Swell Season Kind of Day

I'm not sure what's in the air today, but I'm feeling a little blue. The skies are overcast and the air is cold. I'm sick of the cold...I really really am.
But something I can control about my day is the music I listen to. And The Swell Season is one of my all time favorites. If you've never heard them, check them out. For real. They are so talented and beautiful and they're the perfect soundtrack to my blue day.

The Modern Wing at the Art Institute

The month of February is Free Month at the Art Institute of Chicago. We practically waited til the last minute, but Matt and I decided to go yesterday and we made an afternoon of it.

We took the trip to visit the Modern Wing, which has been recently added to the Art Institute in the past year. The wing itself is so beautiful and definitely worth taking a stroll through.

I didn't know what to expect as far as the actual modern art goes, but I found I liked the American modern art much more than the European modern art. It seemed cleaner to an uneducated eye like mine. I wish I knew more about art in general. Although when I see something I like, I'm moved by it whether I understand or not. And to me, that's a pretty beautiful thing.

Alice is Simply Enchanting

I'm incredibly excited to see Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, but when I recently watched the trailer for the movie I realized I don't know the real story. I've become very familiar and infatuated with the amazing illustrations by John Tenniel in the last few years - So much that I ordered a beautiful copy of the book quite some time ago. But I'm ashamed to say that even after owning it, I've never actually read the book. So a couple of days ago I decided it was time.
I've only read the first 4 or 5 chapters, but you know what? It's so witty and funny! The writing is fast and quirky and I'm finding myself unable to put it down when I need to go to sleep.
I love Alice's character very very much. Her need to be a strong and educated girl just warms my heart.
I really recommend reading it. Whether you're planning to see the movie or not, I think you'll just love it.

Winter Oh Winter

I'm incredibly sick of winter but the most recent snowfall here in Chicago was quite lovely. So the day after it snowed I decided to get out of my cozy, warm apartment and take a walk through the park to get some pictures of the beauty. Needless to say, I was only out for about an hour before I went home to a cup of coffee and a movie.

Chicago is so amazing in the spring and summer but during the winter I tend to question why I live here. About another month, right? Until then I'll dream of Spring and sandals and dresses oh my!