Ikea Shopping.

Ikea was created in 1943 by 17 year old Ingvar Kamprad. It is the world's largest furniture retailer with 373 stores in 47 countries. We are fortunate to have a great Ikea location in the big city next to us, and with the new freeway, it takes us about 10 minutes to get there from our country home. A favorite place to shop as a family. A trip always ends with a $1 ice cream cone. Reward for our travels into town.

We first discovered Ikea the year we were married, in 1984. My grandmother wanted to buy us a solid wood table and chairs for the kitchen in our new house. Someone suggested Ikea and our "love affair" with the multinational company began. We ended up with an amazing pine table with 4 solid chairs and had that set for the first 20 years we were married. It was a great investment and looked good in all the kitchens we had as we moved around. As we are collectors of antiques and vintage furniture, we personally don't have a lot of Ikea furniture (though our children are all huge fans and most of their living spaces are Ikea based), but we  have a lot of the storage lines, kitchen knick knacks, dishes, picture frames, candle holders and linens. 

It's fun every summer to receive the Ikea catalogue in our mail box and to spend time searching for ways to keep life organized or add a splash of "new" to a room. On a recent trip into the big city, I found these sweet little bags that can be used for gifts, goodies or as they had them displayed, with the tops rolled down and a plant set inside. Very sweet! I may go back and buy a pack. They come in white as well. 

Here's another new item: ribbon on a roll. I didn't buy these but again, may go back. I love the green combination and the pinks as well.And you can never argue the price!

Do you have an Ikea in your community or close by?

What's your favorite Ikea item to purchase?