Archive for February 28, 2012

| February 28, 2012
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Let the Sun Shine In

photo by Jefferson Noguera, Spain, 2010.

Movies, music, and books to help you kick those tired, winter blues

by Katy Littlejohn

photo by Jefferson Noguera, Spain, 2010.

Remember summer? I know it’s been a while, so let me remind you how it goes:

Sunshine
Warm breezes
The beach
Fruity beverages
For ladies, sundresses
For men, an excuse to wear sandals

Grease’s beloved song, “Summer Nights,” evokes the heart of summer, even in the cold days of February. Here we are in the dead of winter: it’s high time we got out of our slushy funk and started to anticipate that most wonderful time of the year. Here are a few ways OTD’s A&E is suggesting you rediscover your summer lovin’ in February, without having to drop everything for a week in Mexico.

photo by Amy Burton, California, 2009.

Watch movies.

Just like Christmas movies that help get us in the right frame of mind for the holidays, there are movies that make us feel ready for summer. Any blockbuster you saw in the summer is a great start to getting you back to those lazy days, so here are a few suggestions:

photo by Benjamin Earwicker, Idaho, 2008.

From Here to Eternity: if making out with a cutie on the beach while waves crash around you doesn’t make the temperature rise, what will?
Dirty Dancing: “It was the summer of 1963 when everyone called me Baby and it didn’t occur to me to care…” Relive that summer at Kellerman’s and have the time of your life!
Jaws: hey, at least there’s a beach and the weather is always warm and sunny.
On Golden Pond: an oldie about oldies; cottage life at its most (dramatically) charming.
Mamma Mia!: Greece, sunshine, and singing—perfect!

Listen to music.

Make a playlist composed completely of summery songs. Press play, don some shades, and pretend you’re on a summer drive in the sunshine, the radio playing your all-time favourites. Here are a few to get you started:

“Summer of ’69”–Bryan Adams
“The Boys of Summer”–Don Henley
“What a Wonderful World”–Louis Armstrong
“Hotel California” –The Eagles
“Young Turks” – Rod Stewart
“Summer Breeze”–Seals and Crofts
“California Girls” –The Beach Boys
“California Girl” – Chilliwack
“California Gurls” – Katy Perry
“Summertime”– Ella Fitzgerald or Janis Joplin
“Sunny Afternoon” – The Kinks
“In the Summertime”– Mungo Jerry
“Summer in the City” – The Lovin’ Spoonful
“Hot Stuff” – Donna Summer
“Night Moves” – Bob Seger
“Groovin’” – The Rascals

Photo by Sanja Gjenero, Croatia, 2009.

Read summer books.

Maybe you don’t have the luxury of the two-month summer you had in school anymore, but you can recreate it by making some time to read for pleasure. Think back to the childhood version of yourself: what is the one book you remember loving? Does it remind you of the way life was back when you first read it? It’s no coincidence that the best summer stories are tales about children.

The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling: nothing like spending your time off going through 3000+ pages of pure magic!
W. O. Mitchell’s How I Spent My Summer Holidays: A prairie summer story told through the eyes of a child by one of Canada’s favourite storytellers

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain: an American classic about adventures in the sun
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez: any book that talks about forever is next door to the “summer that never ended” memories we have from our childhood.

photo by the Horton Group, Tennessee, 2009

Find time to read the classics, the titles you put on the back burner while you got busy with life, and the harmless guilty pleasure reads to recreate the easy living of summertime.

It may be cold outside, but you can create a warm day by reliving all things summer. Don’t let the mid-winter blues get to you: escape to that warm, sunny spot in your memory.

photo by the Horton Group, Tennessee, 2009.

Category: Arts & Entertainment | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
| February 28, 2012
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Ladies of the Oscars Red Carpet

White Tadashi Shoji gown, Hollywood, CA, 2012.

Hits, misses, and spring trends at the 84th Academy Awards

by Ashley Kowalewski

With the awards season coming to an end, spring is just around the corner. And what better way to kick off the season than to see the hits and misses of the 84th Academy Awards and which celebrities were following this year’s spring trends.

One of the hottest spring trends this year is the use of light pastels, creams and whites—and the stars loved this trend on the red carpet.

