Lights, Camera, Bloom! Celebrate the Movies

Lights, Camera, Bloom! Celebrate the Movies at the Philly Flower Show.

For the last 22 years, I’ve chosen all the different modes of transportation to get to the annual Philadelphia Flower Show. I drove, took the rails, and planned an organized bus trip to the Philadelphia Flower. These trips involved anyone accompanying me, my children, sister, girlfriends, and colleagues. This year, I had the unique opportunity to attend the black-tie preview party for the 186th Annual Show; thank you, BFF Cynthia. I say lights, camera, and flowers as spring is unofficially ushered in with 10 acres of fresh blooms at the Pennsylvania Convention Show in Philadelphia.

The elegant evening commenced with a cocktail hour. How fabulous for once to feast your eyes and freely linger at every last display? The ability to take great photos! To capture every last detail, no crowds, no shoulder to shoulder, no back of heads, no people working in front of your photo opt, you could see the exhibits.

This year’s theme, “Celebrate the Movies,” featured some of the latest Disney and Disney-Pixar films like “Frozen,” “Maleficient,” with the new live-action film “Cinderella.”  Here are my favorite floral designs:

It’s always interesting to see what people deem appropriate for black-tie choices. I saw beautiful floor-length gowns and lots of chic cocktail dresses. It was great seeing some of the younger female attendees wear fascinator hats. Of course, the men have the easy choice of a tuxedo instead of a regular dark suit.

The evening agenda was perfectly planned. After one has ogled all the beautiful floral displays, it made sense to rest your heels for dinner. Our AstraZeneca benefactor dining experience included delectable healthy bites of pasta with butternut squash, roasted Brussels sprouts, dinosaur kale salad, pecorino-crusted chicken, and miso-glazed sea bass with sticky rice. All some of my favorite foods!

The pièce de résistance, the dessert assortment, included ricotta cheesecake in a gram cracker shell, salted caramel mouse with hazelnut brittle, and pot au crème.

I applaud the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for incorporating health and wellness information when planning the annual Philadelphia Flower Show. It’s a great time to raise awareness among the spectators passing through the week-long event. If you plan to attend this year’s flower fest, don’t forget to stop by the AstraZeneca on-site free cholesterol screening booth. It’s all day on Friday, March 7. AstraZeneca is making it easy for you to Know your numbers!

Bravo to the Pennsylvania Historical Society for sponsoring the Philadelphia Flower Show over the last 186 years. Kudos to them for not only putting on the most extensive continuous flower show in the world but also for still mesmerizing and drawing crowds of 300,000 people year after year.

What a fabulous new experience at the world’s largest and oldest flower show. I plan to attend next year’s preview party and participate in the Philadelphia Flower Show. I plan to enjoy more of what my hometown offers, not just flowers.

Thank you to the AstraZeneca Crestor brand team and Cynthia for offering this unique opportunity to have exclusive access to the Flower Show. Have a wonderful week; it’s 17 days until spring officially starts!