Philadelphia Flower Show, 2009: "Bella Italia!"

[ysobelle]

Philadelphia Flower Show, 2009: "Bella Italia!", originally uploaded by Ysobelle.

Also on the theme of beauty, I present to you all the photos I took yesterday (now the day before, I suppose, technically) at the Flower Show. Oh, it was magnificent. Just amazing. And packed. Packed and amazing.

The most fun part of the show, the vignettes, were set this year to evoke different regions of Italy: Venice, the Italian Riviera, Milan, Tuscany, Florence, and the Lake Region, arranged in a counter-clockwise half-circle around a magnificent little villa with reflecting pools that represented Rome. It had a raised little tower in the centre from which costumed singers from the Academy of Vocal Arts sang us Puccini. Arches before it were the first thing I saw upon entering the vast exhibit hall, and they served well to say, "You're not where you thought you were. Welcome!"

I wandered around somewhat in a daze for the first hour. There really is no suitable metaphor: it's the end of winter, and I just got drunk off all of the flowers. Flowers everywhere: as shoes, dresses, as animals, as jewelry, as architecture. I remarked to my friends, "It's like the Rose Bowl Parade, except we're the ones moving."

There was also a magnificent tea, suggested by snugglyevil. It was, I must say, a most excellent idea. And, I think, one in which I must indulge far more often.

I bought four varieties of lavender, some soap, and picked up many business cards, including one from a man who did such magnificent marquetry I all but cried. One of his magnificent mirrors was $1,300. And worth Every. Single. Penny. When I am rich, with a permanent shop, I will indulge.

Afterwards, danorsong and John and I ran through the streets-- without our coats, because we're very silly-- to an amazingly good dinner at Penang. And I came home to sleep the sleep of the just, and, more than likely, dream of orchids, lilies, and roses. Thousands and thousands of roses.