Yesterday was a great day. Having the day off I decided to spend some time alone shopping and running errands. Even though my blog doesn’t reflect it, I do like love shopping. It’s not the actual act of buying lots of stuff it’s more finding that fabulous piece at just the right price. (Okay. Who am I kidding? Maybe there is something to buying loads of goodies…..)
I have many reasons to squeal like an over-excited-schoolgirl being chased on the playground by her-favorite-snot-nose-crush today, but here are just a couple simple ones:
1. IKEA. Yes, IKEA in Sweden is the same old place as in the states only with funny looking signs, sing-song Swedish being spoken, and a grip of Swedes downing meatballs and sipping on lignon berry juice. And yes, regardless of what country you’re located in, I realize shopping and especially shopping at IKEA is a nightmare for most folks – including Fattie, so I was delighted to trot down there with me, myself, and I. With hours to browse, measure, and contemplate that perfectly cheap disposable item, I was happy and in my element.
Now I don’t live for IKEA and my house is NOT a home filled with IKEA “stuff” and neither are most Swedes homes I have visited, but it is certainly amusing to find that one item that does work and doesn’t set you back a truckload of dough.
I ended up with these gorgeous plates/bowls.
I know they’re not high-end expensive china from a designer store but I just love, love, love these bowls! I already own a complete set of 365+ dishes but had been on the hunt for awhile for this type of deep plate-bowl combo. These everyday white bowls, that I plan to serve just about everything in, are also from IKEA’s 365+ Dinnerware Series and designed by Susan Pryke. They run $5.99 in the states and 59:- Swedish kroner here, roughly $10.00 each (grrrrr, I loath paying more – but had to remind myself of the 25% sales tax here – not kidding). Even with the thought of shelling out a bit more coin, I was thrilled and loaded up my cart with twenty of these bad boys. Twenty? Yup, twenty. See Fattie has four brothers and sisters, so with spouses, children, and in-laws busting in for some chow it’s easily twelve hungry relatives at any given time and I assume that number is only going to get larger as more folks are added into the mix. I adore entertaining and a girl can’t have enough dishes…..So, I need want place settings for thirty but for now am settling on three different sets of twenty each. That should be good.
Just one of many cabinets loaded with white dishes....
I also snagged some white square appetizer plates from the same 365+ line. I had been eyeing similar porcelain plates at Crate and Barrel but had completely spaced picking them up before I left the states. Since I was getting the square side plates I knew I just must have the dinner plates, and these adorable little side/sauce cups as well. Uh-huh, twenty of each of those too. And before I knew it, I also threw in some new Cognac and dessert wine glasses. (shhh…don’t tell Fattie…..they are washed, dried, and put away so he hasn’t noticed yet)
Just some glassware...
Flying high from my kitchen fix, I stumbled on these bad boys in hammered silver.
I adore lamps. I had close to thirty-some-odd lamps at my home in the states – and for a single girl living on her own, I’ve been told that’s a lot.
So, yeah. I love lighting…..and yeah, not the over head variety. Uh, unless of course it’s a chandelier. As you can probably determine on your own, due to the electrical and voltage difference here in Europe, my fabulous lamps could not make the journey to Sweden. (insert sad face here). This past year I’ve been looking left and right for some affordable lighting. You thought gas was expensive, jeez, just try to purchase a few lamps…. (and no complaints from US folks please….gas is running close to $10.00 a gallon here!) These babies weren’t exactly the “right” price but they were less than most others I had run across and I actually liked the chunky design. The bonus? A built in dimmer switch. Yeah! $39.99 in the states and 450:- Swedish kroner here, roughly $75.00 for the lamp base plus another 22 bones for the shade. So, at about 100 bucks a pop I somehow managed to squeeze two in hammered silver and two in dark brown into my already over stuffed cart. Lovely.
2. Fattie. He’s such a love. And generously agreed to some IKEA assembly. I know putting together anything from IKEA is Fattie’s nemesis and probably everyone’s worst horror, so the fact that after a hard day at a work he cracked a beer, rolled up his sleeves, and jumped in with a big smile on his face just makes me love him even more. He deserves a big squeeze.
