To like Kirstie Allsopp?

[plaingirly]

Pretty much all of my friends and colleagues seem to hate her! Something about setting women back 60 years.

I like her - and all the craft stuff. I don't see that she is setting women back or being anti-feminist. Surely feminism is about choice so she is choosing to live the way she does - and has the freedom to do that.

In interviews she always seems pretty straightforward and doesn't hide who she is. She is a bit posh but that is who she is - no point hiding the accent! Maybe I am biased because I love all the crafty homemaking type stuff. (And her clothes.)

"For some women, the wedding-veil canopies, crocheted jellyfish mobiles and calli-graphy place cards in Kirstie?s Vintage Home (more recession-friendly than her previous books and television series, it has tips on how to transform old fabrics and furniture into modern-day treasures) are not only off-message but demeaning. Sally Bercow called one of her shows 'condescending, too-good-to-be-true, middle-class nonsense?.

Allsopp is unflustered by such criticism. 'When people call me a 1950s housewife trying to take us back ? that?s so wrong,? she says. 'I consider myself a feminist. I have the most balanced and equal relationship with my husband. Likewise at work with Phil [Spencer, her 'TV husband? of the past 13 years]. He?s paid the same as me and I expect to get paid the same as any of the men on Channel 4.?"

www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9599318/Kirstie-Allsopp-televisions-crafty-lady.html

[CuriousMama]

I love her, funnily enough dp and I were just saying how much we like her last night. She was on an old Location Location Location. I didn't realise she was so disliked?

I like a bit of craft myself and enjoy those programmes, I may even get a book now I know she's done some?

[noddyholder]

She is unbearable! Sexist and absolutely should be shot for her property advice as it does not always go up and is not always an investment and she always advises to stretch yourself initially financially and then back tracks in a down turn. Awful woman she has a 1950s fantasy in her head which she can indulge because of her background and wealth and is totally unrealistic about your average womans life. She made a total arse of herself on question time though which delighted me

[ExitPursuedByAaaaaarGhoul]

I like her.

[MrsRobertDuvallHasRosacea]

I think she's like Nigella.

I have to say I like her on Location, Location but as I hate crafts and Homemade stuff, can't watch her programme.

[plaingirly]

She has - I think - 3 books. One for each craft series. There is a new one about having a vintage home starting soon!

I have two craft books and am debating getting the next one. Might watch the series first!

[noddyholder]

I would love to see beeny kick her ass

[DuchessofMalfi]

I like her :)

[SauvignonBlanche]

I can't stand her!

[flossy101]

I love her!

[MrsRobertDuvallHasRosacea]

Does anyone actually make her stuff?

[SoleSource]

Yanbu I love her.

[plaingirly]

I have made a few things - pretty little felt hearts! - but I am a bit craft mad.

[frantic51]

I don't dislike her but, like Nigella, she makes me feel totally inadequate!

[SoupDragon]

How is she sexist?

[plaingirly]

"So where does this Stepford wife misconception come from?

'I once very controversially said if I wanted to get something out of Ben, I waited until he had dinner,? she says with a grimace, then whispers, 'but ask any woman: it?s true! You need to feed boys if you want them to do something.?"

[Trills]

Why would it be unreasonable to like her?

People have different tastes - clearly some people must like her because she keeps being allowed back on TV. Unless you think that people tune in just to enjoy hating her? :)

[Trills]

Surely feminism is about choice

Not necessarily, not if your choices are damaging other women/people.

(that's a general point, not a specific Kirstie-related point)

[LauraShigihara]

I like making rather lopsided things so Kirsty gets a big thumbs up from me.

[Dollydowser]

I heart Kirsty.

[noddyholder]

She has said we have forgotten our traditional roles in favour of paid work
Has said household finance 'too thinky' but sewing and baking not?
Shall I go on

[GoatsHaveStrangeEyes]

She is my dh's celeb crush

[plaingirly]

GoatsHaveStangeEyes If I were going to have a girl crush it would be Kirstie.

[HoleyGhost]

She said WE have ALL benefited from the massive increase in the cost of housing.

Which rather suggests that, to her, proles don't count as people. She and her establishment set have done very nicely.

[noddyholder]

She is like a tory dolly. When they have tired of her she will be tossed aside I am sure.

[MadBusLadyHauntsTheMetro]

I like her. She's a bit of a cliche and not very aware of what's happening outside her own demographic, but so are lots of people.

Sally Bercow called one of her shows 'condescending, too-good-to-be-true, middle-class nonsense?.

I like her even more now. Sally Bercow gets on my tits.