Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being back from the spa.

Apologies for lack of blog entry yesterday, the wireless in the hotel happened to break and I annoyed the receptionist for a while until all he did was offer to give me a call when it was working once more. It didn't work again. Sorry!

Anyway, I'm feeling refreshed and so alive. I've had the most perfect weekend filled with lots of giggles, talking, relaxing and the odd glass or two of wine. It's been lovely just to be around with the people I love the most and giggle about dating, love, sex and shoes. I do realise how girly and perhaps stereotypical that sounds but it's highly true and proved the perfect mix for a brilliant weekend.

This morning so the lot of us read magazine and have brunch in Caffé Nero for a while. To me, coffee and magazines and a few friends makes for the perfect Sunday.

Therefore, with Sunday coffee brunch in mind, I've created this very casual number. The cashmere vest is by Crumpet, I've added some simple Topshop skinny jeans and sandals by Chloé. The ring is Dries Van Noten and the large tote is by Miu Miu. Finally, the statement piece of this outfit, a bright Paul Smith scarf. Hope you've had a great weekend.


I'm back. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

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

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for hurting her back.

Ouch! A simple shopping and lunch day turned into me almost crying with the pain in my back. Not good. I was out for lunch with the family when I slipped on some spilt juice that hadn't been cleaned up, nor had a caution sign stuck up. I was fine at the time but a few hours later, rushing around Toys'R'Us and trying to gather last minute gifts for my brothers, I felt the pain. And it has not stopped, despite taking pills.

I could do with an early night tonight to soothe the pain. I'm wondering if a hot water bottle might help? I certainly think being stretched out in the bed I share with MYB on occasion could help but sadly he is busy and I'm in too much pain to hop on the train.

But if MYB and I were to be enjoying a night of tea, Strictly Come Dancing and cuddles, I'd wear this. The outfit is comfortable, stylish enough to pop out to Tesco with and is a perfect mix of textures. These pants are pretty much my dream pair of trousers but sadly Roberto Cavalli won't stock these satin beauties in my size. Same goes for this amazing Paul Smith tee, really. But I'd probably have better look with a simple grey cashmere cardigan like this one here. Pre-back accident I found myself buying some silver Converse shoes so I've popped some in my set for today. Also featured is a beautiful blue Chloé bag and a kitsch apple ring by Dolly Dagger.


I have broken my back. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dress for hospital visits.

Last night, after I published the blog, I took a slight turn for the worst and this morning ended up in hospital. Hmm, they're not my favourite places to say the least but the comfort of my Chloé swinging off my arm and a half decent cup of coffee inside me made me swallow my pride and divulge all my health secrets and tales to an amazing doctor.

So, after a short time in the hospital, I was well enough to pop off home with a prescription for some pills and an explanation that I'm slightly "odd" and "rare". That will do me, Love. As long as I'm not dying!

MYB and BFF were both worried but hopefully today's explanation might calm their beautiful minds a little. It's pretty safe to say that the recent bout of illness has been brought on by stress so I need to leave any issues regarding my father/UCAS/deadlines/MYB's ex-wife very much alone and enjoy a boiling hot bath, trashy TV and evenings wrapped up in the duvet as much as I can. Hopefully I'll be better for Friday when I'm probably spending the full weekend with MYB snuggled up under the duvet with a DVD or two and lots of glasses of wine- can't wait!

Now, the plus side of hospitals is the bloody fit doctors! Dressing For today needs to look comfortable but hot at the same time. OK, so the colour combination is verging on dull but if you're sick, you tend not to feel like dressing in the latest hot pink DKNY slinky dress. I really love this Sonia Rykiel bow sweater as it's the perfect weekend item. Tuck the sweater into this gorgeous office friendly Thurley bubble bow skirt and slip on some cheap Old Navy tights. Add a fab bag from ASOS and a £6 flower ring also from ASOS and then, finally, slip on some incredible Marni heels for extra long legs as you walk down the corridors and try not to vomit as you do so.



Hospital. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for getting very confused.

What am I like, eh? There I was, lipstick on and perfume sprayed, about to set out of the house for an appointment. I'd blagged a lift there and back which saved me three buses each way and I'd woken up especially early to get myself sorted for this meeting.

I'm about to walk out of the door when I pick up my diary. The intention was to scribble the number of the hotel MYB was in so that I could give him a call. What I saw was an appointment card slotted in at the back of my diary. At this point I'm in a bit of a rush so I quickly look at the card. Ah, no November 3rd meeting but rather a November 10th meeting. Bugger!

I hate doing that, don't you? Last time I did it I ended up getting all the way there and looking rather silly to the point that I cried a little. Thank God I didn't do that!

