Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a rubbish Valentine's Day.

This entry will make me sound like I'm moaning and perhaps a little like a spoilt brat and I apologise in advance. But it's Valentine's Day and I'm alone! OK, so I'm in a pretty little long term relationship with MYB but the fact is that I am sat in an empty house with nothing but two sleeping guinea pigs and a glass of lemonade to keep me company.

Those who've known me a while will know I despise Valentine's Day for the fact that it's just a money making scheme but this year I began to question where I really did hate it or whether it was just because I didn't have anyone to share it with.

Last year MYB and I spent February 15th in a sweet little restaurant on New Oxford Street. It was freezing and our plans to walk to Kings Cross were scrapped and we hopped on the tube so he could be home by 1am for his two. We'd only began dating then and I don't even remember if I bought him a card, I'd known him well over a year at that point but dinner and a catch-up was more than enough.

This year, however, we're super happy together so I was excited to wait for the postman this morning with my sweet little card. I'd already sent MYB a little gift and gorgeous card and was so excited for it arriving in the post. Come 12:30 this afternoon, I'd given up hope. MYB "forgot" we'd agreed to do Valentine's Day this year despite knowing I was sending him a little something tiny.

OK, so the man is *the* sweetest and most romantic man I have ever met; he makes me feel so beautiful every day with the sweet little texts he sends me to remind me he thinks I'm beautiful or when he holds my hand over the dinner table so I really shouldn't complain and he has apologised lots and promised to make it up to me next week. But I feel a bit left out, to be honest. I'm a super silly girl and adore everything the man does for me but a tiny card would have been nice.

I'm sure we'll be giggling into the early hours tonight though and I'll soon forget about it. MYB, as I now realise you most probably read this most days, I heart you!

Outfit time? Think so! OK, so I'm not going out tonight and rather I'll soon be snuggled on the sofa with Sex And The City The Movie on DVD but why not dress up anyway? I've seen this Topshop dress everywhere- in magazines, on style blogs and on girls in the street- but I do think it's incredibly gorgeous. I've gone for green pop colours with Topshop heels and a Juicy Couture bag. Jewellery is delicate with a Disney Couture necklace, Forever21 floral earrings, a ring by Yves Saint Laurent and a super pretty hair comb from Monsoon. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!



Valentine's Day. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being rejected for washing.

Imagine the scene: I'm watching Season 1 of Sex And The City, I've got an afternoon glass of rosé in my hand and I'm totally relaxed in the house alone. And then my father calls.

My dad and I had planned a pub lunch for tomorrow and my expectations were high: talking about Muffin Top was out, talking about my half-sister was out but chatting about our hopes for 2009 and stories about my granny were in. When my dad called I figured he was ringing to confirm our plans and see how I was. But no. He called to cancel on me.

OK, sure, you have to work? Or your sister is ill and you need to visit? Not that either, eh? Ah yes, you're cancelling on me because you "have loads of washing to do". Yes, my dad cancelled on me with the excuse that he had lots of clothes to wash. Pardon me but we both know that's bollocks- he cancelled on me to spend more time with that Muffin Top. Thanks, Dad, I'll be off to see the crisis team tonight.

Never mind him though, he's an idiot. I'll go out for lunch myself tomorrow and sit in a pretty coffee shop with a marketing book in hand and a bigger smile on my face than if I was seeing him. I like the outfit for today; it's really pretty, really feminine and reminds me of a summer festival. I've had my eye on this Billabong dress for a while as it's really versatile (black tights and heels on a night out, over a bikini on the beach...) and the geometric pattern is fab. I've put the dress over some skinny jeans and added a Miss Selfridge slouchy cardigan for a more casual look. Accessories are tan dull golds and I know these wedge gladiators will be a total love or hate split; personally, I ADORE them! The ring and satchel are vintage and the long chain necklace is available from Toast.


Rejection. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for dancing to The Saturdays.

Last night, as I watched Ruth fight for her place on X Factor, my mum's bloke made a comment about my weight. Sure, I'm no size 8 and I guess I am overly comfort eating in a time of stress over UCAS and my father but I do think there's zero need for comments like the one he made. I cried. My mum comforted me.

The comforting lasted well into today and I refused to be in the same room as her bloke. I admit, I wanted to make him feel bad and I was rather embarrassed at my current body shape, too.

My mum always has a way of making me feel better no matter what; everyday I think of the couple of years after my dad left when it was just the two of us. The house smelt of perfume and lipstick, we ate cheesecake and Chinese food and cried at girly films nearly every night. I miss those times but they're often repeated when it's just the two of us alone in this new home.

After finally giving in and dressing in a striped top and navy cords, my mum dragged me downstairs and presented me with home-made cheesecake- perhaps not the best thing for a girl with major image issues right now but it worked! With my mum's bloke and my brothers out for the day, my mum and I snuggled up on the sofa and watched Sex And The City: The Movie and giggled at how much of a Carrie Bradshaw wannabe I am (who isn't?!).

