From the first hazy shots of makeup, thin ankles, fan posters, and Polaroids, you are instantly transported into the ever fascinating world of teenage girls. In Adrian Lyne's bad girl drama, Foxes, starring Jodie Foster, and Cherie Currie from The Runaways, that world becomes infinitely cooler and more intriguing when it's a group of misfits teens in the early eighties making their way in Los Angeles. It a very unrosy look at the struggles of the teens, especially dealing with selfish and loose mothers (played with sympathetic nuance by the amazing Sally Kellerman!), abusing cop dads (poor Annie!!), bad new dudes, drugs, alcohol, sex and school.

I'm talking girls who take ludes, “did it with a couple guys in ninth grade cause it was new”, feather their short blindingly bleached blonde hair and have friends that mix their Orange Crush with Vodka at school. In short, they rock, but of course this is in some ways a cautionary tale and gets heavy in an Outsiders-y way, but the getting there is a surprisingly realistic and fantastic ride. The acting, beautiful cinematography and not entirely predictable story make this a cut above the cheesy eighties teenager movie you might be expecting.

Aside from Kellermen and Foster, who shines as she always did as a wizened teen, you've got a young, way goofy Randy Quaid, who I automatically assumed would be playing a pervy boyfriend of someone's mom, but against my expectations is almost sweet as an older dude that “fucking worships” his sixteen year old girlfriend, the huggable Madge, played by Marilyn Kagan, whose looney but fun time mom is played by Five Easy Pieces Lois Smith. The two of them have this phenomenal mom daughter fight, that at first seems so weird because it's so not a movie fight, but the real kind that's awkward and free form.

I know Scott Baio has given the world ample reason to fall out of love with him in his fakey realty show of late, but if you can remember his charm in Charles in Charge, you'll believe me that here, as a teen partying in a tuxedo tee shirt, he goes beyond charming and is downright adorable.

Foxes deserves an honored place in the teen genre, but rarely gets it's dues.?Roger Ebert, who our hearts are with, knew what was up though when he gave it a thumbs up on it's release. Don't miss out, rent it soon!

After watching Foxes, which I know you will on my glowing recommendation, you will be, as I am, compelled to listen to Donna Summer's On The Radio, over and over. It was written specifically for the bad girl teen movie and the film features some instrumental interludes that will make you want to feather your hair and have sleep overs with your best girlfriends.

Donna Summer, who is totally beloved here at Brix Picks always had an ear for wayward girls, remember Bad Girls her sympathetic pop ode to the women of the world who end up walking the streets? Or the feminist march on the street working woman anthem She Works Hard for the Money?

She's been quoted as once saying “You've got to maintain your level of self-esteem through everything. You are who you are, and nobody will ever be able to take that from you if you don't let them”. Man, this lady is awesome, and On the Radio ranks among her very best.

The movie The Substitute did not make my list this week, in fact I got about only ten minutes in because I was so disappointed that it wasn't the movie I made up in my mind that it would be. I thought Bergenger was a psycho substitute teacher, half The Stepfather half Poison Ivy, who wrecked havoc on the young innocent teens lives. Maybe sleeping with a student and killing her when she gets pregnant, I don't know, just an idea, but Jim informed me that the movie I invisioned didn't exist and even if it did, it is SO not The Substitute (now available on DVD with The Substitute 3, but mysteriously lacking The Substitute 2, both starring Treat Williams instead of Tom).

The second it began with Tom in a dingy and full camoflauge off the coast of Cuba, I was like “what is this”?then it goes on to an inner city high school, where, if you can belive this, Mr. J-Lo, Marc Anthony is the scariest guy in town. It was Dangerous Minds for ex-army men, not The Crush for women that get turned on by Tom Berenger.

That said, I am one of those women who gets turned on by Tom Berenger. And before you dismiss him as second tier, like Jim did, let me just remind you that Platoon and Major League wouldn't have exisited without him. ?br/>

Rachel Sweet is a pretty obscure celebrity, her singing career in front of the public eye only lasted a few years, so if you didn't catch the single B-A-B-Y, or see her (not very good) comedy show called The Sweet Life,?or notice her in a brief appearance on Seinfeld or get outraged at her preteen sexed up image, the name might be unfamiliar.

But when I stumbled across these photos of her on Bobby Shred's Fan Page, I knew I had a new obsession. How great is this girl? Kind of a slightly punk fifteen year old Valerie Bertinelli meets Pee-Wee's girlfriend from his big adventure. And she wears ties, men's hats, and 80's Zum Zum type prom dresses!

Of course, John Waters was able to see something special too as he used her to sing his Hairspray theme and do a lot of the music in Cry Baby. Other behind the scenes accomplishments are her singing of the Clarissa Explains it All song, a show she co produced. She also produced George Lopez (Seth Galifianakis would be psyched), Legally Blonde, Dharma and Greg and Sports Night. A mixed bag, some good some not so much?but the real reason she's here on the list are those teenage outfits!

Right across the street from her destination dessert bar, Chikalicious, adorable chef Chika Tillman has opened the very specific Chikalicious Puddin. Now I can go either way with pudding. Made from the box fluffy tapioca, for example is a dear favrotie, while recent attempts to enjoy Jello brand chocolate pudding in those plastic cups has proven unenjoyable.