Apparently our household was all confused today and it wasn't just me. My mother called up the doctor to cancel an appointment for today. Turns out it's tomorrow. What's wrong with us?

Thankfully, I did get one thing right with time today. During a rather early break in my evening class I rang the hotel number I had for MYB (he's in the Isle of Man) to check to make sure I had the right place. The hotel receptionist put me through and I'm all set for it clicking off any second as I expected MYB to be working or out for dinner. By coincidence, I caught him ten minutes before he was due to go out for dinner with the BBC lot. I like how things work out like that. So, we spent a while talking about my mustard cardigan, apologising for a silly (tired) argument last night and then said general pretty and loving rubbish that made me smile and blush for the rest of the lecture.

I have been very confused today.

However, if you do manage to make all your appointments at the right time and on the right day, why not do it in style? I like this outfit a lot. Black and blue aren't colours I wear too much but, according to my mum, I should. I really love this Moschino Cheap & Chic cardigan and cami vest all in one- it's pretty and versatile and would look really sweet paired with these 7 For All Mankind jeans. Slip on some Tibi flat slingbacks and carry your (correctly updated) diary around in a smart Anya Hindmarch black bag. Finally, some cute little bits of Forever21 jewellery. Now, always remember to double check- I'm glad I did!


Confusion. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for Halloween.

Boo! It's officially the night of Halloween where brats from round the streets put on plastic masks and take all the sweets out of the tin you didn't like.

I did, however, take my little brother trick or treating this evening and we actually had fun! He wore a skeleton outfit and I threw on my leopard faux fur coat and popped a few gold bow hair clips in to look like ears. Of course, I wasn't trick or treating for myself- the few pennies wouldn't buy me a Chanel and my diet isn't going half bad so I'll pass on the sweets. But my seven year old brother is now covered in chocolate and wondering what to spend his £3 on.

On our way home from an all day shopping trip, my family and I came across a little 3 year old girl with her parents who was out all dressed up as a pumpkin- her little baby walk and the blonde locks coupled with the bright orange outfit was just too cute for words so, as the car was waiting to get out of a lane and onto a main road, we all popped our spare change into her matching pumpkin bucket. Some people dislike Halloween but I think it's super cute!

So, if you're too old (or too cool) to go knocking on doors, try a Halloween party and make Bloody Mary cocktails and scary gingerbread mummies! Yeah, OK, not so cool but never mind. Dressing For is something you could only get away with on October 31st. Start with a rather pretty Topshop cat mask and clip hair back with some Halloween themed bows. Next, an investment piece of a beautiful L'Wren Scott boxy cape- at just over a grand, I'd suggest not dribbling chocolate down it or splashing an extra bloody Mary all over it. Be brave and slip on some silver leggings and top the cat look off with some Louboutin leopard print pumps and an amazing Cavalli Swarovski embellished clutch. Happy Halloween!


Halloween! by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for Sunderland.

My mummy is an absolute star! We took her for a job assessment at a hospital in Sunderland today and she bloody well passed it with flying colours. She'll have an interview within the next week or so. I have very little to say but "Go Meme! Go Meme!".

Whilst my mummy sat her exams, the boys and I went off into town to do a little early morning shopping. I'd frequent Sunderland as a little girl most Saturdays- my football shirt and pigtails swinging in the breeze coming from the sea. My father and I would take long walks around the football ground before the match started and if I wasn't feeling too scared, I'd pet the police horses.

But since my parents split, the football stopped and I'd paid one or two visits to Sunderland to see friends. But today brought back nice memories and I got to enjoy the girly shopping side of it.

Not bad! H&M, Monsoon, River Island, New Look, Superdrug... decent little high-street shops for me to meander around for a few hours. A few purchases of jewellery bits from H&M, stack loads of cosmetics and a bundle of "good luck" gifts for my mother.

Dressing For is inspired by the need to look smart to sit a test and then casual and comfortable enough to try on dresses and capes in H&M and Monsoon. Start with a simple but chic Mike & Chris Mongomery jacket and add some jeans by Dorothy Perkins and slip into some fabulous platform heels by Wet Seal. On top, I've used a slouched tee by French Connection and then accessorised with various beads and pearls. Finally, an American Eagle blue and white bucket bag to stash all those buys! Until tomorrow...



Sunderland. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for making the deadline.

I was poorly this morning so missed my philosophy lecture and drifted off whilst watching news story after news story about Kerry Katona and her "frazzled" appearance on yesterday's This Morning.

However, I knew I had to pull myself together and make it in this afternoon as my feminist work of art in the form of an advertising essay had to be submitted and signed for by 5pm. Come 1:45 when my eyes were sore, the rain was hitting off the roof like mad and my mum was offering tea and hugs like there was no tomorrow, I was rather reluctant but there was zero way I was going to lose 2% of my grade mark for being late.

