Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for feeling better than expected.

I was nervous, I admit. When I arrived home and walked in to find my father already there, I found myself having to stay calm and bite my tongue. After a day of mixed emotions I thought that the last person I'd want to see would be my father but I was proved wrong.

I really do think my mum has had a word with my dad about his lack of interest in me and the like. My dad was interested in me tonight! My dad asked me how I was and what I was up to and everything like that! He didn't mention love once and only asked about MYB once rather than the usual six million times. What's happening to the man? He's usually self-obsessed and not interested in me one bit. If my mum really has had a word with him then I'm grateful- she's a star!

Like I mentioned above, today really has been a day of mixed emotions and I feel it'll only end on a low note as MYB are perhaps having a slight argument. He's not answering my calls (although I'm sure he's just busy) and I'm well annoyed at him. I hate this. I wish we could be calm and cuddly all the time.

But I'd wear this outfit to keep my upbeat. How can you not be happy when wearing orange tights?! And how amazing is this dress by Catherine Malandrino. It's crazy but actually really wearable for both day and night. For a day look, I've slipped a polo neck underneath and added flat studded boots but replaced with some patent shoe-boots and left without the bottom layer, this would be fab for a hot date! Finally, a simple teal bow bag to keep in with the colouring of the dress.


It wasn't that bad... by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for Sunderland.

My mummy is an absolute star! We took her for a job assessment at a hospital in Sunderland today and she bloody well passed it with flying colours. She'll have an interview within the next week or so. I have very little to say but "Go Meme! Go Meme!".

Whilst my mummy sat her exams, the boys and I went off into town to do a little early morning shopping. I'd frequent Sunderland as a little girl most Saturdays- my football shirt and pigtails swinging in the breeze coming from the sea. My father and I would take long walks around the football ground before the match started and if I wasn't feeling too scared, I'd pet the police horses.

But since my parents split, the football stopped and I'd paid one or two visits to Sunderland to see friends. But today brought back nice memories and I got to enjoy the girly shopping side of it.

Not bad! H&M, Monsoon, River Island, New Look, Superdrug... decent little high-street shops for me to meander around for a few hours. A few purchases of jewellery bits from H&M, stack loads of cosmetics and a bundle of "good luck" gifts for my mother.

Dressing For is inspired by the need to look smart to sit a test and then casual and comfortable enough to try on dresses and capes in H&M and Monsoon. Start with a simple but chic Mike & Chris Mongomery jacket and add some jeans by Dorothy Perkins and slip into some fabulous platform heels by Wet Seal. On top, I've used a slouched tee by French Connection and then accessorised with various beads and pearls. Finally, an American Eagle blue and white bucket bag to stash all those buys! Until tomorrow...



Sunderland. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for using watercolours.

It's so nice to spend only an hour of my day in a lecture and then come home and enjoy the finer things in life such as my slippers, Coke Zero in a mug, Hawaiian Tropic body butter, Jeremy Kyle and painting.

I haven't touched a paintbrush in weeks. I am ashamed.

I'm no artist in the typical sense. Picasso isn't my father and my mother would probably switch the lights off in some modern lighting exhibition show but I give it a go! And it was nice, it was nice to paint and feel so calm whilst doing it and create pretty images on a pretty page inspired by pretty days out with my best friend, my mother and my boyfriend (ahh, Chatsworth...).

Not even the disruption of my two younger brothers arriving home from school could annoy me as I painted Persian blue and emerald green onto grease-proof paper (yup, the stuff you put in the oven!) and sang along to random Amy Winehouse lyrics that kept cropping up in my head.

Sadly, the day didn't stay as calm. Brothers should not be allowed near laptops, put it that way!

The outfit I've made up for today is a very "Hollie-Anne" outfit. I tend to go for the chic and feminine look day to day and hardly ever wear trousers or jeans but opt for pretty pink colours and wonderfully constructed or floaty skirts. I love this rather dressy printed skirt from Forever21 and it speaks for itself so only needs a Topshop vest and a Forever21 grey cardigan over the top for understated elegance. I'm slipped on some pretty Topshop salmon coloured gladiators (make sure you've got your pedicure!) and I'd use a pretty pink satin hairband to keep hair tamed and classy. Finally, there's always time for a touch for timeless designer and that's why I've selected this Tiffany and Co silver necklace and Miu Miu leather tote to carry around everything from books to paints and, of course, lipstick. I love it!


Watercolours. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for creative writing.

Nice little English Language lecture this morning. Actually, when I say nice I mean rather dull in the form of being given 2 hours and 30 minutes to write a short instructive piece (How To Apply Lipstick was my contribution!), a formal letter (I complained to Dune about the red patent paint coming off my new wedges after one day) and a descriptive piece (based on getting a cab after my boyfriend and I left the Wallpaper* Design Awards in January of this year).

