Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for sympathy.

I haven't shrugged off this infection. Actually, according to the doctor this morning it may well not be an infection and I'm getting a lot worse. My liver and kidneys are suffering and it's not because of a few too many glasses of champagne in bed with MYB. Not this time, anyway.

I've spent the day flicking through magazines, falling asleep on the sofa and giggling at my little brother doing impressions of everyone. According to him, all I do is shop for shoes/bags/dresses, write articles and apply lipbalm. He's got me perfect, come to think of it!

But what was perfect today was the sympathy. I've been ill for over a week now and am getting to the point where I'm all emotional and crying lots because it's just getting worse. First off, my mum- you can always trust your mum to look after you. "Do you want some soup? Or can I get you a hot chocolate? Shall I put The Hills on for you?". No, mum, I'm fine but thanks anyway.

Secondly, my best friend. Ahh, the gorgeous bloke who all my friends fancy and I did once upon a time. The bloke who, whenever I'm feeling a little low, will give me a place in his bed and provide me with take-out and a good DVD for the weekend. The bloke who, no matter what happens, I will hand on heart love forever. So the worrying "Please be OK, Baba!" texts from the BFF mixed with the "Just calling to say I love you" calls were such a sweet little touch.

Now, when a girl is feeling low, nothing can make one feel much better than a big bubble bath. On my way to my afternoon lecture yesterday, I picked up several products from Lush. This evening, after a yummy dinner of turkey and roasted leeks, I ventured into the bathroom and put Damien Rice on via iTunes. I slapped on some organic honey and oat face mask stuff and stepped into a boiling hot bath just as my Christmas Pudding bath-bomb was fizzing away. And, as I washed my hair in a pink and sparkly liquid named Snow Fairy, I couldn't help but smile.

But, topping the list (sorry Mum, sorry BFF) has to be MYB. I should be annoyed at him for a silly little reason but his- rather cute- little worrying tone this evening made me melt. Apparently, according to a text, he's worried about his "poorly peapodness". I know it's vomit inducing stuff but when my kidneys and liver feel like they're each giving birth to triplets, anything that can make me forget about it for 3.5 seconds is incredible. So, snuggled up in my bed with a novel and my favourite Tinkerbell nightwear on, MYB called. Stressed out with work, he brushed any ranting he wanted to do for pretty and caring words for his girl. Hmm, there's something about a bloody gorgeous man telling you that he thinks you're beautiful despite the fact that you look dreadful and feel like throwing up constantly. Thanks, MYB!

Thus, I'm dressing for nothing but cuddles and affection from MYB. This outfit is for cuddling up on my sofa with MYB, having him hold my hand as I'm sick and going for a slow walk around the park to get some fresh air. I think this Fendi dress is so pretty- and it's silk! I've paired it with a Miss Selfridge knitted beret, some Tom Ford over sized sunglasses for when the headache kicks in and the light hurts my eyes and some Juicy Couture gold pumps. Finally, add some bangles from Wet Seal and a Juicy Couture bag to hold any pills/bottles of water/medicine that you need. Hope I feel better soon!


Sympathy. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for using her Chloé Paddington for the first time.

I'm a very luck girl, although some would read that as "spoilt brat", as I am now the owner of a Chloé Paddington bag. It was a Christmas present that I was allowed to use early and the bag got her first outing today to my media lecture.

It is a beautiful bag- such soft leather and rather roomy considering it doesn't look it but, Jesus, isn't the bag/lock heavy? Never mind, I'll suffer the pain of a sore shoulder/arm/back from the lock and contents. Not a problem!

But why don't men get the joy that this bag brings me? I haven't really spoken to my boyfriend about it but, considering we discussed his love of Living Lohan and America's Next Top Model in my media lecture today, I'm sort of guessing he'll understand more than most. However, I called my best friend up and squealed in delight that I was carrying a Chloé Paddington on my arm and he just sort of snorted and started talking about his silly new computer game (snore!). His loss.

