Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for falling asleep.

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. I fell asleep before I had a chance to blog last night. I feel so bad! I started a new course of medication yesterday and the side effects include extreme tiredness. After an hour and a half of taking the first pill, my head was hitting the pillow and I went to sleep straight away. I may have to start blogging during the day for the next few weeks until I get used to the medication.

MYB (my yummy bloke) called me around 830 last night and I can hardly remember our conversation because the medication had made me so sleepy, dizzy and drowsy. Apparently we barely had a conversation because I was that zonked out!

So, I do super apologise to you lovely lot.

The outfit I've made up for today would be worn for a pretty walk around the park and dinner eaten in the garden. I've started with this beautiful red animal print dress by Just Cavalli, added some heels by Kors by Micheal Kors and a bag from Accessorize. The gorgeous tribal necklace is By Malene Birger, the ring is- again- Accessorize and the sunnies are from Topshop. Hope you all had a fab Friday.

Falling asleep. by hollieanne featuring By Malene Birger necklaces

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for refreshing the page.

Oh my god, I hate the Internet! I had some stuff to sort out online today and the website went down/crashed/died and I spent ages in my pajamas just wishing for the website to work. After many phone calls, a few tears and hours of stress, all was sorted and I'll reveal some information very soon.

But, for tonight, I feel low. Deadlines and idiots being the main problem but isn't that just life as a journalist? Not even chocolate could help me cope tonight but I keep clicking through the beautiful pictures of my beautiful man and I at the weekend and I grin when I'm reminded how stunning we look together and how happy we look. I think the best way to deal with stress is just to scream and cry all you want through it and then think of some beautifully happy times.

I'm going for an early night tonight as I think it'll do me some good. I'm off to Manchester tomorrow for work, a little shopping and perhaps a romantic late dinner with my love. I'll make sure I blog!

The outfit I've picked for today is so cute just for staying at home and working in. I love this quirky McQ scarf/tee which I've paired with Miss Selfridge jeans. The pink shoes are Converse, these sweet seahorse earrings are Topshop and this gorgeously classic bag is Anya Hindmarch.

Refresh, refresh, refresh. by hollieanne featuring McQ by Alexander McQueen t-shirts

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for cancelling her birthday dinner.

Today has just been a big load of fail from the start and it's got worse. I'm just exhausted and tired. I got very little sleep last night and had an unproductive day of work. When I got home this evening, I took my mother to one side and explained how tired and low I felt. I cancelled dinner with my family tonight despite looking forward to it. I've been in bed since 4:30pm and I just plan on sleeping through the next few days. I'm sorry this entry isn't very happy and smiley, things aren't great tonight.

Anyway, this is the outfit I would have put together for a relaxed dinner with the people I love the most. I've used a vest by Splendid which I'd wear tucked into this stunning Dorothy Perkins skirt. I've added Chanel-a-like shoes from Topshop, an ASOS bangle and an Alexander McQueen scarf. To finish off the look, I've gone for a Marc B envelope stud bag.

Cancelling birthday dinner. by hollieanne featuring Dorothy Perkins knee length skirts

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for booking her tattoo.

Oh my god, can you believe I just typed that? Can you believe I'm getting a tattoo on Tuesday at noon? My word. But speaking of believe, that's exactly what my tattoo shall be. Perfectly inked on my wrist, the word 'believe' will sit there as a reminder of the ups and downs of life and the most treasured phrase repeated by my mother: "Believe in yourself and believe things will get better".

Now, as I sit with my happy ending in the form of the most beautiful man alive and a career I totally adore, I trust her words more than ever. I do realise I'll always have a struggle with BPD but now- several months after feeling content and calm and as if BPD never existed- I know how to deal with it. I take every single minute as a treasure- I shouldn't be sitting here today- and I adore life, even if that just means reading the newspaper on my journey home.

