Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for hating the bank.

Hmm, slightly odd day. I've never had major financial troubles in the sense of worrying about money for long periods of time but I did find myself feeling quite down today. Why is the bank such an unhappy place? They've made a muddle with my account and caused me a lot of stress. Have they said sorry? Nope. Silly bank.

I feel a bit lost this evening. It's night one of four without my love and it's weird to think I'm not going to hear him whisper pretty words to me as I drift off to sleep. I'll manage though, I'm a big girl!

Because the bank have messed up, any shopping I do this week must be High Street thus every item featured here is available on the great British High Street or online. I've started with a dress from New Look, added a bag from ASOS and gone for some amazing heels from Topshop. To accessorize the outfit a little more, I've gone for a jewel ring from Accessorize and earrings and chunky bangles also from Topshop. Hope you've had a great Monday!


I hate the bank. by hollieanne featuring Monsoon rings

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for dressing in black!

I have become obsessed with the Fashion Darling that is a deep shade of black. This may not appear like anything major but I'm a girl who has never worn black apart from the odd cardigan, vest top or pair of tights.

My mother has already encouraged me to wear black but her lovely comments about how it looked so great on me just passed over my head as black looks great on everyone, right? Perhaps this is true and I've seen many a friend or family member wearing the shade a lot to make them look slimmer but I've never quite got it. Where's all the colour that makes you stand out?

As a bird with decent size hips (that, I can reveal, are 5lb lighter this week!) I've always stayed away from black for thinking people only thought I was wearing it to make myself look slimmer and I've always had confidence is my "hour glass with a bit of a tummy" shape. But the past few days have seen me purchasing a perfect black dress and the love of my life- a black leather jacket. Seeing myself in such a colour and adoring the way I look comes as a shock- much like that of a black-only woman loving the way she looked in bright orange.

Is my style growing up from splashes of purple, pink and yellows to a more serious look of sophisticated black shades or am I just embracing something long overdue? I think it's a mix of both things. In these credit crunch times, it's more about investment pieces and sensible tan boots, black leather jackets, patent black clutches and calf skimming black dresses all come into the equation of being long lasting and sensible. I'm wearing chic flats, dying my hair grown up shades of ginger and making use of sensible peach nail shades. Grow up style here I come! Although I do think the odd pink satin Primark hair bow might be creeping in.

The outfit styled for today is grown up but also fun too. The tee was my starting point for the outfit and it's by one of my all time favourite labels- Sonia by Sonia Rykiel. The skirt is tucked into a Topshop skirt and I've thrown a Miu Miu biker jacket over the top which has amazing pleating detail- well worth the £1,000+ price tag! I've added some black tights, Jil Sander biker boots, a gorgeous Chanel necklace and a Betsey Johnson lace detailed bag. Finally, pin hair back into a chic loose ponytail and tie in a red corsage for ultimate glam but gorgeousness!


Wearing black. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for congratulating her Meme!

My darling mother, after a few months out of work due to being made redundant, landed a dream job today! I am SO utterly proud as she's been so sad since she was made redundant a little while back.

I'd finished lectures for the day and my mother and I met up in search of a perfect black skirt and pretty tan boots. We were gossiping about the usual when, after only an hour of arriving back from her interview, my Yummy Mummy receives a call to say it's good news! Having just purchased tassel bags and cheap Chanel-a-like pumps, we burst into huge tears of happiness.

I'm unsure when she starts but it's very soon and my Yummy Mummy and I are both looking forward to shopping for her new work wardrobe. Well done, Yummy Mummy!

In other news, I gained a Distinction for my philosophy exam meaning I'm on an A grade for the first term. I'm elated. Today is a good day.

I've designed the outfit today as something my Yummy Mummy could wear on her first day as a biology assistant. Although restrictions will be enforced on her choice of clothing, she'd still look gorgeous in this even if it were only to wear on the journey there and back. The pretty tea dress is Diane von Furstenberg- I love the sleeves on this! I've added some maroon Topshop tights, a Marc by Marc Jacobs bag and a topaz watch by Kenneth Jay Lane. The pretty floral earrings and grey Mary-Jane shoes are by Forever21. Well done once more, Yummy Mum!


Congratulations, Mummy! by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for New Look.

I thought I'd made a stupid decision today to go shopping with my father and K The Bore. The fuzzy head and sniffly nose caused me to think irrationally and when I found myself staring at K The Bore's muffin top, I nearly died. Look, I have a muffin top and cellulite and lots of wobbly bits but I dress to suit my shape and don't hang my fat about like an animal trying to attract a mate. I am being a bitch, yes. Anyway, I find myself panicking when K The Bore and my father start talking about her dead daughter and how cool she was and how she knew loads of cool bands that no-one ever heard of. Oh, I don't know, I just find it odd.

We arrived at the shopping centre and I went off by myself, almost feeling like a thirteen year old being trusted for the first time to shop alone or with friends. It was odd how young and fragile I felt when listening to my father's instructions about where to meet and at what time. He was never there during those points of my teenage years when I was allowed my first bit of trust to go off and buy silk scarves from charity shops and pink lipsticks which have stayed the same tone even all these years later.

I despise Christmas so rebelled against it by shopping for myself. An amazing oversize clutch from the Limited Collection at M&S, basics from Primark and amazing bargains from New Look. The difference in regional style is something that amazes me and, I guess, a dream job would be as a street style blogger travelling major cities of the world. I admit, one of the things I loved about spending the weekend in the secret Yorkshire town was the style there- they were preened and perfect and knew how to mix vintage and high-street really well without looking too try-hard.

It then wasn't a surprise to me to see loads of the Limited Edition collection by New Look in the sale at the store in the Metro Centre, Gateshead. I guess the Limited Edition stuff can be a little less mainstream and my favourite item from the collection to date, an amazing faux-fur belted coat which was modelled by Pixie Geldof in the advertising campaigns, was actually reduced from £75 to £30 in the sale today despite there only being 400 of them and it being an amazing piece. Sadly, I'm neither a size 8 or 10. I guess I notice that up in Newcastle, despite the females having really cool style, some of the more unique or quirky pieces are left. Not that I'm complaining as I managed to bag opulent and statement necklaces for £1 reduced from £15. Chunky beads, bright jewel colours, large coloured stones and lots of beading- throw it all together and I'll wear it!

So, in honour of the store which supplied me with great joy today and took my mind away from K The Bore's muffin top, today's entire outfit is dedicated to my favourite store. Enjoy!



New Look by hollieanne