Planning An Ikea Trip

{road trip! The nearest Ikea to Albany, NY is Paramus NJ}

I'm planning a trip to Ikea - an all day event as you can see how far from Albany, New York the nearest store is! All by myself, no kids, no husband. Just me and a lunch date with Adal, Bjursta and Billy. (Husband went to an Ikea in Pennsylvania once, on a crowded weekend, and vowed never to return again to that "crazy spiral" store.)

{Ikea Kura bed - the panels reverse from white to blue}

I want to pick up a few things for the kids rooms - A desk for Rosie, bookshelves for Evie and this Ikea Kura bed for Son H. This photo above from the Ikea catalog just drew me right in. The bed's not as high as a bunk bed, and has such a cool area to play underneath. Dreamy for a six year old! Should I spring for that tent top, too?

I might see if I can hack it to make the left right and the right left. After looking at other photos online I realize that there are three white solid panels facing the wall that will block a lot of light coming from Son H's bedroom window.  Not a very exciting hack, but a practical one!

{handy}

I told my husband that maybe I should call the store to make sure the bed is in stock before I drive down. I heard this bed can sell out. Then I found the handy "product availability" feature on the Ikea site. Pretty cool, huh?

What's your absolute favorite Ikea purchase? Or do you, like my husband, avoid the store at all costs?

Loretta

p.s. Enter to win my brother-in-law Ryan's invention - Wow Bow Acquabol Portable Pet Water Bowls! Three winners drawn on July 4!