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.
Showing posts with label literature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label literature. Show all posts
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Monday, 30 March 2009
Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for lolita.
I finally bought the iconic book that is 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov. I knew it would be a difficult read and I knew it would be a rather odd read but, around twenty pages in, I am also finding the book appallingly beautiful. The use of language is extraordinary and I am truly captivated.
I sat in Starbucks with the book and was surrounded by a group of yummy mothers who were having a baby group of sorts and, when I sat in the only available chair and opened up Lolita, I felt a little strange. I discussed the very matter of the slightly odd feeling of reading Lolita and my male friend, a literary lover, said he'd feel he'd be frowned up were he to read it despite it being a classic.
Personally, whether the subject matter is peculiar or not, Vladmiri Nabokov's writing is spectacular.
I'm dressing for a sunny day reading! I've gone for a plain scoop neck tee from Wet Seal, a blue flower necklace by Forever21 and some (almost!) matching earrings from Topshop. The main piece to this outfit is, of course, the See by Chloé skirt which is so pretty! I'm finished off with some Puma trainers and a gorgeous leather bag from Topshop.
Lolita. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com
I sat in Starbucks with the book and was surrounded by a group of yummy mothers who were having a baby group of sorts and, when I sat in the only available chair and opened up Lolita, I felt a little strange. I discussed the very matter of the slightly odd feeling of reading Lolita and my male friend, a literary lover, said he'd feel he'd be frowned up were he to read it despite it being a classic.
Personally, whether the subject matter is peculiar or not, Vladmiri Nabokov's writing is spectacular.
I'm dressing for a sunny day reading! I've gone for a plain scoop neck tee from Wet Seal, a blue flower necklace by Forever21 and some (almost!) matching earrings from Topshop. The main piece to this outfit is, of course, the See by Chloé skirt which is so pretty! I'm finished off with some Puma trainers and a gorgeous leather bag from Topshop.
Lolita. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for the end of a rather nice weekend.
I'm a writer so I should have a problem with the word 'nice' but I do not thus I am using it to describe my weekend. My weekend was a rather divine old one with comfort being the key word. There was lots of Moloko, half drunk glasses of all sorts and cold toes as it snowed.
I ended last night in bed with a fabulous novel a la some 40something. Blissfully happy and locked in a tale of 1930s photographs turning up in library books, MYB called me and I had a decent little moan about my father. MYB and I ended up chatting and giggling for a while and I tried to go sleep but couldn't stop grinning from the previous conversation. Needless to say, I am exhausted today after several hours of early hours texting with my love. Worth it though!
My mother, brothers and I took a brief but sweet shopping trip today and had lunch together. I returned home to find snow and a decent hour on the clock so I took the Sunday newspapers and supplements and spent a while flicking through and reading whatever grabbed my attention enough. The rest of the night has been novel reading, novel writing and Stella McCartney geekiness with MYB. Sunday evening is a rather busy time at his place but I'm hoping to steal him for five minutes tonight to remind him I need his old magazine articles ASAP.
Also, have you ever shared a silly moment of "made up French" madness with your BFF which ended in laughter over the French word for 'goat'? No? Just us then...
I created the outfit for today with Sunday style very much in mind; that need to look stylish as you have lunch out and do some shopping but to also relish in the last few hours before office attire is needed. I've been in love with this Roberto Cavalli blouse for some time now and have finally used it in a set. As much as the the blouse would look great during the week with smart trousers, I've used some Kate Moss for Topshop white skinny jeans and added a flat silver sandal by Miu Miu. Keeping with the silver tones, I've gone for a large bag by See by Chloé and jewellery by Chanel. Hope you've had a great weekend!
Sunday times. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com
I ended last night in bed with a fabulous novel a la some 40something. Blissfully happy and locked in a tale of 1930s photographs turning up in library books, MYB called me and I had a decent little moan about my father. MYB and I ended up chatting and giggling for a while and I tried to go sleep but couldn't stop grinning from the previous conversation. Needless to say, I am exhausted today after several hours of early hours texting with my love. Worth it though!
My mother, brothers and I took a brief but sweet shopping trip today and had lunch together. I returned home to find snow and a decent hour on the clock so I took the Sunday newspapers and supplements and spent a while flicking through and reading whatever grabbed my attention enough. The rest of the night has been novel reading, novel writing and Stella McCartney geekiness with MYB. Sunday evening is a rather busy time at his place but I'm hoping to steal him for five minutes tonight to remind him I need his old magazine articles ASAP.
Also, have you ever shared a silly moment of "made up French" madness with your BFF which ended in laughter over the French word for 'goat'? No? Just us then...
I created the outfit for today with Sunday style very much in mind; that need to look stylish as you have lunch out and do some shopping but to also relish in the last few hours before office attire is needed. I've been in love with this Roberto Cavalli blouse for some time now and have finally used it in a set. As much as the the blouse would look great during the week with smart trousers, I've used some Kate Moss for Topshop white skinny jeans and added a flat silver sandal by Miu Miu. Keeping with the silver tones, I've gone for a large bag by See by Chloé and jewellery by Chanel. Hope you've had a great weekend!
Sunday times. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com
Saturday, 31 January 2009
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
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
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being shockingly cold.
It's official, if it wasn't bad enough that I'm going to be prodded by docs on Monday morning, I have a really bad chill. Sore throat? Check. Aching muscles? Super check. Headache? Yup, I've got it. And being so cold you feel like an ice cube? Oh yes!
The last time I was this cold was when I caught the winter sickness bug and spent the day hugging the radiator. I am layered up beyond belief- blankets, socks...the works- but my body is shivering so much. Make me warm up, please!
Despite feeling rather ill, I still managed the usual Saturday high street love-in but purchased little more than flat shoes in shades of pinks and yellow (hi, Banana Feet!) and a pretty flower ring. I did manage to pick up a grand (and heavy) total of six books- all chick lit minus one media theory book for good measure. Call me a geek if you will...
I do realise how chavtastic this outfit it but surely, when you're this cold, style is passed on for a dose of Victoria's Secret and Ugg boots? OK, forgive me this once. Yes? Good! I think I may have mentioned my guilty fashion pleasure of Victoria's Secret so that's why I've used a fab Victoria's Secret hoodie and bubblegum pink tee. Juicy Couture, my ultimate guilty fashion pleasure, comes in the form of some pale pink bottoms and the pink theme is carried on with socks from J Crew and Ugg boots. Now, the next two items will show you how cold I am- mittens from Lacoste and a woolly hat by Republic...to wear indoors!
Freezing cold. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com
The last time I was this cold was when I caught the winter sickness bug and spent the day hugging the radiator. I am layered up beyond belief- blankets, socks...the works- but my body is shivering so much. Make me warm up, please!
Despite feeling rather ill, I still managed the usual Saturday high street love-in but purchased little more than flat shoes in shades of pinks and yellow (hi, Banana Feet!) and a pretty flower ring. I did manage to pick up a grand (and heavy) total of six books- all chick lit minus one media theory book for good measure. Call me a geek if you will...
I do realise how chavtastic this outfit it but surely, when you're this cold, style is passed on for a dose of Victoria's Secret and Ugg boots? OK, forgive me this once. Yes? Good! I think I may have mentioned my guilty fashion pleasure of Victoria's Secret so that's why I've used a fab Victoria's Secret hoodie and bubblegum pink tee. Juicy Couture, my ultimate guilty fashion pleasure, comes in the form of some pale pink bottoms and the pink theme is carried on with socks from J Crew and Ugg boots. Now, the next two items will show you how cold I am- mittens from Lacoste and a woolly hat by Republic...to wear indoors!
Freezing cold. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com
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