For Tea: My 40th Birthday Soirée in Hues of Blue

Turning 40 felt like the perfect time to lean all the way into grace, glamour, and a bit of grandeur and what better way to do so than with an afternoon tea party that captured the essence of refined femininity and elevated style. I wanted a celebration that felt like a page out of a modern fairytale, so I chose the Blu Room at the historic Pfister Hotel, perched high above the Milwaukee skyline with sweeping views of the lake and city below. The backdrop was as elegant as the affair itself.

The dress code? Regal in every sense. I wore a Mac Duggal powder blue satin gown with a dramatic asymmetrical neckline, delicate ruching at the waist, and a cascading high-low hem that floated with every step. A sculptural fascinator, pearl choker, and vintage gloves completed the look. I wanted to embody the mood of old-world glamour reimagined through a modern Black woman’s lens. My guests understood the assignment and arrived in their finest afternoon tea attire: feathers, fascinators, polished blues, and wide-brimmed hats adorned with florals and netting. The room looked like a living portrait of Black excellence in full bloom.

The venue was transformed with dreamy balloon installations by Craft Party, a swirl of pearl, dusty blue, and snow white orbs arranged like clouds trimmed in blossoms. These installations framed our custom “For Tea” signage and photo area—gracefully setting the tone for the rest of the afternoon.

The tables were dressed in white linen and topped with white and gold china, delicate cream teapots, and handwritten mirrored acrylic nameplates that shimmered softly in the sunlight. Each guest had a personalized touch awaiting them.

Pressed MKE provided our custom signage and the party favors: darling tea box keepsakes shaped like miniature teapots in classic blue toile patterns, tied with satin bows and filled with sweet treats. It was important to me that every detail felt intentional and utterly beautiful. From the handwritten menus to the soft jazz flowing through the air, no element was left untouched.

Speaking of the music, Cigarette Break was the live band for the afternoon, and their soulful renditions of jazz classics layered the event in warmth and nostalgia. Their sound was effortlessly chic and created an ambiance that was both celebratory and relaxed.

The culinary experience began with loose leaf blends from Rishi Tea, a nod to my love for high-quality, whole-leaf offerings. Each guest selected their preferred tea from an elegant tea bar featuring orange peels, cinnamon sticks, fresh mint, rose petals, hibiscus, and dried citrus, displayed in crystal bowls. My cousin Sheena served as our tea butler, gracefully pouring warm cups throughout the day, a role she carried with poise and heart.

The tea menu was curated directly from the Pfister’s own Afternoon Tea offerings. We dined on traditional English tea sandwiches like egg salad with watercress, smoked salmon with dill crème, and cucumber with herbed cheese. Mini scones with clotted cream and jam followed, and dessert towers arrived layered with jewel-toned pastries, including raspberry tartlets, lavender-infused shortbreads, and pistachio cannoli dusted in powdered sugar. It was indulgence, refined.

My birthday cake, created by Jus Me Mi Cake Design LLC, was a masterpiece, a buttercream beauty adorned with real roses, pearls, macarons, and a hand-sculpted teapot. It was almost too pretty to slice into, but once we did, it was as delicious as it was stunning.

Every seat was filled with love, and every glance around the room reminded me of how important it is to celebrate ourselves in bold, beautiful ways. This wasn’t just a party, it was a declaration of identity, elegance, and legacy.

Forty is here. And she sips slowly, dresses intentionally, and makes room for joy on porcelain plates and in vintage tea cups.

With grace,

Carissa