Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for getting her bottom in gear.

So, the lack of blogging over the past two days has been for a very worthwhile reason. Of course, I cannot reveal a word but I can let you all know that I've never been happier, more inspired and nor have I felt more successful.

Sitting comfortably in my Ralph Lauren-esque cardigan and jeans, I find myself realising that the things I have in life are all the things I didn't want when I was 13/14. My father and I had some hysterical plan to travel together and my father- a slight wannabe hippy- always encouraged "free thinking" meaning that he would rather I avoided the "middle-class bore" side of life and spend my years studying art, dating men with long hair and travelling until I reached fifty, settled down on my own in a cottage in France and made a living from selling home-made wine.

However, my now stands that I vote Conservative, drink red wine in those wine bars my father hates, work hard to be a success in the media industry and plan a future with a short-haired broadcasting boss. I know A LOT of people would find that dull and boring- a life like any other- but I love the normality, I love the substance of my life in the form of love and success and life is only as dull as one makes it. I can still have a mortgage and have fun, right? Actually, I'll get back to you on that when I do have a mortgage- sure I won't be saying that than!

But today has been spent relaxing after the most beautifully successful week of my life to date (probably). I'm energised, excited, I feel alive and more than ready to double my load of work. I've never felt better.

I'd wear the outfit for today for dinner with MYB- my one and only love, the man who- and I never thought I'd say this about anyone- comes before career success. The Elizabeth and James satin blouse featured here is such a lovely colour for spring, I've gone for K Karl Lagerfeld waxed skinny jeans, some amazing cord heels by Stella McCartney and a pretty floral clutch from Topshop. The feminine daisy necklace is by Coach and the earrings are vintage. Finally, a STUNNING diamond ring by Cartier.


Stepping up. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being too exhausted and sore to blog.

You would not believe what has happened in the past 36 hours.
Blog you later, guys.
Apologies.

Hollie-Anne dresses for no wifi.

Stuck in hotel, can't get internet access.

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for being mad at MYB.

I'm super cross tonight. Why does my lovely other half have to be so bloody disorganised? Why does he always let me down? Why is it me that's left crying when he has work commitments after making some stupid promise that meant a lot to me? I hate BBC tonight.

OK, so I should be mad at the situation and not MYB himself but I'm in no doubt that tomorrow evening- as I prepare for one of the most important meetings of my life- will be minus MYB shaped hugs.

I hate being let down more than anything.

But if we're going to argue, why not do it in style? This outfit is fab and I love the dress which is by Richard Nicoll. I've used some platform sandals by Marni, a Balenciaga bag and a necklace by
Philip Crangi. I've added a pretty silk hairband and a rose ring by Forever21.


Argue. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for meeting teachers and doctors.

Busy day today that has resulted in a slight headache but I'm surviving. I've had a few worries, made a few mistakes and I nearly screamed at a computer but I think the addition of Wonder Woman underwear to my outfit today really has helped!

I spent some of today catching up with two dear friends of mine. J is a busy teacher but has recently divorced so he's moving out of the area and on to bigger and better things after Easter. D is a doctor and somehow managed to take today off. I was chuffed when I noticed my two boys had already bought me a skinny mocha in advance of my arrival. All three of us- a journalist, a doctor and a teacher- sat moaning about work in some way or another and rarely steered away from the subject of careers. Of course, we mentioned dating and I ended up dishing out stacks of advice to an eternal twenty-something singleton and a divorcee in his early thirties. The gentlemen in my company warned me though: "Make sure that man of yours takes bloody care of you, Hollie-Anne" warned J. Don't worry, he is!

It was so nice to catch up with friends that I haven't seen in a few months. Texting and phoning can feel nice but actually being there- 12 noon on a Tuesday afternoon with some expensive coffee and a couple of papers- is bliss. Thanks, you two!

