The Amen family (L to R): Bilal, Suehalia, Adam, Shadia, Jeff McDermott, Lila, Mohsen, Samira Amen-Fawaz & Ali Fawaz

It’s really tough to add yet another reality show to my already overtaxed DVR, but when I saw the promos for TLC’s new show, All-American Muslim, I figured I’d give it a shot. I like learning new stuff and whatnot. The show features several Muslim families, including the Amen family: a Lebanese-American Shia Muslim family in Dearborn, MI, which has the largest concentration of Muslims in the U.S. There are three sisters in the family, each with their own approaches to their faith. One sister doesn’t cover her head, has tattoos and is married to a white man who converted to Islam; another sister struggles with fertility and the third is more devout in her approach to her faith. They’re already a couple of shows in, but it’s not that difficult to catch up on a reality show. It’s actually a pretty positive show (a refreshing change) that spotlights the tension and stereotypes the family encounters with non-Muslims. And it just paints a “hey, we’re normal people too” picture that’s much needed in the post-9/11 climate.
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Word on the innawebs is Jessica Simpson could be the next face of Weight Watchers, joining (or perhaps, replacing?) Jennifer WHERE YOU AT? Hudson. Simpson wants to lose a ton of weight, perhaps to get back to her Daisy Duke size after the birth of her baby. Simpson was to sign on with the company months ago, but then she got knocked up. She could score a $4 million endorsement deal with Weight Watchers. She’ll have a year to lose the weight using Weight Watchers’ points system.

My God…this means J-Hud’s screaming about feelin’ good, Mariah’s half nekkid for Jenny and now this one may be yodeling for WW. Kill your TV.

Image via PacificCoastNewsOnline.com
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Ice Cube in talks with the original Friday cast for a sequel

Kid Cudi’s new album will be N-word and curse-free

Rihanna tweets because she’s not getting any peen

Queen Latifah plans to adopt a child

Tyler Perry defends his decision to cast Kim Kardashian in new movie

Splitsville: Ruben Studdard headed for divorce

Hair stylist Derek J cleans up his “some women need relaxers” comment

So, Drake has funky breath?

Busta Rhymes signs with Cash Money

Ricky Martin and NIcki Minaj get colorful for MAC

More bad news for Katt Williams…he lost custody of his daughter

Don’t forget to check out our fellow bloggers under the Brewshyt tab…there’s always good stuff there too!

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Florida police arrested a fake doctor for using a mix of “fix-a-flat” as booty injections! So, we’re doing ANYTHING for a phatty now, huh? Is that what’s hot in the streets? Miami police say Oneal Ron Morris –a self-proclaimed doctor of booty injectory– used a mix of cement, mineral oil and Super Glue to fatten a woman’s butt. Those chemicals nearly killed the woman, who went to three different hospitals before figuring out the cause of her ailments.
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“At one time my ex-wife Shaunie and I were happy, but I admit it– I was a guy. I was a guy with too many options. Choosing to be with some of those women, well, that’s on me. In my mind, I never did it disrespectfully, but obviously I shouldn’t have done it all… You know as well as I do relationships are about maintaining… It wasn’t the big stuff, it was the small stuff, and that’s my fault. I had things to do. I was trying to win, trying to make some money. I admit I wasn’t the best partner. I just didn’t know how. I’m learning now.”

-Former NBA great Shaquille O’Neal admitting to cheating on his ex, in his upcoming memoir, “Shaq Uncut: My Story”

Is there a nice, respectable way to cheat on your spouse though? Should Hoopz be worried? Brewchies… weigh in.

What’s your call?

Spotted
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Gina M. Brotherton is a  bubbly DMV (DC/Maryland/VA) based self taught  Jewelry Designer.  She started making jewelry for herself and people just started placing orders.  She uses a mix of beads, stones, metal and leather to create whimsical candy-like wearable art. She will even create commissioned custom pieces AND has a plus sized line.    Check out her website! www.ggxjewels.com 

Hi Gina, how did you start making jewelry? I’m primarily self-taught via hand’s on “mistakes” – mixed in with some online tutorials & YouTube.

