Artist of the Week: Kate Nash

I have a weakness for artists from Great Britain. I think Ricky Gervais (Extras, The Office) is hysterical, and I will always love Amy Winehouse.

My newest obsession from the UK is Kate Nash. She puts Lily Allen to shame. And she's only 21! Kate's lyrics are quirky and dirty, and the playful piano sounds like a happier version of Regina Spektor.

I love her new CD, "Made of Bricks."

I really wanted to add her music video, "Mouthwash," but the embed-link is disabled. Instead, here's a live version:

Multiple Possibilities -- Same Old Trick

I really, really wanted to like Diablo Cody's new show United States of Tara. The half-hour series about a suburban mom with Multiple Personality Disorder debuted on Showtime last week.

Here's why I expected to like it:

-- Showtime series are usually smart and edgy.

--Toni Collette is a genius. (Little Miss Sunshine, Towelhead, Sixth Sense, etc.)

--John Corbett (the guy who played Aiden on Sex and the City) is adorable.

--Juno-writer Diablo Cody created the series.

As you can see from the picture, Collette's character, Tara, has three alter egos: the 15-year-old girl (T), the white trash war-vet (Buck), and an uptight, domestic goddess (Alice). The trouble is, Collette's no Jim Carey, and her portrayal of the alters felt unusually forced and cartoonish.

Tara morphs into an alter when she's faced with a situation "she can't deal with." So, when Tara discovered her teenage daughter Kate's morning-after prescription, she turned into T, the teenager alter. As T, Tara painted her toenails black, smoked pot, and raided her daughter's closet for thongs and low-rise jeans. Though initially it was funny to see classy Collette play the ditz, the act got old. Diablo Cody had the opportunity to portray a unique teenage experience; instead, the character was rifled with [annoying] cliches.

The first episode is full of exposition. Tara's husband doesn't NEED to tell Tara's sister how long the two have been married. Diablo Cody seemed to be ramming exposition down the audience's proverbial throat -- I wish we had learned the back story in a more interesting way. The first episode also left me wondering: Why are we starting at this point, this exact point, when the family is already familiar with her alters? Where are we going? We know Tara has had the disorder since childhood, but it's hard to believe she truly functions and can raise a family. Her characters are downright irresponsible and dangerous. (For instance, Buck starts a fight with her daughter's boyfriend and grabs Kate's friend's butt.)

The match-up between Corbett and Collette wasn't right either. Maybe it's because I loved Aiden in Sex and the City (though he's let himself go since then), but you get the sense that Collette's just a little too old for Corbett, and it's hard to believe he has a 16 and 13-year-old kid.

But I'll keep watching, and here's why. There were a few moments that made me believe this show is more than a cheesy gimmick. As Buck, Tara calls her effeminate son a fag. As T, Tara tries to have sex with her husband, even though Tara doesn't want him to sleep with her alters. These two moments were chilling. How does a son respond when a form of his mother throws homophobic slurs at him? How does a husband respond when his wife's body with a 15-year-old mind seduces him? These moments forecast some potential in this series, and while I felt the first episode was 90% hokey, I'll tune in next week.

Faceworld

Before there was Facebook, there was Faceworld. Leslie Storms, owner of Faceworld Cosmetics, is the go-to woman for a makeover. First of all, the woman is drop dead gorgeous, so it's easy to take her advice.

Leslie' s shop is located in Hunt Valley, right off of York Rd (check for the pink awning). The shop is stocked with accessories, jewelry, purses, makeup, and a private area for waxing and facials. I've been purchasing makeup, receiving makeup lessons, and getting my eyebrows shaped by Leslie for about ten years. I also had the privilege of working as her assistant for a summer, so I've observed firsthand the confidence she instills in women of all ages.

Leslie's worked on some very famous faces: Bill and Hillary Clinton, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Gene Hackman, Keanu Reeves, Madeleine Albright, Kirstie Allie, John Madden, Richard Gere, Adrian Brody, Newt Gingrich, Cal Ripken Jr., Brady Anderson, Colin Powell, Ralph Fiennes, Ed Norris, John McCain, Martin and Katie O'Malley, Joaquin Pheoenix, and so many more. She's the first woman called when a big studio movie comes to the area.

But most of us aren't celebrities -- yet. Luckily we have Leslie to treat us like we are. Here's an an example. Over Thanksgiving break, I went into Faceworld and told her I needed a "Winter Makeover -- just no blue eyeshadow." She sighed -- she loves funky colors, especially on her younger clients. We compromised; she showed me how to use different shadows, pencils, and mascara for a silvery purple look and then green on the other eye. I loved them both, but I decided on the green. (For the record, I have been complimented on my new eye makeup every single time I've worn it.)

