IKEA Trip Inspiration and Eye Candy

All summer long, I've enviously read about everyone else's IKEA fun, while my own IKEA lies less than an hour away, taunting me with its style and deals. My mom and I finally made some time last week to make the trek up to my favorite Swedish superstore. Kids in tow.

Our first stop was the childcare area, where Natalie practically burst into flames in her haste to commence playing. She was actually really disappointed when I came back to get her after my allotted 1/2 hour of freedom. I suppose if I were 4 years old, a giant blueberry basket turned sideways would look exciting to me.

But this is what excites me: an enormous (practically deserted!) warehouse of delicious deals just waiting to be gobbled up:

The whole deserted part didn't last long, even though we were there mid-week. But we did have a chance to shop and drool without feeling too claustrophobic.

I thought I'd share some IKEA eye candy with you today!

Some people make themselves right at home, testing out beds, playing, and crawling from room to room.

 

Lovely Living Spaces:

 

This was mom's favorite room. Doesn't she look comfy?

Snooze-worthy (in a good way!) Bedrooms:

Loved this Kitchen!

Natalie liked this kitchen, and used the office to catch up on some work by shouting "Fax it to me!" over the phone. (Don't you love the matching lights over the farmhouse sink?)

There are no words for this girlie craft room except to quote Rachel Zoe. "I die."

I love that the "apartments" use every inch of available storage space!

Lovely lighting:

And then it was on to the Accessories and Household Goods, where I would have loved to stay. But the natives were getting restless, and by restless I mean dragging their feet and asking to go to Panera.

So after all that, I bet you'll never guess what I came home with....

A $1.50 plastic bag dispenser. Sometimes my sense of adventure is shocking even to me.

I didn't spend much, but I came home with some great inspiration, especially for the kitchen and Christmas gifts.

{Have you found any retail inspiration lately?}


Come back tomorrow for a super-neat blog related Giveaway from Seven Thirty Three--Custom Blog Design!


And don't forget to bring your favorite post of the week to link up on Friday for Weekend Bloggy Reading!

*****
The winner of the Shabby Chic Cottage Giveaway was #24, Dogmom Diva.

Winner of the Sometimes I Swirl Giveaway was # 25 Michelle at A-Tisket A-Tasket.

Email me ASAP, girls, so I can hook you up!

Until tomorrow....