Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for shopping for boys.

My BFF is lovely. I'm sure you all know how much I adore him as I go on about him a lot in my blog but he's very much annoyed me today. Monday will mark the 24th birthday of my darling BFF and I am very proud but birthdays means gifts and gifts mean trouble.

Shopping for Christmas gifts for my BFF is easy as I buy the generic DVD and computer game sort of things and then pile up loads of little silly gifts and chocolate. However, his birthday is always difficult for me for some odd reason. There's a computer game I know he'd like but he's been meaning to buy it himself for ages so it lacks creativity. What is a girl to do?

He doesn't like football, he isn't into fashion or labels, he's not a cook and nor does he have a need for any home items or any gadgets. He's so hard to buy for! What I opted for in the end is actually brilliant but not exactly unique but I know it'll make him happy.

People find it odd that I have a straight male for a best friend; OK, so we've been "there" (2.5 year relationship, actually) but we get along like brother and sister now. My father (as the idiot he is) thinks my BFF and I will get married and have children one day. But both my best friend and I feel rather sick at the idea of us kissing or that we ever did. It feels weird- urgh!

Today is pretty and feminine to substitute for the major male influence of today. Tibi have to be one of my favourite designers and I'll probably opt for one of their dresses once my hips become drastically smaller. This Tibi dress is bold but pretty and costs around £150 which I feel is well worth the price. I've gone for simple black tights and a purple flat shoe from Monsoon. The red glitter heart bag is delicious and is from the High Street love that is Topshop. Accessories keep in with the colour theme with purple beads, a red flower ring and a big purple number. Finally, my favourite look of the moment, a pretty corsage to pin hair back with- this one is available from Topshop.



Shopping for boys. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a confusing but calm day.

I'm joyous at the fact that I have not ventured outside my home today and opted for the calm of an afternoon bubble bath, a brilliant novel and pesto. Normally I'm seen as a blur within the greed of modern weekend consumerism and I'm a typical buyer who shops for the pleasure whether in need of anything or not. But this weekend (well, this Saturday) I have felt the need to stay home and clean, wish away the hours by talking to my mother, socialise with family members, do some painting, sub edit some articles and think about prominent clothing brands and their marketing tactics. Good stuff!

I shall most probably spend tomorrow back in that consumerism blur with the occasional tense moment as my football team play their closest rivals in one of the biggest games in British football. There's something to be said about opting to divulge in home life: I used to get rather low when I found myself home all weekend due to not making plans or feeling ill but now I really enjoy it. I enjoy the thrill of using up a whole pint of skimmed milk during the day from unstoppable cups of tea or lighting candles in the front room and relaxing as their mango haze soaks my senses. Very pretty afternoon.

But my evening was tinged with a worry about my father. I'm not a girl to bite my tongue, especially when it comes to this man. When he called me later this evening I found it hard not to feel exasperated at his current plans which will end in tears from all. Why does he wish upon himself such a complicated love life and why does he need one so much? My father is ten years older than my darling boyfriend but acts like a teenager. MYB and I have pretty much always managed to keep things low-key despite an eighteen year age gap, busy lives, my illness and a slight hiccup in between. So why can't my father keep things simple with any woman he dates? Why can't he accept he does things to himself and face the consequences? Why am I so wrong when I gently inform him the beauty he was with this time last year was actually too good for him? He's admitted it himself before. I never mention my relationship with MYB to my father so why does he insist on informing me of every heartbeat and affair in his? I care not for another turn around in my life. No, not again.

Shall we discuss the outfit? I think so. This outfit is half similar to what I wore today, actually. I love maxi dresses but at nearly six foot I can get away with them and not have to wear heels. I love a plain maxi dress (seemingly, I wore a black one today) that I can jazz up with accessories. This blue number is from Forever21 and I've added a belt from ASOS. I've matched the colouring of the belt with a gorgeous Mulberry classic and used bronze/gold necklaces by Kenneth Jay Lane and Forever21. I'd tie my hair back in a simple side bun and add this sweet bow hair tie from Monsoon. Deep pinks are introduced with some wonderful Yves Saint Laurent flats and a flower ring by Kara Ross which is also seen here in an off-peach colour. Finally, for true casual chic, pile on the bangles like these from Topshop. And I'm calm once more...



He's annoyed my calm day. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for fiesty women.

I'm one of those birds who claims to dislike most women and not get on with them. 90% of you will now be thinking "She must be a flirt/man-eater/rude bitch/up herself". The other 10%, well, you're probably one of the very few females I do get along with.