I think self belief and belief in those around you is the most important value in life. You give up when you stop believing and, in an evening last June, I really did give up. But with the help of my mother, best friend, my darling man and those other people around me, I am now the most content girl alive. Perhaps this entry comes across as me gushing with happiness, even being smug, but I know a lot of you who read this blog can really understand what I mean by all this.

But, as many of my friends are thinking, what is this typical middle-class girl getting a tattoo for? Surely, the girl who votes Conservative and cannot wait to get married is against inking herself up? It's surprised me too, I must say, but it was my mother who suggested it and I want to give something positive back to my body which has dealt with so much psychical abuse in the past.

Finally, before we get onto the outfit, I'd like to say a HUGE thank-you to all who read the comment and contact with such lovely words. This is the 200th entry and Dressing For is my baby. The blog means a lot to me and the best thing is hearing all your sweet comments. I'm glad a lot of you get a lot out of Dressing For, I certainly do too!

Fashion o'clock? Go on then! I've picked this sweet 3/4 length sleeve striped dress from French Connection- it would really show off my little addition to my wrist. With it, I've added an Yves Saint Laurent chunky gold necklace, a ring by Forever21 and a rope bracelet from ae.com . The red sunglasses featured here can be found at fredflare.com , the cute nautical inspired bag is by APC Madras and costs £91 and, finally, these classic sandals are designed by the wonderful Sigerson Morrison.

It's booked! by hollieanne featuring Forever21 rings

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being sad on a Sunday.

Come on, Hollie, pull yourself together! I keep repeating this in my head but the idea of curling into my bed for several days and crying a few tears feels like the better option. Of course, like any person recovering from years of on/off mental illness, there will be bad days. Today isn't a bad day, as such, I'm no-where near the lows I have experienced in times gone past but I need a major cuddle and perhaps a tiny cry. Crying is healthy, letting it all out is healthy.

I'm not sure what's wrong, perhaps I'm just being a silly hormonal girl or coming down from the high of the past few days? Perhaps it's the end of the holidays and I'm nervous of the next few academic weeks ahead? I'll be fine, I know I will. I'm having a bit of a miserable day just like any other human being experiences.

I've kept busy today and done some more editing and writing. Playing with my guinea pigs also made me smile. Simple pleasures and keeping busy always works. I might go to bed soon and do some reading and call my love and remind him just how much I love him- from his beautiful blond hair to the tip of his toes.

The outfit I've styled for today would be worn for a Sunday lunch with friends and lots of laughing. I am madly in love with this Sonia Rykiel jumper and I've paired it with a Topshop floral skirt and black tights. I've added some incredible Rupert Sanderson platforms and a cute Chloé bag. Finally, I've used some ASOS hair clips and a ring by Oasis.

Sad on a Sunday. by hollieanne featuring Sonia Rykiel sweaters

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being cross.

I've been having a bit of a rough few days- bit low, tired, flu- and I was positive I'd pick myself up today and feel refreshed for the coming week but apparently that wasn't to happen. MYB and I spent all last night chatting and trying to ease our stressed minds and, at a silly hour this morning, we said goodbye and went to sleep happy.

But MYB (My Yummy Bloke) text me and was insistent he spoke to me ASAP. Anyway, we ended up having a little falling out over some information he's been keeping from me (he'll not be around for five whole days as of tomorrow) and I've had to stop myself from crying in public all day because he just added to my stress. Silly, MYB. I adore him, I just wish he'd have had a little more belief in me.

We've made up (and bloody enjoyed it!) and we're swapping texts but my mind still feels busy and cloudy with all the work I have to do this week. I need a holiday.

However, on a positive note, I've gone for a kiss print dress from Dorothy Perkins for all those silly little misunderstandings that couples have that end up in romance and beautifulness. I've added some pink Forever21 flats, a necklace by ASOS and a ring by Betsey Johnson. Finally, I've added the gift which I hope I'll be getting as an "I'm sorry" gift, a beautiful navy Chanel bag. Hope you lot have had a fab weekend!



