Starting on March 1, the senior editorial staff  from the Quad began contributing weekly posts outlining the activities, places and trips all Boston-area college students should have on their bucket list.  A total of 10 posts makes up what these graduating seniors believe to be the most compelling, noteworthy “must-do’s” for all underclassmen to accomplish before graduation.  Here is the list in its entirety:

Cheat Sheet:

1. Party Favors, a hidden gem 2. Splurge on a great meal 3. Explore local culture in Jamaica Plain 4. Beer me, Boston. 5. Boston’s Alternative Movie Theaters 6. The Skywalk Observatory 7. Urban Biking Adventures 8. Explore music venues for every genre 9. Getting out of Boston 10. South Boston Street Festival

Photo credits:

1. Kara Korab 2. SweetonVeg 3. Mr. Ducke 4. compujeramey 5. D’Arcy Norman 6. whisperwolf 7. joeldinda 8. bradsearles 9. Rice Bear 10. animalvegetable

All photos, except Kara Korab, courtesy Flickr/Creative Commons.

Just when I thought it was going to be springtime in Boston, Old Man Winter comes back in full-force. It’s days like these where I need to treat myself to something that satisfies my sweet tooth and puts a comforting sensation in my belly. Yes, everyone, I’m talking cupcakes. Boston is cupcake-crazy, and there’s plenty of options to choose from. But, my favorite place is a hidden gem in an unlikely location, and the subject of my Senior Bucket List:

Before you graduate from BU, you must get a cupcake from Party Favors in Brookline.  Party Favors is just on the edge of Coolidge Corner, a bustling locale with great shops and pretty good eats. However, while the bulk of Coolidge Corner vendors operate on Harvard Street, Party Favors operates on Beacon Street, towards the Summit Avenue stop on the T. Party Favors also takes a keen eye to spot, because on the surface it appears to be just a regular party decorations store. But, don’t be fooled: the store actually has two doors, so if you’re coming from the Coolidge Corner T stop, the second door is the one you want.

Once you step in, it’s like a child’s dream-land. Candies, cookies, pastries, truffles, and decorations galore are laid about in colorful groups and patterns. To the immediate left, there is a tempting case of big cakes, little cakes, cupcakes, teacakes, and decorative pieces. To the right, wrapped candies and hand-made chocolates line nearly the entire wall. But, the real treasure trove is in the case near the register, where high-quality pastries and monstrous cupcakes are on display. I can never choose just one cupcake, and at only $4.25 a pop, you definitely get the bang for your buck.

Got a craving for something sweet? Want to go off the beaten path? Find Party Favors, grab a cupcake, and I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

(Photos by Kara Korab)

SED is hosting a screening of Waiting for Superman, an acclaimed documentary from Academy Award-winning director Davis Guggenheim tonight at the Coolidge Corner Theatre at 7PM. The filmmaker takes an in-depth look at the current state of public education in the US, spotlighting the lives of five public school students and several educators in their pursuit of academic growth. The private screening is open to SED students, faculty, staff and alumni.