Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for book reading.

Tomorrow will see my reviewing a certain book. Covered in gold card, gold leaf flowers, a slash of red for Louboutin-esque shoes and a white silhouette. Behind the cover lies "A good girl comes undone" by Polly Williams. Behind the cover you'll find me- the sensible magazine writer with high aspirations and a certain niceness which can sometimes mean one suffers in this industry. Amongst the pages you'll find a character who reminds me of the love of my life (intelligent, powerful and intriguing no matter how long time passes) and you'll find characters who remind me of my best friend, of my mother, of people I've met through work. It's simply my favourite book because it is one in which I relate to more than any other on the shelves of our libraries and book stores across the world. It may not be a classic but it's mine and I adore it.

Perhaps I should memorise that paragraph and include that in the review tomorrow? I'm sure I'll write something similar. I've been flicking through the pages again today, reading with the type of hunger I only get when I'm put in an enchanting work situation of kissing my darling boyfriend for the first time in two weeks.

What's your favourite book? It surprises me that people often think a favourite book should be "a classic"and something millions of others have enjoyed but a favourite book is simply something which touches you to the point that, by the end of several hours of reading, you feel you actually are the character.

The outfit I've styled for today would be worn for an afternoon reading in a coffee shop, looking outside at the sun and busy people. I've started with this stunning Chloé sequin vest which I've teamed with Topshop jeans and super gorgeous Rupert Sanderson t-bar sandals. Accessories are peachy and nude with a Topshop bag, Barbara Hulanicki for Topshop scarf, bracelets by Miss Selfridge and a fab straw trilby by American Eagle.

Book reading. by hollieanne featuring Chloé tops

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for peppermint tea in the garden.

My days off are normally swarmed with freelance work, catching up with friends and planning on watching a DVD and having a nap and yet never doing it. Today was no different- editing, writing, phone calls and coffee. And I saw my father. But rather than spend the evening getting a headache from looking at my screen too much, I took time to relax outside.

Sunshine and warmth in the North of England is rare and when the opportunity arises to sit in the sun and unwind, everyone fits time in their schedule to do so. I sat in my garden, on the pink blanket used to curl up with my love on Thursday night, and lost myself in daydreams of weddings and dresses and shoes and cupcakes. I'm a girly girl, we all know this.

I also soaked myself in my favourite book (' A Good Girl Comes Undone' by Polly Williams) and flicked through Tatler as I sipped on peppermint tea and text MYB (my yummy bloke) to inform him of my rare evening delight. Needless to say, he was jealous!

The outfit I've picked for today is casual, pretty and perfect for spring walks. This stunning lemon dress is by Zac Posen and I've added a glamorous sun hat with gold trimming by Forever21. To complete the look, I've used a straw bag from ASOS, some Old Navy flip-flops and super fabulous ASOS sunnies. Hope you've had a gorgeous Tuesday, fashionistas!

Tea in the garden. by hollieanne featuring Forever21 hats

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a wonderful Friday.

Friday is clearly the best day of the week, or at least it certainly has been for me. Ah, I'm still in that mood from last night where I have a lot of faith in love and life. How long will that last, I wonder? It never appears to last too long for anyone but I'm enjoying it.

I woke up late this morning, sat sipping tea in bed for a while and then whipped up an incredible brunch complete with champagne cocktails! Once I was all dressed and ready, I went out for Starbucks and enjoyed the most wonderful company (as I had been all day). I ended today walking around Fenwicks and embracing myself in all things Mulberry. I hope you've also had a fabulous day!

So, the outfit. I've gone for this beautiful floral Dorothy Perkins dress, added some Faith heels, black tights and a lovely bag from Miss Selfridge. As it was cold today, I've used this incredible silk trench coat by Ossie Clark.

A perfect Friday. by hollieanne featuring Ossie Clark coats

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for hidden comforts.

I'm back! Have you ever found yourself feeling all warm and snuggly just at something so small? That little bit of comfort when you're least expecting it- like a memory, a smell or reading a text or e-mail from a loved one?

My day has been filled with things like that. Waking up this morning, I found myself feeling beautiful and loved more than ever in the mist of domestic bliss and a silly conversation about normality. Mid-morning was spent in Caffé Nero with a blackberry yogurt and a coffee as the rain beat heavy on the widows and I snuggled deeper in my cosy chair and pulled my newspaper closer to my body as if it losing myself deeper in the articles were like a blanket. And now it's evening and I've been wearing a simple outfit of a black vest and pj bottoms but, as I pulled the top over my head, I found myself surrounded by a beautiful smell that brought me back to a precious moment this morning. It's sad but true that I'm finding myself sniffing my top and pulling myself closer and closer to this morning despite time slipping away from me.

Sometimes, when you need reassurance or a little comforting the most, memories and pleasures sink into you without realising until you're tired at the end of the day and you realise what a simple but lovely 24 hours you've had.

The outfit today is simple, it's normal and it's nothing too special but it's the type of outfit I'd wear to go out for that coffee and watch the skies turn grey. The simple pleasures in life are the best. I love the colouring of this pretty Topshop buckle detail trench and, at £65, it's a bit of a steal. I've used a simple grey tee, some jeans by 7 For All Mankind and then added heels by Dorothy Perkins. The finishing touches come from a scarf and ring by Topshop and a Chloé bag. Hope you've had a great day!