Octavia Spencer

White Tadashi Shoji gown, Hollywood, CA, 2012.

Cameron Diaz

Cream Gucci gown, Hollywood, CA, 2012.

Gwyneth Paltrow

White Tom Ford gown, photo by Jason Merritt, Hollywood, CA, 2012.

They all wore gowns that were more form-fitting. Even though the colours were all neutral, each celebrity wore a gown that had a little something different to make them stand out.

Following suit with the light colours that this spring embraces, these stars also chose lighter fabrics for their gowns, keeping the popular flowing trend by employing Grecian and tunic-style gowns.

Mara Rooney

White Givenchy gown, photo by Jason Merritt, Hollywood, 2012.

Kristen Wiig

J. Mendel gown, photo by Jason Merritt, Hollywood, CA, 2012.

Melissa McCarthy

Marina Rinaldi gown, photo by Jason Merritt, Hollywood, CA, 2012.

Maria Menounos

Maria Lucia Hohan gown, photo by Jason Merritt, Hollywood, CA, 2012.

These starlets all had a light-as-air look to them as they walked down the red carpet, adding a little more colour to the pastel spectrum.

Although metallics are usually more of a fall/winter style, shimmery fabrics have definitely made their mark with this season’s hottest trends.

Meryl Streep

Gold Lanvin gown, photo by Jason Merritt, Hollywood, CA, 2012.

Stacy Kiebler

Gold Marchesa gown, photo by Jason Merritt, Hollywood, CA, 2012.

Both these women glistened in gold, resembling the coveted trophies everyone was there to see. They wore this timeless trend perfectly and reminded everyone of the sunshine that is sure to come.

Free-flowing fabrics, light pastels, and glimmering metallics are some of the most classic spring fashion trends, but as these celebrities have shown, you can always try something a little different. Whether you’re going to the office or to lunch, using any of these trends will make your wardrobe red-carpet ready.

Category: Lifestyle | Tags: , , , , , , ,
| February 27, 2012
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Relight Your Fire

Relight Your Fire

5 tips for reigniting your fitness passion

by Lindsay Ulrich

For many, fitness can follow a boom-and-bust pattern.  Many people can be deep in an intense fitness regime for multiple months, only to find themselves and worn out and too tired with the responsibilities of everyday life, the next.  Since the only thing more difficult than starting a fitness schedule is re-starting one, here are some tips for any wayfaring workout devotees who are trying to find their way back home.

1. Start small

When you think about returning to your regime, chances are you’re thinking that to exercise again you’ll have to start with where you left off. Whether this deters you from working out, or tempts you to want to return full-blown into the routine you were once used to, you should slow down and reconsider.  Remember that it’s been a while, and you’ll probably have to start building up your strength and endurance back to where it was.  You don’t want to burn yourself out. This takes time and patience and if you rush into it, you may be setting yourself up for disaster.

2. Try Something Different

A common reason that people stop exercising is simple boredom.  Routines can get lacklustre fast, so try to switch it up.  Most gyms and classes have a one-free-trial policy, so look online for lessons or classes near you and drop in for yoga, pilates, dancing lessons, karate, or capoeira.

3. Focus on Today

Regret can be a workout crusher and motivation destroyer!  Try not to feel guilty about lost workouts of your past and focus on what’s within your power now.  Keep your focus on the fact that you’re getting physical activity in your life again, instead of on the gap between where you are now and where you used to be. Think forward and focus on your future workouts.

4. Get Motivated

Getting mentally pumped before a run or workout is important.  Luckily with YouTube, it’s also really easy to check out videos of your favourite fitness icons.  If you focus on fitness-specific videos, it can also be a great way to learn new exercises, or incorporate new exercises into your routine that cater to any specific needs you might have.

Some YouTube recommendations:

BodyRock TV http://www.youtube.com/user/charliejames1975

Yoga with Esther Ekhart http://www.youtube.com/user/yogatic

DietHealth http://www.youtube.com/user/diethealth

Pilates Anytime http://www.youtube.com/user/PilatesAnytime?feature=pvchclk

5. Start

The hardest part of working out is putting one foot in front of the other and getting out the door. Luckily though, that’s all you have to do to get started. Put your shoes on and start walking – momentum will carry you from there!

