Primark Remove Kid Padded Bikini

 Primark

One of my favourite high street stores, Primark, was in BIG trouble last week for selling padded bikini tops for seven year old girls.

They decided to withdraw the bikini after being criticised by politicians and children's charities.

A spokesman from Primark, "Primark has taken note of the concern this morning regarding the sale of certain bikini tops for girls, a product line that sells in relatively small quanities.  The company has stopped the sale of this product line with immediate effect."

 

Even politicians were dragged into the controversial issue.  Conservative leader David Cameron stating on BBC London radio, "There is a classic example today where Primark are apparently pushing padded bras on seven-year-olds, which I think is completely disgraceful."  Gordon Brown also backed the campaign to have padded bikinis removed.

Primark Bikini (l) shows padded bra aimed at seven year olds

The £4 bikini comes in pink with gold stars or black with white polka dots and was a popular part of the retailer's swimming costume range.

Primark sensibly decided to dontate any profits from the bikinis already sold to a childrens' charity of their choice.  

The most worrying thing about this story is that there are parents who have bought their children inappropriate clothing and then criticise the retailer for selling it. Where on earth is the logic in that?! 

As much as the retailer should be criticised, shouldn't parents be criticised too? Celebrities, music, television, films, books, magazines, teachers, peers, are always  put to blame.  Yet, why is it always everyones' fault except the parents?  When are parents going to act like parents and take responsibility for their children? Instead of shifting the blame elsewhere?

7 year old Brazilian dancer, Julia Lira, sparked outrage when critics said she was being sexually exploited by her father earlier this year

Yes, Primark should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves for selling a product such as this.  And the media, celebrities, music, films, magazines etc are all equally to blame.  Nowadays children are over-exposed to sexual imagery, films and music, particularly of girls, at an unbelievably high level  and parents do have limited opportunities to stop it.  

Nevertheless,  where a child relies solely on their parent to make decisions for them, is it not up to the parent to shield and protect their child from situations such as this?  Perhaps parents should follow this example instead:-

Child:- "Mummy/Daddy can you please buy me this??  [insert celebrities name in here] has the exact same one! So do all my friends at school!

Parent:- "I'm sorry [add child's name here] there is no way in hell I will be buying you that hooker's outfit. Whereas this is perfect!" [grab nearby all-in-one swimsuit from nearby rail]

Simple! Problem solved ;-)

Nail Varnish Review Nude & Pink

With Summer fast approaching it's time to switch up the colours from A/W's dark berrys and cherrys (I loved Nails Inc's Blood Red and  Rimmel's Deliciously Dark) to softer and brighter tones.  

 H&M's Latte to Go 

I'm totally head over heels in love with the neutral/nude colours this season and  I picked up this gem from H&M called Latte to Go. Its a nude nail polish that is splitting image of the Chanel Inattendu nude nail varnish but unlike Chanel's expensive pricetag, H&M do it at a bargain for  £3.00!

Collection 2000's Couture no. 2

I'm currently wearing this nail polish from Collection 2000's Hot Drys no.2 Couture. I cant remember the price but it was definately cheaper than £3 and I remember thinking "what a bargain!" I really liked the colour and it goes well with gold jewellery :-)

 Love this colour!

Best Value Hotel..like EVER! *Big Sleep Hotel*

Big Sleep Hotel's "pink room"

This Easter I spent it in the lovely seaside town of Eastbourne. I really wanted a nice Easter break somewhere in the South-East so I checked www.lastminute.com to see what weekend breaks they had on offer and boy was I impressed!

They had tons to choose from and in the end, my boyfriend picked a cute hotel called the "Big Sleep Hotel". Strange name yes, but AMAZING decor!

 Black & White room we stayed in

Great service, an amazing room, clean and spacious with very helpful and friendly staff too!

What really made the hotel stand out were the themed rooms.  You were given either the pink room (soooooooo going for this room next time!) blue room or the black and white room. We were given the black and white room which I loved!  It was spacious, clean, well decorated and very comfortable.  There was also a bar downstairs with good priced drinks!

Big Sleep Bar...

One night, bed and breakfast, sea view room for £99? I think that is an amazing offer and would definately recommend it. So if you are ever in Eastbourne and need a place to stay, visit the Big Sleep you won't be disappointed!

:-)

My room..totally in ♥ with it! :-)

Outfit of the Day Floral

 My Hello Kitty necklace in my fashion video

My new fashion video is up! Decided to do more Outfits of the Day, especially as the days are getting warmer there is so much more choice for Spring/Summer outfits.  

Today was particularly sunny (though not very warm mind you!) but I still decided to do a quick video. Let me know what you think!

