That's too bad it's so far for you! But really, I hate going to ikea. I only go once every year or two. I think I get overwhelmed with all the decisions and the numbers of items. Plus they require assembly (not my strong suit!).

I've only been three times. Once to the one in Sacramento, and twice to one near San Jose. I'm not sure just what the name of the city it was actually in. So many on top of each other out there I can't keep track. I couldn't shop there on a regular basis either, but they do have some neat stuff. I wish their shipping wasn't so ridiculous and that they sold everything online.

That is cute!

I'm about 20 minutes, so I can swing by for a short visit on a quiet weekday. I always get some of their apple tart and pickled herring.

That would be nice nosoccermom. I could handle one that close.

I'd have to drive over an hr - close to 1.5 hrs. Too far for me.

could you weight the bottom of it so it would be safe for the birds? It looks like it'd be fun for them.

It actually is very stable, but the rods are loose. I think I could superglue them in. So far, they are scared of it, but if they start perching on it, than maybe I'll by another one for them. You sure cant beat the price!

The closest one to me is 6+ hours, but I've discovered they will ship some items. Considering the distance, shipping is cheaper than driving. I've been to the one in Minneapolis, Schaumberg IL, and Atlanta. I was overwhelmed each time. A plus for ordering online, I can go straight to what I want, order it, and move on.

I'll be visiting our daughter next month and we decided on spending part of one of the days at IKEA in Sacramento. I'm so excited! Of course more about seeing our daughter and granddaughter than IKEA.

I get in there and get some kind of anxiety that I can't/won't find my way out. Oh, and also anxiety that I'm buying a bunch of stuff that I don't need because it's so affordable. It's not a good place for my nerves. But I love the color of your coat rack.

That's great igotabeme. If you see any good finds, be sure to post them!

Olychick-totally agree! I get seem to get very cheap and very selective when I am at ikea. I also fear the dreaded assembly!

Ha ha Oly! All you have to do is follow the arrows. Which is great when shopping with a hubby because they go way faster than the women do. I just told mine to follow the arrows so I could catch up to him when I stopped to look at things.

I'm really excited Rocky. Especially since our daughter just bought her/their first home and I'm sure we'll find some goodies for me to buy for them while I'm there. I might even get her their little sewing machine. I have my Mom's that I want her to have, but it weighs a ton and not wanting to pay to ship it or put it in my luggage.

I kind of remember there being arrows, but what I think I remember is the arrows take you on a wild goose chase through the whole store so you see/buy more stuff! I remember trying to figure out how to get back to the entrance I came in going diagonally and it was a disaster. I felt fear/panic rising in my chest, maybe because I wasn't following the arrows. Sorry for the hijack Rocky :)

Oly, I think you can pick up a map at the beginning of the store. It's been awhile, so I may be wrong, but I think so. You don't have to go upstairs to shop either. You can just shop the main level which is part warehouse style.

LOL Olychick - no hijack at all! I whiz through ikea now because I have the same feeling. I feel like I just need to get out. Maybe there is something claustophobic about it.

justgotabme- I like to browse the catalog before I head over there. It's so easy to miss items you might like to purchase.

BTW - ikea is great on their returns! I returned an entire kitchen once (in unopened boxes)! Another time I bought a plant. I carefully drove it home, trying not to spill the dirt, and watered it sporacdically. When my mother visited, I asked her what species it was and she said it was fake!

Ha ha ha! Must have been a very good fake plant.
Maybe I should order a catalog before we go so we can do that. I like that idea. I'll tell our daughter to order one too so she can do the same.

I profess to being a shameless IKEA junkie. I love mixing IKEA and old pieces. It's abut 10 min. from my house. I can't go to often otherwise I get into a bad way lol! I love that coat rack and it could be just the thing that I need in our bedroom! I've been saving $ for a small shopping trip to IKEA for blinds & a huge pic that I've had my eye on for some time. Free coffee before opening at IKEA!

Gosh, only ten minutes away? I'm sure I'd make at the very least a monthly visit to see if there were anything new to help organize things.