I really like this outfit I've put together and I know my mother would approve- she's always trying to get me to wear more blue! The jeans a pretty belted tunic are from Dorothy Perkins whilst the bag and heels are from Topshop. The necklace featured here is by Juicy Couture and the pink gold ring is by Kimberly McDonald and is available from Brownsfashion.com for a shocking £11, 430!



A-Z of careers, - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for writing lists.

I have an incredibly busy week this week but, sitting in bed in my pink nightwear, I'm left wondering just why I spent today being less than productive! One productive thing I did do was write endless lists: to-do lists, lists of friends I need to catch up with ASAP, lists filled with article ideas, lists of inspirational things I need to research, lists about possible outfits for a possible date I have with MYB later this week...

Rather than making lists, I should have just got on a done it all. But there's something therapeutic about seeing it all written down and knowing I'll get to draw a line through each and every one in time.

Tomorrow is a bit of a mixed up day- up early, have some work to do, coffee with some wonderful friends of mine, lots of stuff to print, shopping, meeting my father, sorting out plans with MYB... I just feel like I'm going to be running backwards and forwards constantly from one town to the next but perhaps it'll all make me super tired and I'll sleep better than I have been of late?

The outfit today is very much an all-rounder: suitable for the office, suitable for a date with MYB, suitable for meeting friends of lunch and suitable for having afternoon tea with my father. The green trench here is from Peacocks! I cannot believe such a beautiful coat would come from one of the cheaper High Street chains- look at the detailing on the neck! I know where I'm off to tomorrow. Under the trench I've gone for a neutral coloured Topshop jersey, some standard New Look jeans and then I've gone all out with some chocolate brown Louboutins. The ring, bag and necklace featured here are all available from Topshop.



Lists. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com

Hollie-Anne Brooks dresses for MYB being 38!

Bugger, do you think MYB is OK with my revealing his age? Hope so! Anyway, as you may have gathered, My Yummy Bloke has his birthday today! I've known for for a few years and I think it's fair to say that the man is becoming incredibly more gorgeous as the years roll on. Well done me!

I recall last year very briefly. I remember the sun being really hot in London on a Saturday afternoon as I wandered around Hyde Park listening to music and then eventually popping into Laura Ashley to purchase a floral cushion I'd had my eye on for ages. That afternoon I sent MYB a picture message of me grinning on the sofa with said floral cushion looking pretty next to me and I wrote some generic happy birthday text.

This year isn't much different. I still don't get to spend his birthday with him because of the kids and I still find myself feeling a little low about it. Days like this hit me the hardest and I realise I'll never come first in the life of the man I am madly in love with. It's not a problem, as such, but I'm left to daydream about the plans I would have made for today (birthday cupcakes for breakfast, lunch with his parents, a pretty late afternoon walk and then I'd cook dinner in the evening with lots of champagne and cuddles).

I feel selfish to the point of tears. Why am I sat blogging about feeling sad about today when I should be happy for MYB? I am happy for MYB! But I want a cuddle from him. I wish things were more simple. I wish MYB would get over some little fears he has. I wish I was cooler and perhaps I'd go from the boring younger girlfriend to the one with an incredible music taste and perhaps impress his kids more. I wish I could have baked him a birthday cake or kissed him the very second he turned 38. Most of all, I wish our toes were touching right now as we watched Mean Girls or something equally as shallow but fabulous together.

I like the tiny things and I crave domestic bliss (cooking together, Sunday duvet days and working away on separate laptops but grinning at one another as we type e-mails).

I'll get on with the clothes, yeah? I've picked something rather glam for today, something incredibly beautiful and something that one would wear for cocktails in Mahiki. The colour theme would work brilliant with my colouring and this Jasmine Di Milo dress has been on my lust-list for ages. I've gone for simple but stunning Loutboutin heels, a Louboutin velvet clutch, a ring by Topshop, earrings by Kara Ross and bracelets by Philippe Audibert. Happy Birthday, MYB- I love you endlessly.



MYB is 38. - by hollieanne on Polyvore.com