Category: Health & Wellness | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
| February 27, 2012
2 comments

Nose to Tail Dining

Charcuterie boards such as this are making a comeback in many Toronto restaurants. (Photo by stu_spivack on Flickr, January 12, 2010)

Unexpected and previously little-used cuts of meat have made a comeback in Toronto’s restaurants

by Leslie Clark

Charcuterie boards such as this are making a comeback in many Toronto restaurants. (Photo by stu_spivack on Flickr, January 12, 2010)

For anyone who eats meat, dishes like pork tenderloin or prime rib are hailed as the number one choices. Prime cuts are classic favourites, but lately the fine-dining scene has witnessed a surge in the use of unexpected meats. In the right hands, almost every part of an animal can be the star of a delicious meal. When prepared just the right way, something as seemingly off-putting as pig’s feet, tongue, or sweetbreads can be spectacular — if you’re adventurous enough to try it. For some, the thought of eating the thymus glands or pancreas of a calf is still a bridge too far, but those who’ve embraced this trend endorse it wholeheartedly.

Terrines and patés have also been popular recently. The Gabardine, a cozy spot that offers a respite from the sanitized slickness of the financial district, boasts chicken liver paté and rabbit rillettes on their appetizer menu. In addition, charcuterie — a selection of different cured meats, usually served with pickles and bread or crackers — has also become a popular option on many restaurant menus. Here in Toronto, eateries such as The Black Hoof pride themselves on their selection of house-cured meats. The Black Hoof also offers selections such as beef heart tartare, smoked sweetbreads and a tongue sandwich on brioche.

Little-used meats, such as sweetbreads, have resurfaced on the restaurant scene. (Photo by Charles Haynes on Flickr, October 13, 2010)

Why has this type of dining become popular again in recent years? In short, it seems that everything old is new again. Although they have  always been popular in classic French cuisine, here in North America inexpensive cuts of meat, and offal, were once seen as humble and having no place in a restaurant. Now it seems diners have tired of the expected and chefs have tired of preparing it. Fine dining once had a reputation as pretentious or stuffy. The days of fussy plating and precious concoctions lost in the middle of gigantic white dishes seem to be fading. This has given way to honest food that focuses on locally sourced ingredients and maximum flavour – a shift that diners and foodies seem more than happy to welcome.

The Gabardine, 372 Bay St., 647-352-3211.

The Black Hoof, 928 Dundas St. W, 416-551-8854.

Category: Food & Drink | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
| February 24, 2012
4 comments

The Help is Kind, Smart, Important

The Help

People are people in this Best Picture nomination

by Sarah Fisher

“You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” These words define the heart and soul of The Help. This isn’t just another book-turned-movie; this isn’t another costume drama in hopes of Oscar glory. This is about truth and bravery in a time where it was nowhere to be found.


The story is set in Jackson, Mississippi, in the early 1960s—a volatile time in United States history, with the country on the cusp of widespread change. It is our narrators who show us the frontlines of this conflict and the way it was in the American South for race relations, segregation, Jim Crow laws, and racism. Through the eyes of three very different and distinct women, the book and the film grab and hold you in their battle for equality.

Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer), two black maids, join forces with Skeeter, a young white, prominent woman in society, to complete one of the most dangerous things anyone could do in Jackson: write the truth about their lives. The talent of Emma Stone as the awkward, forward-thinking Skeeter sets the tone for the film. A recent university graduate and aspiring editor, Skeeter does not agree with the intolerance and racism in the South. The tricky part is that she is going against her own friends and even her own family.

But it is the stories of Aibileen and Minny that bring the narrative to life. Davis brings Aibileen to the forefront of the story, supplying a depth and heart to the character that would be difficult to translate from the novel to the screen, especially in the final few moments of the film. She deserves her Best Actress nomination.

Spencer, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress, wins us over from the start as the incorrigible Minny who constantly steals the show. It is her banter with Celia Foote (Best Supporting Actress nominee Jessica Chastain) that shows us the depth of Minny’s character: a no-nonsense, hot-headed woman who cares deeply about the people who gain her trust. It is also the fodder of some of the most funny and endearing moments of the film. From her witty back talk to her employers, to the “Terrible Awful,” (we won’t give away the reference, but see photo for a clue!) Spencer deftly brings this spitfire of a character to life.