The biggest reaction came from my friend Mike, though, who implied that I was some sort of wannabe WAG. One must laugh but, as I text him back and tried to reason with him that I'm currently a girlfriend of an assistant editor and not a footballer, I realised that Ms. Beckham has exactly the same bag as moi. Seriously, Mike, I don't go for footballers. I just go for gorgeous bags!

Ah, just remembered what my media lecturer said about the bag; when discussing the sheer amazingness of it with a female friend, my lecturer made some comment about it being some sort of Mediveal torture bag. Hmm, if I become a kinky escort then it'll be my bag of choice.

So, it's all in the bag today for Dressing For. OK, so the outfit sort of doesn't colour match with the bag but when was that massively important? Starting with the bag (my bag!), well, not much needs to be said. I've done the classic layering look of a grey long sleeve tee and a very pretty navy Ci Ci for Topshop dress. Accessory wise, I'd throw on a beanie by ACNE, some super heels which are (surprisingly) by Paris Hilton and then added a tassel and bead necklace by DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Braided. Finally, because you can, slip on a diamond Tiffany & Co. ring. I'd wear this for drinks with friends and then a quick Pizza Express with MYB.


Chloé Paddington. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for BARACK OBAMA!

This is all that needs to be said today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jll5baCAaQU

Hoodie is available online. Jeans are Sass & Bide at Topshop. Sequin shoes are Converse. Tote is the official Barack Obama site and the ring is available online.

I am happy today.


OBAMA! by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being ill!

Urgh, I am ill. Spent the morning peeing into a cup and being given medication. I am classy, aren't I?

I feel tired and dizzy and like I could throw up every bit of food I've had to eat since the age of three. However, I am a trooper and will be setting my alarm for 6:25am tomorrow to make it to my morning lecture. So, an early night is in need thus a small post.

So, what are the vital things I need when I'm feeling ill? Well, apart from my gorgeous boyfriend to stand around looking gorgeous to distract me, I need pretty night clothing to make me smile. I've selected the most gorgeous Malene Birger negligee which could easily be worn as a day dress, add some Ugg boots for warm tootsies and a Marc by Marc Jacobs hairband because, if you do vomit, you really don't want sick in your hair!


Ill. 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 the last day of half term.

Jesus, how long has this week been? Half term, or the more maturely known "reading week", has to be the most boring time of year. Highlights included the cute act of taking my little brother out for Halloween, all my long lie-ins and, of course, the purchase of Gordon and Horatio the Guinea Pigs!

I struggle with holidays. I'd happily work all year without a single break. I'm just like that, I get addicted to work and thrive on long working hours and spending extra time in the classroom or office. It's not a bad thing by any standards but I have found myself in tears at times because I had a whole week off work or something similar. No matter how much work I have to do at home, how many plans I have with friends or how generally busy I am during my week off, I just cannot cope very well.

I wish I could swap with My Yummy Bloke. MYB works long hours sometimes and has to travel for work a lot when he'd much rather take time off and be with his kids. We should have swapped this week. I could have been sat in the office in Birmingham and doing whatever fancy media stuff that he does and he could have been at home baking cupcakes, shopping for shoes and spending time with the little ones (although his aren't so little anymore).

So, I'm so glad to be back tomorrow. My class doesn't start until 5 but I have loads to do beforehand so no doubt I'll be sat in a chair on the eighth floor before I know it. I enjoy work, what can I say? It may be a little sad but it excites me like no other and-fingers crossed- it'll equal mass success.

On the last day of half term I found myself doing yet more shopping. T K Maxx provided me with stacks of Betsey Johnson treats and Borders provided me with the latest Belle de Jour book and a few minutes of flirting with the cashier. Good times!

But, despite the mass loads of piggie cuddles and clothing shopping, I can't wait to spend the next few weeks getting stressed out with work. It's odd, for me, stress actually feels rather fabulous as it means I'm going to learn, progress and succeed. Perhaps I'm just odd?