Leslie helped me find a foundation that worked for my sometimes oily/sometimes dry skin and an eyeliner that would last all through my eight-hour shift at work. We created color pallets for everyday, work, and going out. And let's not forget the eyebrows. Leslie's painless eyebrow shaping is a makeover in itself. She also specializes in weddings, customizing veils and bridal accessories, and she prepares brides for the big day with hair and makeup. Faceworld offers airbrushing techniques, including temporary tattoos, costume makeup, Brazilian bikini waxing (ouch!), face painting for children, and cover up for that unwanted “bad girl” tattoo. The makeup isn't as cheap as Rite Aid, but it's a much better decision to buy a slightly more expensive eyeliner that will actually stay on. More importantly, no matter what you think, most people don't know the best colors for their faces or choices such as powder versus foundation. I've seen way too many college girls with thick rings of black eyeliner and shiny, gloppy lip gloss. Trust the expert. Leslie sells only the best products, so not only will the makeup look good on you, it will last.

Leslie came along to do my makeup when I got my acting headshots, and she's done my makeup for plays, rock concerts, homecomings, and proms. She's become like an aunt or older sister to me, and I've seen the same kind of connection between Leslie and her other clients. Leslie makes each visit fun and personal. She always knows who you're dating or what you're studying in school. What she does for women is equal or greater than a session o therapy or yoga.  Physical confidence is priceless, and Faceworld is the best place to go for that much needed boost. 

And there’s more!  While Leslie will continue offering her cosmetic services, she’s onto a new and exciting venture called “Pink Consignments.”  The consignment shop will be housed in her current shop in Hunt Valley.  Leslie will use her impeccable taste to consign decorative furniture and accessories, lamps, vintage jewelry, cocktail bags, and more.  Pink Consignments is accepting donations now through June.  And even better?  Donors can receive up to 60% in profits!

For more information, just visit PinkConsignments.com.  I know I’ll be there -- I can’t wait to find some pretty and funky items to decorate my new apartment! 

Average "American Teen"

The documentary "American Teen" had a lot of potential. It won Best Audience at Sundance and promised to deliver a different look at "real teens of the Midwest: the jock, outcast, geek, homecoming queen, and heartthrob."

*Spoiler Alert*

Instead, "American Teen" delivered a predictable, contrived, and staged depiction of its characters.

Predictable: The economically-challenged jock overcomes a weak season and finally lands a basketball scholarship; after two break-ups within approximately two weeks, the outcast learns to love herself and then moves out to California to pursue film; the geek finally gets a girl; the homecoming queen is accepted into Notre Dame -- and after sexually harassing a fellow student, still manages to deliver the Valedictorian speech; the heartthrob is elected Homecoming King with few road bumps.

Contrived: The jock slacked in school, threatening his chances to get a scholarship; the outcast falls into a manic depressive spell after being dumped; the geek is so geeky because he's in "the band" and used to be short; the homecoming queen is such a bitch because her mentally challenged sister committed suicide; and the heartthrob is an asshole because he wants to impress his friends.

Staged -- First of all, the documentary claims to have followed these kids for their entire high school career, but clearly there weren't hidden cameras set up in every room of their houses, cars, etc. When the outcast gets broken up with BY TEXT by THE HEARTTHROB, we conveniently see the text, which in perfect spelling and grammar says: "I hope we can still be friends." Please. The cameras conveniently follow the outcast as she takes melancholic walks by rivers and curls into the fetal position in her bed with convenient tears spilling down her cheeks.

I felt as though a major part of the high school life was absent in the documentary. Sure there were a couple of beers and cigarettes, but there weren't any references to drugs, and the sex was only referenced in conversation. One of the most shocking scenes was when one of the popular girls sends a topless photo to two male friends. We SEE each character forwarding the photo to 10 more friends. Were cameras seriously focusing on the screen every time these kids used the computer? Also, the geek's first girlfriend ALLOWED cameras her home and pool as she cheated on the geek.

Without rehashing the entire movie, it seemed as though the director and "writer" Nanette Burstein had a conception about high school and found characters to best fill in the voids instead of letting the audience reach its own judgements. From the start, she defines the students in the terms "geek, outcast, etc" pushing expectations and stereotypes we wouldn't necessarily have reached on our own. The relationship between the outcast and heartthrob happens so seamlessly that Burstein stuffs in dialogue about bending social norms in order to heighten the drama.

