Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for getting back to normality.

The holidays are well and truly over and I landed back in education this evening with excitement. I dislike holidays, I've always been a work-a-holic and although I had masses of editing and writing to do over my break, it still didn't feel right. It was great to be feeling inspired and back in a classroom once more.

How lovely was the weather today, though? My word, it was incredible. As much as I spent four hours in a classroom, I enjoyed a skinny iced mocha from Starbucks whilst sitting in the sun and reading. I think tomorrow is supposed to be just as lovely so I'm going to take my laptop outside and write until the sun comes down. Oh, and see my father but I'll try and make that short and sweet.

So, onto the outfit. I've gone for cute and comfortable today. I've started with this gorgeous Alice + Olivia tank dress and kept the accessories light and fresh. I've added navy lace-ups from Dorothy Perkins, this stunning white bag by Fendi and a chain hairband by Miss Selfridge. The look is completed with a statement necklace from Forever21 and some gorgeous oversized sunnies by Miu Miu.

Back to normality. by hollieanne featuring Fendi tote bags

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for writing lists.

I have an incredibly busy week this week but, sitting in bed in my pink nightwear, I'm left wondering just why I spent today being less than productive! One productive thing I did do was write endless lists: to-do lists, lists of friends I need to catch up with ASAP, lists filled with article ideas, lists of inspirational things I need to research, lists about possible outfits for a possible date I have with MYB later this week...

Rather than making lists, I should have just got on a done it all. But there's something therapeutic about seeing it all written down and knowing I'll get to draw a line through each and every one in time.

Tomorrow is a bit of a mixed up day- up early, have some work to do, coffee with some wonderful friends of mine, lots of stuff to print, shopping, meeting my father, sorting out plans with MYB... I just feel like I'm going to be running backwards and forwards constantly from one town to the next but perhaps it'll all make me super tired and I'll sleep better than I have been of late?

The outfit today is very much an all-rounder: suitable for the office, suitable for a date with MYB, suitable for meeting friends of lunch and suitable for having afternoon tea with my father. The green trench here is from Peacocks! I cannot believe such a beautiful coat would come from one of the cheaper High Street chains- look at the detailing on the neck! I know where I'm off to tomorrow. Under the trench I've gone for a neutral coloured Topshop jersey, some standard New Look jeans and then I've gone all out with some chocolate brown Louboutins. The ring, bag and necklace featured here are all available from Topshop.



Lists. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a beautiful day taking photographs.

Calm. Simple. Cold. Sunny. My day has been utterly wonderful. I went into college to use the arts library only to find it was closed due to teacher training- gutted. I spent the next hour in the "normal" library sending e-mails and sourcing inspiration.

This afternoon I wandered around a local park I'd never visited. It was frosted white and looked so beautiful with a mix of old age buildings and the backdrop of a modern city. I loved hearing the frost crunch under my pink leather flats and seeing my hands turn more and more red as the temperature dropped.

Walking around the park with nothing but the sounds of birds and passing traffic was so calming. Normally my iPod is plugged in constantly but not today, I wanted the quiet. There was perhaps an added comfort knowing my mother was only two minutes away as the park faces the hospital where she works. I always feel better within myself when my beautiful mother is near.

I took many photographs as I soaked up the winter sun and a load have turned out beautifully. I'm very proud. Oh, and there was the odd self portrait in there too. Vanity o'clock!

Currently talking to MYB online. Perfect way to end the day.

So, I've gone all casual and nautical today. I really like this Burberry coat, it looks really plain but there's something about it. I've selected wonderfully dark jeans by Levi and added a sweet t-shirt by Stella McCartney which induced the nautical theme. There pretty anchor earrings come from Urban Outiftters and I've picked a lovely nautical bag. Finally, some gorgeous flats by French Sole. Happy Friday, Guys!



A day taking photographs. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for flowers.

I was given flowers today! What a wonderful surprise it was indeed and the pinks and reds of the buds sit beautifully on my inspiration desk on the right hand side of my bedroom.

So, as I'm sure you're all wonderful, who sent the pretty petals? I can tell you now that it certainly wasn't MYB and nor was it my Yummy Mummy. I can also inform you it wasn't a gesture of love from my BFF or an apology gift from my father. The flowers didn't come from Office Man or some lecturer of mine to say congratulations; they actually came from my Ellie! Ellie is the partner of my mother (my step-dad, if you will) and he bought them as a congratulations for my top marks in philosophy. It was really kind of him and I'm very grateful.

I last received flowers a few days before my sixteenth birthday and they were from my BFF who, back then, was my boyfriend. I was sent 12 red roses which lasted for weeks and I remember feeling ever so sophisticated at having flowers delivered to me. I was a loser, yeah?

I'd like MYB to buy me flowers but it's a bit of a silly romantic gesture with little thought and MYB knows very well that, to me, romance equals holding my hand over the dinner table or running me a bath when I'm exhausted. But. MYB, I would adore some lillies!

Another part of my day was finding the perfect pair of boots therefore I've popped a beautiful pair Miu Miu patent boots in this set. The boots are in good company with a black polo neck, simple black ribbed tights and a beautiful floral dress by Forever21. The glam earrings and pretty petal ring are also by American label Forever21 and this wonderful piece of arm candy is by Stella McCartney. Until tomorrow...


Someone gave me flowers... by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for missing blogging.

Hi, Everyone! How are you all? Ah, how I've missed you. I guess I should start with an explanation as to the absence of Dressing For for the past few days. Basically, several family members of mine have been seriously ill and I've had to focus on my family which I'm sure you can all understand. Nothing ever gets in the way of creating a daily entry- personal illness, deadlines, raging tiredness- but this just had to be put to the side for a few days due to such an emergency. I apologise for my absence and thanks to the people who have e-mailed asking if everything is fine. Dressing For resumes as from now!

I'm looking forward to getting back into the regular routine of styling and blogging every day and, despite the fact I've only been away since Thursday, I feel I'm getting withdrawal symptoms.

I have very little to do today apart from see my father (in half an hour- eeek!) and make lots of inspiration diagrams. Today's outfit is bright and pretty and perfect for wearing when working at home and needing a little boost from your outfit. I adore this Juicy Couture sunflower dress and it's defiantly being added to my "When I Am Thin" list. I've gone for browns and bronze to set off the pink with a vintage bag, a wonderful owl ring by modcloth.com and some statement wedges by Burberry Prorsum. Last night I tied three plaits across the front of my forehead like a hairband and secured them with a pretty corsage just like these pink and brown ones. And to make a final, more personal addition, to today's outfit- a Marni bracelet. MYB, darling, M-A-R-N-I, OK? But make mine a necklace. Thanks, Sweetie!


I've missed blogging. by hollieanne