I of ocurse expected more than a Jello cup from this bright and cheery Chikalicious out post and was not wrong in assuming the quality would be superior. The menu is small, only three pudding options: brioche bread pudding, vanilla custard steamed pudding, and adult chocolate pudding.

Jim and I shared a brioche, which is served cold with a thick custard and had a subtle flavor. It was good, but the one that will keep me coming back is the steamed vanilla. This one is served slightly warmed with a less dense vanilla flavored sauce surrounding the moist steamed, cake like custard. It was a phenomenal and cheap dessert that you'll want to take advantage of while the weather is still crummy and your tummy is still craving warm sweet treats.

We didn't try the chocolate, nor did we partake in the cupcakes – we were at a place called puddin, so obviously we were there to try the pudding. The space is pretty tiny, but it seems they've improved on the comfort levels since they first opened. It used to be standing room only, round a big mod communal counter. Now there are flimy tables and seats, so it's nicer and easier to eat in the restaurant.

We went with my friend Dana and her new, beautiful baby, Bea, and the bright lights and friendly staff made for a good resting spot on an afternoon with a wee one. The famed chef herself popped in at one point and exclaimed that Bea looked just like a marshamallow, and as the queen of dessert, she ought to know.

Embroidery is huge these days, and no wonder. This crafty art form can create amazing personalized pieces, like this Bumble Bea sweatshirt my friend Sara made for Dana's baby, Bea.

Sara, who lives in Austin learned the craft from a book called The Stitch It Kit purchased at Sublime Stitching. Jenny Hart who wrote the book is a major player in the new craft movement and the proprietor of the shop.

Sara features her creations, like this personalized apron and this lovingly detailed vintage cowboy shirt on her blog Snaggletooth.

Here in the city, my co workers Meghan and Sarafina took embroidery classes at The Make Workshop which features all sorts of crafty goodness seminars and classes. Meghan's lovely work is pictured.

Many people may never have heard of Bruges before the release of the recent Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes caper “In Bruges”–I can't admit to having see the movie, but I can tell you about the amazing little city it takes place in.

Bruges is a perfectly preserved medieval town (where a building from the 18th century looks out of place because it's too new) located in the Northern Flemish region of Belgium, about an hour's train ride from Brussels. Sometimes called the Venice of the North, there are quaint little canals that run throughout the old part of the city. You can take one of the many boat tours through the canals (or kayak on your own boat like we saw many people do) or wander around on foot or by bike (a very popular option).

The historic center is surrounded by a moat, on the other side of which is a hill that's home to rows and rows of windmills, so make sure to not miss that section.?Back in the city center there are endless amazing medieval city square after city square all lined with homemade chocolate shops (including some touristy ones that makes chocolate breasts?), cafes with Belgian beers the size your head, and buckets of mussels and frites. Most of the friendly, Dutch-speaking residents will have picked up some English from the ubiquitous British tourists (it's just across the channel), so you'll never feel too out of place.

There are a couple of top quality museums to check out, including one with some Hieronymus Bosch altarpieces that are awesome. There's also an old medieval outdoor market that's full of local craftsmen and goods for sale that's a must on Saturdays.

The main thing to focus on when in Bruges is taking it slow and enjoying this quaint, friendly and welcoming city whose classic beauty is truly enchanting. And if the current state of the US dollar against the Euro is frightening to you, Bruges is full of places like this wonderful gem: the Passage, a cozy little cafe under a hotel full of great character and great Belgium beers for just 2 to 3 Euros and dishes of food for 6.

Wow, this romance from Jane Austen is light and fluffy even by her standards. This is probably why Northanger Abbey is the least praised of her works, but even without the substance and complexities of Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility, it is a breezy watch and one I whole heartedly enjoyed.

JJ Feild who looks like a more trust worthy Jude Law stars as Henry Tilney, the man after heroine Catherine's teenage heart. Other men, like his father and the aggressive John Thorpe are after something else from the young lady. One hint, it's green and the root of all evil.

Catherine is, as Austen was in her youth, addicted to trashy gothic romances and sees mystery, ghosts, and intrigue behind every door. It's easy to see how she can get caught up in the fairy tales of haunted mansions when she is invited to Northanger Abbey, a sprawling magnificent castle that is “full of secrets”. ?br/>
The secrets end up being far less romantic and fantastical as she first imagines, but a genuine love between she and Henry does come right out of the pages of the most heart pounding novel.

There's not a whole lot going on here, but everyone is charming, Lismore Castle where they shot Northanger Abbey is stunning, and a little afternoon romance never hurt anybody.

Don't let the fancy shmancy name of “Pampered Chicken” mislead you, this tasty cheese filled chicken breast is simple, cook out food and went perfectly with the Barbecue Bean Salad. The salad gives a fresh twist on traditional canned baked beans with the addition of plum tomatoes and scallions.

Eaten together you'll wonder where your red checkered table clothes are. This is another great recipe from Eating Well, a site I recommended recently and have since only grown more fond of.