Through their struggles and hardships we are given an unhindered view of what it was like to be black, white, racist (and not) in the heart of segregated Mississippi, and just how hard it was to be different from the accepted norm. This is most notably seen in the character of Hilly Holbrook (played by the inimitable Bryce Dallas Howard) who single-handedly makes life a constant struggle for anyone who doesn’t bend to her whim, leading to some horrid and hilarious situations. “What Hilly wants, Hilly gets,” is the standard in Jackson, and when Skeeter strays from this idea, Hilly’s manipulation, vindictiveness, and want to destroy anyone who disobeys is fully revealed. Howard plays not just the villain of the film, but a loathsome human being and the most fun and infuriating to watch. It’s a shame that Howard was not given an Oscar nod for this fine performance.

This film is a comedy, a drama, and a historical piece all in one. It is about intolerance, acceptance, and love without borders. It is about being true to yourself despite the obstacles and hostility from friends, neighbours, and society as a whole, all the while making you think, laugh, and cry throughout. It’s a celebration of individualism and the great things people can accomplish when they put aside all of their differences and see each other for who we are: people. We are all just people.

Category: Arts & Entertainment | Tags: , , , ,
| February 24, 2012
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Brad Pitt goes to the Oscars

The Tree of Life

Moneyball and The Tree of Life go head-to-head for Best Picture

by Cassie MacKenzie

For a few years, Brad Pitt has had so many labels—from sexiest man alive to heartbreaker to superdad—that it was easy to forget that he was, in fact, an actor. Brad chose 2011 to remind us of his abilities, putting two incredibly diverse performances on the table. With Moneyball and The Tree of Life, each grabbing a nomination for Best Picture, Brad has appeared in just over 20% of the year’s best films (granted you agree with the Academy). Here’s my rundown of the two films and what they have to offer moviegoers.

The Tree of Life


I hated this movie. There, I said it, although it’s not as blasphemous a statement now as it was when the movie first came out and everyone was busy praising director Terrence Malick’s “vision” and “artistry.” The movie “follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn), through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father (Brad Pitt).” At least, this is what the movie does according to Fox Searchlight. I, on the other hand, watched in increasing frustration as a parade of nonsensical (although very beautiful) imagery was paraded before me on screen with little or no link between scenes and a plotline so non-linear that the movie actually dips back into prehistoric times.
Despite its pretentiousness, the film is somewhat redeemed by its strong performances. Brad easily takes on the role of a harsh, unforgiving father, and Jessica Chastain presents the meek wife/bold mother duality with subtlety and grace.
More art piece than film, see this movie if you’re comfortable sitting back and letting the imagery wash over you, moving from moment to moment. Avoid it, if, like me, you like your movies to follow a more linear plotline.

Moneyball



I loved this movie. If you’re tempted to stay away from the film because it’s a “baseball movie,” I encourage you to ditch these preconceptions: as Sony Pictures puts it, “Moneyball is a movie for anybody who has ever dreamed of taking on the system.” Frustrated by the constant loss of his best players to teams with seemingly endless cash flow, Oakland A’s GM Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) takes his tiny budget as far as it can go and reinvents his team based purely on statistics. Brad makes this unlikely subject interesting by bringing Beane to life onscreen with swaggering (but not overdone) confidence. I wouldn’t immediately consider Brad for the role of corporate underdog, but shame on me for doubting his versatility: he excels in this film, definitely earning the nod for Best Actor.
Avoid this movie if any mention of sports turns you off entirely, but otherwise I think Moneyball has it all: great performances (though Jonah Hill’s nomination seems over the top), a classic underdog storyline, and an accessible look into the surprisingly fascinating world of corporate sports. And for the ladies…Brad Pitt workout scenes! Hello!

Category: Arts & Entertainment | Tags: , , , , , , ,
| February 24, 2012
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Killing Shakespeare?