Why don't girls like girls? Easy, most of them are threatened and a lot are jealous (yes, I did just go there!). So, when a girl and I clash, perhaps it is because she finds my Tory loving personality just a bit much but a lot of the time it may well be because she's jealous. Because, face it, that is the main reason women dislike each other. Hmm, so I'm circle shaped and my nose is a wee bit small and I have a really annoying giggle after several glasses of wine. I'm not saying that I am perfect and every woman should be jealous of me, but what I am saying is that I can see why some women could be. Just like I am jealous of other women (MYB's blonde, thin, intelligent ex to name but one) and just like I will continue to be of other women that I meet. My plus points? A rather decent little journalism career for being 19, a gorgeous and successful bloke, ambition and confidence in my apple shape figure (although I've lost 9lb in 3 weeks so I'm looking more Marilyn than ever before!). It takes a strong woman to admit there are reasons others may be jealous and it takes a confident woman to state her plus points- why don't women do it more often and stop being hard on themselves?

Simple fact is though, I often don't get on with women because they don't enjoy football, a decent pint and a kebab on a night which, by the way, would be my ideal night. I date metrosexuals who come across as being gay but my mates are all football loving blokes who ask me if they can wank over my tits after 11 pints. I always say no, by the way. Anyway...

So, how did I lead with this topic for today? Well, dear Readers, I was having lunch with my Aunt today and we got talking about X Factor. It came as little surprise to me that my Aunt didn't like Ruth ("She always has her bangers out and loves herself") and Rachel ("She's got such a bad attitude"). Hmm, no comment on their singing ability but their apparent attitude. Let's start with Ruth. In truth, 99% of men would love to sleep with Ruth because she's a stunning natural beauty with a body to die for. And as far as Rachel? That woman is an inspiration to all who have been knocked down. Jesus, after what she's been through she's going to have an attitude but if anyone wants to comment on how her attitude is "rude", I'll take you to Brixton and show you what rude is.

I just find, because I'm not slagging off every bit of fat on my body or because I'll use every muscle in my body to make it in the world of journalism, some people can perceive my confidence and ambition as attitude. Women judge confident women wrongly- we're nice, really!

Dressing For could only be about a figure loving dress and some killer heels today, couldn't it? Kicking off with the shoes to give even the most feet phobic people a shoe fetish. They are, of course, Yves Saint Laurent's blue sole beauties which will set you back a total of £415. Worth it? Hell yes! I'm loving this semi-80s style Balenciaga dress- the cut, the monochrome...yum. It'd take a strong woman to pull it off but why can't that be you?! Slip a Chanel classic on your arm and load up on jewels available from Net-A-Porter that you bought yourself, of course. All set to go out and meet your model looking and successful bloke? Slip on some Destiny's Child and shake what your momma gave you because, my word, you look hot!


Woman. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for using her Chloé Paddington for the first time.

I'm a very luck girl, although some would read that as "spoilt brat", as I am now the owner of a Chloé Paddington bag. It was a Christmas present that I was allowed to use early and the bag got her first outing today to my media lecture.

It is a beautiful bag- such soft leather and rather roomy considering it doesn't look it but, Jesus, isn't the bag/lock heavy? Never mind, I'll suffer the pain of a sore shoulder/arm/back from the lock and contents. Not a problem!

But why don't men get the joy that this bag brings me? I haven't really spoken to my boyfriend about it but, considering we discussed his love of Living Lohan and America's Next Top Model in my media lecture today, I'm sort of guessing he'll understand more than most. However, I called my best friend up and squealed in delight that I was carrying a Chloé Paddington on my arm and he just sort of snorted and started talking about his silly new computer game (snore!). His loss.

The biggest reaction came from my friend Mike, though, who implied that I was some sort of wannabe WAG. One must laugh but, as I text him back and tried to reason with him that I'm currently a girlfriend of an assistant editor and not a footballer, I realised that Ms. Beckham has exactly the same bag as moi. Seriously, Mike, I don't go for footballers. I just go for gorgeous bags!

Ah, just remembered what my media lecturer said about the bag; when discussing the sheer amazingness of it with a female friend, my lecturer made some comment about it being some sort of Mediveal torture bag. Hmm, if I become a kinky escort then it'll be my bag of choice.

So, it's all in the bag today for Dressing For. OK, so the outfit sort of doesn't colour match with the bag but when was that massively important? Starting with the bag (my bag!), well, not much needs to be said. I've done the classic layering look of a grey long sleeve tee and a very pretty navy Ci Ci for Topshop dress. Accessory wise, I'd throw on a beanie by ACNE, some super heels which are (surprisingly) by Paris Hilton and then added a tassel and bead necklace by DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Braided. Finally, because you can, slip on a diamond Tiffany & Co. ring. I'd wear this for drinks with friends and then a quick Pizza Express with MYB.


Chloé Paddington. 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