Sue Me

Neiman Marcus has agreed to pay $25,000 to the Humane Society of the United States (“HSUS”) after a D.C. court found that the retailer breached consumer protection laws by falsely claiming that its real fur coats were made from “faux fur.”

HSUS filed suit in 2007 after it discovered that allegedly “faux” coats being sold at Neiman and several other high-end retailers actually contained raccoon dog fur. Additional defendants included Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Macy’s. The coats were sold under the brand names Burberry, Andrew Marc, Marc New York, Preston & York, Aqua, Ramosport and Adam & Eve.

The court’s ruling bars the retailer from misrepresenting or falsely advertising the contents of fur coats in the future.

“Consumers were fooled by those ads,” HSUS attorney Ralph Henry told the Dallas Morning News. “Now by virtue of this lawsuit, they’ll know what the coat contains.”

According to HSUS, raccoon dog fur is the most commonly misrepresented fur in the U.S. The fur is routinely mislabeled – or not labeled at all – leading animal-friendly consumers to unwittingly walk around with a dead animal around their torso. HSUS-sponsored test results have revealed that coats purportedly made of “fox” and “raccoon” actually contained raccoon dog fur.

In its complaint, HSUS noted that “consumer surveys show that consumers consider animal welfare when making purchasing decisions and are often willing to switch to animal-free products. For example, according to recently published Gallup poll data, a sizeable and significant percentage of Americans find that buying or wearing animal fur is ‘morally wrong.’”

Raccoon dogs, native to Asia, are part of the same family that includes domesticated dogs. Despite their raccoon-like faces, they are not related to that North American mammal. The raccoon dog has a decidedly tougher life than most American dogs, however; the animal is “routinely isolated on Chinese fur operations in tiny metal cages before being clubbed, slammed to the ground, or skinned alive,” according to HSUS.

HSUS took a hard line throughout the litigation, calling the defendants “the worst of the worst” and accusing them of misleading their customers. “A hardcore group of heartless holdouts continues to peddle raccoon dog coats to unsuspecting consumers,” said Jonathan Lovvorn, HSUS’s chief counsel for animal protection litigation, when the suit was filed.

Saks, which settled out of court last week, agreed to repay the $6,500 spent by HSUS to buy and test coats. Like Neiman Marcus, Saks agreed to more stringent labeling requirements, and also pledged to support legislation pending in Congress aimed at requiring labeling on all coats made of real fur. The Truth in Fur Labeling Act, introduced last year, would close a loophole exempting coats under $150 from fur-related labeling requirements.

Speaking of Fur

Here's a newly released remix of "Oh Let's Do It" featuring Diddy, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne and some other people.

http://usershare.net/XclusivesZone/m00mzzdl77d8

To Set The Record Straight

Marvett Britto recently had to set the record straight about her repuation.

Britto, who founded the prestigious Britto Agency in NYC, wanted my readers to know that while she does represent the publicity and production interests of mediatakeout.com, she is not involved in the content of that website. And to prove her point, Britto called an Atlanta friend, Lisa, by three-way who told me that she asked Britto to intercede on behalf of another friend who wanted a post removed from MTO.

“If she was the owner that post would have been removed,” said Lisa.

Britto, who was calling from a yacht in the Bahamas, also cleared up the rumor that she represented Usher’s ex-wife Tameka Foster-Glover. “At no time have I ever represented Tameka Foster-Glover. At no time!,” said Britto adamantly.

“I don’t want to work with Tameka Foster. It wasn’t about whether she could afford me. I’m sure the mother of Usher’s two children can afford to hire me. I know her. She’s cool. She’s sweet. I represent corporations and brands. I’m very particular with the folks I work with. We never even discussed me representing her. We never got into that,” said Britto, who represents rapper Plies, and actor/author Hill Harper, among others.

(Tameka Raymond)

Rumor had it that Foster-Glover approached Britto earlier this year and asked her for representation while she went through that nasty divorce from Usher. Apparently, Foster-Glover had heard that Britto did wonders for the image of Sean Combs’ baby mama Kim Porter. But Britto insisted that she and Porter are

only close friends (Britto is the Godmother of Sean and Kim’s twin girls).

“Tameka is friends with Pebbles who I’m very close to and… I don’t represent Kim Porter. I don’t represent the reality TV people. I just don’t do that…. As far as representing people through divorces, I just have never done that. I represent people for long term. I don’t just come on board for certain situations. I do crises, but I only do that for people that I represent on an ongoing basis.”

Britto strongly denied allegations that she feeds information about her celebrity clients to MTO. “I don’t get involved with Fred’s content,” said Britto, referring to Fred Mwangaguhunga, a former corporate lawyer-turned gossip blog owner.

