Thir-tea one

So I turned 31, which weirdly sounds super old compared to 30. (Side note - at what point do I start feeling like an adult? Because, as of yet, that hasn't set in yet!) On my actual birthday, there wasn't a whole lot going on (which was wonderful) except dinner, but I didn't take any pictures, and while we did get a babysitter, there's not much to tell there. However, the day after my birthday is a story worth telling.

This year marked the second annual Jessica's Birthday Tea Party. (Now do you get the pun in the title of this entry? Thir-tea one? I'm so punny!) Last year, we held this party on a whim, and it was such fun that it had to be done again.

I hosted it at my house this year, and in true Jessica fashion, went a little overboard. But really, why not? I mean, as adults, how often do we get together to dress up and be silly? How often do we, for examples, have the tea parties we were crazy about as little girls? Not often enough, I say! And if I'm going to celebrate my birthday, I'm going to do it in the most Jessica way possible!

The ladies who joined me are just so awesome, and I feel so lucky to have such great friends. Some of them dressed to the nines, some of them pulled on their favorite hoodie, but all had so much fun. I'm so excited to have this be an annual thing because it is spectacular. And I know you are dying to see what I'm talking about!

I have a chalkboard hanging in my kitchen, so obviously, it had to get in on the party.

Cute chalkboard banner sign? Thank you, Target dollar section!

The seating arrangements.

A close up of the seating.

Food and beverage.

The herbal tea/hot chocolate/cider selection.

This is my favorite new way to eat chicken salad. Seriously, it's beyond delicious and completely adorable.

Berry skewers. Like that's a bad thing ever.

Cucumber sandwiches. It is a tea, after all.

And a double layer carrot cake, because why not?

Most of the ladies, though a few showed up after the picture was taken. We had a lovely combo of dressed up and dressed down, which was just fine with me. Everyone chatted, ate, drank tea, and generally had a great time.

I'm terrible at selfies and my bedroom light is out of control, but this is my outfit. Kind of a 1960s vibe.

Minus the whole rampant racism thing, I could have been very successful in the South in the 60s.

Life is better with friends and floofy headbands.