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 fancy dress outfit shopping.

Tomorrow evening I'll be in fancy dress for the first time ever- yay! I've never been to a fancy dress party before (sad, I know) so I am so excited.

My mother and I spent a hurried afternoon rushing around the shopping centre and trying to source inspiration. Despite tomorrow evening being planned for months, we didn't quite get our act together so have had to settle for what we could grab today. But what we found wasn't bad at all!

So, when I go off and see The Hoosiers tomorrow evening, I'll be dressed as a 1950s house-wife. Not very inventive, I know, but I have a lecture in the morning and then a hospital appointment with very little time to change in between. So unless I wanted to meet my doctor tomorrow dressed as Superwoman/Amy Winehouse/a naughty nurse, I'll have to work with my own clothing.

My style is quite 50s feminine anyway so my favourite mustard and purple floral dress will come in perfect, teamed with my cupcake apron, rollers in my hair and all the added accessories of a duster, rubber gloves and a feather boa for good measure. I can't wait!

As the shopping was quite hurried today, I've picked an outfit that's perfect for a slouchy morning with magazines, pastries and Hollyoaks followed by a Sunday lunch and glass of wine with your bloke and then trying on wigs quickly in fancy dress stores.

I love this Charles Nolan silk blouse- it's the perfect piece for work and for weekend. I've paired it up with a pale pink cotton Miu Miu skirt, Topshop knee high grey socks and amazing geometric style Chloé leather flats. Finally, as well as the Topshop bag, I've gone for cupcake jewellery- hooray! I heart cupcakes and The Humming Bird Bakery in South Kensington is the place of my dreams. Oh how I miss it...



Fancy dress shopping. by hollieanne