Travel

This morning, Dave and I WERE SUPPOSED to drive to our closest IKEA store {2.5 hours away} to do some serious shopping!

We actually even rented a small U-HAUL trailer because we were planning to purchase a couch, some mattresses, a couple of chairs, and a bunch of other things for our {almost} newly renovated main floor bedrooms, bathroom, office, and living room.

However, the truck we were planning to use did not have the correct electrical hook ups for the trailer so we found out late last night that we could no longer go today.

Yup, I was just a little bummed…

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However, I already had this post written — because I really DID do a bunch of planning for this shopping trip. And since it’s good advice for anyone planning to do some serious shopping, I’m still going to post it — and then hopefully we’ll go to IKEA next weekend!

Believe-it-or not, I actually don’t love shopping. I only shop when I have something to buy — not just for the fun of browsing. I always shop with a list {big shocker there} and I try to get in and out as quickly as possible.

However, for huge shopping trips like our IKEA trip — involving U-HAULS, pick-up trucks, several hours in the car, and lots of specific things to buy — I am willing to take my time, make a game plan, and really enjoy the whole experience.

Here are some of my tips for large shopping trips:

1. Set a Date.

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We’ve had this date on our calendar for several weeks now as we figured we would be nearly finished with the bulk of our house projects {which we are}. We also wanted to get the shopping trip in before August as I’m hosting a wedding shower for my cousin and we’ll need a couch in our living room!

By setting a specific date, it gave us a chance to clear our calendars for that day and plan ahead in order to rent a U-Haul etc. {NOTE: we really did check out the electrical hook up on our truck before hand, and thought they would work!}

2. Make Your List

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I don’t even go to Meijer or Target without a list — so you better believe I have a list for all my big shopping trips too.

IKEA actually has a pretty cool program {as do many other stores} where you can add items to your “on-line” shopping list and then email the list to yourself or print it off. This tool has been so helpful for me because it not only give me the picture and the price for every item on my list, it also tells me where each item is located within the store.

Talk about a time-saver!

3. Have Pictures and Measurements

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We are planning to purchase several pieces of furniture at IKEA so I made sure to write down all the measurements of our rooms, along with any specific spaces we are trying to fill. That way, I’ll know if a piece of furniture will fit or not.

I also take photos of each space and bring my camera long, just in case I want to see the room again before making a purchase.

4. Dress Appropriately

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If I’m going to be sitting in a car and walking around all day, I want to be comfortable! So I always wear comfortable clothing with pockets and very comfortable walking shoes {no flip flops today}.

I also try to bring a smaller purse/bag that will fit across my shoulders so I won’t be constantly readjusting my purse or worry about setting it down and leaving it.

5. Bring Snacks

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I’ve always been a “grazer” and have learned to carry snacks, water, and gum with me wherever I go — but for big {long} shopping trips, it’s even more important… especially if you’re shopping with kids.

There is nothing worse than whining kids or a growling stomach to spoil the mood of your shopping trip!

By taking a few moments to plan through a large shopping trip, you should be much more successful and hopefully won’t need to return anything later.

I’ll share more about our shopping trip {and our purchases} once we actually make it to IKEA — but for now I’d like to know…

What are your best tips for planning large shopping trips?

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This photo is the path to one of the main pools. Doesn’t that tree look so cool?

Dave and I spent the past week in Florida for a very last-minute vacation. Although it was a little crazy trying to work out all the details in less than 36 hours, the vacation itself was SO relaxing!

We didn’t have an agenda or any specific plans — other than sitting at the pool and soaking up as much warm weather and sun as possible! And while the entire trip wasn’t all fun and games {we did have to spend 20 hours in the car each way with 5 adults, 2 babies, and all our luggage!} I’ve decided that I should definitely try this whole “relaxing thing” more often!

Here are some of the things I  did to relax:

1. I slept — a lot!

No, I didn’t sleep our entire vacation away, but I did sleep in every day, took a bunch of naps by the pool, and actually went to bed when I was tired {imagine that!}

2. I limited computer time to 1 hour per day.

The resort had free WiFi everywhere so it would have been really easy to be obsessed with checking my email, facebook, twitter, and website — but I didn’t. I just spent enough time checking my email so I wouldn’t  be totally overwhelmed when I got home.

And even though there were definitely times when I wanted to be on the computer, it was SO freeing just to keep it turned off.

3. I didn’t wear a watch.

As I mentioned before, we really had no specific plan other than to relax, so why get a nasty watch tan line!

The gorgeous view out the back of our condo.

4. I watched a bunch of HGTV.

Since we only have very basic cable at home, I took full advantage of the resort’s premium cable package and watched a bunch of home improvement and decorating shows on the HGTV channel. {Don’t worry, I didn’t waste daylight hours on TV}

5. I ate ice-cream for lunch.

Hey, it’s vacation right?

6. I played lots of cards.

Dave loves to play cards, and since we had my aunt, uncle, and cousin there with us, we were able to play all sorts of card games. I even played Solitaire with a real deck of cards by the pool.

7. I didn’t use coupons…OR a list.

We had a full kitchen so we ate breakfast, lunch, and most snacks in our condo. This saved us a bunch of time and money…but also required a quick trip to the grocery store. And even though I just LOVE using coupons, I resisted the urge and shopped without coupons or a list!

Love all those palm trees!

8. I played mini golf.

Normally, I’m not a big fan of mini golf {because I usually lose!} but this week was different. I actually enjoyed playing the different mini golf courses at our resort… probably because we didn’t keep score

9. I floated down the lazy river.

There were many different pools at our resort and one of the pools had a huge lazy river that we could float down on tubes. It had a strong enough current that all you had to do was lay there — so relaxing!

10. I didn’t do my hair or make-up.

I really never did my hair or make-up the entire week! And even though I’m normally pretty low maintenance, it was still really nice not to care or worry what I looked like. I’m not saying it was pretty {notice there are no pictures of me!!} but it was just another way I relaxed over the week!

This is one of the main pools with a bunch of pool-side restaurants.

How about you?

Have you been on a relaxing vacation lately? Do you have any simple tips for ways to relax even when you’re NOT on vacation?

Linked to Top Ten Tuesdays

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Dave and I are headed to Orlando, Florida — right now!

And while we certainly didn’t bring that much luggage, we are traveling with my aunt, uncle, cousin, and my cousin’s two kids…so the van is pretty full

We are so excited for warm, sunny weather {a huge change from West Michigan} and even though the 20-hour car ride might do me in, I know it will be worth it once we get down there.

Normally I would take the time to plan ahead, pack, maybe go shopping for a few new outfits, clean my house, do the laundry, and get all my ducks in a row before we go on any sort of vacation, but this time it’s different….

We actually JUST decided to take this trip on Thursday evening! {yup, about 36 hours ago!}

It’s totally unlike me to do something so “last minute” but we got an amazing deal on a gorgeous condo…and we’re saving money on gas by all driving down together. Plus, our condo has a full kitchen so we can eat many of our meals right there.

Thankfully, Dave is a teacher so he has Spring Break off of school, and I was able to rearrange my appointments and will do the rest of my work from Florida {yay for flexible jobs!}

Need-less-to-say, I wasn’t nearly as prepared as I would like to be, but did I finish most of the laundry, I cleaned out the fridge, and even managed to pack everything we needed in one small duffel bag!

We’re on our way and I’m so thankful for this fun opportunity.

More details from our trip next weekend…

{Top Image Credit}

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