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 surprise e-mails from MYB.

I've had a hectic day which resulted in some power dressing and super defending. I could write a mile long blog entry about the antics of today with television companies, porn, turning into my alter ego a la Beyonce and Sascha Fierce and the ripping apart of presentations. However, I like the positive things in life and find that a blog entry on your dear author going on and on about the ins and outs of advertising revenue, putting together a Microsoft PowerPoint and the National Geographic Channel would just be a one way ticket to Dullsville.

So, we're going to keep the mood upbeat! Don't you just love it when surprises come at just the right time? After an amazing day in education and a muffin and cappuccino at Starbucks, I came home and was exhausted. It's times like this, after five hours sleep and lots of caffeine, that I realise I am but a 19 year old and shouldn't want to "get myself settled" for the night in comfortable clothes and with a hot water bottle but that's the way it went this evening. I changed into some wide-leg trousers and a cashmere cardigan once I returned home and sat myself on the comfortable chair to read my e-mails; after a few press releases, a Facebook update and a case study request (I didn't have one, sorry!), I noticed an e-mail from a certain name I remembered very well but hardly ever see in my inbox.

MYB (or My Yummy Bloke for those of you who have not long joined us) has been so rushed off his feet with work lately that I started to get worried about his stress levels. Sure, we've spent some gorgeous time together of late just relaxing but I can't exactly be there to pour him another cup of coffee or give him a hug when he's being given paperwork beyond the roof or trying to employ decent news journalists, can I? He was working in a different city today which is a real regular occurrence but I couldn't help but feel sorry for him- late nights and lots of work are not good. So, during my only spare five minutes of the day, I dropped him an e-mail to say hello despite knowing he wouldn't perhaps get it until tomorrow once he was back in the usual office. I like to be a romantic idiot, to be honest and one of the things that most attracts me to MYB is how sweet and romantic he is.

As regards romance, I like the small things. Perhaps my definition of romance is different to most but to me it's things like when MYB knows my taste so well and texts me to tell me about a certain song I'd love or when he thinks the drive up to Chatsworth will be just as pretty as actually walking around the grounds will be or when he lights candles as we have dinner as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Therefore, after a crazed day, a small dose of MYB romance was just what I needed and just what I got. This afternoon MYB had sent me an e-mail just to tell me he thought I was gorgeous. He took time out of his crazy work schedule just to tell that to some 19 year old writer with a love of tea dresses, balloons and peach coloured socks. I'm positively glowing with happiness now.

I'd wear the outfit I've selected for Dressing For to go out for dinner with MYB- my treat! I love Gareth Pugh but, as I'm sure I've mentioned before, very little of his stuff is really that wearable but these two pieces are a total exception and are clearly being added to my Lust List; the silk top clearly reminds everyone of that Kate Moss ripped vintage Dior dress a little and the zig-zag wrap cardigan looks so comfortable. Pair with some Karl Lagerfeld straight leg jeans and a purple overload via accessories with a strawberry pendant, a pair of stunning earrings with a price tag of over £3,000 (eek!), some amazing Louboutins and a Dorothy Perkins clutch.


Surprise e-mail. 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 arguing.

I have never met a man so ill educated when it comes to other people's feelings! I am officially cross. At who? My mother's choice of bloke. Not only did he really offend me last week (did I write about that? I don't think I did) with a comment that hurt so much but he also cannot understand that I'm still hurt about it.

He talks to me as if I'm just some "silly tart"- a phrase he's used in the past and will certainly not use when he's talking to me ever again! I despise the way he sees women as being second, it's only a small amount but it's too much. Of course, my mother can't really see it but it drives me insane! You can tell he thinks women are over-emotional and silly. Well, Mr. E, I think you're a bit of an ignorant idiot. How dare you demand such respect and not give it back. How dare you tell me that your comment last week didn't effect me. How dare you claim that I am lying when I say I feel a certain way.