Comfort. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being back from the spa.

Apologies for lack of blog entry yesterday, the wireless in the hotel happened to break and I annoyed the receptionist for a while until all he did was offer to give me a call when it was working once more. It didn't work again. Sorry!

Anyway, I'm feeling refreshed and so alive. I've had the most perfect weekend filled with lots of giggles, talking, relaxing and the odd glass or two of wine. It's been lovely just to be around with the people I love the most and giggle about dating, love, sex and shoes. I do realise how girly and perhaps stereotypical that sounds but it's highly true and proved the perfect mix for a brilliant weekend.

This morning so the lot of us read magazine and have brunch in Caffé Nero for a while. To me, coffee and magazines and a few friends makes for the perfect Sunday.

Therefore, with Sunday coffee brunch in mind, I've created this very casual number. The cashmere vest is by Crumpet, I've added some simple Topshop skinny jeans and sandals by Chloé. The ring is Dries Van Noten and the large tote is by Miu Miu. Finally, the statement piece of this outfit, a bright Paul Smith scarf. Hope you've had a great weekend.


I'm back. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for getting back to normal.

Very productive day in my little world. Woke this morning and booked two Beyonce tickets, went back off to sleep for a little while whilst wishing MYB was there to spend a lazy morning with me and then I spent the afternoon in town catching up on the much needed feeling of contentment which has been missing due to illness these past few days.

It was nice getting back to the normality of skinny coffee, Marks and Spencer, daily newspaper buying and freshly blow-dried hair. I devilishly read pages of the book I'm currently reading as I sat in Starbucks and I lost myself in daydreams of MYB and I chain smoking in Paris. I haven't felt like this all week; illness just makes me feel stupidly depressed and I cry more than most because I feel helpless and hate not being up and about and going at a million miles an hour.

My mother finished her first week of her new job so I met her at the hospital with a card and the biggest and most expensive bouquet of flowers I could find- she really deserved it.

The outfit for today is very sweet and I love the navy shades with the clashing pinks, oranges and browns of this Forever21 dress. Over the top of the dress I'd throw on a relaxed trench like this Mike and Chris one. I've added some navy flats, a pretty glitter beret by Coach and a clashing 3.1 Phillip Lim clutch. Lastly, I've added some flower rings with the neon pink one being from Topshop and the other from Forever21. Happy Friday!


Starbucks and flowers. - 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 wishing it was still this morning.

I really wish it was still this morning. This time 12 hours ago saw me relaxed, smiling, being hugged and drinking coffee with the man I love. Nothing beats our lie-ins!

I can hardly stop smiling as to concentrate. I have so many memories of the last few beautiful days (I'm being careful what I reveal!) that my head is spinning. MYB really is wonderful.

I can't even begin to type for fear of causing any discomfort for MYB's two but he cannot do much wrong right now. I heart our pub lunches, giggling, walks in the freezing cold, dinners out, wine drinking and cuddles. Oh my God, I'm SO happy!

I wore something really simple and comfortable today as it was freezing cold but this outfit would have been perfect for a day filled with a lazy morning, pub lunch, goodbye cuddles and a final train journey- if only the sun was shining! I adore this coral skirt and it's a snip at around £11 from Forever21. I've paired the skirt with a grey vest and cardigan and pretty blue flats. Finally, a necklace from Urban outfitters, a ring by Fred Flare and a classic Chanel 2.55. I miss him already...


Holding hands, drinking wine... by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for novel writing.

I hadn't touched my novel in a few weeks, I admit. Perhaps just being busy with college work, selecting a University, worrying about my father acting like a teenager and resisting the temptations of a Starbucks or a cupcake is what did it.

I used to set aside an hour or two most evenings to write down ideas, read everything over, edit and actually scribble down a few lines but I've been shy with it of late. It was nice to trap myself in the South London antics of my characters and become a different character for a few hours. I researched my characters more and visualised myself in their shoes and in their outfits. I adore writing this book as it's not standard chick-lit but it has a whole other side to it which adds a certain stand-out aspect to it- or at least I hope! I'm not saying the novel will be a number one best seller but I do know that it's the most enjoyable thing to do on a rather dull Thursday where the hailstones won't stop.

I often dream of what my book launch will be like and come up with images of Bridget Jones and disastrous speeches, which will probably be the reality of it all. Hmm, I'm thinking some pretty satin black dress, a chic little up-do, too much red wine and my boyfriend on my arm telling me that I buggered the speech up and had red wine down my dress but he couldn't wait to take me home. Ha! Perhaps wishful thinking? When I reach the age of my first book being published, I'll either be some 28 year old singleton with cats or a 67 year old woman who looks like Vivienne Westwood but has to be wheeled round in a wheelchair after a skiing accident or some such. Hmm...

Today is a pretty but comfortable day. Starting with a Marc by Marc Jacobs tea dress which is perfect for the weekend, the office, a party and for a date- it's a brilliant purchase! Pair with a Topshop People Tree green cable knit scarf and a bright Mulberry poppy tote for some major colour. Slip on some simple Miu Miu flats and a purple rose ring. Next, curl up in a coffee shop with a large cappuccino and write away!


Novel writing. by hollieanne