A Sense of Color and Composition So Magnificent

Outfit details:
Brown tank: ancient
White tunic t-shirt: Sears, remixed
Multi-strand multi-color beaded necklace: Bakers, remixed
Gray skinny jeans: Old Navy, soooo remixed (here's just one)
Beaded leather cuff bracelets: gift from Joe's mom, remixed
Suede moccasins: Kmart, remixed here and here

Where:
Members events at the Shedd Aquarium and Art Institute of Chicago

Two of the major museums in Chi-town are re-opening their giant, exciting, magical doors this week. The Shedd Aquarium just finished "re-imagining" its Oceanarium area (where all the adorable penguins, playful dolphins, "sea" mammals both otter and lion, and my personal favorite the beluga whales all hang out). Joe is a member, so we got to see the area before it has been officially open to the public. Awesomeness ensued.

I'm a member to the Art Institute (or the "Toot", as my mom and grandma used to call it), and they are, of course, opening their ginormous new Modern Wing this week. It is providing an extra 280,000 square feet of gallery space to the museum (which in numbers alone is almost unbelievable). It was stunning how much of the permanent collection hasn't been able to be displayed until now. The contemporary galleries were extensive, to put it mildly, and the use of space and light in the whole building is magnificent. We got to go this evening for a private members event, and it was just wonderful. I can't wait to spend many more blistering summer afternoons oohing and aahing over the many astounding pieces they have.

With all this talk of a recession and people scrambling hither and thither to cut their personal costs, I would like to take a moment to make the case for museum memberships. They usually cost under $100, often include free admission for a +1, and can provide nearly endless entertainment. Scads better than spending every Saturday afternoon at the mall (in terms of both time and money well spent). Plus, supporting the arts is oh-so importante. All right, that's enough soap-boxing for one post.

Quickly now, my outfit! I knew we'd be walking a lot today with the museums, so I wanted comfort above all else. These mocassins are surprisingly comfy for <$15 Kmart shoes, and glorified jeans + t-shirt seemed appropriate. I felt a little underdressed at the Art Institute event, but I think that's mostly because Joe and I were virtually the only 20-somethings there. People were casual, but casual-for-their-age. Ah, well. I liked my getup, at least!