This is outrageous. I already knew that the Abercrombie and Fitch policy of only allowing beautiful people to work for them was pretty bad. They sacked a “model” I know in one of their London shops (as they like to call their staff members in order to get around the gender discrimination rules) because she had broken her finger and had to wear a splint – not perfect, therefore not wanted.

Then we see the 2006 interview with the CEO go viral in the last few days – the one in which he explained why they don’t do large sizes:-

“Candidly, we go after the cool kids. We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends,” he said in the article. “A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong.”

So you need to watch the following video. This guy has come up with a very good idea. Dig out your old A & F merchandise and send them to the homeless charity shops:-

Being part of a brand that prides itself on being exclusive is not an acceptable way to behave and no way to educate our teenagers in how to treat the rest of the world and I’m quite pleased not to have to go in there again because a) I couldn’t see anything b) I couldn’t hear anything and c) Nothing fitted me anyway.

AND whilst I’m on the subject of brands to boycott – did you know GAP and Walmart have refused to sign the new agreements on building regulations in their factories in India? H & M have apparently agreed to it so I will continue to shop there.

If you are looking for a party house then this is the one – Carrington House in Snettisham, North Norfok turns grown adults into very badly behaved teenagers. They have everything your little heart desires for a ridiculous party atmosphere – wigs, a full on dressing up box which men can’t resist for some reason [...]

Owing to the fact that I’m now working three days a week in town, my exercise classes have had to go on the back burner….I’m only managing to fit one group class in to my week – a pilates class for my friends basically – which is just as well because I don’t think they’d let me teach in a formal capacity anymore – I can no longer do the plank or any sit-ups and am beginning to look more and more unappealing at the front of the class as I attempt to speak and do a sit-up at the same time without shaking. I have had to change tactics. Instead of demonstrating the moves at the front, I wander round and readjust more – it’s just too hard and I’m too old and unfit but I still love seeing everyone and it is good to get some exercise even if it’s an awful class because I’m the one teaching it once a week.

It just goes to show how far removed from the world of proper exercise I have travelled, when this week in the middle of my class the resident cat wandered into the room with us and joined in with us.

Cat on the mat:-

It was my mother’s 70th birthday yesterday so we celebrated with a little family party at my house which she loved. It’s still very hard for her to enjoy anything very much without my father being around. She still misses him desperately. However, we did what we could and sparkled up the house with balloons and candles and flowers and cake and champagne and surrounded her with all five grandchildren who range in age from one to nearly twenty one and I think she had a really lovely time.

Quite a significant gap there between the grandchildren – one won’t go to bed and the other won’t get up. On the one hand she was trying to stop her teeny weeny one year old granddaughter from falling over and hurting herself because she’s just learnt to walk and on the other she was trying to stop her 20 year old grandson from falling over and hurting himself because he’s had too much to drink.

Anyway, the thing that amused her the most was the rather boring stripy wrapping paper my sister in law bought which when opened on the inside had lots of naked men:-

We danced to our family anthem Pata Pata and mixed up all the ages – which I LOVE doing – my children getting on down in the kitchen with me and not minding dancing next to their mother – it is truly an honour to have somehow passed that test (even if they’re sniggering to each other behind my back).

Here is my son’s birthday message to my mother – not sure she was particularly happy with her size or indeed her hairstyle:-

and here is my brother celebrating the fact that there was yet more wine in the fridge:-

Last week, a major whiff of excitement was in the air as I came dangerously close to having to make a horrendous decision. There was a chance that I might be offered a spare ticket to the party of the year – which was this evening – The “Hello!” 25th anniversary cocktail party with every [...]

I know I’ve written about this before, but there is a new report out that says that the number of people under the age of thirty admitted to hospital with alcohol related liver conditions has doubled in last 10 years. This is actually quite terrifying and yet I don’t suppose that most of the young [...]

Already, I am struggling with what to wear. I have no summer clothes as yet and so it was lucky I was in a conference centre for three days in Dubai wearing my black suit and had no time to get any limbs out. Relief for all concerned I’d say. Also, I am too busy [...]