IKEA!!

IKEA is finally open in Charlotte, and half the city made a pilgrimage this morning! It was like the day after Thanksgiving! Cops were directing traffic off I-85 to City Blvd. and onto Ikea Blvd. There were parking attendants directing traffic. It was nuts, but it only took about 15 minutes to get from I-85 to a parking place.

Once inside, wow! There are lots of neat goodies there and for cheap! I was a bit disappointed in the seating, though. Lots of the couches were covered in slipcovers, which made them look messy. The other upholstered seating just didn't look well-made. The fabric could have been tighter and the leather looks fake (I think it is).

I bought a majestic palm (real - $13), 8-pack of wood hangers ($4), 6-pack of glasses ($4, but one is broken so I have to take them back), fun-colored straws ($2 for 200), wooden plant roller stand ($5), stainless steel mixing bowl (dishwasher safe! - $7), energy-efficient incandescent-replacement bulbs (2 for $6.59), and a juniper blue bathmat ($10). You get 3% of your purchase toward your next visit (like Off Broadway, but a bit lame-o percentage). There were oodles of other things I liked, especially the wood cube and basket storage things (I don't know what they're really called). In my next house, I'll have them.

I definitely another trip to IKEA in our future, especially if all goes well and we have to sell our house.