I know, you shouldn't let these things get to you but they do. I just really, really, really want to go round to my boyfriend's place and get the most gorgeous blond hug and have a tiny cry and be looked after for an hour or two. I want to feel all sorry for myself and get cross at Mr. E and be so elated that my man is intelligent, educated and dresses bloody good rather than in Newcastle United shirts and minging jeans! I am officially pouty!

As I'm sure you'd have guessed, Dressing For is today for arguments with narrow minded people who won't listen to you and are chauvinistic and demand attention just because they're a man! Hmm, can anyone say feminist? I'd wear this outfit to go and pick up a bottle of red wine, stomp round to my boyfriend's and rant for about three hours about Mr. E. This outfit would be unusual for me to wear as I prefer to be a bit more girly but I love the "rock chick" look that Kate Moss appears to wear so well. The Judy Blame tank top is true goth goddess style and paired with dark denim skinny jeans and kill-ah (!!!) Moschino shoe boots, you're onto true "I really have just thrown this on but don't I look amazing?" bad girl style. Throw over a Luella blazer and swing this Chanel quirky classic off your arm and you're almost ready to go. Finally, a high-street hit via this fab Miss Selfridge cocktail ring. Add lashings of black eyeliner, a massive pout and stack loads of feminist attitude.


Argue. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for sausage dog cuddles.

I had the most brilliant day today! Did I go shopping and find the perfect vintage fur coat? Nope. Did I get the role of editor at Glamour? Sadly not. Did I meet Kate Moss and ask her why she's so overrated? No, but I will one day. Did I meet Peaches Geldof/Laura Hollins (Agyness Deyn)/ Gok Wan and make them vanish off the face of the earth? Again, no but I will one day!

Today, my greatest life dream came true... I got some major cuddly snuggles from a gorgeous wee sausage dog! Ahh, it was love.

There I was, walking down my local high street and giggling to myself at the 14 year old pregnant girls and the amount of 6 month old babies with Greggs pasties in their mouths when I suddenly spotted the most gorgeous and divine creature alive (sorry, Robin!). He cause a bit of a fuss- the long body, wet nose and cute little dreamy eyes made everyone stop and stare and eventually I just couldn't help myself.

I stroked him (I've since, in my head, named him Mustard) and his tiny wet doggy nose gave me a sweet little kiss. I cuddled him and thought about running off with him but I wasn't sure my gladiator sandals would carry me fast enough. I'm not one for animals but sausage dogs are a major exception.

The outfit selected for today represents all the joy Mustard gave me this afternoon. I haven't stop smiling (little things please little minds...) and I doubt I ever would if I owned this yummy Dorothy Perkins coat- just look at the bow! I've added a Karl Lagerfeld tee and Topshop mini and paired them with bright orange tights and green Topshop frill heels to brighten it all up. Finally, a patent orange bow bag and elephant earrings complete the bright colour pop look. Yum yum!



Sausage dog joy. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for the feelings of not being bothered.

So, after my rough day yesterday which ended in a tearful call to my boyfriend ("But I just *sniff* want to do... *wail* weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelllllll!"), I woke this morning not caring about any one's disrespectful attitudes; this then reflected in my outfit.

On those days where you really do just throw everything on (Ms.Moss/Sienna Miller/Peaches bleedin' Geldof, this is NOT you- no matter what you say and try to portray) you should really embrace it. My actual outfit from today is pictured below and hey, I might be a circle shaped Northern bird with little sense of style but I don't care and my Converse All Stars kept my feet warm!

There's a great satisfaction in picking up the first few items you find- on the floor- and creating something new that feels more comfy than a pair of M&S pjs. I do wish, however, that my floor contained these beauties of a Marc by Marc Jacobs hairband (yup, Cheryl Cole did wear it on X Factor last weekend), Topshop's fugly but hot tiger tee and the most luxurious See by Chloé tights. Yummy, aren't they?

Until tomorrow...



And finally, the pouty and circle shaped creature named Hollie-Anne Brooks: