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A Little Trip to IKEA

I love IKEA. I think it's mostly because in Utah, people have to make a special trip to California to enjoy its modern stylings and inexpensive prices. The very difficulty of visiting IKEA added to its charm. I remember the first days of my arrival in Innsbruck when Angie and I would ride the bus around, trying to get oriented and see what's available. I saw the distinctive bright yellow and electric blue and immediately determined to visit IKEA. It didn't really make sense. I mean, IKEA is primarily known for home furnishings, and I didn't have a home in Austria. Just a measly dorm room. But I found a fleece blanket and comfy pillow to take home with me anyway. I left them in the Utah Box when I left for home. Every once in a while I would go back and pick up little things here and there, ruby votive candle holders, metric measuring cups. One time, I even tried to send a terra cotta pot home with sheaves of lavendar sticking straight up. It didn't turn out so well. Imagine my delight when I found an IKEA not two (three) hours from here near Chicago. Even though I'm stateside now, I still don't really have a place of my own since I will be moving ... somewhere... in June. It still makes no sense to go, but I couldn't help it. I took Liz there back in November when we had a couple extra hours to spare. After that introduction, she's been back twice and this last Saturday we went again. Liz was in the market for a new bed. I was in the market for some window shopping. And some Swedish meatballs.

First things first. After our long trip, we needed some food, so we took the escalator up to IKEA's third floor cafe for the aforementioned meatballs. This was my first experience with Swedish meatballs, and I must say, they were delightful, especially with a little lingonberry preserves.

What I love about IKEA is all the model rooms set up. I like to pick and choose which elements I would incorporate into my own little place. Some things, of course, just aren't me. Some things I wish were me. Like this round bed.

It's totally romantic. My favorite thing was watching all the kids flop onto it and lay there for a bit. First it was two boys and then two girls came over. They giggled and said, "It's just like a princess!" And it was!

My other favorite thing about IKEA is how they have special escalators for the carts. I don't know. Maybe they have these in other places, but I just think it's so clever. I like to see them perched and riding alongside me down to the next floor.

Liz successfully found a beautiful new bed frame. She was less successful with the rugs.

All in all, a fantastic little trip to IKEA. I didn't buy anything, but i've got ideas. And if I end up back in SLC, there will be a brand new IKEA just waiting for me in Draper. Sadly, such easy access may lessen its appeal.