Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for having the plasterers in.

Note, that title says plasterers and not painters! Hello, Readers. Short time no speak. Why on earth am I in such a good mood? In all fairness, I shouldn't be writing this having just come off the phone from MYB as I've had a stupidly awful day.

Picture the scene, it's Saturday night and you're wiping away the tears after seeing your inspiration that is Britney Spears perform on X Factor. As you're about to curl into bed you think of the day ahead; caramel coffee, cashmere cardigans and pj bottoms, Heat Magazine and some styling. You drift off to sleep with MYB on your mind and all is well...

Until you're woken up at silly o'clock by men in your kitchen. Yes, I forgot the platerers were coming and that they thought it would be great to hammer down walls or whatever they do early on a Sunday morning. I tumbled downstairs to find my mother et al happily sipping tea which has been made in a makeshift tea room in the front room after said plastering men have taken over your kitchen. My Hollyoaks sessions was ruined by banging, workmen singing along to Leona Lewis, constant cried for cups of tea and the scraping of plaster hitting the kitchen walls. They didn't leave until 6pm after which I headed down the pub for half a bottle of wine and a rather fancy dinner with friends.

Dressing For is about lost Sunday comfort. It's slouchy but, after being covered in dust, it's glam enough to make you feel all pretty again. I love this Donna Karan sequin vest- it's perfect for the party season if you don't fancy wearing a dress. I'm wearing some Diane von Furstenberg tuxedo jersey pants on my legs and silver Converse on my feet to dress the whole look down. For accessories, I've picked a Juicy Couture bag and jewellery from Forever21. Thank God I get a lie in tomorrow!


Plasterers. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for Hollyoaks Later.

I'm in the best mood today. I'm happy, I'm singing, I'm dancing. But can I reveal why? No, not really. In due course, my Dear Readers, in due course...

However, I have to admit that I'm tired today after all the happiness (which I've actually yet to share with anyone. I wish MYB would answer his phone!) so the addition of Hollyoaks Later has to be the icing on the cake. I'm currently giggling as I write but must say that I was suitably shocked at the use of swearing from Josh. He doesn't swear!

I can't wait for the appearance from my current favourite band The Saturdays. Hollyoaks and The Saturdays? My life is too happy (and simple) for words.

Dressing For is happy, happy, happy today! Why not be super colourful? I've used this Tibi bright blue shift dress which is a statement in itself. I've over accessorised with some amazing patent pink peep toes by Alexander McQueen, a fab apple clutch by Temperley London and a pretty Disney castle necklace. Finally, slip on a bright pink cameo ring and sit back and enjoy Hollyoaks Later. What's life without guilty pleasures, eh?


Hollyoaks Later. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for yesterday.

I am bad! Ooops. I know, I know, yesterday's entry didn't happen but you do get two this evening. I wish I could say I was at some party and drinking champers until 4am but it honestly just slipped my mind. My eyes were too busy lighting up at seeing the Hollyoaks girls all dressed up for the National Television Awards. I must say, people slag them off but the Hollyoaks lot are all gorgeously natural and stylish beauties. Ahh, to be shockingly beautiful and talented.

Anyway, yesterday consisted of very little. A sad little cold bug and a long lunch in the pub with friends. I wish I'd been on the wine but I'm watching the calories so had a diet lemonade- I am as cool as Kate Moss, right? Right?!

One thing I did do yesterday was sent a pretty little flirty text to the boss. Well, not my boss but a big team of journalists and media folks' boss. Yup, I am lucky that my other half is rather successful and thus, as it turns out, is in charge of lots of people; rather inspirational, really. So, knowing he'd be sat at his desk, I popped a little "You are bloody gorgeous! xx" text message to his mobile to make him smile. It's nice knowing he'd be sitting at his desk in his striped shirt and yummy trousers and reading the text with a smile. I guess it's always important to remind someone you love them, isn't it? A little flirtation goes a long way when you've been with someone for a while. Then, last night just before I was about to drift off to sleep and feel a little sad because my love wasn't cuddling me with his rather perfect arms, I sent another text reminding him that I was super proud of him and that I loved him very much. Today I learned that that evening had been rather chaotic and not very pleasant for one reason or another so my text had made him smile. So, a little random message can mean a lot and I think one of the things that keep a long term relationship going is the tiny things and still flirting as if you were on your third date (as we all know the "Three Date Rule"!).