I was cross. by hollieanne featuring Forever21 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 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 having a morning panic attack.

It's been a really stressful week, most notably issues with my father, so it didn't surprise me when I found myself unable to breath and going bright red. Welcome to panic attack land!

I'd been wound up all morning over issues to do with my father: I was wondering what was so wrong with me that he let me down all the time, wondering if my sister knew some secret I didn't, wondering if he preferred spending time with his girlfriend than with me. As I got off the bus and began to take the rather long walk to campus, I found myself welling up with tears for no reason. The tears kept on coming- silent and slow- until I was down a side road and having a full blown panic attack before 9am. My heart was racing, I was sweating, my muscles were tense, I was gagging because I couldn't breath...you name it.

When I get like that, the last thing I want to do is sit in a lecture and worry it's going to happen again. I always want to be curled up like a tiny baby guinea pig after I've suffered a panic attack. The need to want to be in a tight little ball after such a claustraphobic incident always strikes me as a little amusing but it feels safe and nice and comforting and I don't mind that one bit.

Returning home, I made a cup of herbal tea and watched BBC News for hours, taking little moments out to read a few pages of a book or the latest issue of Cosmopolitan. The highlight of my day was baking, however. I doubt I'm going to be around for Mothering Sunday this weekend so I baked my mum a fabulous buttercream and jam cake from scratch with little red frosted hearts hand crafted on. It made me smile.

But, as I was mixing up all my sweet treats, I began to think about how certain clothes can sometimes help calm a panic attack and certain items can really restrict you. I was wearing my staples of a fitted black cami, smart dark jeans and a trench today with a vintage scarf tied in a big bow around my neck. Clearly, the scarf was no good when my throat became tighter and my trench felt all too tight when I just needed some air rushing through me. The outfit today is plain but stylish and the main focus is clearly this beautiful Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti cotton jacket. With the jacket, I've added a comfort of some simple cut jeans and wonderful Marc by Marc Jacobs mouse flats which are not only comfortable but cannot help to keep one smiling. I've gone for a simple but roomy Longchamp bag and then some sweet little earrings from Topshop. Finally, to add a little extra sparkle to the outfit, I've used a Lady Luck Rules OK apple brooch.



Morning panic attacks. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for the March sun.

Britain has bathed in glorious sunshine today, hasn't it? I expect you all enjoyed it? What did you all get up to? I made it to a lecture this afternoon, grabbed a Starbucks and met my mother for a quick glass of wine. I was, of course, posing in my sunglasses the whole time!

I love how pretty I often feel in the sunshine and I'm reminded of an August spend sub-editing and lunchtimes spent walking in the sun in North London. I feel at my happiness in the sunshine and psychology reports often suggest that those who have suffered mental illness feel much happier and more calm when the weather is better but I do believe it's just general human nature to feel such a way.

My lecture was thrilling this afternoon, as a journalist already, I always adore writing pieces that I know I'm good at and hearing the journalistic efforts of my ever so talented classmates.

Wearing sunglasses, a crisp white shirt dress and sipping on a Starbucks make me feel glowing and radiant and I listened to Leona Lewis tracks that made me think of my love and remember some beautiful times we've shared. The sun made me happy.

Therefore, I've clearly styled an outfit today suitable for a pretty day in the warm sunshine. I've gone for a simple plain vest from Dorothy Perkins and some Miss Selfridge daisy earrings. To me, this skirt is a dream and something I'd most certainly wear on my wedding day. If you can afford $780, you can purchase this pretty little skirt from Erdem. The sunglasses, sling-back flats and tote are all by the wonderful Marc Jacobs.


March sun. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for skipping her lecture.

