Downton Abbey-Inspired Afternoon tea at the Townsend: Fun, fancy food, family, friends and fascinators!

Downton Abbey afternoon tea at the Townsend was well attended, including this special table with my favorite cousins!

The event that Downton Abbey fans have been waiting for finally arrived the weekend of September 20th:  The Downton Abbey movie premiere and the fancy tea events that are part of the celebration.  BTS was thrilled to be part of the Townsend Hotel's Downton Abbey tea, and equally as excited that my dearest cousins came to be part of it!

September 22nd, BTS presented a "Downton Abbey-inspired Afternoon Tea" program to a room of over fifty guests, many who came attired in DA-style dresses and hats.

One very special guest was Karri Brantley, of Karri Brantley Photography. She is the photographer for BTS' professional branding photos, and I'm delighted to share that one of those great pics was used by Tea Time Magazine. It's featured in Tea Time's "British Tea" special collector's issue that has an updated article of BTS' visit to the "real" Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle.

Our article on the visit to the "real" Downton Abbey featured in British Tea, photo by Karri Brantley Photography

We enjoyed the Townsend's always amazing afternoon tea fare of scones, savories and sweets served up last month with a special Downton Abbey decorated cupcake. It was easy to feel like one of the pampered Crawley's with such exquisite cuisine served by an outstanding wait staff in a dining room anchored by two sparkling crystal chandeliers. The only thing missing was Carson!

With special guests, including Karri Brantley, photographer, and her mom, Dianne

In addition to visiting with old friends, including Rachelle W. who brought her haute couture collection of fascinators and DA-era headbands, we also met many new friends who's DA enthusiasm was exceedingly delightful!

Rachelle W. with beautiful fascinators

Talking about the DA family and their real-life inspirations

Betsy Davis joined her good friend for tea, both looking so pretty in their fascinators, floral dresses and lace gloves.

Betsy Davis and her good friend enjoy DA afternoon tea in inspired attire!

Another beautiful and elegantly attired group - Pam, Nancy, Jill and Donna - also came donning hats, pearls and lace.  Mary Crawley move over, there are other DA fashionistas in town!

Pam, Nancy, Jill and Donna looking fashionably smart in elegant dresses and hats. Watch out Mary Crawley!

A truly amazing afternoon with family, friends and fascinators at the elegant Townsend Hotel in Birmingham!



We're hearing rumors that another Downton Abbey movie may be underway! I think that calls for another DA-inspired afternoon tea at the Townsend. See you there!

Sew delightful: Afternoon tea with CAMEO's Quilters!

Barb & Rachel of BTS with Judy Murray, expert quilter and family, too!

Tea time with the ladies of CAMEO ("Come and Meet Each Other") is seamless seamstress event and we enjoyed every minute!

Last month, BTS presented "Tea and Etiquette" to a warm and oh-sew-talented group of ladies.  One of the CAMEO members is especially special to us, Judy Murray.  We're soon to be family (!) - Judy is the grandmother of my daughter's (Rachel) fiancé.

A variety of sweets and savories served buffet style with tea-time-inspired quilt as the backdrop

While we presented a brief history of tea along with proper afternoon tea protocol, the ladies of CAMEO dined on afternoon tea fare provided by the members themselves. Set up in buffet style, there was a great variety of delicious sweets and savories displayed attractively against the backdrop of a tea-time-inspired quilt.

CAMEO members getting ready for "afternoon tea" on a September evening

Each table was decorated by a CAMEO member. Judy's table donned a purple tablecloth that provided the perfect hue to set off her flower-accented tea set from Scotland (a souvenir from one her trips to Great Britain).

Each table was decorated in a different style

And, as only such a group could provide, a pretty, tiny quilted teapot decorated each place setting. (I now have mine resting comfortably on my kitchen table).

Judy Murray's lovely tea set from Scotland - a souvenir from one her trips to Great Britain.

 A great big thank you to Judy and her quilting group for inviting BTS to be part of your CAMEO kick off meeting in September.

My CAMEO tea time souvenir now resides on my kitchen table