Would you let your 8 year old wear a padded bikini!!!!

*This is crazy!!! I would never let my child wear such a thing. Read this article and tell me what you think!

Abercrombie vs. Parents Everywhere

Have you heard? Abercrombie & Fitch is marketing a new bikini. It's a skimpy little number that is red and white striped, and has a push-up, padded bikini top. The problem? This particular bikini is being marketed to girls as young as seven years old. That's right. A push up bikini top for an eight-year-old.  

Will someone please explain to me, why on earth an eight-year-old would need a padded, push-up bikini top? Are kids feeling the pressure to have "bigger lady parts" at eight? Where is this coming from? And what's next-- a padded, booty-sculpting pair of matching bikini bottoms? This is insane!


Why all the rush for our little sweeties to grow up so fast? Can't we try to keep them little and innocent awhile longer? I am in no rush to see my own baby grow into a woman yet. No way, Jose. She can stay this little as long as possible and I would be completely content.

I can not imagine the thought of a push up, padded bikini top when I was that young. My Dad would have went through the roof! Even the idea of a bikini at seven was absurd! I don't think I was allowed to wear a two-piece until I was 14, and even then, I didn't belong in one.

If you notice, kids interest in TV has dramatically changed, too. "Kids these days" (I can hear my Grandpa saying it now!) are engrossed in High School Musical, instead of shows like Mr. Rogers orSesame Street-- all by the age of two. Yep, by age two, Sesame Street and all things Wiggles are sooo old school to these tiny little people. Cartoons like Bugs Bunny and Smurfs (shows I watched until the age of six... well, 16 if you really must know) aren't even on TV anymore (perhaps they are... I'm just too lazy to look for them). Even if these shows were on, I can guarantee you, she probably wouldn't be interested.  

Take my niece for instance: She is six and is the sweetest little girl this side of the Mississippi. For the last few years she has been obsessed with Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus's alter ego, for those of you who don't know.) When I was in town for her birthday last month, I asked her how Hannah was. "I'm over her, Aunt Kristi. I like iCarly now." What? Since when???

Actually, perhaps I should be thankful that she's moved onto iCarly-- especially considering Miley's recent "stripper-pole-dancing-bong-smoking" behavior. I don't need that rubbing off on my sweet niece.

It's crazy how fast they move though their phases, though.  It's like you blink-- and boom!-- onto the next thing. I don't know how I am going to keep up with Ava. Just as she learns how to successfully feed herself, she will be mastering the art of texting with my iPhone while also demanding to have the latest and greatest iPod-esque gadget-- all by the age of three. Ay ay ay!

If I had my choice, I would love to preserve Ava in the stage she is at now (minus the fits and temper tantrums that come along with an 18-month-old.) I don't want to see her in a padded bra for at least 16 1/2 more years.  When she's 18 she can wear what she wants-- well, within reason. Until then, no hooker shoes, tight clothing or padded anything of any kind.

(FYI this is not the bikini they are selling in this pic) 

You know who I sound like? My mother. While I didn't understand her reasons for things while growing up, I certainly get it now.

What do you think of a padded bikini top for children? Tell us in the comments.

By Kristi Gilbert 

I don't forward all chain emails like this one usually but I am quite intrigued by this one. I added up my birthday and year and it's correct it is 111!!! Crazy!!! Let me know if yours adds up too.

Here's the email i received:

This year we experienced and are going to experience four unusual dates: 1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, 11/11/11; that's not all ... take the last two digits of the year in which you were born; now add the age you will be this year, and the result will be 111 for everyone!
For example - Harry was born in 1957, and 57 + 54 = 111

This is the year of Money!!!

This year October will have 5 Sundays, 5 Mondays and 5 Saturdays.
This happens only every 823 years.

These particular years are known as 'Moneybags' - the proverb goes that if you send this to eight
good friends, money will appear in the next four days as is explained in Chinese feng-shui.

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humprhries: Headed for Heartbreak or Happily Ever After?

Friends of Kim Kardashian and her basketball beau Kris Humphries say the couple is days away from getting engaged. Kris has reportedly been shopping for rings and plans to pop the question on April 8! But will Kris do to Kim what he did to his ex-girlfriend, Bianka Kamber?

A friend of Bianka’s tells OK! magazine that Kris and Bianka were talking marriage—and then he dumped her out from out of nowhere! “They talked about marriage, big time,” says the source. “He was the one to bring it up. He’d always say, ‘I’d love for you to be the mother of my kids.’”

Kris seemed to be in love. “Kris was the first to say ‘I love you,’” says the friend. “He’d tell her things like, ‘I’ve never known what it was like to fall in love and care for somebody, and if there was ever that feeling, that’s the way I feel about you.’”

“Eventually, [Bianka] was thinking marriage too,” adds the source. “They both wanted a very small, personal, intimate wedding, with just immediate family.”

But then Kris got traded out from the Toronto Raptors and ended up playing for the Nets in New Jersey. That’s when the relationship started to get rocky. Kris planned a trip to go see Bianka in Toronto, but he never showed up. A friend says, ”Bianka’s birthday passed and she never heard from him!”

After Kris moved to Hoboken, N.J., Bianka “had women messaging her, claiming to have been with him, that he was cheating,” says the source.

But now that things are over with Bianka, he’s moved on and is ready to get serious with Kim. “He really cares about her and wants to make it work,” a friend close to the couple says. “He says if fame comes along with dating Kim, then fine.”

