Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being too tired to shop.

Did I just write that? I think I did. My word, I must be exhausted. Yesterday was amazing, if not tiring and I came back more tired than I have been in months. After a decent sleep, I spent this morning playing with the guinea pigs and then soaking in a relaxing bath.

Do you ever just have those days where it doesn't matter how much sleep you've had, you're still exhausted? That was me today. I thought perhaps the aforementioned bath might wake me up or some lunch and a few cups of coffee but nothing did it.

This afternoon I tagged along with my parents when they went shopping and, with everything from Zara to H&M to Lush to Faith at my fingertips, I couldn't manage to strength to even try on a pair of heels. I was left dreaming of my bed, a warm blanket and thick socks.

When I arrived home, I curled up on the sofa in my favourite jersey dress and read magazines. I'm now looking forward to an early night. Dull and boring? Perhaps. Cosy and lovely? Very much so.

I'm dressing comfortably today but nonetheless super stylish. I've started with a fitted grey jacket from Wet Seal and added a stunning By Malene Birger pleated skirt. For accessories, I've gone for a Vivienne Westwood bear necklace, a cute See by Chloé bag and some silver Marc by Marc Jacobs woven flats. To finish the outfit, I've used a flower ring by Lydia Courteille, at nearly £4,000, it's certainly an investment piece.

Tired shopping. by hollieanne featuring Marc by Marc Jacobs flat shoes

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a lost voice.

Oh, here's me thinking that a good night of sleep would mean I'd wake up this morning and feel refreshed. I was most certainly wrong! I woke up late this morning with a killing headache, puffy eyes and a sore throat. When I wanted to feel refreshed with a steaming hot bath, I was told a water pipe had burst up the road which left out entire house smelling of eggs and made the water brown. Lovely!

My sore throat turned worse and I ended up losing my voice for several hours which certainly wasn't fun. I did manage to enjoy the sun a little, though, if only from my garden. I've spent my day writing, reading magazines and newspapers and the normal things which come along with a lazy Saturday. I'm now sat in bed listening to The Smiths- bliss!

Outfit time! Whenever I feel low- whether due to psychical illness or just being a little depressed- I really feel a great colourful outfit just adds that something to make you smile and feel a little better. I've become a bit of a fan of Dorothy Perkins fan tonight with this magenta cardigan, emerald tulip skirt and grey bag all coming from the High Street store. I've added grey Falke tights, grey pumps with chain detail from Primark and a gorgeous necklace available from ASOS. I hope you're having a great weekend, everyone!



I lost my voice. by hollieanne featuring Dorothy Perkins bags

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for stripes and florals.

What a lovely day! Did you all enjoy the sunshine? I hope you managed to get out of the office, even if it was just to M&S for a sandwhich during your lunch hour.

I started the day off oddly, not wanting to drag myself out of bed come 10am after not getting to sleep until 4 this morning after romantic discussions and pretty daydreams. When I did manage to pull myself up and out of my slumber, I drank coffee and washed the exhaustion from my eyes with a bubble bath and BBC World Service.

When it came to getting dressed, I was in a bit of a rush after managing to lose the hairdryer for a bit and running around the house like mad. I had semi pre-planned an outfit last night though so pulled on a striped tee, a floral dress and some black tights and flats. My mid-morning rush caused me just to grab the nearest accessories and the result was rather fab with a Topshop corsage pinned at shoulder level and pretty pearls.

I spent my day completing one of my HEFC courses (hurrah!) and then went into Starbucks for an iced mocha, cookie and the latest copy of Instyle magazine. Simple pleasures are always the best and the sun is giving everyone a major boost.

The outfit today is inspired by my outfit. Should I post a pic of it? Hmm, perhaps tomorrow. The stripped tee is from Topshop, this beautiful skirt is by H&M and the pretty pink flats are by Miu Miu. Today, I grabbed my satchel and threw all my junk it; surprisingly, it really finished off my look. This satchel here to perfect to me and is by Proenza Schouler for a crazy $14,500. Do you think it's worth adding to my birthday wish list? Cheaper accessories are this Dorothy Perkins ring and Forever21 pearls.



Stripes and florals. by hollieanne featuring Proenza Schouler shoulder bags

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for having the spring sniffles.

Hurrah- I have a major cold and cannot breath through my nose. Welcome to spring! I started feeling ill yesterday and my weak immune system made the decision to make things a million times worse this morning. I should have spent the afternoon having lunch with friends but had to opt out and spend my time soaking in the bath, taking flu pills, working my way through loads of tissues and falling in and out of sleep.

