It's Not Just About Art

Hi Gorgeous!!!

I have to say, it is so fun being in Chicago. I've been coming up to Chicago a minimum of two times a year since I was born. My aunt has always lived in some kind of really cool, old rehab house and the trip is made even cooler because she's so close to downtown. In Chicago, everything seems so fresh and hip. Art is definitely not just a place to observe art work, it also appears to be a place to hook up.  A great example of this would be last night! We went to her (last!) art opening at a gallery in The Zhou B Art Center. 

http://www.zhoubartcenter.com/#!thirdfridays/c1voa

Let me just say this: this huge art center was definitely the place to be seen. There was a huge range from couples in their fifties looking for a new art piece to add to their collection to hot girls in their twenties in tiny skirts and five inch heels. It starts out by walking in to the main level which is filled with the Zhou brothers' art work, along with a very hip bar where you can purchase anything from soda to scotch on the rocks (I had a classy gin and tonic!). Then in the basement there is a graffiti painting studio (which sounded like a dance club!) which you feel the loud music and fun times being had through the floor you're standing on. If you want to move up in the building (which is 4 floors high), you have to take a very skinny and rustic stair case. On the second level we found a really cool art show which was about immortality. The paintings were more raw and liberal for my mom's taste but I was loving it. 

Third level, probably one of my favorites, is filled with artist's personal studios. Every third friday of the month, the artists open their doors, pop open a bottle of wine and show people their latest work. The picture above is an artist's work and he actually lives in his studio. The studio is filled to the rim with things like this- which creates a forest like feel. It's really cool. 

 Now the fourth floor- which was also filled with studios and my favorite part- 33 Contemporary Art Gallery. This is where my aunt's (which is the blond pictured above) work was being showcased, and she did an interview with the two other artists she collaborated with. I love my aunt's art, and I'm NOT just saying that because I'm her niece. ;) Pictured below are some of her work from the show. My favorite is the sculpture but I have always leaned more towards sculptures.

The experience for everyone wasn't just about see the latest in art work, it also was about seeing the fashion surrounding them. For my age group, I felt dressed down. There were numerous amounts of women in the latest styles looking to stray the eyes off the art work and onto them. I was very impressed with how some of these ladies handled the steps because I barely could handle my four inch wedges.

I decided to wear my favorite Joe's Jeans, my favorite white tee, and these really cool Tom's wedges. The shift is not just a plain white tee, the back is more of a sheer material which ends up with a really cool look. I went with these wedges because the pattern added some texture and fun to a somewhat classic look (Links below!) If you haven't tried Tom's wedges, you really are missing out! They are actually comfortable and of course a purchase of them goes towards a good cause! :) 

Thanks for reading my post and look for my Sunday post about shopping with my aunt and mom (Don't get too excited! It is probably just a trip to Ikea followed by deep dish pizza!) 

XOXO-Mandie 

Links:

Shirt (similar): 

https://factory.jcrew.com/womens-clothing/knits_tees/short_sleeve_tees/PRDOVR~B7874/B7874.jsp?color_name=white

Wedges- unfortunately last season's style but this year he has some other cute ones out:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/toms-canvas-woven-geometric-print-wedge-sandal-women/3863085?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Black+Woven&resultback=1681