For My Friend, Pat

Pat is a wonderfully sweet lady who was part of my tour group when I went to Paris in September. She is an artist, a special kind of artist - she does her work in IRON! Think Rosie the Riveter with a delicate peaches and cream complexion, curly hair and a southern accent. While we were in Paris, Pat was hellbent on seeing all things Monet. How wonderful then that there was an exclusive Monet exhibit during our stay at the Grand Palais! Plus we visited Monet's home and garden in Giverny, and of course, Pat went off on her own to stand on the street where Monet lived as a child and see his childhood home.

Since we left Paris at the end of September, Pat has been working diligently on an iron gate work of art for a charitable organization. So when I went to the Philadelphia Flower Show last month, where the theme was Springtime in Paris and I saw this fabulous display, I thought of Pat.

 This was a Monet inspired display that feature an interpretation of the artist's "Water Lilies" painting. It was designed by Michael Petrie's Handmade Gardens. It featured a formal layout of crossed paths and boxwood-lined beds that acted as a frame for large painted canvases that lay on the ground like ponds of reflective water.

And here is the beautiful sculptural ironwork gate by Greg and Camille Leavitt, which my friend Pat would admire, I am sure ...

 

 Leaves and flowers adorn the gate.

 Look at the detail ...

Isn't it simply marvelous?

Recreating Paris

Every effort went into recreating Paris at the Philadelphia Flower Show, which ended on March 13th. In my last post I told you had more photos to share. Here are just some of them. I tried to pick out ones to show you how the exhibits throughout the show tried to recreate different aspects of the City of Light. From the Eiffel Tower ... to the shops ... and even "underground" Paris.

Here you can see the base of the Eiffel Tower structure at the center of the exhibit floor, where the exhibit creators used "trompe l'oeil" to make it appear as if the tower went up and through the Convention Center's ceiling. Notice the pretty cherry blossom tree...

More detail of the base of the tower

Even Paris' underground catacombs were represented at the show. It must have been a challenge to try to figure what kind of flowers to put in this display!

An art gallery such as you might find in Montmartre.

All kinds of food was available at kiosks along the outskirts of the exhibit floor. We had a wrap like this. Ours was called "The Parisian."

These hanging flower displays remind me of kites.

Here's a very lush outdoor bistro where you must stop to have a glass of wine and perhaps some fromage?

Isn't Paris grand?

Pretty pink azalea, one of my favorites.

This pastry shop needs more sweets in the window, don't you think? But it's all about the flowers at the flower show.

This reminds me of the kind of floral arrangements you might find in the lobby of a five-star hotel.

More flowers as you might find along a walk in the park

Another piece of stage setting like the pastry shop - this time a parfumerie. While at the flower show I had the pleasure to try on some vintage French perfume at one of the vendor booths.

Isn't this beautiful?

Happy Spring!

Like Going To Paris A Second Time

Just like the flowers sold outside the metro

It's now been over five months since my first trip to Paris. But this weekend, I got to go a second time - without even boarding a plane - with a trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show where the theme this year was Springtime in Paris. The displays were so breathtakingly beautiful, they brought tears to my eyes! I was so happy to be there.

First, we bought our tickets ...

Then we hopped in the car and drove to Philadelphia, which is less than a half hour from where I live.

Even before you enter the Convention Center where the show is, one of the first things you will see are people leaving the building and out on the streets holding large tissue paper flowers - nearly a foot in circumference - on long wooden sticks. They hold the flowers up high like a parasol - and they're so bright and delightful, you must have one - the way you must have an ice cream cone after you pass by someone eating it on the boardwalk at the beach.

What is your favorite color or favorite flower? When you see it, you will want to take pictures of it. 

me

This was a very creative/innovative display - one in a series

Another silhouette in the series - a woman walking her poodle

In the boudoir

Can you recreate this for my next fête?

Very French inspired with their hats ...

And isn't the star on her check a nice touch?

Mod elegance

A peacock made of flowers - for the carousel

The Eiffel Tower in Philly!

Complete with antique lamps - and flower arrangements to die for!

An Eiffel Tower made of moss. You can do this, too.

Like Monet's Garden ...

What did I buy at the show? Well, I had to have one of those big paper flowers, of course. It was so bright outside when we left the building at about 4pm - the big flower "umbrella" shaded my eyes from the glaring sun. I also bought a little bunny rabbit figurine for my mom because she asked for it. And this bottle of 25-year aged balsamic vinegar (at $30 plus tax). Because Paris is about the food, too ...

The balsamic vinegar on our little Niçoise salad - a lovely way to end a delightful day!

I have more photos to share with you in another post. Hope you're enjoying your weekend.

Springtime in Paris 2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show

Going next Saturday, can't wait to tell you all about it!