American Apparel Riots in London

Police trying to arrest member of the public

When I got the Facebook event that invited me to the American Apparel sample sale of course I accepted.  Who knew the event would turn into a disaster with a capital D.

Scuffles broke out at the Brick Lane branch in East London when more than 2,000 people turned up to catch the "amazing bargains".

America Apparel called the police and stopped the sale when the crowds got out of control. Three people were arrested and 10 officers sustained "minor injuries".

In a statement on their official website, American Apparel wrote, 

"The response at our first Rummage Sale in London was overwhelming and humbling.  Some unfortunate and downright dangerous behaviour in the queue prompted the police to temporarily close the event down until they could ensure security for everyone involved. 

In our many rummage sales, we've never witnessed anything like it and are disappointed and sorry that it happened."

Sorry that it happened?? What the hell did they expect by placing an open event on Facebook?! 

Anyway enough from me-seefor yourself...

What's in my bag?

I've uploaded my newest fashion/style video on my youtube page!  I decided to make a "What's in my bag" video, as I've had so many requests.  I don't usually do such personal videos but it almost seems like a youtube tradition!

If you like me doing more of those type of videos please let me know. Requests are also welcome! :-)  My next video will be celebrity style secrets - now I just need to make the time to create them! 

Enjoy! ♥

Single...11 Kids...Unemployed & Scrounging Off the State??

Single, 11 kids, unemployed and society is paying for them - is this right?

On my way from work I picked up the Evening Standard.  All this week they have special features on London's Dispossessed, articles about how the gap between the rich and poor is growing wider and wider, poverty is on the increase and why London isn't what it used to be...blah blah blah.  Just the kind of thing you want to read on your way home from a long days work!

So I thought i'd share the latest special feature about London's poor population.  

Meet Barbara Harriott, 44, single, unemployed with 11 kids. (see picture above) Yep, ELEVEN children by five different men. Sigh. This is so depressing, I thought, but I still read on. I was intrigued..how could this woman, who couldn't afford to even look after herself afford to bring up ELEVEN children? One word - BENEFITS.

This couple claimed £50,000 in benefits & were made to pay every single penny back..85p a day..for 77 years!

To be fair, the article was quite sympathetic to the woman. It described in depth about her broken family background and how she was let down by the education and social services.  I thought the reporter was going to be a lot harsher on the woman, but instead I think the message David Cohen was trying to make was that it isn't ENTIRELY her fault she got into this awful mess...but more society's fault.  

It seems that society should  share the blame of this woman's decision to keep producing off-spring, knowing that she will be supported by the state.  The Government's lax regulations on social welfare make this possible.  Does it make sense that if a"scrounger" who claims lots of benefits decides to work, it would actually cost them more in the long run.  They would have to pay child care (and we all know how expensive THAT is) but also their benefits would be cut.  Their justification almost makes you feel sorry for them as they are in a vicious circle they can't get out of.  It's a no-win situation for them. 

 This family were featured in the press in 2008, taxpayers fund the couple and their 11 children

Then again, not everyone agrees with a typical "scroungers" explanation.  It seems there is this "woe me" card that is being used time and time again.  Most of society have never claimed a benefit in their entire working life. Instead it seems that the social welfare system which was essentially to support people who are less well off, has been abused by scroungers and immigrants, if you are to believe what the papers say!

If you don't believe me, read the Evening Standard (link below) tell me what you think!

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23811226-the-dispossessed-mother-of-11-lives-on-just-pound-7-a-day-per-child.do

Keisha To Sue Sugababes Over Band Name

 Keisha former Sugababe is taking legal action

According to news reports, former Sugababe Keisha Buchanan has demanded that the Sugababes stop using the band name...or pay her a MASSIVE financial settlement.

Surely this has something to do with the fact she was kicked out/or made to walk out (depending on which story you believe) last year.  

Longest standing member Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and newest member Jade Ewen are all facing an expensive legal battle to save their future.

 New Sugababe line-up

"The Sugababes are one of the most successful girl bands of all time, but if they are forced to change their name, it would be absolutely disastrous for them," said a secret "source".

"It would be very hard for them to maintain any credibility if they had no original band members and were called something else," they explained.

The singer founded the original Sugababes over a decade ago along with fellow former member, Mutya Buena, and is credited with choosing the Sugababes name.  Oh dear!

Original Sugababe line-up

Looks like this is the end of Sugababes as we know it! I personally think they should have changed the name as soon as Keisha left.  How many changes can one group have??? Not even Destiny's Child had this many changes! Their management should have advised the girls to wipe the slate clean with a brand new name, image and music.  So what do you think? Should Sugababes change their name? Does Keisha have the right to sue them? Thoughts please!

I'm sure we haven't heard the last of this story - will keep you posted!