Kris is so serious that he’s shopping for a diamond—he’s down to two designers, Neil Lane and Lorraine Schwartz—but this is a big step for the man who used to poke fun at Kim’s reality show.

When he dated Bianka, Kris would make fun of her for watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians by saying, “‘You are watching somebody who’s famous for a sex video.’”

That says a lot about the guy who wants to become the next member of the Kardashian family.

--Written by Lindsey DiMattina for hollywoodlife.com

Spring 2011’s Most Wearable Fashion Trends

The good news: There were more pretty, flattering spring styles on the Fashion Week runways this season than we can count. The bad news: It’s hard to pick just one favorite dress, jacket or flirty print—that’s why we’ve got this looooong list of omgicantwaittowearthat fashion trends. Dig in!
-via Glamour.com

1) 60's coats

Win major cuteness points in the tricky First Impressions round by wearing a hip A-line-shape coat in a bright, cheeky color.

Michael Kors, spring 2011

2) Slinky ’70s dresses

Get all Studio 54 this spring (well, minus the whole messy party scene) with a satiny ready-to-dance dress. Grown-up colors like ink, emerald or sapphire make the lingerie-like fabric look sexy without being scandalous.

Marc Jacobs, spring 2011

3) Military(ish) Jackets

We don’t mean to yell like drill sergeants, but ladies, you’re REALLY gonna want to you track down a cargo jacket or military-inspired vest sooner rather than later. Tough-looking top + flirty bottom = year-round outfit perfection.

Wes Gordon, spring 2011

4) High-waisted flare jeans

Say hello to your new day-to-night bestie: Spring’s sleek ’70s-inspired jeans look cool again after almost a decade of skinny-jean world domination. Wear ‘em with wedge heels and a tucked-in top to look long and lean.

Derek Lam, spring 2011

5) Happy prints, all mixed up

The whole anything-goes look continues to be a winner. This Fashion Week, nearly every designer used this handy rule of thumb: Stick to one or two colors (or a few in the same family) when mixing and matching to avoid the crazy-lady look.

Chris Benz, spring 2011

6) Flatforms!

Part platform, part wedge and a whole lotta awesomeness, these are the comfiest cool-girl shoes we’ve seen in years. Your feet will thank you for giving them a break from painful pointy stilettos, while your wing-women friends will be happy that it’s easy to spot a much taller you in a crowded room.

Michael Kors, spring 2011

7) Trench dresses

The mash-up of two pretty Hall of Fame trends—trench coats and sheath dresses—will be your favorite new Monday-through-Friday wardrobe item when spring arrives.

DKNY, spring 2011

8) Sheer layers

The gauzy stuff was all over the Fashion Week runways. Our advice for wearing this trend in real life? Steer clear of the X-rated looks that leave nothing to the imagination. Wear a totally solid top over something sheer so you’ve got a sexy, filmy layer peeking out underneath.

3.1 Phillip Lim, spring 2011

9) Something simple and rust-color

Give your Bedazzler to your little sister, and put all those embellished pieces in the back of the closet: Spring’s coolest pieces are low-key and come in desert-inspired colors like rust, sienna and sand.

Jenni Kayne, spring 2011

10) Japanese-inspired style

One sure way to stand out in a crowd? Sport spring’s vibrant Japanese-inspired pieces including obi belts, kimono-like coats and satiny pieces in festive blues and pinks (just not at the same time, or it looks too costume-y).

Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, spring 2011

11) Neutrals and nudes

Sand, buff, beige—call it whatever you want, but we’ve seen boatloads of clothes in barely there pales on the spring runways. If you think wearing neutral shades head to toe will wash you out (or make you look nekkid), wear another color up top like always-chic black or a flattering red.

Rebecca Minkoff, spring 2011

12) Preppy accessories (and a lot of ‘em)

Dig through Mom’s (or Grandma’s) closet to find oldies but goodies such as ladylike watches, woven bracelets, tasseled loafers and a natty striped tote. Wear these once-out-of-date accessories all together (the more the merrier!) and look totally 2011.

Tommy Hilfiger, spring 2011

13) Big bangles

There’s no easier (or more affordable!) way to update your look in a hurry—just slip on an armful of colorful plastic or wooden bangles. With a little sleuthing, you can find expensive-looking bracelets for under $10 each. Cha-ching!

Marc by Marc Jacobs, spring 2011

14) Serious pants

Getting dressed for work (especially if you have finicky office dress codes) has never been more fun thanks to the unboring pants that designers whipped up this season. Top off your favorite pair with a French-looking striped shirt; just don’t be surprised if your coworkers go ooh-la-la! at your awesome outfit.

Jason Wu, spring 2011

15) Citrus colors

As we asked during New York Fashion Week, orange ya glad vibrant citrus hues are big for spring! We’re especially psyched because the hot new color makes updating last summer’s cobalt and aquamarine clothes a total cinch.

Prabal Gurung, spring 2011

16) Comfy clothes

So long, crop tops! Arrivederci, can’t-sit-down short shorts! Michael Kors told us, “It’s time to get rid of all those painful heels and too-tight dresses.” Come spring, stores will be chock-full of looser, easy-breezier shapes like long, billowy blouses and swingy dresses. All we can say is Phew!

Michael Kors, spring 2011