You Never Forget Your First Time

Today was a momentous day for me: I am no longer an IKEA virgin! Kathleen took me to the IKEA in Stoughton that opened last spring. Wowee, what a place. Now I know why people talk about it with such a starry-eyed look in their eyes. I bought dozens and dozens of things and still managed to spend only $100. Six little plastic bowls for $1.49! 100 tea lights for $2.99—and 6 little glass tealight holders for 50¢ each! A roll of leopard-print wrapping paper for $1.99! 200 multicolored elbow drinking straws for 99¢! Four tiny tempered glass prep bowls for $2.99! 100% cotton sheets for $2.99 each! And on and on and on. I wasn't looking for any big stuff, but we're doing some bedroom-switching-around this summer, so I'll be in the market for cheap kids' furniture then, and there's plenty to choose from. I love the way the whole place is laid out and designed; it could have been overwhelming and claustrophobic but was instead a delightful place to spend 4 hours with a friend.

Comments

[scott]

Jealous! I'll have to hit Schaumberg soon.

[Susan]

Funny, I did find my first trip to one (New Haven) very overwhelming. I haven't been back. It could have been because I had to tote around my slightly uncooperative 2-year-old ... he wasn't eligible for dropoff at their kid zone. An incentive to potty train, I guess.

[Karan]

I pine for my first time so that some day I can give up my Ikea cherry.

[Maribel]

Oh my goodness! You've been deprived for this long? I didn't realize you lived in the Arctic.

[steve]

I just did an IKEA kitchen... which meant approximately 1017 trips to my local Atlanta IKEA. I still love the store but have a new disdain for the smell of cinnamon rolls.

And the kitchen is fantastic - especially for just $15k including the install.

[pam]

I'm so glad you liked it. Some people resent the way the store is carefully laid out so you have to pass through every "room", like a maze. But I really liked meandering through, getting ideas.