Mom's Day Out!!!

Every year, three of my friends and I pilgrimage to the mother of all stores...IKEA.  We don't have one in the state of Indiana, so we have been faithfully driving 3 hours north to Chicago every year.  This past year, IKEA opened in Cincinnati, so we decided the one less hour drive time was worthy of heading east instead.  If you have an IKEA in or near your hometown, then you are one lucky dog!  If you don't, and you've never been, well, you've been missing out!  Go top off your coffee cup, get comfortable and allow me to take you on...

We depart Indy before daybreak on a bit of a low note...one of our foursome, Tricia, is running a fever and cannot come with us.  We are all saddened, but decide we will bravely forge ahead in honor of our stricken friend.  Three Starbucks lattes and egg McMuffins later, we arrive at Cincy IKEA on a bright, sunny morning!  You couldn't wipe that smile off of Martha's face if you tried:

So true, so true...

The children's department is a feast for the senses...look at how Stacey is bracing herself.

Hmmm...should Martha get the lampshade with the little flowers and the birdies on it or should she get the one with the birdies and the little flowers on it?

IKEA really is a store that requires the use of the buddy system.  Seriously, you really shouldn't go to IKEA without a friend.  It's a do-you-think-this-will-match-my-green-sofa, friend?, kinda store.  A you-really-cannot-live-without-this-spatula-my-friend!, kinda store.  Look at all the choices...

Stacey has no problem choosing her dessert before her lunch in the IKEA cafeteria.  In all fairness, they do have desserts first in the line...

Dear sweet, red ticking fabric chair, my wallet is empty and my cart is full...i will save my pennies and be back for you next year.  Until then, i'll have this photo to remember you by...

Martha, there's no time to rest just yet...

We have been in the store since it opened at 10...we are almost to the check out when we spy a 50% off room...jackpot!  We make our way to the back of the room where they have bins and bins of linens that were either floor samples or in need of a good wash.  We find pillowcases for $1 and duvet covers for $10.  We're just plain giddy.

Before we check out, we find a quiet corner of the store to purge any impulse purchases we might have thrown in our carts.  Calculators are out, deep concentration, budgeting...finally, we're ready.  All that is left is the packing of our treasures in Stacey's Suburban.  She's a pro.

We grabbed some dinner and even hit an outlet mall on the way home with an amazing Pottery Barn outlet.  I know what you're thinking...because i would be thinking it too, if i were you...who can afford to go shopping all day like that in this economy?  Well, the the truthful answer is...not me.  Here's a sampling of some of the bargains I scored:

This groovy shopping bag...

I just fell in love with these peppermint Christmas ornaments...

I already had the pillow form...

I mean, c'mon...

Here's the beauty of it, though...even if there weren't such bargains to be had, we would still go for the fun and friendship.

And the icing on the cake...we got to set our clocks back an hour that night and had the pleasure of an extra hour of sleep after our long day of shopping!

Same time, next year, ladies!

Comments

[MikPink]

OMG I have to go next year. Have to. xo, pink

[Jane]

I want to go too! I think you girls had way too much fun! Did you know that there's even a letterbox planted there?

[Perrin]

Oh no, they have fabric at IKEA? Or were those table cloths? Oh dear, I must pilgrimage again. Haven't been in a few years. Oh, I'm with you...I so wish we had an IKEA here in Indy. Cincy now huh?

[Lee Reyes-Fournier]

Lori,
I loved it. As an IKEA fan, I can now boast we have one over an hour from my home. My husband and I go there as if it were Mecca. You forgot to mention the swedish meatballs and some of the yummiest coffee in town.

[Heather]

What fun! Thanks for sharing your IKEA haul with us. We just went last weekend, the outdoor gear has arrived for summer! Where else can you buy FOUR outdoor benches for less than $200? We love IKEA!

[Jennifer]

Usually the thought of shopping for a whole day would make me want to scream, but you made it sound like so much fun. I love the use of pictures in your blog, I feel like I was there with you. Great story and blog. You really made a tale of shopping into a delightful blog post.

[Deb Hartigan]

Ikea is the best. You can find some of the the most unique stuff and the prices can't be beat. I really enjoyed your blog, it felt like I was right along side you. Thanks for the day trip.

[Karen Koval]

I loved the pictures that went along with your blog. Made me feel as if I was with you (I wish I was). If you need a fourth for next year you can count me in.

[Milcah Syner]

Fun Fun Fun. I enjoyed reading your blog. When I got to your page and saw how it was laid out, I thought to myself, this looks like a fun blog (as if your smile hadn't already given that away!). I like the way you incorporated the pictures and made me wish I was along for the experience.

[Peggy Gorman]

I have never been to IKEA, thanks for taking me there!Now I have to go to IKEA,it looks so fun.

[Lisa]

Lori, thanks so much!! This kind of place is right up my alley!! LOVE it!