Earlier this year, I stopped by the Macy’s Flower Show in New York. For the first time, the show was taking place outdoors in a show tent at 34th and Broadway, so instead of pushing through crowds inside the store, it was a leisurely amble through “Brasil: Gardens in Paradise”. The Chelsea Flower Show is my benchmark for what a flower show looks like, but that has over 500 exhibitions and I couldn’t imagine a flower show of that scale in Manhattan. As it turns out; the Macy’s Flower Show is more like a single exhibit that you would see as part of a larger scale flower show, but it was lovely nonetheless.
The shop windows gave a tantalizing glimpse of what lay ahead.
Toucans were the order of the day, with paper toucans peering out of shop windows, and a giant toucan made out of dried Brazilian button flowers and black magnolia leaves sitting proudly in the show tent.
Some of the highlights were a rope bridge leading to a waterfall, a monkey made of leaves, an Amazon garden and my favourite, a Rio rooftop.
There were all kinds of exotic flowers cascading down walls, peeping out from around corners and nestled in dense foliage.
One of the more surprising things was that not all of the flowers were in pristine condition; some with chunks missing from their petals or with visible scars, but as I understand it, this was done on purpose to evoke a true-to-life vision of Gardens in Paradise. I loved it, because their imperfections did not diminish their glory in the slightest. If anything, they looked even more beautiful.
So this week’s travel theme should be a fairly easy, and hopefully joyful one. I can’t wait to see what flowers you have in your part of the world. If you’d like to join in, create your own post, title it “Travel theme: Flowers” and put a link to this page in your post so others can find it. Don’t forget to check back in next Friday for a new travel theme.
Bring on the flowers!
xxx Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 
Wow more flowers! This week I’ve already done 2 flower post for 52 Pick up . You should have a look there also http://printsensephotography.com/2012/07/26/52-pick-up-flowers/
Oh how lovely, scrapydo. You can never have too many flowers! xxx
I agree with you. Flowers are the best to photograph
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Thanks for such a glorious challenge for this week, Ailsa. I´m sure you will have some fabulous entries.
I decided to introduce a little Christmas spirit into our July days! http://eastofmalaga.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/travel-theme-flowers/
Ho ho ho, I’m feeling all Christmassy! Lovely, Marianne. xxx
What exquisite flowers and arrangements!
My take on “Travel theme: Flowers” was previously published and takes the reader to the southern tip of Africa
http://madoqua.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/botanical-treasures/
Those protea are such show stealers, but I adore the paper daisies. They’re so beautifully delicate.
Colorful…I had made it a point to see it too when visiting New York in April. Being held outside it was certainly less crowded than last years.
It was a lot of fun, wasn’t it? I really enjoyed the little escape to paradise. 🙂
What an extraordinary creative flower show, wow!! Gorgeous orchids! Thank you, Ailsa!
Considering it was a fairly small exhibit, they really packed an awfully big adventure into the tent, Amy. xxx
Love your new theme, Ailsa. Sorry I was so late with my tradition post, but just managed to skid in, before the new theme. 😉 That flower show is spectacular to say the least, and your photos are exquisite. I’m a great fan of orchids, so these were my favourites.
Really enjoyed your Under the Tuscan Sun post, and I posted this week’s theme a squidge early so you weren’t really late at all! I adore orchids too, they’re such elegant flowers, aren’t they? xxx
Yes they are.I also love them, as you’ll see from my flower theme post which is coming up very soon. 😉
🙂
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NYC does EVERYTHING in such a big way and with style! We used to hop down there for weekends several times a year…a bit harder to do from FL! I miss it!
What a great idea to do the show in a big outdoor tent! You photographed it all so beautifully!!
Thanks! Holding it in a tent gave them a lot more scope, I think, allowing them to play with lighting and height, which was really effective. So glad you enjoyed my post. I hope you get to visit NY again soon – yes, I can imagine it’s a little tricky from FL!
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G’day Ailsa, what a beautiful theme you have chosen. I’m sure there will be alot of posts on this theme. Flowers are so accomadating to photograph they just sit there smiling at you….http://memoriesaremadeofthisblog.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/travel-theme-flowers
pommepal, what a glorious post – I must make sure sometime on my travels to take in wildflower season in Western Australia. Thank you for introducing me to these fabulous native plants! xxx
Fabulous photos – I never knew Macy’s did this what a great way to celebrate flowers.
It really is lovely, gingerbreadcafe – they hold an annual one in Philadelphia, Chicago, San Fran and Minneapolis too.
Time to stop and smell the roses 🙂
Now this one won’t give me a headache. Be seeing you…
P.S. your photos ar fabulous. Bright, cheerful, exotic, fabulous!
Hurray, I love flowers 🙂
I loved this post…so colorful and alive! Flowers are the perfect theme. 🙂
Thanks strawberryindigo, can’t wait to see your post 🙂
Oooo…yes! yes! yes! Expect mine tomorrow. 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!!!
Yaay 🙂
Lovely, bright and beautiful flowers, and your photos are tack sharp as ever. Great stuff:-)
Thanks cocoa! 🙂
Wonderful theme Ailsa, and seems like it was a gorgeous show! Love the fabulos arrangements, particularly the Toucan. We are in Bangalore at the moment since my father in law wasn’t keeping too well. Shall post my entry early next week if I am back by then. Have a great weekend.
