The IKEA phenomenon & IKEA WOD

Photo source: House And Garden.

Going to IKEA is like coming home. I feel so comfortable there. I connect instantly. My Swedish roots makes me want to jump of joy. My heart skips a beat of pure happiness. I'm simply at home. I want to snuggle up in the beds and sofas (and sometimes I do and call a friend... totally bonkers, I know, but I just can't resist the urge of pretending I'm at home alone...). I want to indulge in dinner at the dinner set ups and craft away in their well organized craft rooms...

When living abroad, it is a blessing to live close to an IKEA. I go here when I have Swedish cravings. I go here when I am home sick. I go here when I want to reconnect with my own Swedish self. I go there to meet a friend.

It is surprising how a traditional shrimp sandwich with egg and mayonnaise can make me so happy, even if it is crappy compared to many I enjoy during my Swedish summer visits. How a coffee with a piece of Princess cake will make me feel SOOOO Swedish and all giggly inside. How the fabric with Scandinavian prints with influences from our folksy tradition can make me long for Swedish folk music, dance and anything homemade. Suddenly I want a rustic lodge home with lots of blankets, throws and cuddly fur to cuddle up into in front of a fire place.

IKEA is only 10 minutes away from where I live, still I don't visit that very often (what is often anyway?). Because it is SOOO popular and ALWAYS packed with people. And I'm not a big fan of crowds. But when facing a part in my life where I need to do some home make overs to really nest in this country where I now have lived for 9 years (!!! it is about time to put up roof lights and pictures on the walls. Seriously. What am I waiting for?), IKEA was my obvious choice of inspiration and shopping.

People (read male homo sapiens...) might not understand the joy and fulfillment a woman can feel by a visit to IKEA. But it is not just about having coffees, home decoration dreaming and spending unexpected cash coming home with a large blue IKEA bag full of - "nothing"??? Or in my eyes this "nothing" is a collection of SOOOO many essential things needed for our home, such as:

• New napkins with seasonal print - because it is only 1.50 USD - I take 4 packs!!!
• Candles - because we always need candles
• Maybe a fairy light to put up somewhere - because it is just sooo cute!
• A couple of new cushion covers - because it is a quick make over fix and so cheap!
• A smart organizing insert for a drawer - just because...
• Pot coasters - because one day I will crochet covers for them and give them away as gifts...
• A new whisk - no comment as we already have four...
• Some batteries - I mean the kids kind of EAT batteries in this house!!!
• A welcome rug for the entrance - can be the start of a much longed for hall make over... maybe...
• A flower with accompanied pot - always needed, will always die too...
• Some frames - because one day I WILL make that picture wall I see in every interior magazine
• Some gift bags, wrapping paper and fun party decorations - oh yes!
• A trash bin - because it was there. I stumbled over it on my IKEA stroll and I just remembered that I need one!
• A storage box for something... Or maybe two... Three... I'll take four. It is an even number. :)
• Some clever portable hooks - I promise they will make a huge difference somewhere in the house.
• Oh, and some pick and mix, cinnamon buns and Kalles Caviar - of course!

I mean, what can we do? Of course we need all these things. And everything is so cheap! And pretty! Until we reach the cash register and it chews up 200 dollars from your credit card. Well, many small ponds can create a big ocean. I don't mind an IKEA ocean. :) I'll dive in at any time!!!

And just to let you know. Even though my intention was to "look" at dressers for this particular visit, I did scrabble down some measurements to bring with me back home. The day after I did go back and did the IKEA stroll one more time, with blinders on, and I worked hard to pile up 13 big boxes of dresser pieces on my mega big trolley from 3 different loading zones a la "DIY"... And I did NOT buy anything else at this time (well, part from the hangers, rug-anti slip-mat, the new kitchen chair covers and some magazine collectors...!!!). I loaded my car - ALONE - I unloaded the car when hitting home - ALONE - and carried every single HEAVY box up the stairs. And afterwards, while sipping on a cold IKEA Pear drink at the kitchen table, wiping the sweat off my forehead, I thought to myself:

This was a hell of a WOD (workout of the day in CrossFit terms...). I'll call it the IKEA WOD. I walked 5000 steps through IKEA and up and down my stairs at home, the day before I walked another 3500 steps when taking measurements (huuhm...), I did at least 13 deep squats with 15 kilo weights and I feel like wonder woman after all that exercise. That, my friends, is a great workout. Never underestimate the fitness in an IKEA visit or purchase. Now time to assemble all those pieces... That will burn some serious brain calories I'm sure. Wish me luck. :)

Note: All photos taken with my iPhone if nothing else stated.

Kärlek
Annette

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