The World of Downton Abbey

Welcome to the world of Downton Abbey! A traveling exhibit of all things Downton Abbey, that just happened to be in Boston on the opening weekend of the Downton Abbey movie!  If you love the show as much as I do you will understand how this is the ultimate fan exhibit.  Memorabilia, sets, costumes....all from the show!  It was truly an extraordinary experience!  

We had tickets for 11 am.  The viewings are timed to reduce crowds (although it was still very crowded).  It cost $35 a ticket which I was happy to pay : )  While we were waiting in line we were severed tea and biscuits on silver trays with white dollies, so basically my experience started the minute I stepped out of my Uber.  

It took about 2 hours to walk through 8 rooms full of all things Downton.  I didn't photograph everything...( I was too busy gawking and wiping the drool off my face) but here is just a sample of some of my favorite things! 

Carson & Mrs. Hughes outfits ~

Carson's office ~

I love him! ♥

 The Kitchen~

Can't you just picture Mrs. Patmore & Daisy bickering over something?! 

The actual bell board ~ 

There were so many costumes!  

Dresses worn by Lady Mary, Edith, Rose, Cora, and Violet! I recognized so many!  I also would have taken any one of these home with me.  I love the style of the 1920's!

The Dining Room ~ 

So many memorable scenes from the show happened around this table. 

So beautiful! 

Swooning over more dresses! ♥

to.die.for.

Jewelry, hats, and accessories! 

Sybil!  (still not over season 3!) 

The iconic dress Mary wore when Matthew proposed to her on Christmas Day in the snow!  

One of my favorite scenes from the entire series! 

♥

If you have the opportunity to see this exhibit I highly recommend it! It's amazing to see the actual things up close.  There were hand written letters that were used on the show, props from the bedrooms, and profiles on every character.  So many details 

Also a fabulous gift shop : ) 

(Me, my mother in-law, sister in-law Val, and sister in-law Sara) 

We had such a fun day visiting the world of Downton Abbey!  ♥

xoxo

A Proper English Tea at the Boston Public Library

For many of us this past weekend was Downton Abbey weekend and to celebrate I had the opportunity to go to a proper English tea.  My mother in-law, 2 sisters in-law, and I had just come from the Downton Abbey exhibit (which was fabulous and I will share all the details later) and headed for the Boston Public Library for a tea! I've been to teas before and I had a feeling this one would be something special.  Plus you know how much I love libraries! (one of my dream jobs is to work in one!).  

I had never been to the library before and was very excited, not only for the tea, but to see the library. We came in through the front entrance and walked through the library (past the grand staircase) to the dining area.  I loved the smell and feel of this old building as soon as I stepped foot in it. 

 This "tea bar" was just outside the formal dining area.  It was more casual and had a very cool vibe.  

The lounge draws inspiration from writers and innovations of the 1880's.  They even offer tea cocktails named after authors! 

On to the Courtyard Salon where we had our tea.  Beautiful, bright, and elegant. 

As you can see everything was inspired by books.  Our tea menus were pasted on the pages of books stacked on the table.   The food offerings were listed on the bookmarks.  

We all ordered a different tea so we would have the opportunity to share.  The one I selected was a lemon ginger and it was amazing! 

We were all given a choice of strawberry salad or gazpacho to start (I had the strawberry salad : )  and then they brought out the goodies...mini sandwiches, scones, macaroons, and petit fours.  All so delicious.  The jars on the top tier were clotted cream, orange marmalade, and lemon curd.  

After tea we were able to walk around the library and explore.  I had been admiring this fountain through the window ever since we got there and couldn't wait to go into the courtyard.  It was so lovely! 

The Boston Public Library was founded in 1848.  It was the first large free municipal library in the United States.  The library was moved in 1854 and again in 1858.  At that time it had over 20,000 volumes. As the library continued to outgrow it's space it was finally settled in Copley Square in 1895.  

In 1986 the building was designated a National Historic Landmark.  Within the library there are exquisite murals, sculptures, additional works of framed art, and a peaceful inner courtyard.  They run daily tours for just the artwork.  Something I would love to do one day.

This is Bates Hall, the iconic reading room on the second floor of the McKim building.  Fun fact, it's named after Joshua Bates, a London merchant banker who was born in Weymouth, MA (my hometown!).  In 1852 he donated $100,000 to the library, for it's establishment and the purchase of books. 

Can you image studying here?  I don't think I would be able to get any work done.  I would be too busy admiring the room : )

If you are ever in Boston I would highly recommend visiting the Boston Public Library. I think it's one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.  Full of culture and history and served the most delicious tea that I will never forget.  A perfect fitting for my Downton Abbey experience.  More on that next time.... 

Have a wonderful day friends!  xo 

It's Begining to Look & Feel alot like Fall... ♥

Ever since the air started changing I've been sleeping with the windows open.  This morning was the first time I woke up chilly.  It was very hard to pull myself from my warm bed because the air in my room was so cool.  It smelt like fall.  I was content to put on my cozy robe & slippers to shuffle off to the coffee pot at 6am. Coffee always tastes better on a cold morning, don't you agree?   It warms my body....especially at that hour : ) 

Its Fall and it feels like it!  

♥

It's starting to look like it too.  I'm noticing the leaves are just starting to change.  How pretty is this? 

Soon they will all be bursting with color! 

A fall clothing haul from Khols! 

I got some comfy long sleeve shirts and a new cardigan for the season. 

My first taste of butternut squash & sage soup!  So good, which I ate outside wrapped up in said cardigan on a 55 degree day.  It was delightful! 

(I must make this at home soon!) 

♥

Fall things are everywhere.  The start of this years collection....

Love. 

♥

On my walk yesterday I got a nice whiff of the scent from the pine trees.  The smell reminds me of the holidays and the beginning of this time of year.  How it's all changing from summer to fall and soon it will be winter.

It made me smile : ) 

Afternoons are home always include candles. 

I've been lighting this one everyday when I get home from work. 

I love it's glow ♥

A little treat this week was a new recipe I tried for apple cake.  So yummy (especially served warm with butter)!!! I'll be sharing the recipe soon.  It went perfectly with tea, a fleece blanket, and the America's Got Talent finale last night.  Did you watch it?  It was amazing!!! So happy for Kodi Lee!  I loved him all season!  If you don't watch that show please look him up on YouTube. 

He's incredible   ♥  

(have tissues ready...you will cry) 

 Well, tomorrow is Friday! (you made it!! : )   

This weekend I'm planning on a soup bubbling away in the crock pot and the Downton Abby movie!

Two things I'm rather excited about! 

Have a blessed day my friends.

xoxo