OKAY I'M ANGRY! If this is not a platform to share your opinions then where else right?! So here it goes, you may have seen Mattel are doing a Barbie version of FRIDA KAHLO, the profoundly inspirational Mexican Artist. Well on the surface it sounds positive – celebrating female cultural icons etc, but it’s in fact not at all what it seems. . . Zac and I adore this woman and are huge fans. Frida Kahlo represented not just a fearless and boundless expression of individuality, but she stood firmly on the side of those in society that were forgotten about. In her art she explored questions of identity, post-colonialism, gender, class, and race in Mexican society. She was simply brilliant, and an inspiration to all us mothers raising daughters. . . Salma Hayek portrayed her brilliantly in the 2002 Bipoic (please watch it if you haven’t already!) and said Frida was “one of the forces that gave me the determination to pursue my career”. . . On to what Mattel are doing. Firstly – despite what some bloggers like to shill on social media, the Barbie doll is not something positive for any child in my view. It does not represent uniqueness, and when Frida becomes SLIM and more LIGHT SKINNED with LIGHT EYES, that’s when lines are being crossed. This is not just cultural appropriation for commercial gain, but the very colonial re-shaping of identity she stood against. . . LEAVE FRIDA ALONE. Rant over. . #fridakahlo #mattel #leaveheralone #views #latin #mexicanculture #salmahayeck #womensday #strongwomen #womenofculture #mummyviews #londonblogger #unique #art #ethnic #celebratinguniqueness #inspirationalwomen #thisisbullshit #barbieisnotunique #notobarbie #femalerolemodels #ithastobesaid

🗣I know it’s been a while, things have been up in the air so to speak. The truth is I’ve been really unwell and trying to get back on top of things. The problem is when you’re unwell nothing stops as a mother so you have to roll your sleeves up and get on with it. 💪🏼👊🏼🤣 Last year I was invited by Lou Casteou on a 5 day Body tonic experience and it did me the world of good, however after returning I was sick and more sick 🤒. But finally I see the light 💡. I’ve written a blog about my experience as a mother of-course, and how amazing it was to just take a break from it all. I think I’m in need for another body tonic 🤦🏻‍♀️. The post will be out today so keep your eyes peeled on my story. ❤️😀 . . #loucasteou #bodytonic #cotedeazur #mummylife #escapinglondon #truth #reddress #antistresstherapy #lookingup #gettingawayfromitall #londonmother #mummyabroad #tiredmummy #mummytimeout #londonmummyblogger #throwbackthursday

Sundays used to be about chilling it down 😌 ... But once you have kids it’s about having experiences and knackering the little ‘uns out! . . 📍In London you can always find a pretty place to sit down, and on this occasion it was outside this synagogue 🕍. Not that these guys needed a rest after a very tough and cold morning playing rugby, riding bikes and playground madness, but these munchkins don’t ever get tired 🤨 and it’s all about the playing 💯. As my son would say “mummy sleeping is boring” 🤦🏻‍♀🤣 . . We hope you’ve all had an amazing weekend! ✌️ . . #sundayfunday #sundaywithfamily #thekidsarealright #londonkids #parentinglife #citykids #urbanparenting #londonparents #parentingdaily #instaparents #citykidsstyle #sundayfun #sunday

After the longest January ever, it's time to start thinking ahead. We're being lazy here on the S O C I A L front 👀 ... But there is in fact, some exciting news to share. 🔜 🔜🔜 . . My son gets photo creds👌 . . #2018motivation #thinkahead #instamomet #elianecafe #passthecamera #dadstyle #dresslikeadad #fathers #dresslikeadad #dresslikeaman #photocreds #photocredstomyson #thinkinglikeaboss #thinkingtime #hungerford #nofilterneeded

It’s finally snowed in london! 🌧🌧🌧. The kids are with “Abuela” aka Granny and we’re enjoying our date day. 🧔🏻❤️👩🏻 . . #whitechristmas #portobelloroadmarket #londonlife #dateday #lovesnowdays #sheepskin #vintagestyle #urbanism #staywarm #red #citylife #momentsinthesnow #streetstyle #mumstyle #dresslikeamother #love #dressforwinter

Life is a gamble, so roll the 🎲!! Happy Wednesday! 👦🏻👏🏽❤️ . . #parenthood #lifeisagamble #londonparenting #arcade #brighton #londonfamily #kidsknowbest #followyourheart #dadlife #childhoodunplugged #games #weekendgetaway #brightonpier #motherhood

🍂🍂Laughter is the best medicine😁, even if it means lying on leaves or dog SHIT its worth it to make memories with these little people.🍁🍁 . . #makememories #motherhood #laughter #londonmum #familylife #citykids #instamum #autumn #familylife #childhoodunplugged #londonparents #kids

