Grown Up Tea Party

Sometimes we attempt to be fancy.

This Saturday was quite the cultured affair. Three of my Junior League friends and I started the afternoon by exploring the latest exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Currently on exhibit is a collection of paintings by contemporary artist Jamie Wyeth. Mr. Wyeth dedicated his life to the study of art, becoming home schooled at the age of 9 so he could spend more time painting. He was a good friend of Andy Warhol, and his pumpkin art is very on trend this Fall.

His wife was his main muse. She was a world famous equestrian but at the young age of 21, was paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident. Despite her injuries, she went on to become an accomplished horse buggy competitor. Quite an inspiring woman.

We also visited the Hollywood Glamour exhibit, featuring some of the most ridiculously fabulous dresses and jewels that I've ever seen. They had a black and white movie playing on a projector, and I found myself hypnotized by the classic old school beauty of the lead - her strong features and deep, soulful eyes. Not to mention the gorgeous gown she was wearing, which was accessorized with a huge fur coat and diamonds dripping all over.

We then moved on to the contemporary art exhibit, which is my personal favorite. I love classic art too, and like most girls I am a sucker for a good impressionist painting. Seeing Monet's garden in person in Giverny was a life changing experience. There is just something about modern art that ignites a different emotion- sometimes revelry, shock, or even confusion. I like that juxtaposition of appreciating the beauty of something all while really having to think about what it all means. On exhibit was contemporary mixed-media pieces by Shinique Smith. Some of it was beautiful, but I'm not in love with found-art pieces. Her paintings though were magnificent- exploring "dark matter" in the universe and complementing it with what she calls "bright matter" that are explosions of color and fabrics and knick knacks. I'd love a piece like this on my wall at home.

We ended our museum trip with a little light pick me up at the Great American cafe. We split a fruit salad alongside an asparagus & heart of palm salad with pine nuts in a spring onion vinaigrette. The girls indulged in some drinks while I went instead for some caffeine.

After the museum, we walked around Boston a bit. It was the most glorious day- 90 degrees and perfectly sunny in late September. Not a cloud in the sky. I am perfectly ok with another Indian Summer. I love fall but I will take this weather as long as I can get it.

Finally we hit up the Fairmont Battery Wharf in the North End for some classy afternoon tea. We got the best seats in the house, right next to a huge window overlooking the water.

Sam and Lindsay looked beautiful as always.

I'll have one of each, please!

Complementary amuse bouche was a chilled lobster crostini.

Followed by a three tiered towel of deliciousness, and boatloads of tea. Early grey for me.

So. Much. Tea.

Biggest blackberry I've ever seen. And do not even get me started on the chocolate truffles, I could have eaten a dozen!

Is there a better combination of milky tea and warm scones smothered in butter and jam?

There isn't. Nothing is more fun than layers and layers of tiny tea treats, every bite being something new and delicious. Especially when washed down with some cold champagne.

After our grown up tea party, Maura and Sam left, leaving Lindsay and I up to our own devices. Naturally we indulged in some more bubs, the pink variety for me. There may or may not have been 2 or 3 more after this.

Refusing to let the night end, we rounded up our men and dragged them along on our quest for further sparkly beverages at Steel and Rye in Milton, one of my favorite restaurants outside of Boston proper.

No pictures after this point unfortunately, but we split some delicious mussels, flatbread and a big giant charcuterie board. Oh how I do love a nice massive plate of meat.

Afterwards, we hit up the local dive and enjoyed cheap beer and a live band playing some traditional Irish music with a recorder, jaunty violin and bagpipes. A wonderfully grown up cultured day turned into a bit of a rowdy and silly night, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Now Sunday is coming to a close. I spent the day at the gym making up for Saturday's indiscretions, and studying for the GRE. I grossly underestimated how much studying would be involved for this test. I have had my nose in a book all week, and not the fun kind, the 3 inch thick textbook kind! My 2nd class is tomorrow at the Omni hotel, and with every chapter and every practice question I am realizing just how glad I am to have signed up for this class, I need all the help I can get!

I did take a break towards the end of the afternoon to wish my best friend Stef safe travels. Unfortunately for me, in just a few days she will be leaving Massachusetts to embark on a NYC adventure complete with a new job and new apartment in Staten Island. I will miss her dearly but I am so excited for her new adventures! and of course to visit her! Any excuse to get to New York, New York... I managed one rather rubbish picture of the surprise moment... I swear the balloons looked a lot less sad and a lot more festive in person!

How was your weekend???