You guys, I guess I've been living under a rock my entire life because I just recently went to Ikea for the first time ever. I'm thankful for my wonderful tour guides/friends for introducing me to the best place ever.
So many thoughts, feelings and emotions. I'd thought I'd share five thoughts that went through my head as I experienced the greatness that is Ikea for the first time.
1. Let's just get this one out of the way: THE FOOD COURT.
So the first place my friends took me before shopping was a magical area called the food court. They've got a cafeteria in there where you grab yourself a tray and the wonderful men and women working serve you everything from Swedish meatballs, chicken fingers, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies and a variety delicious deserts. That's not the best part though. The food, which is actually really tasty, is so cheap! I ordered four Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, a slice of garlic bread and a drink for a whopping $3. It truly is a magical place.
2. How is everything so cheap?
Now I realize that Ikea is known for selling furniture and such for low prices, but since I'd never been before, I never knew just how inexpensive. Basically, as I was walking through the store, I was dying to just redecorate and refurnish everything in my house. This is actually really dangerous if you're walking in there and not expecting it because I'm weak with spending money on things I don't need as it is. I don't know about the quality of everything, but those Swedes are doing something right.
3. They sell everything, I mean everything.
Cute bandaids, cute umbrellas, cute curtains, cute pillows, even cute succulents. There's a reason why the Ikea building is massive. You can find everything you would ever want or need in that place. Even though it can be a tad overwhelming, it warms my heart. There's something for every kind of taste, traditional, modern, retro, vintage, the list goes on and on. Just when you think you've seen it all, you come across a perfect, tiny little print and frame of an adorable cucumber or alien baby.
4. The smells.
Walking through Ikea did a number on my nose, in the best way possible. Everywhere you walk is a different kind of smell, and it's always so pleasant. Near the check-out aisles there is yet another food stand that sells all sorts of goodies (one of them being huge, hot cinnamon rolls)! So as you're browsing and shopping, you get whiffs of sweet cinnamon and the lovely fragrance of brand new things. As if it couldn't get any better, the warehouse in which all the furniture is stored and waiting for to be taken to their new homes, smells like heaven. AKA: a mixture of wood and concrete. It resembles the smell of a Home Depot or Lowe's. There's something so gratifying and inspiring about that aroma.
5. The 75 cent hotdogs.
I know I've already mentioned the food but just when I thought Ikea was the best place on earth, it outdid itself one more time. As I mentioned in #4, Right by the checkout aisles is another food stand that sells the kind of food you'd find at a concession stand but better. They've got huge slices of pizza, ice cream cones, cinnamon roles, candy and 75 cent hotdogs! They look so appetizing. If you're broke and hungry, Ikea is the place to go.
So there you have it. My wonderful, eye-opening, thrilling and appetizing first time at Ikea. I was sad to leave and excited to go again. I would honestly go there just to hang out with friends and eat, it's that pleasant. The employees are super nice, the store is clean and the food is delicious. The only thing they need now, is an open bar with a handsome Swedish bartender.