After not reading Vogue for years, I wanted to see what the new editor Edward Enninful's first edition meant for the magazine, and what a great first edition! Not only for having the gorgeous half Ghananian Adwoa Aboah, but also for representing the UK and our diversity with a striking retro throwback! . . I tend not to buy magazines becuase a lot of them simply don’t represent me. However with Vogue under new leadership this marks the dawn of a new era in the fashion world, one that I think may disgruntle some of the existing readership but more importantly, bring in many more readers of a wider background and style. . . Congratualtions @edward_enninful on a great first edition! 👌❤️ . #mondaymotivation #fashion #motherhood #diversity #vogueuk #newfaces #somethingspecial #diversitymatters #mummyblogger #london #edition #luxe #british #celebratewomen #Instyle #changeisgood #luxuryfashion

🌊 Sometimes you just need to escape the city, I mean towel-wielding-off-to-the-beach type of escape. 😬 . . It was cold and the kids didn't really get it (not when you can throw pebbles in the sea!), in fact nor did Leti, but I needed to swim in the sea. A kinda of primal urge that resulted in a long arse road trip that involved the AA being called twice. 🆘 We're having car troubles - the convertible is still out of action (new engine needed) and the run- around saloon is in its dying breaths. But sometimes you gotta take risks right? 😉🤔 . . #escapethecity #brighton #brightonbeach #outoflondon #visitbrighton #fatherhood #parentinglife #parentingisfun #parentingswag #parentinggoals #dadlife #dadbod #dads #familylife #familygoals #timenotwasted #timetochill #time #beachlife #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seethemagic #seatherapy #seatheworld #instamoments #instagood #familytime

What happened to just plain old fun and happiness? when going to the funfair just gave you pure joy!! 🤔Waking up to the news this morning with just pure tragedy. what can we teach our kids about humanity? The 📻 was on this morning about the shooting in Las Vegas, on the way to school my little one asked's "Why are people shooting other people mummy" 😱 I have a very honest realtionship with my children, I dont want them to have any surprises but when you hear nothing but tragedy all day everyday 🤦🏻‍♀️- how can a child who only sees beauty in people or happiness in his everyday life accept such tragedy in the world that he is part off. Look after one another and care for your community. That's my motto.. . . #motherhood #londonmother #instamum #motto #kids #seethroughtheireyes #londonlife #londonfamily #motherandson #news #funfair #citykids #family #mondaymood

Capturing a moment of stillness is quite rare in our family. I think living in London we sometimes forget to be still because it's always a mental head case trying to balance it all. But when you feel like you're rushing and there's noise in your head then do something basic like climbing a log wall, and if you don't bang your shin or do something else painful, then it can offer a moment of stillness 😊😊 Time to get down now... • • • #family #familylife #fatherhood #dadlife #fatherson #dadsofinstagram #daddylife #hearttoheart #parentingwin #parentinggoals #parentingisfun #parentinglife #stayyoung #timetogether #timenotmoney #bnw #instadad #simplelife #lookinginthemirror #maninthemirror #teachemyoung #instamoments

"Wherever you'll be I'll walk next to you, even in the days when you feel lost I'll be standing next to you". At this age my little one grabs hold of me with her little hands and only hopes I hold on to hers tightly. There are times when I just want to be free from holding on to anything or anyone. 😬🤦🏻‍♀But then when my little mini me turns around and says "don't let go of me mummy" how could I resist!! Motherhood is a true gift!! 💕💕😍 . . #motherhood #instamum #motheranddaughter #londonmum #familylife #walkonby #blacktiehair #stylishkids #blackvelvetdress #conversationwithmytoddler #honestmotherhood #kidslove #mamastyle

If you've seen my stories (and not Zac's interruptions) then you would know I'm in the south of France at Lou Casteou for a body tonic, which means I'm taking a break from from all mummy, wife, daughter duties 🙌💯 . . ✔Probably been the best thing I've done in ages. Not only has everything been amazing here (fresh food brought in from Italy, friendly people, an amazing pool, lovely weather, tennis coaching, beautiful excursions and a super comfy bed), but i've realised how healthy this has been for me not just physically but mentally. I mean I never really thought of ever doing something like this but when Morag invited me I couldn't say NO! I think it's so important to do these things, we spend ages figuring out what to get our other halves for gifts, Xmas and birthdays but I think this would be a 👌 gift for a Mama or Wife that needs a chill or a older parent looking to bond with their kiddo who's old enough to enjoy it. . . Anyway I'll be writing a post about it soon with a video on my experience. 😊🔜 . #loucasteou #instamum #swimming #tenniscoach #italianfood #exercise #bodytonic #tiredmummy #holiday #mummytime #mummyabroad #feelinginspired #londonmummyblogger

