The theme to the Philadelphia Flower Show 2009 (March 1-8) is Bella Italia and boy did they deliver!  The show is FABULOUS!  Drama, Drama, Drama, and I loved it!  A friend of mine went the first day and when I saw her pictures I was floored.  #1-She's a great photographer and #2- the show is amazing, it speaks to me.  I'm Italien and definitely have a bit of dramatic flair in me and when I saw her pictures I actually thought I would need to dress up this year and wear special jewelry!

**And wait until you hear about my freebie!  Sweet! Sweet! Sweet!**

This year besides the normal, but fabulous, displays they also had a floral fashion theme.  They had evening dresses out of flower parts, hats and shoes out of flower parts and jewelry too.  The dresses were amazing, the amount of work and focus that must have been put into them is unimaginable to me.  The hats, ah! the hats, were fabulous!  The hats made me wish we lived in a society that would accept a lady wearing them on a regular basis. The shoes were spectacular and the jewelry was so inventive, truly amazing.

The only disappointment was how crowded the show was.  I went on a weekday and arrived around 10:30am.  I believe the website says the best viewing time is after 4pm and they are probably right.  Most of pictures are a result of me sticking my arm out and taking whatever I could get and it shows.  I go to the show every year, around the same time of day during the week, and it's never been this crowded.  The Pennsylvania Horticultural Societyhit the sweetspot this year with their choice of theme because it really drew in the crowd. 

**Thank goodness there were refreshment stands, mmmm, with sweet sweet yummies!**

The other side of the flower show is the abundance of vendors this year.  I honestly don't remember this many vendors in other years.  There were the typical vendors selling plants and garden accessories and then this year I noticed many more artists, potters, jewelers, and more.  When I go to the flower show I try to go two days, one to look and one to shop.  The first visit I try to make a mental note of what I love and figure if it's there the last day (when you can get the best deals!) than it was meant to be.  This year I bought a big, bright basket that was made in Ghana.  I couldn't resist it, it drew me in and I had to have it. 

This year there are so many good vendors I think I need to bring a shopping buddy with me!  I originally was going to take the train but now I'm thinking I may need to drive so I can take multiple trips to the car and continue shopping.  And I don't have tons of money to spend but the stories of friends going to the show the last day and walking out with 200 roses for $20 makes me salivate! 

Even if you are not a shopper you should go to the show it is truly amazing!  Please don't let my blurry pictures deter you!

OK...onto my Super Sweet Freebie!   Sweet Street Desserts has given me a voucher to pass onto my wonderful readers!  Sweet Street Desserts has a cafe at the flower show where they serve their amazing desserts.  Their website is even mouth watering!  Sweet Street Desserts has given me a voucher to pass onto you!  The first 100 people that hand in this voucher to Sweet Street at the Philadelphia flower show will get one free dessert.  No other purchase necessary and you can choose ANYTHING!  Oh, how I hope I can get a free dessert even though I'm not going until Sunday!  So have fun at the show and don't forget your voucher!