“He writes negative stories trashing my clients. At the end of the day my clients would be thrilled if I could keep them off of it,” said Britto who frequently contributes to CNN and CBS.

“I build brands. I’m the branding person to assist Fred with bringing his TV show to life. I don’t own Mediatakeout. Give me a break! Our relationship is strictly business. In the beginning I told him ‘I’m not going to get involved in your content so don’t ask me anything.’ I’m a publicist, not a gossip columnist.”

Misa Speaks

Unless you have been under a rock, you know that Diddy threw his eldest son, Justin, a sweet 16 party. Complete with a new luxury vehicle and Nikki Minaj as his date.

But what most of us find interesting is an interview that Justin's mom, Misa Hylton-Brim recently did.

Misa speaking on Diddy’s OTHER baby’s mothers:

“Sarah is really sweet but Sarah and Kim don’t get along. I get along with everyone. With both of them. Kim and I go back for years now. We were friends at one point. I was like “you wanted him, you got him now baby“. So she’s gotta go through all the bs I had to go through back in the day.

Sarah has been around as long as Kim, alot of people don’t know that. Puffy was cheating on me with both of them. This is over 15-16 years ago so we’ve all been around a long time. I joke around sometimes and say “They are like my sister-wives.” I try to keep everything good and we want Kim to accept Chance but she’s not ready yet . . . but I accepted Christian."

(Sarah Chapman)

Misa speaking on Why she took Diddy to court to INCREASE child support:

"The money is relative to him. People say, “oh it doesn’t take that much”, you don’t know how much tuition is. You don’t know what the lifestyle is everyday. Our children (Thank God!!!) are able to have different extracurricular activities, they have tutors, they have programs that they are in. They have to have security which is very expensive on a weekly basis. There are alot of things that people don’t take in consideration that this money goes to. We don’t sit and get a check and throw it up in the air and say “yea what am I going to do with this today”.

 

"What wasn’t going to happen to me before I went to court, is because I’m not with you or sleeping with you, “Kim’s son is not going to get more than my son because of that”. That was some b*tchassness. Because if you could come and stay here and pop in and out when you wanted to then it wouldn’t be a problem. So you are not going to put me at a disadvantage because we are really broken up and I’ve moved on."

Misa speaking on whether Diddy still wants to GET WITH HER:

"Yes, he still is bitter. It’s like can I live. I have love for him and he’s my family and I’m going to always support him and have his back. But, when you can have everything sometimes and you can’t have that one little thing, you are not use to that. That’s so over. I’m not saying he’s actively trying to pursue me but I get a hard time sometimes. It’s like “what’s the problem”? You’d think I’d be the one acting like that. I stay out of your way."

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Support a new author "Brooke Lynne Carter."

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Get your questions answered and discover the honesty behind the deep reservoirs of the untreated psyche:

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Help for Haiti

Diamonds and Ice Cream would like to send our heart felt prayers to the people of Haiti.

If you haven't done so already, text Yele to 501501 and donate $5 to help the people of Haiti recover.

New Couple Alert

Apparently, Rihanna's new love interest is Matt Kemp, an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers

Here is a video that shows images of them captured while on vacation in Mexico.

Top 5 Most Expensive Handbags In The World

In case you want to treat yourself. :-)

#1: Platinum handbag Ginza Tanaka

Valued at $2 million, the diamond-encrusted platinum handbag was displayed at jewelry shops around London to mark the inaugural London Jewellery Week.Created by Japanese designer Ginza Tanaka, the bag the bag is set with more than 2,000 diamonds.

#2: Diamond Forever by Chanel

The Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag debuted in December of 2009 and its adorned with 3.56 carats made up of 334 diamonds, 18 carat white gold hardware, and white alligator skin. Five of these ostentatious handbags are available in the states and are priced at $261,000.

#3:  Matte Crocodile Hermes bag

This beautiful bag is made from luxurious crocodile leather. The white gold clasp of this stunning tote is encrusted with a dazzling 10 carats of white diamonds. It is priced at $120,000.

#4: Lana Marks Cleopatra Bag

The Cleopatra Clutch is in such high demand, only a handful of actresses have been allowed to carry them to high-profile events and Marks’ astonishing, hand-crafted designs have made her a favorite with the late Princess Diana of Wales.This year’s limited edition Art Nouveau creation gem is dressed in metallic silver alligator suit with 1500 fully cut and faceted black and white diamonds set in an 18-carat white gold frame. It is priced at $100,000.

