A new love

This past Saturday, Jon and I ventured to Atlantic Station for a trip to Ikea. I was so excited, as I had never been to an Ikea before and I had been wanting to go for quite some time. We turned onto 16th street and as we rounded the corner, the big blue and yellow building loomed ahead of us. I think it was at this point I let out a squeal. This was more exciting than our trip to Whole Foods the weekend before.

So, we park (didn't see the parking decks until after we had parked, and man it was cold out!) Make our way to the entrance, walk in, then stand there not knowing where to start. So we go left. Wait, these are the checkout registers. Are we supposed to go up the escalator first? We grab a map - yes, a map. This place is so huge and spread out, they provide a map for you, as well as a shopping list and a pencil. I LOVE THIS STORE! So, we ascend the escalator and are deposited near the restaurant and we start to make our way toward the beginning. At this point I suffered from sensory overload, and my ADD really kicked in. I was going back and forth across the isle, couldn't focus on any one thing. Then I saw the chair I have been wanting for forever and a day. The Poang Chair. I take a seat, and just kinda zone while I try to get my bearings. Seriously. I was feeling very overwhelmed by the store already, and we were still in the first section...

Once my adrenaline wore off a little, I was better able to understand their map. And I must say, the way the store is set up is brilliant. It is a one way - you are sent through "showrooms" and as you see things you like, you write on your shopping list the aisle and bin where you can pick it up in the "Market place". Smaller things you can pick up as you see them. We went to Ikea with the sole purpose of buying a gift card and looking around. Thats it. Instead, we walked out with the gift card, curtains, Poang chair, footstool, and cushions, and a bookcase. The chair and ottoman is actually my Christmas present, so under the tree it went when we got home. I can't wait to get the bookcase together so we can start putting our thousands on books on it. Its a good thing I don't live or work close to there. I would have no money.

But before anything can be put together, we have to get the floor in. Good thing that is being done this coming Saturday. Thats right, this Saturday, as in Dec. 19! They came and gave us an estimate yesterday and they weren't available for installation the days we wanted (Dec. 28), and the earliest they could do it was this Saturday, so we figured, why not!? The sooner its done, the sooner we can start to de-clutter the upstairs. Woo hoo! So, this Saturday, we will have a floor! I will definitely have to post pictures of that.