I hope your father in law is feeling better, Madhu. Safe travels and see you when you get back. xxx Ailsa
Not as early as i expected, but here it is Ailsa: https://wheresmybackpack.com/2012/07/27/travel-theme-flowers/#comments
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My favoutie display at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show: http://rainbowbakery.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/travel-theme-flowers/
Ooh Georgia, this is spectacular. I think the Chelsea Flower Show is the king amongst flower shows.
I was there this year and have almost the exact same photos as you..
so for my entry I didn’t put any orchids 🙂
http://emma1988paris.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/travel-theme-flowers/
Aha, a fellow flower show lover! It was fun, wasn’t it, Emma? Really lovely post, that second photo was my absolute favourite. xxx Ailsa
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Gorgeous flowers. I really like the rooftop tiles with the moss and plants.
Here is my link
http://nprimopiano.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/los-feliz/
Love it, Marina – the way the wildness of the plantings and cascading flowers contrasts so clearly with the carefully trimmed box hedging. Lovely shot. xxx
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Thanks Ailsa for the inspiration, and thanks for your writing. I really enjoy reading all your posts. Check my pingback (funny thing to say…).
Loved your pingback (just as funny to write!) – looks like it was a stunning wedding.
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Wow! These are beautiful shots of the flower show and the individual flowers! Sumptious, I think, is the word!
I was tempted to use my own garden this week, but since this is a travel theme… here’s my entry: http://theretiringsort.com/2012/07/27/travel-theme-flowers/
What a perfect post for this theme, TRS – flowers on fabric, in leis and gorgeous shots of some really exotic flowers. Loved it! xxx
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Here’s my contribution, Ailsa. http://adinparadise.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/travel-theme-flowers-a-very-floriferous-post-indeed/
Wonderful, ad, I can’t get enough of orchids. The wild ones are my favourite; they’re so impossibly delicate. xxx
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I so loved doing this one, my main problem was deciding which piccies to use! http://annarashbrook.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/travel-themeflowers
Wow, Anna, you have a very beautiful garden. I can see why you would have trouble choosing which photos to post. Really lovely! xxx
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Wow. lovely theme @Ailsa 😀 Here’s mine http://campanulladellaanna.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/travel-theme-flowers/ Thank you my friend. Happy weekend
A lovely series of photos, Della Anna, and those sunflowers are fabulous. Just looking at them makes me feel happy!
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Exotic and intimate. Love it, Ailsa! Here are some Australian native flowers:
http://cinova.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/travel-theme-flowers/
Beautiful, cinova. Do you know the name of the white flowers in your first photo? They’re dreamy!
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Lovely photos Ailsa! I’ve so many to choose from, but I thought I should actually put in a travel one this week! http://ayearinmyshoes.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/travel-theme-flowers/
Oh I just love that huge bee getting ready to feast on some nectar. Must visit the Bellagio!
This is my first post to Travel Theme..Hope you enjoy
http://carolloethen.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/travel-theme-flowers/
Hello Carol, and welcome to the travel theme. Really stunning photos, and I love that that big yellow lily reminded you of your grandmother. Her yard sounds like it must have been fabulous! xxx Ailsa
Thanks so much for your kind words. My grandmother’s yard was wonderful..miss it lots.
Carol
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Beautiful pictures! One can expect NY to do everything in style. Here’s a look at another flower show.
http://perceptionsofareluctanthomemaker.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/travel-theme-flowers/
Wow, deepa, the Lalbagh Garden flower show looks amazing (and a lot bigger than Macy’s) That Lotus Temple is stunning! xxx
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I LOVED this one! 🙂 Here’s mine: http://newsofthetimes.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/p1010520.jpgthanks for the inspiration!
Wonderful shots, news – that close up of the white rose is stunning and the flowers in the window shot has captured my imagination. Where was it taken? It looks like it has an interesting story behind it! xxx
In front of my house! The only interesting story is that I finally noticed the reflection in front of my nose…which is progress! But maybe I should make up a better story! 😉 Thanks for the kudos!! And for the inspiration, as always!
Ha ha, well done you for noticing. It’s a truly lovely and unusual shot. Hurrah! xxx
Oops! Didn’t work from my phone. Here’s mine: http://newsofthetimes.org/2012/07/28/travel-theme-flowers-and-weekly-photo-challenge-inside/ Thanks again!!
Got it – great photos! xx
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Loved your photos of flowers and like the theme for this week. Here is my entry “ORCHID MYSTIQUE – NATURE”S TRIUMPH”. http://wp.me/p23TG1-16g
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
What a fantastic exhibit, it more than made up for the missing cherry blossoms!
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Hey y’all: here my take on this week’s Flower challenge:
http://stephenkellycreative.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/ailsas-travel-theme-flowers/
Stunning, Stephen. What settings did you use for that shot? Love it. xxx
Hi Ailsa,
My camera was hooked to my tripod for this shot, and I used open exposures, three second to start, six or seven as it got darker. I seem to recall this one (it’s a series) was about three seconds.
Really fabulous, Stephen. I doff my hat, sir! xxx
I’m honored, ma’am!
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OK, I’m ba-ack…
http://firstandfabulous.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/travel-theme-flowers/
Enjoy!
Yaay, welcome back! Love the rainbow roses, but that happy burst of yellow in your yard is my favourite! xxx
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