Oops-a-daisy, didn't make it into my lecture this evening. I've got to say that I am feeling rather guilty and bad but I think I needed a bit of a calm day today. My mind feels a bit misty and I think I'm overwhelmed by last week, by the events of this week and by my future. I've given myself a bit of a guilty trip over missing a 2.5 hour lecture but I need to remember that, despite the wonderful load of total calm and well being over the past several months, I do indeed suffer from BPD and my mental health is very important.

After a period of around two months of feeling like the BPD has totally gone, it's easy to forget that I ever had it. I've been getting drastically better since October and it may well be safe to say that my BPD is a distant memory after five years of emotional disasters. But I'm careful to look after myself. MYB annoyed me for something? I tell him and we talk it through. Feeling exhausted? I take an early night. Stress with work? I moan to MYB about it and he makes me feel fabulous. With me, it's the small things that make the biggest difference to my mental health and talking things through and putting a rational spin on things is they key to my well being.

Come 3pm, once I made my mind up that I wasn't going to make it tonight, I set myself a mental list of things that would keep me sane and soothe my mind tonight. First off, I sat in the garden in the afternoon sun with a huge mug of herbal tea and my favourite book. Then I worked on an article I started typing up on Thursday evening. I spent the rest of tonight chatting with my mother, thinking about some work plans I have and reading some basic Italian. Mind sorted and it's ready to work come my lecture on Wednesday!

I've dressed for Monday afternoon sun today. I'm a typical Brit and as soon as a tiny bit of sun comes out, I'm in skirts, flats and sunglasses. The tee and heart shaped sunnies seen here are from Topshop, you'll find the skirt is available from A.P.C and the sandals are Giuseppe Zanotti. These pretty boho style earrings are from ASOS and the large cream bag is from the one and only Primark.



Monday sun. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for doing a food review.

I was dreading today; the prospect of free food has had me shaking with nerves all week. You lot think I'm crazy now, right? It's horrible to admit but I've been using food as a means of control and after becoming quite angry yesterday (my father, of course), I was determined to look on as everyone tucked into lunch and I sipped on water. I also happen to strongly dislike several members of the group I was with today so the idea of eating in front of them didn't appear like it was going to go too smoothly but it actually turned out brilliantly.

I was pleased to see the lay out of the restaurant was a little more intimate than I had thought so I surrounded myself in close friends and decent people and opted into eating lunch for the review I'm having to compile. The food was delicious but what really made it was the company and the fact that said company made me feel so at ease. I spent a wonderful few hours talking love, Vogue Italia and yummy blokes. Fun times!

Today went a lot better than expected. And my outfit got compliments from 2 random strangers, one being a slightly odd old bloke who told me I dress like "girls should" and the other being from a darling boy who works in Starbucks who praised my accessory choices. Good times!

MYB (My Yummy Bloke) and I have spent the past week chatting into the early hours nearly every night so I must, must, must have an early one tonight and as seen as MYB hasn't replied to my texts for a while, I think he's probably stuck in his silly BBC office late tonight. Or perhaps he's just had enough of me? Hope not! Doubt it, he's been super incredible lately.

Sadly, however, I'll be taking Elle Collections to bed and not MYB. Or Hugh Grant. Or Colin Firth for that matter.

Anyway, onto the outfit for today. The idea behind it was very much "ladies who lunch"/Sex and the City/dinner in Soho and onto drinks in East London. Why not dress up for dinner? People don't do it enough these days. I love this floral dress from Forever21 but rather than go all out girly, I've given it a bit of a tough edge with sporty peep-toes by Stuart Weitzman and a statement necklace. The neon bag is from Paul's Boutique and adds a major colour pop. The pink carries on into a metallic bangle from Forever21 and the hard edged black bangle is CC Skye.


Food review. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for super happines.

Dear Readers, I feel I may burst with happiness. Will you forgive me if I do so? Lots of love and smooches. Your Dressing For-ista, Hol xx

Do you lot ever have days where not much has happened necessarily but you're just overwhelmed with happiness? OK, so some stuff has happened. I'd love to tell but part of the pleasure is keeping it a secret between myself and the other delicious person and being wrapped up in our own little world.