What has inspired your work?  Life! Colors, textures, the change of the seasons, a random stranger’s well-worn jacket, a pair of run over shoes…it really isn’t any one or two things. Every day I wake up, something inspires me to create wearable art. How many years have you worked on your art?: 6 years now. I started making jewelry in 2005… Who are your influences?: Artistically? I’m not even sure. I have sort of a mish-mash mix of styles & techniques that don’t really lend themselves to one (or even a few) specific influences. GGX is classy, but a little off-kilter…runway, but not really…trendy, but not overly obnoxious…just some of everything! I find beauty & relevance in the most classically simple beaded designs & find a way to marry them together in an eclectic collection of classic-funk. I will say, though, that other artists that I’ve encountered and even collaborated with have served as an influence of sorts in terms of raising the bar, thinking outside the box. Not to mention keeping me on my toes!

 What would you do, if you couldn’t create? Forever? My soul would probably implode. Jewelry is my [creative] outlet. It helps me channel various energies – especially negative stress – into something productive and beautiful. Honestly, if I “couldn’t” do it any more, for whatever reason…I would die inside. It’s THAT serious. And even thought right now it’s not a full-time gig — it’s my life’s work. My passion. Now, periodically I do have creative blocks – which totally sucks for me. (when I do, I mope…and it ain’t pretty! ). It’s very hard for me to want to create, but be unable to come up with…nada/zip/zilch/nothing (or nothing anyone would want, anyway).

Describe your process: I wish I had one. When the mood (or inspiration, or creative mojo) hits – even in the middle of the night – I honor it. I grab what I need…and Get. Busy! Some designs don’t execute the way I would like the first go round, and I will redo it over and over again until it’s right. Other times, the vision comes to me so clearly that when I sit down with tools & supplies in hand, it practically creates itself.

What do you want to get out of your art, what do you want to give to others through it? For me: art is a way to live my life authentically… by doing what I love. It’s that simple. Long before I was making good money hustling my jewels, I was GIVING them away. And I still do (sometimes). For others: I’d like for them to inherit the love, passion, and peace that I put into/receive from each piece that I create for them… To make the world a little bit more beautiful by sharing something that I’ve created with my own two hands. Cheezy? Yeah. But most of us creative types have to balance the brooding with a lil’ bit of cheese every now and again.

Thanks Witches, for allowing me to share my talent with your loyal minions. I’m OFFICIALLY White Jesus Approved!!

Are you a beast in the kitchen? Do you know your way around a stick of butter like Paula Deen? Does your milkshake bring all the… ok, you get my drift here.

If you’ve got a banging recipe that you plan to use this holiday season, don’t be no food hog… share it with your fellow Brewchies.

Email us your favorite recipes and we’ll post them right here on the Brew in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. The recipe doesn’t have to be original, but if you’ve borrowed it, at least give that person credit. Be sure to include “Thanksgiving Recipe” in your subject line so we won’t mistake it for the rachet stuff that’s normally in our inbox.

The deadline for recipe submissions is Sunday, November 20th at 6 pm (ET).

Image via Peppercorn Press
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Benetton is trying to put itself back on the fashion map with yet another controversial marketing campaign. The company is no stranger to controversial ads, but the latest campaign is raising eyebrows because it features world and religious leaders engaged in a kiss (*Prince voice*).

Benetton’s deputy chief Alessandro Benetton says the Unhate ads were “constructive provocation” intended “to give widespread visibility to an ideal notion of tolerance.” It’s Benetton’s first major marketing campaign in more than a decade. The company has also created a mini-film to coincide with the campaign.
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Let’s just get this out of the way “Misfits” may have the stupidest premise on TV since well… “Heroes”, but dammit if it isn’t the most compelling and gut-wrenchingly touching, awesome show that cannot be viewed in real time in the US. WTF?!

A quick synopsis: In the first episode we meet 5 (well 6, but…) young adults who have by the court been ruled  ASBO  and are on the first day of mandated probation.  They, along with their probation worker are caught in a freak storm and receive possibly the WORST superpowers known to superpowerdom.   As the episodes progress, it appears that these powers are a manisfestation of  their deep-rooted subconcious fears, anxieties and egos. And what’s worse than that?  I mean what would your superpower be if  THIS were how powers were given out? (Would I be Aversion to Bras on The Weekend Elphie?  Can only use the public restrooms at Nordstrom, Elphie?   How wack!)   Think about it!

 They solve the resulting problems with a lot of blood letting,  body hiding, drugs and sex. As one naturally would!  Yet somehow they manage to be sympathetic and rootforable (that is not a word, E.) 

The super talented cast is comprised of a group of young relatively unknowns, especially to the US, but you’ll be dying to see them all the time!