What do you do when you're feeling ill? I'm sure we're all fans of a duvet day, hot chocolate and perhaps sympathy from a good looking bloke/bird. I only had two out of three today but that'll do for now!

I didn't even have the energy to pop out for a newspaper today but this outfit is the perfect casual outfit for slouching at home in and going out for an essential supply of magazines, chocolate and super soft tissues. The jeans I've used are by J Brand, the over sized tee is Topshop and this wonderful Blondie charm bracelet is by Lucky Brand. Miu Miu provide beautiful classics with some flat peep toes and a stunning patent bag.


Spring sniffles. by hollieanne featuring Lucky Brand bracelets

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for mornings and evenings in the sunshine.

I beat the clock today. Rather than feeling gutted that I had- in effect- lost an hour of sleep, I woke two hours earlier than normal and jumped into some lounge wear and headed for the garden. I spent an hour drinking a few cups of herbal tea and reading my book as my toes touched the morning dew and my legs stretched out onto the cool grass.



I had to depart from my literary bliss to go out shopping for the afternoon but this only resulted in a chance to purchase more things for my reading pleasure. In the case of today, I bought a Sunday paper and Psychologies magazine.



When I returned home this evening, around 630pm, I put on my favourite H&M hoodie and ventured out into the garden once more with my new stack of reading material, a glass of wine and another mug of herbal tea. Sitting on the bench and watching the sun go down, it made me think of how I need to pull myself out of this little low spell I've been feeling for a few days. I hope it goes away soon.

The floral maxi dress featured here (perfect for sunny afternoons) is by Charlotte Russe and I've added some gladiator heels by Nine West and a Topshop straw clutch. The two necklace here are also by Topshop, the earrings are ASOS and the bangles come from French Connection. Finally, you all know I love a floral ring and this Betsey Johnson one is so cute!



Newspapers in the garden. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a day of newspapers and magazines and an early night.

As you'll all know by now, Saturday is my relaxation day if I'm at home and today has been no exception. I started off by indulging in sausage, bacon and scrambled egg for breakfast and then moved on to hours and hours of newspaper and magazine reading.

I am now sat in bed (early, I know!) pondering the delights of my BFF's evening with his new girl and dreaming of the incredible future my own love life has to offer. Once I finish daydreaming and finish blogging, I plan on getting an hour in of novel writing and then a good read over Grazia and Psychologies magazine.

I've just had a phone conversation where I recalled how I'm feeling a little low and thus perhaps indulging in it a little like a typical middle-class work-a-holic. Amidst my woes and cries of "Oh god, I'm so miserable and sodding boring- how the hell do you manage to love me?", I was reminded that comfort sometimes is relaxing like this and there's nothing to be ashamed of. What do you lot do to make yourselves feel better? I think I might have to pop downstairs for some chocolate, is anyone with me on this one?

The outfit today is so plain and generic of what I see of seventeen year olds walking around educational establishments but you've got to admit it looks comfortable. The dress and pretty corsage hairband are from Miss Selfridge whilst the pink pumps come from it's sister store, Topshop. The standard ankle skimming leggings are avalible from the American store Wet Seal. And finally, the neon bird necklace and fabulous heart ring are by the ever so wonderful ASOS. Hope you're having a great Saturday!


Magazines and newspapers sort of day. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being super tired.

Hi! How have you all been? Managed to live without me for a few days? Oh my word, what a few days! Good friends, incredible food, a load of champagne and incredible success. I can't even begin to describe how great everything was and it was brilliant to see old friends and new colleagues. 2009 is clearly my year!

So, like I said, things went very well and I received a few bits of astonishing news which left me in tears of happiness. I've spent the past few days giggling, working really hard, going for pretty walks and drinking champagne cocktails with a large group of dear friends. I'd love to go into more detail but, for the time being, it'll all have to stay a lovely secret.

I've spent today trying to recover and enjoying a lie-in. I'm going to be doing the same thing tomorrow but with more magazines, a lot longer in my nightwear, a pretty catch up with MYB and perhaps an afternoon nap. I am getting old!

I love the outfit for today- it's cute, simple and cosy. This Forever21 cardigan really reminds me of something my granny would knit me back in the day and it has a lovely vintage feel to it. I've gone for a simple Topshop tee, Stella McCartney jeans and flats from Boden. The colourful bangles are Oasis, the ring is Topshop and the watch and bag are from ASOS. Hope you had a great Thursday and Friday, everyone!


Super tired! - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com