But it was letting go and listening to BBC Radio 1 that did it for me. Dancing in the kitchen is something I always, always, always do. When I lived alone, I did it. When I moved back home, it was one of the first things I did and no doubt when I go to Uni/move into a penthouse in New York/live in my shabby chic future Persian country house, I'll do the same. Today's choice was "Up" by The Saturdays. I don't care if some people think they're a cheap Girls Aloud/Sugababes/Spice Girls- I. LOVE. THEM! My mother and I have some sexy dance moves and let's face it, you couldn't shake like we do without lots of bootaaaaaaay!

Sunday if often my favourite day to dress for. It's lazy before the office week starts but it's also pretty and girly for Sunday lunch with your granny. And, can I add before I start explaining this outfit, my gorgeous mum loves this ensemble! I love this Chloé number, it's perfect for slouching in and yet would look amazing glammed up, I also get the impression it would hide one too many Yorkshire Puddings rather well. Add on some Marc by Marc Jacobs (fabulously priced) skinny jeans; there's not really a more pretty yet casual look that I enjoy more than a dress and jeans. Throw on some gold bangles, an amazing Isharya Filigree that should be a modern classic and then wrap your feet in some Grecian style Topshop sandals. Finally, I would happily lick some rather manky feet for this super pretty Bottega Veneta Butterfly intrecciato bag. Until tomorrow...



Untitled by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for chick-lit Friday.

My day off- yippee! Actually, it should be a study day where I do all my essays and pitch articles/send off copy so I have the weekend free but I prefer to spend it in something slouchy and floaty and drink green tea all day.

After a hospital appointment this morning, I opted out of going into town and made myself the first caramel latte of the day. "Lipstick Jungle" by "Sex And The City" author Candance Bushell in one hand, coffee cup in the other and BBC Radio 4 playing in the background. Yes, I am really 56 and not 19.

My entire weekend will probably follow the same pattern and will end in a hot bath and wishful conversations on the phone to my bloke about Paris, pug dogs, studying in New York, his music, Cath Kidston and 1920s flapper girls. Either that or my best mate will be nattering on about girls and asking for dating advice. That boy is gorgeous. He needs no advice at all.

The outfit today follows on from the feminine look of yesterday. Soft, floaty and chic.
Mayle Itati has produced this striking cami which looks like it would hang like a dream on the right figure (I'm thinking small bust; so basically, not mine!). Teamed with some iconic Sass & Bide jeans and a super pretty cardigan from Republic. Now, I hope my boyfriend/best friend is reading this and comes across this cute as candyfloss bag! It's available for just under a tenner so is the perfect weekend online shopping treat- I can feel my card screeching at me to use it. The gold Converse are just plain fabulous and, last but totally not least, the Chanel ring and brooch are to die for. Yes please, Santa! Perfect outfit for a coffee and book morning followed by some writing and a glass of rosé and a cuddle with your bloke.




Relaxed Friday. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for loving the end of the honeymoon period.

When you're in a relationship it can often feel like all your plans and thoughts revolve around your other half. You select times to call one another and everything else is off limits, you make plans for dinner and not even a night out with the girls will make you cancel it and you plan romantic mini breaks months in advance and make all other plans around that.

But am I right in thinking it can often feel too much? Sure, planning stuff with my bloke is great and we do get all loved-up to the point of it being sickly to others but it can sometimes feel odd, especially after being single and independent for a while.

Recently this transcended into a slight distance between my other half and I. Nothing bad, really, just a feeling of needing to make plans/call each other 45 times before we go to sleep/talk for hours. I'm still madly in love but I quite fancy slouching in my Ugg boots and having a really early night.

When you're not in a relationship you dress to attract men, when you're in a relationship you dress to impress him- so what happens when you're really comfortable in a relationship and can slob about in your M&S grey PJs? Who do you dress for then? You, of course!

I discovered that wonderful point once more where I really do just dress for me. I went to the salon today and spent 2 hours having my nails done for no other reason than wanting them done to make me happy. I wore my Ugg boots (in public!) and allowed my bloke to see me in them. I got a stain on my white top and didn't care one bit! I'm finally in that moment of comfortable and sexy and it's all for me!

So, whilst my bloke has flown off on business until tomorrow morning, I'm more than happy spending a night with lots of Ben&Jerry's, Sex And The City: The Movie and a slice of chocolate cheesecake (hips o'clock!). Maybe boring is, well, boring but it's the comfort of the secure relationship mixed with the elation of knowing your appallingly hot boyfriend finds you rather sexy in your hoodie and pajama bottoms (well, maybe cute rather than sexy!).

Today's outfit might be comfortable, it might not be the most fashion forward outfit ever seen and it may well contain two of my guilty fashion loves (Ugg boots and Louis Vuitton bags) but it isn't by half rather cute. The Proenza Schouler long sleeved tee should be a staple in every one's wardrobe (although an M&S version is clearly more affordable), a simple denim mini skirt and waistcoat add an autumn feel and the Fred Flare nerd glasses necklace is pure geek-chic.

He loves me- whatever I wear! by hollieanne