So, with excitement about getting various essays and grades back and the joy of finding the Betsey Johnson treasure trove, Dressing For is all colour today! And how could you miss this Forever21 bright striped cardigan? I love it! Add a pretty teal skirt and throw on a Topshop beret. I love these sexy as Hell Roberto Cavalli suede boots- wear with trousers for work, skirts at the weekend, dresses for parties...everything! Add a soft Vivienne Westwood bag and a Betsey Johnson necklace and you're done. Until tomorrow...



End of reading week. by hollieanne

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for NOT meeting his parents.

My relationship with My Yummy Bloke has always had it's problems (although details should be spare for girly chats as, if recent behaviour is anything to go by, his ex-wife will be reading this and getting herself all worked up) but for a while it's been rather gorgeously fabulous. I always fear looking further than tomorrow as regards My Yummy Bloke as he's older, a lot more successful than moi and has- without making him sound ancient- been there and done that. My silly little 19 year old fantasies about the perfect wedding or whether I think we should go on a romantic two week love-in in the Caribbean in the summer of 2015 wouldn't be unwelcome but perhaps would just feel awkward. But lately, as things settle and the honeymoon period is closed to the point that I can forgive him for not calling me because he was enjoying his cuppa too much, it's actually been nice to wonder what we'll be doing for my birthday in May next year or whether he'd ever be up for spending New Year 2010 in Times Square.

I'm a realistic girl- My Yummy Bloke and I probably won't stay together for a lifetime but, actually, the idea isn't appalling.

However, despite being super suited and very much together, we've never met each other's parents. Actually, this is a half lie in my case. When I became ill in June 2008, my mum and her partner drove down from Durham to see me in Derby City hospital. When I was well enough to leave, my mum and her bloke drove me to my Bloke's house on the way back to my place. They stayed in the car whilst I ran across the road, knocked on the white door and held the man who'd stayed up all night with me as I threw-up all over the place and cried my eyes out for hours- that night, when he looked after me and still called me Sweetpea despite me not looking so sweet, I knew more than ever that I was in love with him. Anyway, back to the point- we've never introduced each other to our parents!

My mum has spoken to my Bloke on the phone for various reasons over time so they're not strangers but I may as well be to his mummy and daddy. So, as I sit here with a poorly tummy and a craving for diet ruining chocolate, My Yummy Bloke is out for dinner with his yummy parents. I often wonder what his parents must think of me, I mean, I'm a journalist turned mature student turned soon-to-be fashion promotions student. And, of course, I'm young enough to be his daughter and swear like a trooper. Not to mention the rather chaotic family, the fact that his kids probably aren't too keen on me and the way I'm totally gone after two glasses of wine. What a catch!

Hmm, would I like to meet his parents? Hell yes! But I can see why I haven't yet. For a start, he's really independent and I think his parents are quite reserved with him regarding matters of the heart, especially after his divorce and the LTR after that that was expected to last forever but clearly didn't. I guess that I am sort of wondering what tonight would have been like had he taken me. The thing about me is that, although I am some foul-mouthed Northern lass with a big bottom and a love for Heat magazine, I am actually a rather polite bird. I can use a knife and fork, I actually know more than you'd think about politics and current affairs and I'll not mention that time Their Yummy Son and I got caught kissing like mad in Chatsworth. It's not that I think My Yummy Bloke has a problem with me or how I'd behave, I just think that-perhaps- as you become older it's less of an important thing to have your parents approval. But please, My Yummy Bloke, introduce me to them- I'll wear a nice frock!

And speaking of nice frocks, what a breathtakingly gorgeous piece this Christian Dior dress is. I want to get married in it in Paris with a small bunch of pink roses and no-one there besides my groom (either Jude Law, George Lamb or- at a push- My Yummy Bloke) and our close family... I'm getting carried away. At over £5,000 the dress is, to say the least, an investment piece. I'd slip on some pretty pink ballerina flats and add a vintage clutch bag. Curly hair would look smart and pretty clipped back with these divine Betsey Johnson hair slides and then pop in some Dorothy Perkins heart earrings and add an almost identical Mikey heart ring. An all round pretty and parent approving outfit, don't you think?


I could meet your parents. by hollieanne