As I mentioned in my initial post, we truddled off to Chicago this weekend for a spur-of-the-moment shopping spree. We left Cadillac around 11a on Saturday and stopped at our house (2 hours later) so Toph could wash some of the fish smell off of them. Once he was done primping, about 1p, we headed for Chicago. Traffic was a bit heavy, but nothing horrible.

Our first stop was Woodfield Mall, and will be until someone puts a Crate and Barrel store in GR. After prolly 20 minutes of searching, we finally found the only empty parking spot. I have never seen a mall so busy. And I do mean so.

We went in at Nordstrom’s. I’ve never been in Nordstrom’s. I don’t even shop at Nordstrom’s Rack let alone the real thing. But that’s going to change. I beheld the glory that is the Nordstorm’s Shoe Department. It covers a quarter of the 1st floor and is pink and shiny and strappy as far as the eye can see. As Arny says, “I’ll be back.”

Crate and Barrel had some cute things and I think I’ll be ordering the orange sheets, lime candles, and yellow oven mits in the not too distant future. However, it was a bit of a let down after the shoes. ;)

From their, we wandered to the main attraction, Ikea. It was busy, but parking was easier than the mall, which I just couldn’t believe. After much deliberation (I’m always overwhelmed upon seeing the glorious offerings Ikea has), we decided upon a Hellum rug in green, Klippan sofa cover in bright blue, 5 toss pillows (1 yellow, 2 pink, and one green), 2 Lydia cushion covers and 2 cushions, a laundry hamper, and a cute little red glass paperweight for my mom.

For all the stress of having to decide and the glories of a twenty minute wait in the check out line, it was a fun trip that ended back in GR about 12:30 am Sunday. Toph was a real sweetie what with all the driving and toting of heavy things. But then, that’s why I keep him.