Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for an early morning in Manchester.

I'm back. Indeed, I was back twelve hours ago. My plan to stay wriggling in bed and enjoy several more hours of sleep whilst my love got an early morning train kind of changed. Once he woke up, the idea of a hot bubble bath was too tempting and I threw my outfit together and was holding hands with my love on the streets of Manchester by 0610am.

Early mornings are nice sometimes, aren't they? I enjoyed the crisp air hitting my face as I snuggled into my love as we walked to the station. By 0630, I was alone as MYB went off for a train to work and I used my spare half hour to grab an iced mocha and a granola bar from Starbucks.

I had such a lovely morning. I like normality best so silly things like morning walks to the train station and waving goodbye to the man I am in love with make me a very happy girl indeed. It's similar to the smell of library books, seeing a man in a tuxedo, wearing my hair in plaits or drinking hot chocolate. Y'all know I'm a simple country girl!

I have to admit, my darling and I looked rather stunning together this morning- perfectly styled clothes, shiny hair, shiny shoes and loving smiles- and I felt beautiful despite the early hour. I've styled up a really sharp outfit for today, starting with this Rebecca Taylor ruffle front sweater. I've added some fab purple A.P.C cotton shorts and Fendi strappy heels and finished the look with a white Celine frame bag. Jewellery comes in the form of these crest earrings by ModCloth and a cute little turtle necklace by Accessorize.

Early morning Manchester. by hollieanne featuring Rebecca Taylor sweaters

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for refreshing the page.

Oh my god, I hate the Internet! I had some stuff to sort out online today and the website went down/crashed/died and I spent ages in my pajamas just wishing for the website to work. After many phone calls, a few tears and hours of stress, all was sorted and I'll reveal some information very soon.

But, for tonight, I feel low. Deadlines and idiots being the main problem but isn't that just life as a journalist? Not even chocolate could help me cope tonight but I keep clicking through the beautiful pictures of my beautiful man and I at the weekend and I grin when I'm reminded how stunning we look together and how happy we look. I think the best way to deal with stress is just to scream and cry all you want through it and then think of some beautifully happy times.

I'm going for an early night tonight as I think it'll do me some good. I'm off to Manchester tomorrow for work, a little shopping and perhaps a romantic late dinner with my love. I'll make sure I blog!

The outfit I've picked for today is so cute just for staying at home and working in. I love this quirky McQ scarf/tee which I've paired with Miss Selfridge jeans. The pink shoes are Converse, these sweet seahorse earrings are Topshop and this gorgeously classic bag is Anya Hindmarch.

Refresh, refresh, refresh. by hollieanne featuring McQ by Alexander McQueen t-shirts

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a little too much wine.

Wow, good bloody night out. How on earth am I managing to blog? Why am I blogging? I have no idea. Good night though. Wine, amazing company and learning how to skip down steep banks. I cannot skip, I have concluded.

Anyway, I cannot wait to go to bed and talk to MYB. Perhaps I won't make much sense but my best friend isn't available for me to rattle on to because he's getting lucky tonight! Oh yes! I've just rang my BFF to er...sing to him, and his new date was over his place and staying over. I'm well chuffed for him but jealous because my BFF better make sure his best friend comes before his new girlfriend.

Outfit time! This dress is Lipsy and I always love a Lipsy dress; I've noticed they're opening a few stores (Gateshead and Manchester, I've noted) and I think they'll go down like a storm. I've added a zebra print Halston clutch, Louboutin heels and earrings from Topshop. The cocktail ring is also Topshop and the watch is Marc by Marc Jacobs. I need water!





Too much. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for Rachel Stevens.

A discussion about Rachel Stevens came up in Starbucks in Manchester whilst away on a romantic weekend with MYB recently. As I was browsing through his iTunes play lists ("They were before your time Hollie... And them... Yeah, them too") I came across a single track by Ms. Stevens; I then proceeded to giggle that MYB was the only man on earth to appreciate her music. "But you have to admit, it is a bloody good track, Hollie". Perhaps MYB had a point?

The discussion never cropped up in my mind until today when my Internet radio station blasted out Some Girls by Rachel Stevens. I found myself overjoyed at hearing the song I hadn't heard in forever! Last.Fm them proved the source and I found myself listening to tracks such as Sweet Dreams My LA Ex (MYB's favourite!), Negotiate With Love and I Said Never Again.

Not only can the girl prove a hit on Strictly Come Dancing but she can sure by Hell perk up an afternoon of creating mood boards for my portfolio.

Sadly, however, I now have to admit to MYB that he was right. Bugger!

Rachel wore this Hervé Léger to the National Television Awards recently and she looked amazing in it. I've changed it a little from the standard award night clutch and sparkly shoes to a more edgy look. A jacket of sorts is a must with this cold weather so I've selected this leather jacket by Forever21. I've gone purple with accessories in the form of some killer Moda In Pelle shoes and a Valentino patent tote. Finally, add some cocktail rings by Marc by Marc Jacobs and Miss Selfridge respectively. I'd wear this out for dinner with the girls and to jump in a cab to make it back on time for the Strictly Come Dancing final!


Rachel Stevens. by hollieanne