress. Have they said sorry? Nope. Silly bank.

I feel a bit lost this evening. It's night one of four without my love and it's weird to think I'm not going to hear him whisper pretty words to me as I drift off to sleep. I'll manage though, I'm a big girl!

Because the bank have messed up, any shopping I do this week must be High Street thus every item featured here is available on the great British High Street or online. I've started with a dress from New Look, added a bag from ASOS and gone for some amazing heels from Topshop. To accessorize the outfit a little more, I've gone for a jewel ring from Accessorize and earrings and chunky bangles also from Topshop. Hope you've had a great Monday!


I hate the bank. by hollieanne featuring Monsoon rings

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for congratulating her Meme!

My darling mother, after a few months out of work due to being made redundant, landed a dream job today! I am SO utterly proud as she's been so sad since she was made redundant a little while back.

I'd finished lectures for the day and my mother and I met up in search of a perfect black skirt and pretty tan boots. We were gossiping about the usual when, after only an hour of arriving back from her interview, my Yummy Mummy receives a call to say it's good news! Having just purchased tassel bags and cheap Chanel-a-like pumps, we burst into huge tears of happiness.

I'm unsure when she starts but it's very soon and my Yummy Mummy and I are both looking forward to shopping for her new work wardrobe. Well done, Yummy Mummy!

In other news, I gained a Distinction for my philosophy exam meaning I'm on an A grade for the first term. I'm elated. Today is a good day.

I've designed the outfit today as something my Yummy Mummy could wear on her first day as a biology assistant. Although restrictions will be enforced on her choice of clothing, she'd still look gorgeous in this even if it were only to wear on the journey there and back. The pretty tea dress is Diane von Furstenberg- I love the sleeves on this! I've added some maroon Topshop tights, a Marc by Marc Jacobs bag and a topaz watch by Kenneth Jay Lane. The pretty floral earrings and grey Mary-Jane shoes are by Forever21. Well done once more, Yummy Mum!


Congratulations, Mummy! by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for doing everything wrong!

I am going to cry. I'm actually going to cry. I keep doing everything wrong today and very little is working out.

Today didn't start off bad, I had a lazy morning and headed into town for Starbucks where I had a major flirt with a rather fit bloke who passed me his number (I love MYB, yes I do, no matter how fit he was....yes, MYB). I then skipped off to two meeting which went incredibly well, especially the latter.

I was on a major high and sat down to read some stuff about broadcasting and children. I was sitting there happily when I went to pay for a book and realised I couldn't find my bank card. I paid by cash and went and sat down to sort out my Paddington, knowing my card would be in there somewhere. But it wasn't. Thus I have no bank card and therefore no money. I went back to Starbucks (the last place I had it) and they didn't have it. A bloke in a red (red!) jumper then informed me I probably wouldn't get a new one by Xmas. Yeah, Mate, I got that. I walked out and had to stop myself crying really hard.

I text MYB to tell him about the situation and he called pretty much straight away and was all protective and sensible and reminded me to cancel my current one for fear of online use by some idiot. MYB scored some major Brownie points for being so sensible and protective today- well done, Love!

But what is it with buses? I was still close to tears when I started queuing for my bus home only to wait half a bloody hour because it decided not to turn up.

Then I slipped over on ice.

And now I've only gone and tagged MYB in some photos on Facebook for him to de-tag himself and now I'm all paranoid about whether he's mad at me or not for even doing so. I am on a major feeling sorry for myself night. I need a bath with a Lush bath bomb, perhaps a tiny cry and a call from MYB to tell me he hearts me. Yes, a cry is needed.

This outfit is mainly black, a colour I hardly wear but wear really well. I fell in love with this Topshop skirt and was actually surprised to see where it's from. On top I've gone for a pattern clash with Debenhams polkadot cardigan and the shoes are kept simple with suede flats by J-Crew. The American Eagel adds colour and another pattern mix and the Yves Saint Laurent bag just adds such a touch of luxury; I think it's defiantly in my top 5 designer bags of all time. Finally, a very sweet little Miss Selfridge snake bangle which I adore. Time to hit eBay for the aforementioned bangle, I think!



I keep doing everything wrong! by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for New Look.

I thought I'd made a stupid decision today to go shopping with my father and K The Bore. The fuzzy head and sniffly nose caused me to think irrationally and when I found myself staring at K The Bore's muffin top, I nearly died. Look, I have a muffin top and cellulite and lots of wobbly bits but I dress to suit my shape and don't hang my fat about like an animal trying to attract a mate. I am being a bitch, yes. Anyway, I find myself panicking when K The Bore and my father start talking about her dead daughter and how cool she was and how she knew loads of cool bands that no-one ever heard of. Oh, I don't know, I just find it odd.

We arrived at the shopping centre and I went off by myself, almost feeling like a thirteen year old being trusted for the first time to shop alone or with friends. It was odd how young and fragile I felt when listening to my father's instructions about where to meet and at what time. He was never there during those points of my teenage years when I was allowed my first bit of trust to go off and buy silk scarves from charity shops and pink lipsticks which have stayed the same tone even all these years later.

I despise Christmas so rebelled against it by shopping for myself. An amazing oversize clutch from the Limited Collection at M&S, basics from Primark and amazing bargains from New Look. The difference in regional style is something that amazes me and, I guess, a dream job would be as a street style blogger travelling major cities of the world. I admit, one of the things I loved about spending the weekend in the secret Yorkshire town was the style there- they were preened and perfect and knew how to mix vintage and high-street really well without looking too try-hard.

It then wasn't a surprise to me to see loads of the Limited Edition collection by New Look in the sale at the store in the Metro Centre, Gateshead. I guess the Limited Edition stuff can be a little less mainstream and my favourite item from the collection to date, an amazing faux-fur belted coat which was modelled by Pixie Geldof in the advertising campaigns, was actually reduced from £75 to £30 in the sale today despite there only being 400 of them and it being an amazing piece. Sadly, I'm neither a size 8 or 10. I guess I notice that up in Newcastle, despite the females having really cool style, some of the more unique or quirky pieces are left. Not that I'm complaining as I managed to bag opulent and statement necklaces for £1 reduced from £15. Chunky beads, bright jewel colours, large coloured stones and lots of beading- throw it all together and I'll wear it!

So, in honour of the store which supplied me with great joy today and took my mind away from K The Bore's muffin top, today's entire outfit is dedicated to my favourite store. Enjoy!



New Look by hollieanne