Happiness, for me, is contentment. If I experience feelings of being content then I'm happy. But sometimes something, or someone, can just induce that extra pop which makes you feel so chilled-out, so blissfully happy that you'd love to bottle feeling and keep it for the days when your hair looks rank due to the rain and you feel like having a tiny cry about it (just me? Thought so!). Today is one of those days.

Actually, the past two days have been a blur of happiness and giggles and lots and lots and lots of super fabulous love. Am I making you throw up yet? This is nice for me, though. I suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder which has, in the past, pulled me to places so low that I cannot even begin to describe. I treasure these seconds, minutes, hours and days of extreme (non-mania induced) genuine happiness like you could never imagine.

I woke up late today after a very late night last night. The past few nights have been rather late ones, to be honest, but well worth every second. I spent the morning in bed relaxing and recalling the previous few nights. I often find it shocking at how happy I am, after everything with my illness, it's just a bit odd being this content and successful and happy in a way that has ZERO to do with my BPD.

Currently listening to "All Dressed Up In Love" by Jennifer Hudson and this song fits the bill for my mood today. The following outfit would be worn out to dinner with my Love, giggling about silly things as we walked into town and kissed in the freezing cold. I mentioned a while back about how much I love wearing black these days and this outfit shoes that black doesn't have to be boring. First off is a simple silk vest by Kain which I'd wear tucked into this stunning Balenciaga tiered skirt. The black tights are standard Topshop ones but look at these Louboutin babies! How stunning are they? The huge bow detailing at the back... *sigh*- perfection! I'm also drooling over this Anthony David New York bag. Jewellery adds to the classy/cool mood of this outfit. The black chain necklace is from Monsoon and the pretty pears are Forever21. The bow brooch, which I'd wear pinned into my hair, is Chanel and the ring is unmistakably also Chanel.



HAPPINESS! - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for needing a hug.

I'm exhausted! I had a silly day which resulted in me fighting back tears as I walked to the station on my way home. Why am I never happy? The thing is, I've had a really successful day but I'm just way too competitive for my own liking.

I could really do with an MYB shaped hug, especially as seen as he was too busy to have a gossip with me last night. I had to curl up in bed with zero MYB giggles to send me off to sleep- bad times. And he hasn't text/e-mailed/called me all day! Where for art thou, MYB? Why am I suddenly in Ye Olde English times? I am cracking up with the tiredness.

I'd wear this outfit to hop in a cab over to MYB and make him hug me all night! The beautiful dress and heels are by the one and only Fendi and I've added a lust worthy Marc B bag. The feather hair clip, available from Modcloth.com, would be gently pinned into twisted hair and I'd add these Pippa Small to set the look off. Finally, a wonderful Betsey Johnson tea party ring.


I need hugs. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for finishing her children's tv essay.

1000 words on children? I would rather have poked my eyes out with the heel of a Louboutin but I opted to study children's television as part of my genre assignment within media which was due in today. Children's television appealed to me because of the sociological and political factors surrounding it, as well as the Public Service Broadcasting issues that arise from it and the worrying future of the Hollywood influence. Phew! That was a lot, wasn't it?

I spent several exhausting hours in the library this afternoon adding some final touches but, on later inspection this evening, I've realised I've made two punctuation errors. The journalist making grammar errors? It appears so, my loves. I apologise to you and my lecturer!

Finishing the subject of television genres was a delight, really. It's a topic I'm vastly interested in but I've been feeling a little withdrawn of late so haven't been able to throw my heart into everything as much as I normally do. But I'm back and feeling a lot better than ever! Gone is my depressive episode that has been lingering for the past few weeks and in is the normal Hollie with the added additions of a new brighter shade of auburn hair and a fabulous black leather jacket. Bring on the distinction!

