Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for an early night.

Apologies about yesterday, everyone! My blogging assistant kindly put out a note in my absence late last night. I got caught up in some family stuff and wasn't able to hit the laptop to blog. Huge apologies!

Anyway, shall we get back to today? If you've been reading my blog for the last few weeks, you'll notice how I've swapped casual Sundays to casual Saturdays and how much I'm really enjoying having a lazy day on a Saturday. Today was no different. A lie in followed by some lovely text messages from MYB and then I made brunch for the family. I spent the afternoon writing and listening to music, chatting to MYB and doing very little else- bliss!

I've been really stressed out this past week and it's only hitting me now how tired it's making me. MYB calmed my mind this evening and I made the decision that I needed some major relaxation. I've had a candle-lit bath tonight, had an lush salad for dinner and gave myself a pedicure. I'm now blogging from my bed and I'm going to watch some silly but slushy chick-flick in a moment. Happiness all round.

Outfit time! The outfit is casual and comfortable- and why not? The printed pink tee is DKNY and I've added some super skinny jeans by Cheap Monday. For me, the highlight of this outfit has to be the wonderful Nike Liberty dunks which I have craved since they first appeared on my screen one beautiful day. Accessories are super bright with some ASOS bangles, a hairband by New Look and a retro style Gola bag. Happy weekend!



Early night. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for Sunday shopping.

My weekends have swapped round of late. Normally, for most people, Saturday has become the day of retail therapy and business and Sunday is left for those days of sausage sandwiches, Hollyoaks, reading the papers and lounging about. Lately, my days have swapped roles. Yesterday was spent relaxing and today was a thrilling day of hitting the High Street.

OK, so perhaps I normally spend both days in a wonder of retail happiness but it's been nice to relax and then really enjoy the new season items that are cropping up in all the High Street stores. I didn't purchase too much (a simple but super soft white fitted cardigan, a pink leather belt with gold buckle detailing and a nautical dress) but I was really excited to see day dresses available once more and heavy winter coats are now replaced but lighter trench coats and hip skimming jackets in pop colours and animal prints.

I'm missing MYB a lot, to be honest. Perhaps I'm just being over emotional at the moment (every bloody thing is making me cry!) and could do with a cuddle from him but I found myself in tears over it last night, which is very rare as regards anything to do with MYB being busy and/or unavailable. I just wish I could steal him from work, if only for an hour, and feel safe again. Is it the presence of Valentine's Day that is making me miss him more or is it that I'm increasingly tired and busy? Perhaps a mix of the two. I think I need to call him after this. And stop being such an over emotional girly girl!

I'm moving on to the fashion pick of the day before I get any more soppy/silly. New Look currently have a beautiful red trench in right now(actually, it's the same as my beige one but a different colour) and I'm tempted to take advantage of their 20% student discount to buy it. Do I need it? Nope. But it's so beautiful and as seen as I cannot afford the See by Chloé one feature here, it's the next best thing. I found this sweet little vest from Topshop which I've paired with Cheap Monday skinnies and the most wonderful pair of lace-ups I've seen in a long while. They're lush, right? Thank Mr. Cavalli for producing such beauties; I doubt I'd ever have them off my feet if I owned them. The Topshop hexagon bag is perhaps more of an evening bag than a day bag but mini is the new maxi, after all. This sweet little necklace is by Tarina Tarantino and the ring is Marc by Marc Jacobs.



Sunday shopping. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for panic attacks.

When I was little I was trained, by my mother, in how to take care of my father whenever he had a panic attack and I was the only person around. I remember a little sheet that gave details of the symptoms of panic attacks and how to calm a person down. I also remember the huge batch of paper bags in the cupboard which were given to my dad from the pharmacy; they were printed with a green cross and blue text in a typical chemist style.

I've never really suffered from panic attacks- perhaps I had a few in my early teens and maybe a 'light' one once every now and again but it's never something I'd say I "suffered" from or that happened to me frequently. But today, for one of the only times in my life, I had a major panic attack.

The thing that's upset me most about it is that I found myself feeling really embarrassed about it as there was nothing, that I can recall, that brought it on. The location bothers me most about the incident, however. I happened to be right in the middle of Marks and Spencer and, in the middle of shaking and being unable to breath, managed to drop my basket to the sound of a loud clatter. What started off as short breaths and sweating turned into loud crying, intense shaking, chest pains, hyperventilating and lightheadedness. Right in the middle of an immensely busy M&S!

People crowded round me and worried people tried to ask me if I was OK but nothing came out of my mouth. Eventually members of staff made people move on and slowly took me to a back room to calm down. They gave me glass after glass of water and gave me a paper bag to breath into. Well done, M&S- you actually really helped! They were so lovely but I felt so silly and couldn't even look them in the eye. I ended up leaving my basket of wine and dessert as I was too flushed and worked-up. It wasn't good.

Dressing For is all about staying calm today. When I'm feeling ill I always opt for the floaty dress or top and skinny jeans number. There's something about a silky and floaty top that always makes me feel calm and comfortable. I love this over-sized Day Birger Et Mikkelsen shirt dress as it can be slipped on over jeans, like I've done, or worn on its own with some ribbed tights and a belt. I've added some skinny jeans by Cheap Monday and some bangles by French Connection. I've gone for browns and oranges with accessories and started with this Disney Couture pumpkin necklace- so cute! Finally, slip on some super comfortable moccasins available from Fred Flare and take advantage of Dorothy Perkins 20% off day and bag yourself this vintage looking patchwork beauty. Remember, stay calm and carry on...


Panic Attacks. by hollieanne