Audiences might also complain about the homogeneity of the students. EVERY student is white and Christian. I didn't mind that aspect so much because Burstein doesn't promise to show THE high school experience, rather the experience of students at this school in Indiana. Tossing in the "black" perspective or "lesbian" perspective would have felt contrived.

The one redeeming part of the movie was that were some really neat animated fantasy scenes. For instance, the geek loved the Zelda video game, and in one scene, his acne-plastered face showed up on the body of the hero's. Other gems included the jock's father as an Elvis impersonator, the outcast's funky outfits, and the geek's first time getting drunk.

But for the most part, I'd seen everything before. Maybe not in my own Baltimore high school, but in TV shows such as Degrassi, Gossip Girl, or Saved by the Bell. Burstein seemed confused about the story she wanted to tell. On the one hand, there was a somewhat of an arch for each character that climaxed at just the right time, right before graduation, mimicking a sitcom or teen romance flick. On the other hand, Burstein seems like she wants to take the film somewhere else through the animation. I have to admit, I wondered what happened to these kids after they graduated, and the brief "Where Are They Now" blurbs at the end were unsatisfying.

Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think.

I'd give it a B-... good movie to watch if you have the flu, but nothing to plan a movie night around.

And Merry Christmas! I'll be at the TV station, spreading the Christmas cheer to TV sets around Maryland.

Pigeons, Crows, and Headstands

I'm a runner who hates stretching. With that in mind, I surprised both myself and close friends when I became obsessed with yoga.

I'll never change my mind that running is the best and most effective work-out, but I'm beginning to think that the breathing and balance techniques in yoga are coming in handy in my professional and personal life.

My best friend Audrey constantly raved about her hot yoga (Vinyasa) classes. She urged me to attend a class at Charm City, but I was never willing to give up an hour and a half to "sweat and stretch."

I gave in one summer evening with the promise of post-yoga dinner and drinks at Donna's. Needless to say, I fell in love, and have been going back several times a month since. (I'm not an addict, yet.) I'm still not flexible, and I still can't do a headstand. My mom and I joke that we like to just lay on our mats and relax to get out of the Baltimore cold.

Jokes aside, I agree with the City Paper and Baltimore Magazine's reviews that Charm City Yoga rocks. There's a location near the Towson circle, one in "mid-town," and my favorite, a studio in Fells Point.

Some teachers are better than others. My favorite teacher so far is Nancy McPartland. She was challenging, spiritual (but not overwhelmingly so), and most importantly, got me into my first headstand, even if it was against the wall. Therefore, I can no longer call this the post "Yoga for people who can't do headstands," since I'm convinced, after working with Nancy, that there's hope for anyone.

Though it took several months, I'm more aware of my breathing now, and I'm better at clearing my mind of negative thoughts. Some teachers can get a bit preachy about the worldwide effects of yoga, but I'd agree there's a certain amount of positivity generated from each yoga session that follows the yogini outside of the studio.

But before I get too hippie for my own good, I think I'll share today's yoga story. After literally patting myself on the back for my flexibility in the wall poses, I caught a glimpse of blood-colored scratch marks on the pristine, white studio wall right in front of me.

In my yoga euphoria, I glanced around for a bloody beast. It suddenly dawned on me: the color looked quite similar to.... my toe nail polish.

If I'm even thinking about compromising my seasonal nail polish sensibilities, you know I must like yoga, a lot.

Bowl-Lickin' Soup

"Be ready in five. We're going to the soup bar."

As my college friends wonder if heels are required at the "Soup Bar," I lick my lips and consider the options.

Baltimore's best soup is from Atwater's - located at Belvedere Square and Towson. I call it the "soup bar" because both locations have a bar to eat your soup or small tables if you want an intimate soup experience. It's fun to watch the finishing touches, such as scoops of fresh crabmeat or crunchy tortilla toppings.

The daily soup options are listed on the website. For intsance, today's offerings include:
-Shrimp, Crab, Butternut Squash, and Corn
-Beef and Bean Chili
-Vegetarian Thai Curry
-Red Bean Stew

Usually there's a seafood soup, vegetable soup, and a couple of "exotic" options. Some people complain about the price (ranging from about $3.25-$6.50 a cup) but I say, hey, it's a cool dining experience, and the soup's amazing 95% of the time and just all right the other 5%. Sure, a can of Campbell's is only a buck, but Atwater's soup is made from fresh, organic, and local ingredients. Beat that, Progresso.

Atwater's is a great place to go on a date or catch up with a friend. My mom and I usually order two different soups and share. Make sure to ask for the sunflower-seed bread on the side. I also regularly buy quarts of soup to "last me a few days," when in fact, I usually end up devouring about six small bowls throughout the course of one day.

At least it's healthy!