Dressing For is for flirting with the boss! A little striped skirt paired with a Malene Birger blouse is the perfect work look that makes you look hot and not frumpy. What I haven't done here is add a pair of tights which, unless you work in the media or fashion industry and can get away with anything, I'd very much suggest. Stand tall with some appallingly sexy shoe-boots and add a pretty pair of hoops and a gorgeous golden Mattijs Van Bergen bow ring. Next, throw on this super chic and classic Fendi babydoll trench coat and then slide a grey leather briefcase on to show him that you have brains too! And if your boss isn't too pretty/has a wife/is gay, perhaps remind your man that he's in control- if only for one night! Have fun...


Yesterday. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a new found love of evening classes.

I am exhausted today- essays, UCAS, working on my novel, doing some painting and reading stack loads of material on new media advertising.

However, my tiredness has nothing to do with not returning home until 11ish last night. I attended my evening class with a dash of anticipation and a venti caramel latte with an extra shot from Starbucks. Having been up since 6am yesterday morning, I was worried that I'd feel exhausted during my English Language evening class and not make too much of a good impression. But my word was I alive!

I loved the fact that there was hardly anyone standing in the corridors or waiting for the lift on campus come 5pm and the fact that it felt less of a chore as I was giving up my Hollyoaks time to be there out of choice.

From 5-9pm we actually studied the English language. I gained knowledge and wrote three sides of A4, unlike attending the morning lectures which I found unstructured and ill of interest. Hurray- long live feeling nervous as I walk through pitch black back streets on a Monday evening to catch my bus.

I've created Dressing For with the idea of attending an evening class and then meeting your bloke and his colleagues for a glass or two of red wine. My other half was out with friends last night and, I admit, I was daydreaming about joining him- full of zest, inspiration and ambition after my lecture. Sadly, by the time the train took the journey from Newcastle to Birmingham New Street, I feel he may have finished dinner (plus, his friend is also his super clever and super thin ex that scares me a little!). Anyway...

The look is casual, comfy and yet smart enough to make a decent impression. I like the fact that this Vanessa Bruno dress looks like something I might wear for bed, it looks so comfy! Add a pair of Converse for slightly nervous walking through town in the dark and a polkadot full skirt Topshop coat to brave the cold in style. Next, to add a little glam, use Chanel necklaces and a brooch to make your accessories do the talking and then a Marc by Marc Jacobs tote to store all your notes and a small bottle of perfume to freshen up. Ahh, the English language and wine- what a perfect dream.


Lecture. Wine bar. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for reading fashion marketing books in Starbucks.

Considering I didn't go to bed until 2:30am and woke 3 hours later, the day flew by with not a yawn in sight (well, maybe one whilst in the library). A quick lecture with my philosophy teacher, a tutorial class which was spent talking fashion with the lovely Samuel and then a five minute meeting to discuss my media essay (I'm onto a good one!).

I indulged in a Starbucks white mocha and caramelised onion and cheese bread. If you could not tell me the calorie intake, I'd be chuffed, thaaaaaaaaaaanks! Whilst I sat sipping on coffee and with a whipped cream moustache, I opened up my current favourite fashion marketing book and fell in love like I've never known. Ahh, reading about Coco Chanel's insults to Poiret made me geekily giggle and proud to be a feisty woman.

There are very few things that I enjoy more than learning about marketing and promotion within fashion. See, I knew I'd find my place in the fashion world and the numbers world (sort of).