As my lecturer was reading through my rambles on air kissing and Eton accent slurring of "It was lovely to meet you, Hollie daaaarrrrrlling" she gave me a compliment which, at first, I didn't realise how amazing it was. Apparently my descriptive pieces read exactly like F. Scott Fitzgerald (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F._Scott_Fitzgerald). I admit, I didn't know who he was! Yup, I can tell you who was in the front row of the Alexander Wang A/W 2008 show but I'm not the most literally read bird. It's not that I don't care, I love to read and will read anything I can get my hands on, but perhaps I enjoy the more fluffy side of things after a long stressful day of sub-editing/feature writing/studying.

My classmates then informed me how much of a wonderful man Mr. F. Scott Fitzgerald actually is and that I should be elated that I have a similar tone and style to him. Wa-hey for me!

So today I'm dressing for creative writing. Hours in coffee shops writing descriptive pieces about a geeky boy who makes it in the Big City, creating ideas for short stories and epic novels, producing characters like the person I've always wanted to be, daydreaming and scribbling every though on the page. Ahh, the art of imagination...

This outfit is indeed eclectic but why not, eh? I do realise that I am a massive La Garçonne geek and I do adore Chloé but how can I help it when they produce these beauties included in the outfit below? The wear with everything La Garçonne dress should be a staple and when paired with the chunky striped Chloé cardie, it's the perfect slouchy working from home outfit. I've added a brilliant pair of Gareth Pugh leggings (possibly the only wearable thing he's ever made) and stuck on a 40s style green trilby to be extra colourful and quirky. Again, it's a selling my granny style situation for this Chloé day bag. Any offers on my darling grandmother? I'll accept in the region of £825. Let the bidding begin!

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a pizza party.

Today saw the 12th birthday of my step-brother, Anthony. It almost made me sad to realise that I was only a year older than him when I was struck down with depression equal to an adults and a future which would be controlled by it. Only now, at 19, am I in control of what is now diagnosed as Borderline Personality Disorder and I almost live out my childhood losses in my two step-brothers' eyes. I enjoy their giggles, innocence and silly games knowing that I missed out on a lot of that. I feel privledged to have two such vibrant and mischeivous rascals to call my brothers.

And the giggles were at full speed today as we gorged on pizza, salad, cookie dough and stack loads of ice-cream until we were all nearly sick. We sang Happy Birthday at the top of our voices, popped the balloons which were blow-up for the birthday boy and chased each other around as if we were in a playground. Our laughing gained a few looks from fellow customers who perhaps thought the woman with the pink pout, dip-dye cardigan and smart wide-leg pants had too much sugar that morning. And what if I had? Today, I felt 12 too. And it was great!

The outfit picked for today represents the joy of being mature but young, silly but sensible, child-like but with so much life experience. I adore these La Garconne trousers which would be suitable in any editorial office or University meeting, the Topshop tee could easily slip under Yves Saint Laurent's "Le Smoking" tux for a quirky look and the Converse are commuting essentials which are swapped for killer heels on the corner of 6-8 Old Bond Street. I have a killer flu and this Topshop cable-knit scarf would be a welcome comfort. The Hello Kitty ring? Something I would have picked when I was 12 and something I'd probably still pick now, if truth were known.

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:

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Bad day. I have too many opinions and not enough respect, or at least that was the theme within today's media lecture. One does not appriciate one's opinions being laughed at. Indeed, neither does one appriciate having a very academic, intelligent and sensible opinion looked upon as if it were both appalling and crazy. Nope, not at all, Mister.

So today I'm dressing for a little respect (you know you want to start singing...go on!). As I'm playing student today and not freelance journalist, I need to keep it fresh and young but still as if I know what I'm talking about.

I've selected a pretty blue See by Chloé cocoon coat; I love the shape and my own selection for this winter is a pink M&S cocoon number with the most amazing neckline.

I'm not the only one in thinking black equals smart and thus equals serious, right? Perhaps I am but so be it! The lower half of the outfit features a simple black tulip skirt from high-street Heaven store Dorothy Perkins, simple ribbed tights and lifetime lasting D&G black flats.

Up top we have this interesting number from Miss Selfridge which has been spotted on a TV presenter/singer/reality star (actually, it was Holly Willoughby, I think). This adds a fun twist, something light and yet smart tucked into the skirt.

Finally, a pair of simple gold hoops always win and how could you not have a giggle when life/lectures becomes too much when you're carrying around this fish beauty by Hollywould?

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for comfort, hope and reminders of all the nice things in life.

On my way home from my lecture this afternoon, I witnessed a man sitting on the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle with police surrounding him. One cannot help but look and I felt so much sympathy for the poor man. However, what left me disgusted and shocked were the conversations of how the "man [was] being selfish for holding up the traffic". My fellow bus travellers, most of them aged around fifty, couldn't help but vent their own appalling views.

Today I'm dressing for comfort. I've selected this stunning La Garconne coat and Charlotte Russe cardigan to add a feeling of being warm, safe and wrapped up. The iconic Louboutin heels make us stand tall and stay strong and who can resist the luxury of this Gucci bracelet and YSL lipstick?

Sometimes we all need to be reminded things will be OK.