Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being stuck in the snow.

I had a food review to write this afternoon so spent a sweet morning pottering around the house, taking a bath and sorting my outfit for the day. I listened to some really upbeat music, giggled at sweet little text messages from MYB and pinned my hair up. As I was getting ready, however, it started to snow and it did not stop.

Locking up the house and putting my umbrella up, I realised I was set for a day of bad weather and my silly purple flats were probably not going to cut it. After twenty minutes stood at the bus stand and watching cars struggle to get up the bank, I came back home and was in my comfortable socks with a copy of Elle Collections in my hand.

This afternoon was filled with cottage cheese straight from the tub, reading magazines, discussing the concept of marriage and texting MYB whilst he was on the train back from London.

In the- rather British- attitude of giving it a go, I've dressed for braving the snow and trying to make it out. This Juicy Couture coat is so sweet, I love the little gold buttons. I've added a pretty frilly Topshop blouse, some bootcut trousers from Theory and patent pumps from Miu Miu. I've used an Alexander McQueen bag, Kenneth Jay Lane earrings and a Fendi watch.


Snow, snow, snow. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for asking for an extension.

As a journalist, I've become an expert in reaching my deadlines no matter what but my standards have somewhat slipped in the mist of feeling rather low lately and so it comes as a slight disappointment to oneself to have to send off an e-mail to a lecturer tonight and ask for a deadline extension.

I hate the idea of asking for an extension but I know it has to be done to produce the best piece of work possible. If my deadline request is rejected, well, I'm sure I'll manage at a push but I really need to make sure I get top grades and I think just a few more days would help.

I admit that I'm struggling right now. The slight feelings of depression and exhaustion can become too much during the day to the point that I am deadly silent towards others and find myself unable to concentrate. I'm sure I'll snap out of it at any moment and I should really stop feeling so apologetic for it all: 'm feeling a little overwhelmed by an illness I continue to battle- why am I so sorry for it all? Asking for an extension is nothing to be ashamed of but perhaps something to be proud of in the way of being able to ask for help and not sinking.

MYB is out tonight with his two but I don't by half wish he was here to talk me through this. I love the fact that MYB has been there and done the whole education thing so he can always provide me with such wise words- and cuddles!

The outfit that I've styled for today would be a wonderful choice to step into any lecturers office, bat your eyelids and ask for a little longer to type up that essay. The outfit is smart but student-chic. This beautiful blouse is by one of my favourite labels, Antik Batik. I've added some 7 For All Mankind bootcut jeans, wonderful Grecian lace-ups by Carvela and a studded bag by Dorothy Perkins. Jewellery is in the form of a glam rock by Vera Wang and super pretty Kenneth Jay Lane feather necklace. Wish me luck!


Deadline. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for Christmas Eve.

Happy Holidays, Everyone. Can you believe Christmas is upon us already? It's weird for me, really, as I had Fake Christmas with MYB last week and I really don't feel festive anymore. But I need to consider the following: since when was dinner at Nandos and discussions about Sam Ronson festive? Spending time with my parents (my father not included), too much wine, glittery decorations and the current wonder of really bad Christmas songs that currently fill this gigantic house rather successfully is what Christmas really is.

And it's going OK. I actually had a hospital appointment this afternoon but have spent the rest of the time slowly sipping on rosé and wrapping pretty gifts in purple paper.

I got lost in explaining Christmas Eve traditions to MYB last night and the major one of our household will be underway soon: the huge girly bubble bath and the new pajamas. I have to open the gift my mother selects from under the tree and it's always a pair of new pajamas. Although I fear my mother selected the wrong size this year and I'll be snuggling up in MYB's favourite bedtime attire of mine, my robot pajamas.

I am missing MYB tonight. We haven't spoken today and I'm pretty sure we won't as he's so terribly busy. And indeed, Friday will symbolise a family birthday for him and I'm certainly not family. Gutted.

Moving on, how sparkly and fab is this outfit?! The outfit is perfect for pre-Christmas cocktails with your BFFs. The Anna Sui dress reminds me of a flapper girl dress and the fact that it's covered in sequins makes it even more amazing. As the dress is quite short, I've gone for total excess with DAY Birger et Mikkelsen leggings and continued the sequin theme with some really pretty heels by Marc by Marc Jacobs. Accessories are mixed textures with some ASOS earrings, a wonderful octopus ring by Kenneth Jay Lane and a total lust-have via a classic Bottega Veneta clutch.



Christmas Eve Drinks. by hollieanne