  Check out the first 2 seasons or as the Brits say Series 1 and 2 of Misfits on Hulu

(SHHH Bootlegger’s Hint:  The currrent  season’s episodes can be found on the web… just Google “Misfits Series 3 Epsiodes)

Me and Mr Wrong get along so good (so good)
Even though he breaks my heart so bad (so bad)
We got a special thing going on
Me and Mr Wrong (mister wrong)
Even if I try, no, I never could
Give him up cause his loves like that
Aint no way that I’m moving on
I love my Mr Wrong

 

I straight dig Murry J’s new song Mr. Wrong and on my way to work I really listened to the lyrics, in particular the chorus above. It got me to thinking that this lyric is precisely what gets the ladies in situations not designed for them. We meet someone and decide, “he will be mine!” so you set out to do whatever you gotta do to make that happen never once stopping to realize that the person for you wouldn’t require you to strategize, it all just kinda falls into place.

“But but but Piper, Mr. Wrong is so exciting” Yeah yeah yeah, I know but boo Mr. Wrong don’t like you, stay focused! Mr. Wrong sends you text messages all day but never ever ever feels like he needs to hear your voice. Mr. Wrong never invites you anywhere, to do anything unless it involves you being naked. Mr. Wrong simply doesn’t extend himself to you in any way that makes you feel happy and appreciated. He’s practically screaming ” I DO NOT LIKE YOU LIKE THAT!!!”  but what do we do? We keep pressing on, convincing ourselves that surely we are reading him wrong. He’s just shy, or he got hurt in his last relationship blah blah blah, I mean wtf!  You are pretty, fun, and gosh darn it people like you! What is his problem? Honey we will never know the ansswer to that and as much as we hate hearing logic I can assure you that it’s not you at all, There is nothing wrong with you, he is just not on the same page as you. The getting to know someone process is supposed to feel good, make you feel giddy and stuff not make you second guess and doubt every effin thing around you. You should never be tripping over yourself to make anyone see you are the bomb dizzle, so never follow Murry’s advice (as much as I love that crotch grabbing honeydip from Money Earnin Mt. Vernon). Give him up, move on, read a book, learn how to cook, take up sewing, practice your dance moves (in the nude like I do) but most importantly leave this particular guy alone. ON TO THE NEXT!!! 

Once we stop glamourizing Mr. Wrong, we can start seeing all the Mr. Rights begging for a shot……  Life is so very short, don’t waste precious and limited time on anyone who doesn’t think you are the most awesomest person ever, Piper knows her stuff  

If Gladiator and 300 went half on a baby then Immortals would be the result. The movie was one big bloody cliché sammich. A slave type becomes the chosen one by the Zeus and ‘em and helps his people fight against a crazy king, which in this case was Mickey Rourke as a very demented King Hyperion. Sidebar: can I just say that I’m happy Mickey parlayed his freaky face into some work although he’s typed cast like a mug, but I mean it pays the bills right? Anymushfacedway, never heard of the main character but the fight scenes were very 300-esque with slow-mo guts and heads poppin’ off all over the place. I forgot to mention and I opted for the 2D showing because my 41-year-old eyes and brain cannot keep up with all that 3D mess! Okay, back to the flick. Freida Pinto, who coincidentally was featured as our Brew Beauty of the Week, played a ‘virgin’ oracle (oh did I mention this was movie very cliché?). Yeah, this pretty bish’s smoky eye game was on point throughout the whole movie, even after she got doused with oily ass ocean water. Pinto eventually bares her brown arse and smooshes on some hard stone bed with the lead unknown actor dude (yesssss). They could have stayed on that scene for a minute or 20 more and skipped one of the 2345 fights scene but oh well you can win them all. I felt the film could have used some more character development and flash backs to fill in the blanks of how all these mofos knew each other. Overall, I give this movie a B-… clearly a lot of people liked it because it grossed $32 million and is #1 at the box office this week. So, what say you Brewchies?

Peep the trailer:

“I’m very particular about the pizza that I eat. The more toppings a man has on his pizza, I believe the more manly he is… Because the more manly man is not afraid of abundance. A manly man don’t want it piled high with vegetables! He would call that a sissy pizza.”

Of the pizzas on his table, his favorite was covered in sausage, salami, capocollo, red peppers, portobello, and red onions.

“Now that’s a manly-looking pizza!!”

-GOP Presidential hopeful (and former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza and accused groper) Herman Cain defying political correctness in the new issue of GQ

Spotted
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