Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for the start of the birthday week.

My birthday is one week away. On Sunday May 3rd, I'll turn a year older and I'm welcoming a new and beautiful stage into my life. My birthday plans are unsorted at the moment but I always struggle with unhappy memories of birthdays past (hi, rubbish father running away and getting engaged to his mistress on my birthday) and therefore a huge party has never been to my taste. I think I'll go out for lunch and then stay in with some birthday cake, DVDs and an extra load of cuddles from my love. I look forward to it.

Yesterday, my mother ruined my brown rice and grilled fish healthy week by taking me out for lunch and, with my parents split and friends all over the place, this week is going to be a busy one. Tomorrow, however, I have the day alone and plan to rest and write before the formalities of birthday teas and champagne cocktails take over.

My mother took me out to purchase my birthday gift today. A shiny new iPhone. It's so pretty! I'm an e-mail addict and all my work is organised by e-mail now that I'm living in the North so having access to my inbox is a must for me. I fear the iPhone will make me even more of a work-a-holic but at the same time, I'm hearting the Elle Canada application with fashion news updates- nice one! So, for those of you who have an iPhone, what are your favourite apps and how has the iPhone changed your life so far?

This time in 48 hours I'll have my tattoo- eeek!

The outfit I've picked for today would be worn to a pre-birthday lunch followed by sitting in the garden with cups of tea and lots of gossip. All the items featured here are certainly on my birthday wish-list, MYB- take note! This stunningly simple pleated dress in a flattering shade is by Viktor and Rolf, I've added a Topshop bracelet, Juicy Couture necklace and a Roberto Cavalli ring to really give it that 'wow' factor. These beautiful shoes featured are Yves Saint Laurent and I've used this ostrich bag from one of my favourite labels of all time, Bottega Veneta.

The start of the birthday week. by hollieanne featuring Yves Saint Laurent heels

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for dinner with her mother.

My mother celebrates her birthday tomorrow. I'm clearly not going to reveal my mother's age but I've become more and more fascinated by her astonishing beauty and wonderful skin. As one ages, it's dictated that beauty becomes less of a focus but my mother looks better with age.

We went out for dinner tonight and then to the cinema (we saw 'He's just not that into you' and it is well worth every penny- loved it) and sat sharing ice-cream as we nodded our heads in agreement with the characters on the screen who were all going through some sort of melodramatic but realistic love issue in their lives.

Dinner with my mother is always odd, I always feel the need to impress and to shine despite seeing her everyday. Is it just me or does having dinner with mummy always signal a slight success or fail feeling? My mother is one of my best friends but I'll never stop having a certain driving force behind me to impress her.

I've selected a simple but pretty outfit this evening. I often find that the most simple outfits work best. LBD, black clutch and heels? More than fine! And that's just the look I've gone for here. To me, this Fendi dress is perfection as I adore the shape and the detailing of the belt. I've added a Louboutin clutch, some heels by Giuseppe Zanotti and an Alex Monroe 'love' necklace. Finally, it's colour o'clock with a bright Marc by Marc Jacobs cotton trench. Until tomorrow...



Dinner with my mother. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com