In honour of all things sickly sweet and child like, I've gone all Minnie Mouse on you! The tee is by American label Wet Seal and the skater skirt is by Topshop. For added Disney gorgeousness, I've gone for a ring and a pair of earrings by Disney Couture and a polkadot Cath Kidston bag. Finally, some grey See by Chloé ribbed tights and wonderful red platforms.


Children's TV. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for asking for an extension.

As a journalist, I've become an expert in reaching my deadlines no matter what but my standards have somewhat slipped in the mist of feeling rather low lately and so it comes as a slight disappointment to oneself to have to send off an e-mail to a lecturer tonight and ask for a deadline extension.

I hate the idea of asking for an extension but I know it has to be done to produce the best piece of work possible. If my deadline request is rejected, well, I'm sure I'll manage at a push but I really need to make sure I get top grades and I think just a few more days would help.

I admit that I'm struggling right now. The slight feelings of depression and exhaustion can become too much during the day to the point that I am deadly silent towards others and find myself unable to concentrate. I'm sure I'll snap out of it at any moment and I should really stop feeling so apologetic for it all: 'm feeling a little overwhelmed by an illness I continue to battle- why am I so sorry for it all? Asking for an extension is nothing to be ashamed of but perhaps something to be proud of in the way of being able to ask for help and not sinking.

MYB is out tonight with his two but I don't by half wish he was here to talk me through this. I love the fact that MYB has been there and done the whole education thing so he can always provide me with such wise words- and cuddles!

The outfit that I've styled for today would be a wonderful choice to step into any lecturers office, bat your eyelids and ask for a little longer to type up that essay. The outfit is smart but student-chic. This beautiful blouse is by one of my favourite labels, Antik Batik. I've added some 7 For All Mankind bootcut jeans, wonderful Grecian lace-ups by Carvela and a studded bag by Dorothy Perkins. Jewellery is in the form of a glam rock by Vera Wang and super pretty Kenneth Jay Lane feather necklace. Wish me luck!


Deadline. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for missing the bus.

It's a lame subject, I know. But I did miss the bus today and it did really upset me. It's odd but a tiny event such as missing the bus would normally set my BPD into overdrive and I'd become a bit manic and cry my eyes out but not today- thank you hormones!

I guess the worst thing about missing the bus is having to stand out in the freezing cold until the next one and today has been especially cold but I was aided by an immense H&M scarf which more than kept the chill out.

On a side note, yesterday marked 100 really successful days of Dressing For! I'd like to thank everyone who has e-mailed me such kind words in relation to the blog and I look forward to reaching the next 100 posts.

The outfit today is everyday glamour with some pretty heels for me to stomp about in in anger after the bus incident. The double breasted coat is by Alice + Olivia and I love the colouring of it. Tibi, one of my favourite labels, have created this wondrous bow dress and I've added some white tights and pretty peach heels by Sonia Rykiel. The bag is Urban Outfitters, the earrings are Juicy Couture and I've added a pretty little bow ring to finish off the look.


Missing the bus. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for nightmare sale shopping.

Might just be a short post tonight as I'm having to head up to the hospital for a little chat with the doctor. It's nothing too serious, I'm certainly not ill, but today has been full of slight triggers and I need to be reminded how to cope with them.

But seriously: why is it that when you think you've forgotton all about a bad person in your life, they crop up again when you don't need them to? It was so random tonight, or perhaps not so, and I saw her huge face glaring at me. I need MYB to hug me. This girl, a stupid ex-friend of ours, has probably been snopping around at my online stuff and catching glipses at photos of my love and I laughing like silly idiot and exchanging gifts. I don't mind, per say, but what I do mind is her silly little need to just crop up in my life all the time. MYB is certainly true in his descriptions of her and he's certainly right that I need to wipe her out of my mind all together.

Anyway, that wasn't the point of this post. The point is that I went sale shopping. And what a nightmare! Town was SO packed and I didn't have the £399 I needed to purchase a Mulberry bag in the Fenwicks sale. Gutted! I managed to pick up a few things including some Juicy Couture perfume, a skirt, a beautifully cut dress and some underwear- that will do me.