The Bard's greatest heroes and villains lead the adventure of Kill Shakespeare (Credit: Images: Kill Shakespeare Entertainment, Inc. Illustration: Renae McCann)

A Toronto comic book gives students a fresh introduction to Shakespeare’s plays, but some scholars may not be amused

by Erica Mojzes

Kill Shakespeare is a comic book series by Toronto-based writers Anthony Del Col and Colin McCreery. Don’t let the title fool you; the comic book is not meant to incite rage toward Shakespeare, but rather it is a respectful tribute to the great Bard. The comic pulls famous characters from different plays and puts them together on stage for the first time. The heroes, Hamlet, Juliet, and Falstaff, take on the villains, Richard III, Iago, and Lady Macbeth, in a race to find the mythical creator: William Shakespeare.

The comic, which uses a mixture of contemporary language and direct quotation, is certainly no replacement for the great classics of English drama, but it may prove to be an accessible introduction to Shakespeare that encourages students to read on and find out more about their favourite characters. According to Del Col, the series was written primarily for an audience with little-to-no experience with, or love for, Shakespeare’s works. McCreery adds: “We hoped that our series could serve as a gateway to Shakespeare’s characters and tropes, and help some students get pulled in when they might otherwise resist the plays.”

The Bard's greatest heroes and villains lead the adventure of Kill Shakespeare (Credit: Images: Kill Shakespeare Entertainment, Inc. Illustration: Renae McCann)

Rob Charpentier, owner of the Danforth’s Comics & More shop, has seen students getting interested in Kill Shakespeare. He remembers one customer who bought the comic book for his niece, who was reading it for a school literature course. Many educators are now bringing Kill Shakespeare into the classroom, as a resource to help get students engaged in Shakespeare’s works.  Charpentier adds, “I’m just glad that teachers and librarians have finally started to appreciate the graphic format and its ability to reach even the stubborn reader.” If Kill Shakespeare can help create more young readers it should be embraced in the classroom, rather than dismissed for its lack of iambic pentameter.

Some scholars may ask how useful Kill Shakespeare can really be when it takes so many liberties from the original plays. Writers Del Col and McCreery chose not only to adapt the language, but also to create plotlines unimagined by Shakespeare. The comic sees the Bard’s characters acting rather uncharacteristically: Othello forgives Iago, and romance blossoms between Hamlet and Juliet. For Shakespeare purists, this may seem like high treason. McCreery and Del Col defend their choice, stating that for many people the biggest obstacle to getting into Shakespeare is that dense Elizabethan language. “We wanted to remove that obstacle while trying to be true to the spirit of the characters,” McCreery says. Del Col adds that those who criticize their method “are missing the point of the project: trying to make Shakespeare’s characters and stories as accessible as possible to new audiences.”

For more information about the comic series, check out this CBC video interview with the Kill Shakespeare creators. For further reading on creative Shakespeare education, check out The Guardian: “Re-styling Shakespeare for children.”

Category: Community | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
| February 23, 2012
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Extremely Loud hits close to the Heart

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

A small appearance on the nominations list but a big impact on our tear ducts

by Sarah Francis

I’m always cautious of movie adaptations of my favourite books. With Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close I was particularly wary because Jonathan Safran Foer is not only one of my favourite authors, but he has a unique writing style that isn’t suited to being faithfully translated to the big screen. Despite my reservations concerning the film adaptation of Foer’s 2005 novel of the same name, it speaks for itself and succeeds in delivering the characters and story in the quirky and heart-warming manner that Foer intended, though it doesn’t capture the entire essence of the book.

Set in New York City in 2001, the story focuses on Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn), a nine-year-old boy, wise beyond his years and whose best friend in the world is his father, Thomas (Tom Hanks). When Oskar loses his father in the World Trade Centre attacks, he clings to the last earthly connection they share—a key found in his father’s closet. Oskar is certain his father meant for him to find the lock that the key will open and begins an adventure that takes him across New York City on his search for the truth.

While Hanks and Sandra Bullock (as Oskar’s mother) are the obvious selling points of the film, the standout performance belongs to first-time actor, thirteen-year-old Horn. The story is carried forward by Horn’s portrayal of an emotional and passionate Oskar, dealing with the loss of his father and maintaining hope that there is some meaning to be found in the key.

Another major highlight of the movie is Oskar’s relationship with the mysterious Renter (Max von Sydow, nominated this year for Best Supporting Actor in this role), who rents a room in Oskar’s grandmother’s apartment. He soon finds himself to be Oskar’s partner on the search for the meaning of the mysterious key. Together, these characters provide some of the most touching and comical moments of the film.