#5: Precious Rose bag

Made in the shape of a perfect flower, the bag is made with 1,016 diamonds totaling 42.56 carats, 1,169 pink sapphires and 800 tourmalines. It is priced at $92,000.

Rest In Peace

We would like to send our condolences to the family of Eunice W. Johnson.

In case you don't know who she is. She gave Ebony magazine its name and for almost 50 years produced an influential traveling fashion show that brought haute couture to African-Americans while raising millions of dollars for charity.

The widow of Johnson Publishing Co. founder John H. Johnson, Mrs. Johnson, 93, died of renal failure Sunday, Jan. 3, in her Chicago Thome, according to a company spokeswoman.

Mrs. Johnson was born Eunice Walker and grew up in Selma, Ala. Her father was a doctor, and her mother was a high school principal and a teacher at Selma University, which had been co-founded by Mrs. Johnson's maternal grandfather. At Talladega College in Alabama, she received a bachelor's degree in sociology. She later studied journalism at Northwestern University and interior design at the former Ray-Vogue School of Design.

She met John H. Johnson in 1940 at a dance hall called Bacon's Casino in Chicago. The couple were married in Selma in 1941 and returned to Chicago, where she worked by his side as he started a publishing company with $500 borrowed against his mother's furniture.

A close business partner of her husband's since the beginning of Johnson Publishing in 1942, Mrs. Johnson remained the company's secretary-treasurer at the time of her death and for years wrote a monthly fashion feature for Ebony magazine.

Johnson Publishing's flagship, conceived as an African-American version of Life magazine and published since 1945, was named by Mrs. Johnson to reflect the mystique of fine black ebony wood, said Wendy Parks of Johnson Publishing.

But Mrs. Johnson's greatest legacy may be her role as producer and director of the Ebony Fashion Fair, an influential event that for decades has been a showcase for the world's top designers. The fair was started in the 1950s as a fundraiser for a hospital in New Orleans at the suggestion of Jessie Covington Dent, wife of a former Dillard University president.

It was a success, and Mrs. Johnson and her husband decided to take the concept on the road. Produced annually since 1958, the fair became a traveling fashion extravaganza that now makes nearly 180 stops a year in the U.S. and abroad to largely black audiences from across economic strata.

"It brought to the lower-middle-class black people a sense of what fashion really was. She gave the local community a chance to see these clothes," said Andre Leon Talley, editor at large for Vogue magazine.

The fair was both "an aspirational as well as an inspirational experience," Talley said. It became a showcase for a new generation of black designers as well as early African-American models. The show's director and producer since 1961, Mrs. Johnson was initially a curiosity as she toured French and Italian boutiques and fashion houses. But her sense of elegance, and her deep pocketbook, quickly made her a respected figure in the world of high fashion. "When they found out how much money I was going to spend, word got around," Mrs. Johnson said in 1997. She stayed at the best hotels, dined at the finest restaurants and dressed impeccably.

"She always had on the last word [in fashion], but it was always very elegant," Talley said. Legendary French designer Yves Saint Laurent "would receive her in the same manner he'd receive the editor of Vogue." Since its founding, the Ebony Fashion Fair has produced more than 4,000 shows and raised more than $55 million for charity, according to Johnson Publishing.

John Johnson died in 2005. Johnson Publishing is now run by the Johnsons' daughter, Linda Johnson Rice.

Murder Was the Case

Atlanta-based producer Shawty Redd (real name: Demetrius Lee Stewart), who received a Grammy nomination for his work on Snoop Dogg's "Sensual Seduction," was arrested Friday on murder charges in Henry County, Georgia.

Police said they responded to a call about a shooting at around 8 a.m. on New Year's Day at Stewart's home in Hampton, Georgia. Police said Stewart was involved in a dispute at his home with an "acquaintance," a 35 year-old man named Damon Martin of Detroit. The confrontation turned physical and Stewart shot and killed Martin, according to the report.

Stewart appeared in court on Saturday but appeared without his attorney, and he was granted another hearing to allow him legal representation. That hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on January 12, and he will remain in custody until then.

Police spokesperson Captain Jason Bolton told MTV News that Stewart himself called 911 to alert police about the shooting. Bolton also said Stewart was arrested a few hours later at police headquarters after more questioning by detectives.

Stewart had been one of the most promising hip-hop producers to come out of Atlanta in recent years. He first made his mark on Young Jeezy's classic mixtape Trap or Die, and the two have collaborated since then on Jeezy's Thug Motivation 101 and Recession albums. He has also worked with Gucci Mane, Big Kuntry, and 8ball and MJG, but his biggest success came from Snoop's "Sexual Eruption".

Happy Birthday!

We hope you had a fabulous day Mrs. Knowles!!!

