GOD JUL @ IKEA

Was supposed to meet up with Juliana today at Chili's for lunch - but due to a few unforeseen stuff she had to deal with at work, we had to cancel till next Monday.... Too bad as my taste buds were already salivating from some Chili Goodies.... Oh well, just a few days more... hehehehehehe....

But since there was a break from the rain today -- not even a drop of drizzle this Friday afternoon -- I decided to take advantage of it and went for a looong walk... here and there... nowhere really in mind... just wanted to get out and enjoy being out for a change instead of being stuck in the cold indoors - like the past few days..... I was also in search of, if any, Halloween windows.... as it is the Halloween Weekend, after all....

Anyway, found myself at IKEA.... always a FUN & FAVE PLACE to visit... anyhow, I wanted to pick up a STUFFED TOY for baby Jewel - and I know they always have a nice selection of really cute and colorful ones on display and available for purchase.... and I did find out.... this really cute Pale Green Frog wearing a top with Angel wings.... HOW CUTE IS THAT!!!And of course, since am already there - i decided to look around and snap a few photos.... they always have fun and colorful displays... and always something new to offer to the mass shoppers.... the added bonus was that their XMas display & merchandise are already up... scattered throughout the shop and of course, a large section devoted to the "God Jul" line before one exits to pay... Great marketing strategy - No one will be able to resist their INEXPENSIVE Xmas Offerings.... for sure!!!! Myself Included... I was sooooo close to breaking down and buying a few things for my XMas Decor this year, especially after seeing the cute little Gnome ornaments and the Straw Reindeers in various sizes and in Natural or Red colors.... just too cute.... but I held off buying for now -- guess my mind was still more focused on Halloween....

COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE

what a way to end my week!!!

my otherwise, ordinary, hum drum, rainy SUNDAY turned out to be a GREAT DAY when at IKEA, I happen upon Anthony Neely, newest IDOL am gushing over... of course, I had to say HELLO and take a photo - how could I not....

He was nice and very friendly.... and even asked his friend to take our photo... TOO COOL!!! Chatted a bit and found out that he should be coming out with a CD soon...

Read More About Him & Hear Him Sing Here

IKEA - More Than Just A Furniture Place: Part II

Over the years I have gone and visited IKEA shops, whenever there is one, in my travels... I always find it exciting to see the latest offerings from this SCANDINAVIANS furniture shop... it is always AMAZING to see how simple they make everything for people to DIY to make their home even much more cooler, stylish and functional...
Here in Taiwan, there's a couple of IKEA shops that I go to now and again... Taipei & Kaohsiung... every visit something new... something exciting... not only in the furniture offering department but the highlited room designs on display... ideas on how to make your place - no matter how tiny - cool & cozy.... It never ceases to AMAZE me how many shops & boutiques I have been in and recognize IKEA goods... even our Taipei home is filled with IKEA stuff...


But nowadays, IKEA, offers soooo much more to the family -- that is has actually become a regular hangout for family and friends.... both IKEA shops in Taiwan has now expanded their restaurants -- their menus run a gamut of choices - local and internationally flavored... and at such AFFORDABLE prices.... the menus changes almost every two weeks as well , so people can keep coming back again and again...For me, the BEST part is that they also offer FREE WIFI connection.... so, whenever am in KAOHSIUNG - IKEA Breakfast trip is a total must for The Wus and myself... we go quite early armed with our own individual laptops - not only do I get CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST with limited supply of COFFEE, TEA or SODAS - I get to check in on my emails, do a bit of computer work, and even BLOG for a good couple of hours.... Ali for a special price of NT$39 (roughly $1.10US or 60 Php)... how can you beat that??? even going to regular Internet Cafe anywhere in TAIWAN would have costed me the same for just an hour... with no meal of beverage to boot....

So, next time your traveling and come across an IKEA shop - be sure to go in and check it out... you just might be surprised with all the AMENITIES they offer their guests...

NOTE: though there is no time limit as to how long you can stay, they do not provide sockets for your computers... so always make sure your battery is full for MAXIMUM WIFI CONNECTION!

IKEA: more than a furniture shop....

Sunday Brunch @ IKEA.... what more could you ask... great food.... lots of people to see... and beautiful things to peruse through afterwards.....
Blows me away as in the US - I know IKEA as a place to spend hours and hours perusing affordable and somewhat stylish furnitures plus other household goods.... here - IKEA is a whole lot more... it is a Family Outing.... a SHOPPING EXPERIENCE..... and if nothing else, a nice place for a SUNDAY BRUNCH -- if you want to be seen, as well as, see people -- and the people are just as colorful as the goods you can find at IKEA - That's For Sure!!!