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 dressing in black!

I have become obsessed with the Fashion Darling that is a deep shade of black. This may not appear like anything major but I'm a girl who has never worn black apart from the odd cardigan, vest top or pair of tights.

My mother has already encouraged me to wear black but her lovely comments about how it looked so great on me just passed over my head as black looks great on everyone, right? Perhaps this is true and I've seen many a friend or family member wearing the shade a lot to make them look slimmer but I've never quite got it. Where's all the colour that makes you stand out?

As a bird with decent size hips (that, I can reveal, are 5lb lighter this week!) I've always stayed away from black for thinking people only thought I was wearing it to make myself look slimmer and I've always had confidence is my "hour glass with a bit of a tummy" shape. But the past few days have seen me purchasing a perfect black dress and the love of my life- a black leather jacket. Seeing myself in such a colour and adoring the way I look comes as a shock- much like that of a black-only woman loving the way she looked in bright orange.

Is my style growing up from splashes of purple, pink and yellows to a more serious look of sophisticated black shades or am I just embracing something long overdue? I think it's a mix of both things. In these credit crunch times, it's more about investment pieces and sensible tan boots, black leather jackets, patent black clutches and calf skimming black dresses all come into the equation of being long lasting and sensible. I'm wearing chic flats, dying my hair grown up shades of ginger and making use of sensible peach nail shades. Grow up style here I come! Although I do think the odd pink satin Primark hair bow might be creeping in.

The outfit styled for today is grown up but also fun too. The tee was my starting point for the outfit and it's by one of my all time favourite labels- Sonia by Sonia Rykiel. The skirt is tucked into a Topshop skirt and I've thrown a Miu Miu biker jacket over the top which has amazing pleating detail- well worth the £1,000+ price tag! I've added some black tights, Jil Sander biker boots, a gorgeous Chanel necklace and a Betsey Johnson lace detailed bag. Finally, pin hair back into a chic loose ponytail and tie in a red corsage for ultimate glam but gorgeousness!


Wearing black. 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

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for feeling better than expected.

I was nervous, I admit. When I arrived home and walked in to find my father already there, I found myself having to stay calm and bite my tongue. After a day of mixed emotions I thought that the last person I'd want to see would be my father but I was proved wrong.

I really do think my mum has had a word with my dad about his lack of interest in me and the like. My dad was interested in me tonight! My dad asked me how I was and what I was up to and everything like that! He didn't mention love once and only asked about MYB once rather than the usual six million times. What's happening to the man? He's usually self-obsessed and not interested in me one bit. If my mum really has had a word with him then I'm grateful- she's a star!

Like I mentioned above, today really has been a day of mixed emotions and I feel it'll only end on a low note as MYB are perhaps having a slight argument. He's not answering my calls (although I'm sure he's just busy) and I'm well annoyed at him. I hate this. I wish we could be calm and cuddly all the time.

But I'd wear this outfit to keep my upbeat. How can you not be happy when wearing orange tights?! And how amazing is this dress by Catherine Malandrino. It's crazy but actually really wearable for both day and night. For a day look, I've slipped a polo neck underneath and added flat studded boots but replaced with some patent shoe-boots and left without the bottom layer, this would be fab for a hot date! Finally, a simple teal bow bag to keep in with the colouring of the dress.


It wasn't that bad... by hollieanne