Braved in thick tights, my tattered metallic purple flats, a lifetime lasting LBD and my envy inducing M&S circle trench, I made it to campus at 4. Now, anyone reading who has younger children will know what a nightmare brothers can be when it comes to using the computer. I had a major panic on as my "darling" brother had used all the ink on the printer for printing off Hannah Montana and Halloween pictures to display in his room. Thankfully, the library came to the rescue and my essay was signed for in the office at 4:47pm. And I wasn't the last one to hand it in; with around ten minutes to go, at least three names were still not reported to have handed in the essay which was worth 60% for unit 1- eeek!

Dressing For is today designed with rushing about in mind. Some Christian Louboutin patent flats provide sophisticated and stylish footwear by the iconic designer of shoes- when deadlines are minutes away, I doubt your heels will get you far! Slip on a 3.1 Phillip Lim orange dress and black tights for a super simple but chic look and throw over a clashing colour such as this pink cardigan. Finally, add an on-trent tassle bag and a Dries Van Noten statement necklace that is to die for!



On time. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for hanging on the telephone.

I sighed lots today. Why oh why must you keep me hanging on the telephone? Why must you say you'll ring back at a certain time and never do? Why must you ignite the over crazed worrier in me and make me thinking of everything from you being taken away by a unicorn to you having an affair with Paris Hilton?

That's the apparent art of modern day technology though, isn't it? You can get hold of anyone via means of text message or calling them on their mobile but it breeds a certain amount of anxiety. It's true! Suddenly your significant other doesn't reply to a text for 24 hours and you're worried they've run off with the whole cast of Hollyoaks/Simon Cowell/Boris Johnson (the latter is a serious worry for my other half, I'll have you know!). You wonder if the non-replying person has had an accident, if they've suddenly fled the country after being involved in a crime or whether they've been kidnapped by aliens or Girls Aloud.

Slow down! He/she is fine. They've been in a really long and important meeting all day and couldn't get a signal on the train. They love you very much but they have more important things to do in work time than reply to your "Hiya Love, what do you fancy for tea?" text message.

Still, it isn't by half annoying when you can't get through. So today we're all about slouchy comfort for when you're phone is fixed to your ear like you'd fix Gerrard Butler to your lips. And when you finally do get through and feel like an idiot for panicking so much? A sharp coat and killer heels for stomping about town.

Forever21 provide one of the only reasons I want to visit NYC so I've used one of their simple striped tops with a pair of DKNY wool pants. Tuck your top into the trousers for true high-waist chic sailor girl style. Add a nautical belt and a Bottega Veneta bead necklace which I've fallen in love with. When it is time to go out, slip over this Fendi trench coat and Topshop heels and grab this yummy clutch to take the outfit from day through to night.

hanging on the telephone. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for The Hills.

I finally purchased the "reality" series The Hills on DVD today. After months of giggling over T4 showings of Lauren et al, I handed over the Zavvi shop assistant a total of £18 so I can spend my Sunday evenings watching the semi-trashy show over and over again.

Last month my boyfriend and I sat down to watch an episode. A lazy Saturday morning at his place with tea and pastries became a vital moment in my boyfriend's life, seemingly. As a fan of Living Lohan and Newlyweds, I was surprised he hadn't involved himself in the love lives of Heidi and Spencer. Watching it together, both of us total media geeks, we analysed the show and came out with the following conversation:

Boyfriend: "Hollie, this is utter shit!"
Me: "Yeah, but it's sooooo good!"

You have to love it, right?

Dressing For is today inspired by "complicated" love lives, the younger days of working at Teen Vogue and the major need for a Chanel bag!

Simple Charlotte Russe shorts, a Topshop Marc Bolan tee and a Warehouse cardigan focus on the staple "LA Girl About Town" look. But what makes it is the accessories. Chanel large quilted shopper? Check! Chanel-esque quilted ballet flats available from Net-A-Porter? Check! Huge sunglasses? Yup! And a colourful Topshop bracelet? You know it! So, stick your "cell phone" to your ear and pretend you're chatting to Teen Vogue's West Coast Editor- true The Hills style!

LA style. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for Wokmania.

I was educated tonight. I learnt something that will stick with me through all my life and prove to be a valuable life lesson. Tonight I learned that you should never, ever, ever allow students near a chocolate fountain! The thing is, the title of "mature student" means nothing when it comes to a river of cheap chocolate sauce.