💥 I've decided to let these two pick their own clothes. Getting dressed can be so fun, and I'm all up for these two expressing themselves... but let's see how far he gets in this T-shirt! #mummyknowsbest . . @alexandalexacom #alexandalexa #ladbrokegrove #mumstyle #motherhood #ootdmummy #familylife #mumlife #letthembelittle #letthemknow #familygoals #mummy #instamum #mumlifestyle #urbanparenting #parentingswag #mumvsdad #nofilter #parentinglife #parentinggoals #londonmum

🎥 LAST CLIP! It's Sunday and it's raining outside so here's another excuse to watch Carnival after Grenfell, our latest vlogumentary now live on YouTube (link in bio). So excited to share it, please check it out guys, this one is quite close to our hearts. 😊✌️ . . @indiewire @canonuk @evening.standard @londonlive @iamfightingfit @rbkcmarkets @buzzfeedvideo @londonist @sonyatvuk @iamfightingfit @nottinghillcarnival2017 #grenfell #justiceforgrenfell #londonfilm #londonlife #vlogumentary #londonvlog #carnival #nottinghillcarnival #nottinghillcarnival2017 #nottinghill #ladbrokegrove #theinsideedit #grenfelltower #instavideo #igerslondon #londonlove #community #londonvloggers #streetfestival #ataleoftwocities #instavideo #londonvlogumentary

🎥 More from Carnival after Grenfell, our latest vlogumentary now live on YouTube (link in bio). So excited to share it, please check it out guys, this one is quite close to our hearts. 😊✌️ . . @grenfell_prayers @grenfelltower @grenfelltowerr @channel4 @indiewire @huffpostuk @evening.standard @londonlive @metro.co.uk @bbclondontv @guardian @lbc @iamfightingfit @rbkcmarkets @buzzfeedvideo @londonist @sonyatvuk @iamfightingfit @nottinghillcarnival2017 #grenfell #justiceforgrenfell #londonfilm #londonlife #vlogumentary #londonvlog #carnival #nottinghillcarnival #nottinghillcarnival2017 #nottinghill #ladbrokegrove #theinsideedit #grenfelltower #instavideo #igerslondon #londonlove #community #londonvloggers #streetfestival #ataleoftwocities

🎥 Carnival after Grenfell, our latest vlogumentary now live on YouTube (link in bio). So excited to share it, please check it out guys, this one is quite close to our hearts. 😊✌️ . . @grenfell_prayers @grenfelltower @grenfelltowerr @channel4 @indiewire @huffpostuk @evening.standard @londonlive @metro.co.uk @bbclondontv @guardian @lbc @djisla_ @buzzfeedvideo @londonist @sonyatvuk @iamfightingfit #grenfell #justiceforgrenfell #londonfilm #londonlife #vlogumentary #londonvlog #carnival #nottinghillcarnival #nottinghillcarnival2017 #nottinghill #ladbrokegrove #theinsideedit #grenfelltower #instavideo #igerslondon #londonlove #community #londonvloggers

The theme of this party was WHAT WERE YOU WEARING WHEN THE TITANIC SANK ... Today I nearly sank when I waved goodbye to my son at the school doors 😪. It's funny I was looking forward to having more time on my plate, but now I feel empty! The perels of parenthood, can't stand them can't live without them. Happy back to school Everyone! ✌ . . #parentinglife #parentingfun #parentinggoals #parentingswag #family #familylife #familygoals #familylove #timenotwasted #timenotmoney #whatwereyouwearing #vintageclothing #vintagestyle #titanicparty #titanictheme #countrylife #outoflondon #hungerfordlife #parentsoftwo #keepemclose #ootdfamily #ootdstyle #endofsummer #backtoschool #throwback

I know people thought we were mad takin our kids to Carnival at the busiest time, but Zac and I always went and we were locals and know all the streets. 😜People were super cool with us and the kids and always allowing us to pass. There was a moment when I was caught with Sofia in a crazy crowd full of people dancing to reggae and all i did was signal "look at me I've got a kid 😁 please let me pass", and it felt like Moses opening the sea... . . 🎥We are preparing a proper film on Carnival after Grenfell and are super excited to share with you guys. 💥Coming soon. 😊 . . Photo courtesy of little one with iPhone skills. . . #carnival #nottinghillcarnival #nottinghilcarnival2017 #nottinghill #ladbrokegrove #portbelloroad #londonlife #londonswag #londonparents #cityparents #parentingwithmybestfriend #couple #londonstreetstyle #londonstreets #streetart #endofsummer #parentinglife #takenbykids #visitlondon #streetstyle #urbanparenting #thisislondon

This is about as straight as I could get 14 stones upside down 👀 Dadbod holiday weight, it ain't an easy life! 😉🤸🏽‍♂️ . . #dadbod #summervibes #instadad #dadlife #blackandwhiteonly #nofilter #mumvsdad #dadvsmum #beachbod #handstand #handstandfail #yolo #summermoments #summer2017 #effortpoints #fatherhood #beachvibes #endofsummer