According to Beyonce, her mother "gets a kick" out of reading gossip about her daughter. The singer revealed Tina is just obsessed with the rags and sometimes buys 20 at a time.

"You know what? My mother loves to read celeb magazines, especially the racy tabloids! I can't believe it sometimes. She'll go to this magazine store in New York and buy 20 magazines while I'm standing next to her. I'm just praying nobody recognizes me while my mom is stacking up those magazines! But she loves reading the gossip about celebs and movie stars. I tell her a lot of the stuff isn't true, but she says she gets a kick out of reading all the nonsense that gets printed, even about me!"

Beyonce says despite her mother's habit, she is so thankful to have her around while touring.

"My mom and my cousin are the leaders of my entourage. They're with me to help me stay grounded and relax and avoid going out on the town, which is something I rarely do anyway."

In other news....

We also know the former Celestine Beyincé (bet you didn't know her government name did you) is going through a difficult time because of her pending divorce. She's a smart, beautiful, and talented woman. There is no doubt that she will find love again.

We have also heard that Jay-Z is sympathetic of the divorce and that there is not a son (by Tina) to carry the Knowles last name.

Word is that Jay-Z will be changing his last name to Knowles-Carter. Beyonce will apparently do the same.

 

You Smoke Crack Dontcha!?, Tiger's Bounty, and Vivica Sheds Tears

From PanacheReport.com

Last week, it was reported that Whitney Houston is allegedly back on drugs (crack) according to friends. We were closed when the story broke, so we will elaborate on it now.

Hopefully, this isn't true but rumors are circulating that Whitney isn't in a good mood because of lackluster album sales and lack of Grammy nominations.

Allegedly, she is also upset that lesser talents like Ciara (who was paid $2 million dollars to perform in Kazakhstan) and Rihanna (who was paid between $500,000-$1 million to perform in Abu Dhabi on New Years Eve) are making more money than her and have less talent.

To make matters worse, despite meltdown after meltdown, Britney Spears "Circus," tour grossed $83 million dollars last year and she can't sing a lick. Whitney Houston can sing circles around Britney but Britney had a good management team in place. It was reported a few years ago, Britney earns $70,000 per month, despite record sales and she never wrote any of her songs. That's good management.

In other news....

Due to the fact Tiger Woods hasn't been photographed since his scandal, tabloids are now offering upwards to $100,000 dollars for a photo of Tiger Woods.

On to the next one....

Vivica Fox recently sat on on Monique's couch and talk to her hairy legs about her break up with Fif.

Video Premiere

Jay-Z Featuring Swizz Beatz "On To The Next One"

Drama

Looks like Lil Flip is having some drama in his life. The following is a letter written by his ex-girlfriend.

"Wesley Weston aka Lil Flip and I have a 4 year old son together. I am not one of those fame hungry women that puts all of their business out there for attention, but I feel that I have been pushed to the limit by this man, and I want people to know the real “Lil Flip”. LilFlip and I were together for about 6 and a half years. When we first started dating I had a 2 year old daughter that he raised as his own (she called him daddy and everything), because her real father has never been in her life. Well back in January of 2009 I decided to end our very volatile relationship due to personal reasons that I’d rather not discuss. So now, jumping forward to December of 09, he has only talked to my children maybe 5 times this year, and thats because I’ve called him! They missed their daddy, and he never calls! He didn’t even call on Christmas nor did he get his ONLY son anything! He did not get his son anything for his birthday in June, and didn’t call him either. No call onThanksgiving as well. So yesterday on Christmas, around 8pm at night he sends me a text message that said “Wow it’s 8 o’clock and you still haven’t had my son call me, great mothering skills” then went on to say that I was ungrateful, and money hungry, because I had previously asked him for a little extra money on top of the little $500 he pays a month for child support to do some Christmas shopping.

He sent me $150 through western union THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS knowing his son needed winter cloths and shoes!!! (I have the Western Union receipt with the date and child support paper work if you’d like me to send you all a copy). And as if that weren’t bad enough, this pompous a**hole sent my 9 year old daughter (who she refers to as daddy) a text message that said and I quote “By the way Im not your real dad, just so you’ll know the truth!” on Christmas night! So I feel I have no choice but to put his sorry a** on blast. My daughter did not deserve that, and she was so confused and upset after reading that. And I don’t allow anyone to hurt my children, not even Lil Flip. So after posting what happened on my twitter page last night, I have decided to contact you guys at bossip. I really don’t want to exploit my children, but I want people to know how arrogant and evil this man is. So I really hope you guys decide to post this. Because he basically ruined my daughters Christmas, and I am beyond pissed!"

Source: Bossip

So...What happened?