My back is now killing from carrying all those bags, though. Glad cross-body bags are going to be in next year, it'll take some of the pain away from carrying my Paddington on my arm.

The outfit is very simple today but I think it's safe to say that seven inch platform and couture dresses are out of the question when one is fighting to grab the last £25 MYLA bra, right? This Topshop coat is really pretty and rather Victorian-esque. Under the coat you'll find a rather cute Sonia by Sonia Rykiel t-shirt dress and I've finished the look with black flats, black knee high socks, a Marc Jacobs cross-body purple bag and some Topshop swallow studs. Happy sale shopping!


Sale shopping. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being let down by her father. Again.

Avid followers of my blog clearly know I have a certain cliche in the form of "issues with my father" and they have sadly crept up again today. I can't be bothered to go into detail but I suppose Christmas is always a weird time of year when you have parents who are separated, right?

I guess my father just doesn't know me and hasn't done for a while. We were best friends when we were younger, before he left my mum, and now I struggle with the concept of my mother selecting my Christmas gift from my father and him just handing over some cash for it. Because of that reason, because it wasn't really from him and because he couldn't even be bothered to browse the Juicy Couture section in Fenwicks or know me well enough to pick something I'd really adore, I'll be taking it back and the cash going towards a Mulberry bag. It's weird accepting a gift from my father that's actually from my mother.

MYB will be home from the office soon so, as he's requested, I'll be telling him all about it and having a little cry. Until then? Fighting back the tears whilst munching on an M&S mince pie and slurping on a calorie filled glass of milkshake.

This outfit is exactly the sort of thing I wear every day (minus most of the expensive labels) and thus a clear representation of my personality of which my father would not know. I've had a slight Dolce and Gabbana day (secrets, secrets!) hence the Bowie tee and pretty pink metallic bag from the Italian label. The "throw on with most things" purple skirt is Miu Miu and the belt I've added is Dorothy Perkins. The flats shoes are Marc Jacobs and the silly watch is indeed by the same designer but under the collective of Marc by Marc Jacobs. I'd wear this Johnny Loves Rosie sequin bow in my hair and this Miss Selfridge bracelet could perhaps be turned into a hair feature, too. Finally, cute little Betsey Johnson stud earrings.


Issues with my father. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for learning how to relax.

Last night went well. Just after I finished blogging, a car pulled up outside the house and drove me to the hospital. I was seen by the crisis team who spoke to me for about an hour and we made some plans and rationalised my behaviour and thoughts. I arrived home about 1230am this morning and, after chatting to the incredibly calming MYB, fell fast asleep for about eleven hours.

One thing that did come up was that I struggle with the issue of relaxing. I guess that's the manic side of things that stays permanent. Sure, I can spend a day doing nothing but watch DVDs and taking a bath but I'm always on edge.

Today I tried to do some "positive relaxing" but it really hasn't worked. I now feel stupidly lazy because I've spent the day reading magazines, watching rubbish daytime television and working on my novel. I guess even when I'm with MYB and all we're doing is lying in bed chatting or when we're going for a pretty walk in some gorgeous park I'm never that relaxed. I need to add "positive relaxing" to my 2009 resolutions.

This outfit isn't supposed to be seen out in public too much but it is pretty. The peach tank is Adidas by Stella McCartney and the silk trousers are Rick Owens. The hat and sandals are cheap and chic and available from Republic and Wet Seal respectively. If you need to go out for wine and chocolate (like I did today) then grab this Prada bag. Finally, I've added the Gucci bracelet because I feel naked without at least one piece of jewellery. MYB and I were having a chat in the pub on Thursday about how girly I am and how I despise not being feminine and this outfit proves it, I can't even relax around the house without something feminine on; I'm sure MYB appreciates that, though!


Positive relaxing. by hollieanne