Multifunctional Art Part 3: That's Better.

I began being fascinated and obsessed with avant garde makeup in high school just before the Christina Aguilera spread for MAC came out.

When I saw this photo which makeup artist Julie Begin concocted, I knew I'd found another breathtaking, perfectly balanced 'Makeup As Art' photo. The start color contrast and flawless texture is enviable, absolutely.

Spring Style: That's Better.

I got the new J Crew catalog yesterday and am SO lovingly obsessed with these looks!! Hello summer paychecks, this is what you will be bartered for...

Their mens looks were so good I couldn't help but post these as well... stunning.

Multifunctional Art Part 2: That's Better.

Part two of my Multifunctional Art posts consists of architectural works. The first is the staircase in the Lello Bookshop in Portugal, constructed in 1906 by an engineering professor named Xavier Esteves. It's amazing the magnitude of the staircase when you consider the size of the shop! From construction to color this piece is amazing...

The second piece is an organic home in Mexico, the Nautilus House, designed by the architect Javier Senosiain. This definitely takes me to my own wonderland...

Multifunctional Art: That's Better.

I've found some really interesting pieces of art lately, so my next few posts will function more or less as a conglomerate of these intriguing works. Some are digital, some are installations, all are unique. Enjoy!

Ephemicropolis is a city made out of stacks of staples. The minute detail it would take to create this would be enough to drive me insane..

My Girls: That's Better.

Our squad hosted the 2nd Annual MCPA Cheerleading Invitational this past Saturday and I have been working like MAD on that and apologize for not posting for a few weeks! I will definitely get more on top of that now that competition and prom are both out of the way! (Both HUGE events that I was over at work)

Here... :That's Better.

In case you're wondering where I'll be in the fall....

Spinach Tart: That's Better.

I'm eating vegetarian-ish as one of my April goals, and I found this AMAZING spinach tart recipe that was absolutely divine! It only has about 250 cal per serving and it is full of tons of great flavor, especially when topped with fresh pico de gallo salsa!

Crustless Mushroom Spinach Tart

2 T seasoned bread crumbs

1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced

1/2 c chopped onion

2 T EVOO

10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 cup milk

1 cup egg substitute (I used about 3 egg whites and 4 eggs instead)

salt and pepper

1 1/4 c shredded Mexican cheese blend

1/3 c grated parmesan cheese

1. Coat a 9-in pie plate with cooking spray Sprinkle bottom and sides with crumbs; shake out the excess. Set plate aside.

2. Saute mushrooms and onion in oil until all liquid has evaporated (~10 min). Remove from heat; stir in spinach.

3. In a bowl, combine the milk, egg, salt and pepper. Stir in the spinach mixture, 1 cup Mexican cheese blend and Parmesan cheese. our into prepared pie plate. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Sprinkle remaining Mexican cheese blend around edge of tart. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.

4. ENJOY this AMAZING dish!!

Claire Morgan Art: That's Better.

I love art and whole-heartedly enjoy galleries and appreciating the talent it takes to develop such unique pieces. I've recently discovered this artist, who has been constructing these amazing 'kinetic' sculptures out of organic materials such as fruit, flowers and feathers. I love the geometric simplicity.

And I love saving the best for last:

The Tiny Piney: That's Better.

I've been getting into unique edible plants as I've begun to plant my garden for this year (one of my favorite things about summer!) and I ran into the 'Tiny Piney', a relatively modern GMO which was originally developed to provide a fast growing source for its smell to be used in the fragrance industry. It's most often consumed in New Guinea by being dipped in a coconut milk and beetle shell batter and deep fried. While that wouldn't be how I would consume it, (not the biggest fan of beetles... ever) I am adoring this miniature version of my favorite Christmas aroma. Oh, and FYI, it is only 2 cm when full grown!

Boston University: That's Better.

I did it! I got into my #1 school!!! Boston University has made their decision, and YES, they want me to be among those in the MPH (Public Health) c/o 2012! I will be moving out of UT at the end of May, with a brief stay-over in AL for my best friend's wedding and then Louisville to visit my sister and her beautiful family, then on to Boston! I really am so blessed to have been accepted to one of the Top 20 MPH programs in the nation (BU is #13). I was turned down from a school that was 3 rankings behind BU and was beginning to get very nervous. And then, on top of that, I found out in the funniest way which definitely did not expect! Here's what happened...

I pulled into my apartment complex around 9pm or so from work. Tired and hungry, I decided to check the mail, just in case there were any bills in there that needed handling. I opened the door to the mailbox and pulled out a small pile of letters, with a postcard from Boston University catching my eye. I THREW everything else on the ground and ripped open the over-sized postcard and began to read:

"Boston University would like to invite you to attend it's 2010 Accepted Students Day! Please RSVP at..."

I began openly shouting "I got in!! I GOT IN!!" at the top of my lungs and jumping around like I was skipping rope, knees tucked and everything. :) Then I started to think for a second and began to wonder what kind of school sends out a postcard as a notice of acceptance to a graduate program? I mean, I understand that we're in a recession and all, but seriously? Ya couldn't spare a few more cents and put it on real paper? I called my dad, I called my sisters, I called my roommate, and all of them came to the same consensus: because I'd recently moved, the forwarded postcard had arrived before the acceptance package and I didn't have anything to worry about.

But I still couldn't help but wonder, 'What if they simply sent this to those on a BU School of Public Health mailing list, and I just happened to be on that list? How lame would that be! So of course I now had to wait 9 hours until their offices would open the next morning and I could call and inquire. Lucky for me, I had really been accepted. :)