While I would still recommend reading the book to experience Safran Foer’s unique storytelling, the film is a satisfying adaptation of a simultaneously heartbreaking and heart-warming tale. Bring tissues with you to the theatre or wait until it hits Netflix if crying in public isn’t your thing.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close has been nominated for two Academy Awards.

Category: Arts & Entertainment | Tags: , , , , ,
| February 23, 2012
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The Artist’s work of Art

The Artist

Oscars honours a silent contender and a truly outstanding film

by Nikita Shah

Watching The Artist really opened my eyes to the actual art of film—how different ideas can be reflected in not just the story that is told but how it is told. I found when the movie began, my mind was resisting the change from “talkies” to a silent film, much like the resistance George Valentin (played by Jean Dujardin) felt towards the Hollywood move in the opposite direction in the late 1920s. The film, whose plot revolves around the transition from silent pictures into talkies, puts the audience in a similar position of treading in unfamiliar waters. Each person watching The Artist decides whether or not they will care to adapt to this change. Some are able to ride the cinematic wave while others stand firm that a film should include speaking (and perhaps ask the theatre for their money back). Herein lays the dilemma of The Artist.

The film did require an adjustment in understanding the story since it is being portrayed only by movement and facial expression with intermittent words on screen. Despite being thrown back in time to watch a film unlike any I’ve seen before, this movie was thoroughly enjoyable. The switch in era was so spot on. I could have sworn I was watching an actual film from 1927. Having been unfamiliar with the majority of the cast, John Goodman was the only anachronistic giveaway that the film was indeed modern.

The acting was flawless, including the dog that absolutely deserves that Golden Globe. Bérénice Bejo was incredibly charming as the up-and-coming actress Peppy Miller—particularly during the dressing room jacket scene. And, of course, Jean Dujardin lives up to all of the acclaim he is receiving over the role. The film painted an honest picture of the film industry during one of its most iconic and drastic revolutions, showing how those who went along with the change would prosper and those who did not would wither.

Of all the movies up for Best Picture this year, The Artist has raked in the most warm-up prizes and falls behind only Hugo for the most nominations (10 to Hugo’s 11). The last and only time a silent film has won the top prize was Wings in 1927, the year in which The Artist’s story takes off. What this film lacks in colour, voice, and modern special effects, it more than makes up for with art and heart.

Category: Arts & Entertainment | Tags: , , , , ,
| February 23, 2012
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Girls’ Day Out

Yoga can be a great way to unwind with your girlfriends (CU-WISE yoga event in Ottawa, Nov 20, 2008, by Terriko on Flickr)

Three ways to spend quality time with your girlfriends on the Danforth

by Michelle Medford

Yoga can be a great way to unwind with your girlfriends (CU-WISE yoga event in Ottawa, Nov 20, 2008, by Terriko on Flickr)

The Danforth is a great place to spend the day with your best friends. Whether a day with your gal pals means an opportunity to let loose and have fun, or to gossip and unwind, your local neighbourhood has something to offer. And of course, lunch is a must!

For spontaneous gals

If you’ve always wanted to try it or if you just want to do something new, Hannan’s Belly Dance Studio is a chance to let go and learn some new moves. Located near Danforth and Broadview, the studio offers private lessons for up to five dance students at only $60 an hour. If you like it enough, you can sign up for weekly classes together so catching up will never be overdue.

For spiritually-minded ladies

Sometimes the reason you haven’t had time to meet up with the girls is because life is too hectic. Take some time to collect yourselves and work out your stress at The Yoga Sanctuary. Classes are offered several times throughout the day, the earliest is at 6:30 a.m. and the last ending just after 10 p.m. Single classes run $17 per person, but for three dollars more first-time students can pick up a 10-day unlimited pass and pop in a few times to make sure stress stays at bay.

For girly-girls

For many of us, a day with the girls means a chance to pamper ourselves. Tips Nail Bar & Spa at Danforth and Jones is one of the more popular places in the city to stop by for a mani or pedi. Although nails are their specialty, with several treatment choices starting at $18, they also have massage and body exfoliation options. You can also book a Spa Party ahead of time and select a package together. Don’t forget to bring snacks!

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