We couldn't resist the unlimited ice-cream machine and nor could we resist plunging the ice-cream under the chocolate fountain and cheering like seals when the chocolate quickly solidified. I admit, as a group of people in our early 20s (well, almost for me), we used a five year old boy and his masterful handling of the flowing chocolate Heaven as our mentor. That kid knew how to do it!

I was one of the boys tonight. The girls among us aren't exactly girly girls and despite my dress loving appearance, I can handle my own. So I was on Fosters tonight. Yup, I drink pints when I'm with the lads and wine when I'm with the boyfriend (despite our rather long lasting relationship, I still want him to think I'm a classy bird!).

Selecting the outfit for Dressing For today required me to pick something feminine and yet edgy. I would probably sell my gran (if she were alive) for this silk D&G tartan blouse (I'm sensing a sell-out item...) and once paired with some classic black jeans, your outfit doesn't need much more apart from some sexy shoe-boots like these ones by Chloé. I've added a Butler and Wilson brooch (I adore Butler and Wilson!) and a pair of super cheap Claire's angel wing earrings. Finally, anyone fancy spending about a grand on this Roberto Cavalli leather shoulder bag for me? There's not much I wouldn't do...

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for a pizza party.

Today saw the 12th birthday of my step-brother, Anthony. It almost made me sad to realise that I was only a year older than him when I was struck down with depression equal to an adults and a future which would be controlled by it. Only now, at 19, am I in control of what is now diagnosed as Borderline Personality Disorder and I almost live out my childhood losses in my two step-brothers' eyes. I enjoy their giggles, innocence and silly games knowing that I missed out on a lot of that. I feel privledged to have two such vibrant and mischeivous rascals to call my brothers.

And the giggles were at full speed today as we gorged on pizza, salad, cookie dough and stack loads of ice-cream until we were all nearly sick. We sang Happy Birthday at the top of our voices, popped the balloons which were blow-up for the birthday boy and chased each other around as if we were in a playground. Our laughing gained a few looks from fellow customers who perhaps thought the woman with the pink pout, dip-dye cardigan and smart wide-leg pants had too much sugar that morning. And what if I had? Today, I felt 12 too. And it was great!

The outfit picked for today represents the joy of being mature but young, silly but sensible, child-like but with so much life experience. I adore these La Garconne trousers which would be suitable in any editorial office or University meeting, the Topshop tee could easily slip under Yves Saint Laurent's "Le Smoking" tux for a quirky look and the Converse are commuting essentials which are swapped for killer heels on the corner of 6-8 Old Bond Street. I have a killer flu and this Topshop cable-knit scarf would be a welcome comfort. The Hello Kitty ring? Something I would have picked when I was 12 and something I'd probably still pick now, if truth were known.

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for conversations about curves inspired by Jourdan Dunn.

Marks and Spencers often provides a source of inspiration for me. I heart their clothing and would much rather dig around their stash of clobber for an hour and purchase a £79 trench coat than spend the same amount of time in Oxfam only to come out with a granny batwing jumper with gold sparkles on that all the 18 year old girls of Birmingham are sporting.

But today, as much as their clothing was yummy, it was the location of the sandwich fridge area that caused a rather fabulous conversation. At one side of me was a stand of magazines (everything from Heat to Top Santé to Woman's Own to Cosmopolitan) and at the other side was a fridge featuring calorific lunchtime treats. I opted for a copy of Vogue and a banoffee dessert.

I was VERY happy to see the gorgeously gorgeous Jourdan Dunn on the cover of November 2008 British Vogue. She's beautiful, enough said. The banoffee dessert is beautiful. Ahh, if only there was some sort of Jourdan Dunn dessert invented and then I'd be in Heaven.

My mother commented on how young Ms. Dunn looks and how skinny she is. After watching Channel 4's tear inducing "Dana: The Eight Year Old Anorexic" last night, she had a point but I wish not to debate the fashion industry and their ill looking clothing models. I'm a fat bird, I'm always going to think they're too skinny, aren't I? My mother smiled at my bootylicious bottom (covered by grey wide-leg pants today) and then looked at the chosen dessert. This then sparked a conversation about when I was interning at a women's magazine some time ago and came across two women in the (AMAZING) company restaurant. The two women, dressed like Topshop and Marni had thrown up on them after too much vodka, shared a plate of lettuce. I wish I was joking.

So today we celebrate beauty- whether you're a very thin supermodel or a round apple shape like moi. Personally, I'd rather miss out on a Primark tea dress if it means that extra slice of four cheese pizza at Pizza Hut, but each to their own.

Today I've selected a curve loving dress available from Net-A-Porter, some yellow tights (why not?!), Marni shoes to make sure the only wobble in my legs is because I'm struggling to navigate said heels after four glasses of rosé, a cute Topshop owl brooch and, for the hell of it, a brocade vintage bag.