3. Mail. More precisely any mail that is not a bill or an advertisement. Upon arriving home to unpack my treasures I was greeted by a big brown package on the porch. And a package from the states! Did I already mention how much I like getting mail…..! My brother and his wife spent a few weeks in Europe last month for our wedding and a European sight-seeing-adventure. We had a glorious time together and seriously can’t wait for them to get their booties over here so we can do it again next year. As a thank you Joe, Janet, Jameson, and Jenna (yes, that’s a lot of J’s) sent me us the most wonderful package ever! Filled with treats from home. I’m sure the neighbors heard me squealing like a little piglet! I had a grin on my face all night. The highlights are:
- Ziploc baggies IN GALLON SIZE! Seriously I know it’s not environmentally friendly but I miss Ziploc bags. I might even turn into one of those little ladies who wash them out and reuse them. I mean is that really so bad? Don’t tempt me….
- Kitchen Calculator Pro! Oh, I am in love. I had mentioned back in April I wanted one of these useful gadgets to help with my cooking adventures and am over the top thrilled to have it in my hot hands.
- iPod accessories. My sweet twelve year old niece noticed me eyeing her cool iPod cover so she decided I needed one too. How thoughtful. And the cutest pug card to go along with it. Thank you Jenna!
- Baking soda! OMG. You just don’t know how much you miss something as simple as Arm & Hammer baking soda until you get over here and try to whip up some of your favorite cookies….This is brilliant!
This package not only made me giggle and smile it truly warmed my heart. Thank you so much! It’s the little things from home that bring comfort when you are far away. And their thoughtfulness made me happy.
I am feeling full of gratitude. Thankful I could afford the gas to drive to IKEA to load up on kitchen goodies, thankful for Fattie who never complains and loves me perfectly, and so grateful for my wonderful family.
See, I really am a simple happy girl.
Interesting post! I decided to check out your blog when I saw a comment you left on my friend Janet’s site (Love is Blonde). I spent a semester in Amsterdam when I was in college, so anything having to do with Amsterdam immediately catches my eye.
I also happen to like reading expat blogs because I dream of one day taking such a plunge myself! I’ll be adding yours to my feed-reader. If you don’t mind me asking, how did you end up with that job in Holland before you moved to Sweden? What were you doing?
Hey Z!
Thanks for the visit. We love AMS too. =) It holds a special place in my heart since I met my honey there. Plus it’s just a cool mellow little city with a great vibe. I had been traveling back and forth to Europe for work since about 2000 but even though we worked for the same American company my honey and I didn’t have a chance to really met face to face until 2005. I was working as a project manager (implementing computer software internally as well as managing sales & marketing projects – so some geeky and stressful days, but fun times too!) and Fattie held positions in sales and business development out of our European HQ office. It was fate we met when we did.
I would certainly encourage you to follow your dreams. It’s the best experience I have ever had (even without meeting the love of my life!). I learned so much about the world – and myself, made amazing friends from all over the globe, and saw some gorgeous places along the way.
I never really thought I would be living in Sweden but my work & life adventures over the years prepared me for the transition.
It’s a whole new challenge now that we’ve moved on from corporate life into a family business (owning/managing a golf & country club) but we’re loving it even more!
I’ll pop by your blog too. Always fun to make new friends. =)
Cheers, Dish
Service for 20!?! So when are you adding Bed & Breakfast to that repertoire? We’ll be some of your first visitors!
I am you could say, a student of the expat. I have been looking for such a blog where I can hang out so hopefully I will come back again and then some.
I *was* an expat, between 1970-1985. I am age 52, male. I came back to the USA, and now I am basically regretting it. Not for materialistic sort of reaons, but from a societal perspective, I feel extremely alienated from the US. It could be that where I live is the problem but I suspect any metropolis area is about the same.
I cannot discern your feeling of the USA, did you only move for a short while or because you got married? I am also not accomlished as a blogger so bear with.
Well, Amsterdam is where I am aiming to move to, and I will be there in 2 weeks, so I am very excited.
Each time I go there, about twice a year, I look into the business aspect of being able to profit in some way. I understand that to get a job, is impossible, even in a restaraunt, which I can’t really do 6 days a week.
So I was interested in the things you miss, it seems that I can’t get a handle on what American products the Dutch like, not the freshly made stuff they do like, such as many ribs joints, etc. but the packaged foods, I never see this there. Yet I understand there is such a store that carries exclusively American items. perhaps I can find out this for you or even take a picture, could be good.
I am planning to take some video of a remote or not so well known walk in Amsterdam that I hope will be a success.
When I was away I missed these foods also.
I even once snuck into the American Embassy which maintained a small supermarket completely from the USA. I brought back to cases of Dr. Pepper and Tab, was the drink then, a diet cola, on the city bus.
I had hung around at the parking lot exit where I knew this oasis was, and asked some younger Embassy kids if they could help me out. They were happy to oblige God bless them.