Mary J. Blige wants to damp down the drama over that fight at her record release party Tuesday night. Contrary to claims that the hip-hop diva punched her husband, Kendu Isaacs, at a Chelsea club, Blige tells the Daily News she was simply trying to stop a brawl between Isaacs and her brother.

"Mary was not fighting with her husband," said Blige spokeswoman Karynne Tencer. "Her husband and her brother got into an altercation that turned into a fight. Mary went to break up the fight." Tencer didn't immediately know the name of Blige's brother or the reason for the row. Club security helped the Grammy Award winner pull the men apart, who also disputed reports that Isaacs' lip was bleeding. "Nobody was bleeding," Tencer said. Blige also denied she angrily compared Isaacs with notorious R&B star Chris Brown, who belted girlfriend Rihanna in February. "She never mentioned Chris Brown," Tencer said. "Mary and Kendu went home together." Blige had hoped the public wouldn't hear about the ugly scene at M2 Ultralounge, where she was celebrating her new album, "Stronger with Each Tear." But after sources claimed she had smacked Isaacs because he was supposedly flirting with a waitress, Blige decided to set the record straight, Tencer said. The publicist said the couple is celebrating Christmas with their three children on the East Coast. "They're as happy as can be," Tencer said.

Blind Item

This very attractive and popular female model and sometime reality star thought she had the funniest joke the other night. While at a Christmas event/party she kept saying, "Oh it will be a White Christmas." She then would do a bump of coke off her hand. All night she followed the same pattern until finally at one point the whole table she was at said it before she could. She then laughed and did another line.

Source: Crazy Days and Nights

Wedding Bells

What's this we hear about Diddy getting ready to marry his bottom woman Kim Porter.

After all these years....Diddy supposedly has said this Tiger drama has forced him to evaluate himself. *Blank Stare* Who's checking for you boo?

Anywhoo, word is that Cassie is "A-OK", has moved, and has her eyes on a baller. And something you may not have heard. That "infamous" edgy haircut was intentional but not on Cassie's party.

Apparently, in one of Diddy's rants, he cut her hair. She was then forced to shave it just to save face.

Another Twitter Rant

Apparently, The Dream is being blamed for the flop of Mariah Carey's album. And he did what we love!! He went on a Twitter Rant.

Ready. Set. Go!

Source: Necole Bitchie

Home For the Holidays

 Earlier, this week, TI was released from prison in Arkansas.

For the next three months, he will be living in a halfway house in Atlanta.

You still da kang baby!

*Sighs*

Tiny's nail bar is also open for business.

In other Grand Hustle news,  B.G. announced that his new “Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood” album will be the last he’ll do through T.I.’s Grand Hustle Records.

The Hot Boys member says he is now looking for a new label. In a recent interview B.G. stated to HipHopWired, “I’m gonna be a free agent.” The rapper continued, “I’m going to sit down with the people closest to me, like my manager and lawyers and see what route to take.” The rapper says, “Grand Hustle, no that’s all over with.” T.I. was the executive producer of the project with B.G. when it was on Atlantic Records.After the situation with T.I. and the Hip Hop awards, B.G. says, “They kind of froze up on me, kept pushin the album back. This was pre-recession. Once I felt like they were playing with me, I stopped calling, got back doing what I was doing, creating another opportunity.” Speculation of the rapper possibly going back to his old label  (Cash Money)was also brought up with B.G. practically summing the possibility of that up in one statement, “If the numbers right, if it makes sense.”

Rest In Peace

The body of Brittany Murphy has arrived at Forrest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills earlier today, TMZ reports. The funeral for the actress, who died at age 32 Sunday, was held today and was "strictly private," says E! News. So far, no public memorial has been announced.

There is a lot of speculation surrounding Brittany's death, however, because of the circumstances, we should focus on some of her best work in 8 Mile, Clueless, and Uptown Girls. Brittany was also a talented singer.

Celebrate A Birthday In Style

In celebration of British department store Selfridges’ 100th birthday, renowned houses and designers are designing specials items in Selfridges’ iconic yellow color. Louis Vuitton also wanted to be part of the celebration, so they have created a mini version of their legendary trunk.

The special, customized made-to-order Birthday Cake Trunk has been designed especially for transporting a birthday cake. Handmade in Louis Vuitton’s Asnieres factory, the exterior of the cake trunk features the very famous brown on tan Louis Vuitton logo. The trunk offers space for a set of four dessert forks, four dessert spoons and a cake server. The Birthday Cake Trunk can be seen in the Personal Shopping section.

Merry Christmas!

Diamonds and Ice Cream would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!

Be safe and enjoy!