When you brothers are annoying you/your appointments keep getting cancelled/your bloke finds you just a wee bit too much/Hollyoaks is reducing you to tears every night this week, try and pick up something about fashion branding- trust me, it'll work!

Dressing For is geeking it up today! The fashion and book lover within you is released all in one. The Luella floral blouse is the key piece of the outfit- buy a few sizes up and wear it over sized and baggy. I've then used some fab skinny Topshop trousers and I worship the lucky ladies who own these Jonathan Kelsey for Luella shoe-boots. Throw on some typical geek glasses, a Forever21 bobble hat and some Primark accessories. Am I a geek? Yes, Sir!


Fashion marketing chic. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for fancy dress outfit shopping.

Tomorrow evening I'll be in fancy dress for the first time ever- yay! I've never been to a fancy dress party before (sad, I know) so I am so excited.

My mother and I spent a hurried afternoon rushing around the shopping centre and trying to source inspiration. Despite tomorrow evening being planned for months, we didn't quite get our act together so have had to settle for what we could grab today. But what we found wasn't bad at all!

So, when I go off and see The Hoosiers tomorrow evening, I'll be dressed as a 1950s house-wife. Not very inventive, I know, but I have a lecture in the morning and then a hospital appointment with very little time to change in between. So unless I wanted to meet my doctor tomorrow dressed as Superwoman/Amy Winehouse/a naughty nurse, I'll have to work with my own clothing.

My style is quite 50s feminine anyway so my favourite mustard and purple floral dress will come in perfect, teamed with my cupcake apron, rollers in my hair and all the added accessories of a duster, rubber gloves and a feather boa for good measure. I can't wait!

As the shopping was quite hurried today, I've picked an outfit that's perfect for a slouchy morning with magazines, pastries and Hollyoaks followed by a Sunday lunch and glass of wine with your bloke and then trying on wigs quickly in fancy dress stores.

I love this Charles Nolan silk blouse- it's the perfect piece for work and for weekend. I've paired it up with a pale pink cotton Miu Miu skirt, Topshop knee high grey socks and amazing geometric style Chloé leather flats. Finally, as well as the Topshop bag, I've gone for cupcake jewellery- hooray! I heart cupcakes and The Humming Bird Bakery in South Kensington is the place of my dreams. Oh how I miss it...



Fancy dress shopping. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for hanging on the telephone.

I sighed lots today. Why oh why must you keep me hanging on the telephone? Why must you say you'll ring back at a certain time and never do? Why must you ignite the over crazed worrier in me and make me thinking of everything from you being taken away by a unicorn to you having an affair with Paris Hilton?

That's the apparent art of modern day technology though, isn't it? You can get hold of anyone via means of text message or calling them on their mobile but it breeds a certain amount of anxiety. It's true! Suddenly your significant other doesn't reply to a text for 24 hours and you're worried they've run off with the whole cast of Hollyoaks/Simon Cowell/Boris Johnson (the latter is a serious worry for my other half, I'll have you know!). You wonder if the non-replying person has had an accident, if they've suddenly fled the country after being involved in a crime or whether they've been kidnapped by aliens or Girls Aloud.

Slow down! He/she is fine. They've been in a really long and important meeting all day and couldn't get a signal on the train. They love you very much but they have more important things to do in work time than reply to your "Hiya Love, what do you fancy for tea?" text message.

Still, it isn't by half annoying when you can't get through. So today we're all about slouchy comfort for when you're phone is fixed to your ear like you'd fix Gerrard Butler to your lips. And when you finally do get through and feel like an idiot for panicking so much? A sharp coat and killer heels for stomping about town.

Forever21 provide one of the only reasons I want to visit NYC so I've used one of their simple striped tops with a pair of DKNY wool pants. Tuck your top into the trousers for true high-waist chic sailor girl style. Add a nautical belt and a Bottega Veneta bead necklace which I've fallen in love with. When it is time to go out, slip over this Fendi trench coat and Topshop heels and grab this yummy clutch to take the outfit from day through to night.

hanging on the telephone. by hollieanne