Last Friday was a crazy day. I got up at the crack of dawn, went to a Dr.’s appointment for my yearly exam and mammogram (oh, thrill!), hopped in the car and headed to Montgomery to meet up with my blog girls, Layla, Shaunna, and Ashley. We were Atlanta bound. Stopping by Ikea was our first destination, where we browsed and ate lunch.
Then, we headed over to Border’s bookstore in Buckhead for The Pioneer Woman’s book signing.
She has a new book, did you hear?
Black Heels to Tractor Wheels: A Love Story has officially been published and Ree is sweeping the country signing copies. We wanted to be there! And so we were, along with a bunch of other Pioneer Woman-lovin’ folks. 
After arriving at Ikea, we headed up the escalator and got started browsing. And if you’ve been here before, you know that it can take days to see everything in this mega-store. We barely scratched the surface that day.
Layla and I with dualing cameras kept it fun. 
Ikea has it all, from live plants. 
To colorful and unique bedding. But first our stomach’s were growling and we had to get something to eat. Ikea has a restaurant, did you know that too?
After hearing about the Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes and gravy, I had to try them this time and they really were delish. At $3.99, a bargain too! 
After filling our tummies, we walked around a bit and those girls picked up a few things. Me, I don’t need nuttin’, so I just concentrated on taking some pics of things that caught my eye. Like these pretty blue and white things. Dishes and linens.
Pretty pillow in blue and white too.
And these mugs had such a nice feel, they came in blue and lime green. CUTE and cheap too, I remember.
Shaunna and Layla discussing the benefits of fake plants. That one does look pretty real. 
I loved this green and white checked rug. What a fun pop of color this would add to a space. You cannot beat Ikea’s prices.
Those girls are enjoying themselves! 
More fun colors in these round polka-dot pillows and throws. 
These ruffly throws were too cute!
Me and Layla checking out some tiny teacups. 
Some fun and modern hanging lampshades.
More plants, real and fake, with lots of planters too.
Some colorful hanging paper lanterns caught my eye.
Along with these stylish glass lamps. 
These pretty enameled metal pitchers were really reasonable. I think that large one was $19.99. Those would be so Springy with some tulips inside.
Layla couldn’t get over the great price on this huge umbrella.
Their furniture is so reasonable too. This is the versatile Hemnes chest.
Our time went so fast and we had to get on over to Border’s for the book signing. Check out this escalator for shopping carts, first time I’ve experienced that. Those 3 all took something home.
Shaunna made me drive her big SUV through the streets of Atlanta, since she was a little nervous. I told her I learned to drive here, so it wouldn’t be a problem. I think they were a little scared of my driving. 🙂
We scurried over to West Paces Ferry, past beautiful homes like this one and the Governor’s mansion and found Border’s in Buckhead. 
Where we got wristbands and waited awhile like this before we got in line to wait some more. Book signings are not for the weak of heart. You really have to want to be there. And we did.
We all got a little punchy after waiting about 3 hours in line, snaking in and out of the bookshelves, commenting on all the book titles that were funny.
But, it was totally worth it to get to see Ree again and chat with her for a few minutes. She was just as gracious as I remember her being. Did I mention I went to the ranch last year and slept in the Lodge?
Yes, I did! You can be a little jealous, it was totally awesome and a highlight of my bloggy career. 🙂
I just love Ree, she is so down to earth and genuine and we all had fun getting to see her. I can’t wait to read the book all the way through!
We all were a little bummed that this is as close as we got to Marlboro Man. He was there with their 2 boys posing for pics and signing autographs too and we let time get away from us and he had already left the building by the time we decided to go over and meet him.
Darn it!
Those Wranglers and cowboy hat from afar were all we got to see. 🙂
New blog friend, Christine, with Great Oak Circle, was also there and we got to chat a bit. She actually lives very close to me here in Birmingham and came to my Saturday sale last weekend. She is giving away a signed copy of PW’s new book, so hop on over for a chance to win.
I missed you guys by a day! Was down at Ikea and Atlantic Station Thursday!! Looks like you guys had a great time. And yes, those Swedish meatballs are super yummy.
Rhoda,
That looked like such a fun day!! Wish I could have been there. 🙂 You girls are so much fun.
xoxo
Traci
I’ve put together more IKEA furniture than I care to admit (including that Hemnes chest–Jenna got it when she moved into her apartment). Very handly location right by Georgia Tech where the girls went to college, but easy to just throw one more thing in the cart because it’s so cheap! Looks like you had a great time!
ikea is just about my favorite place in the world…they also have excellent cinnamon rolls…which sadly, i’ve tried a fair few times.
what fun y’all had browsing and then chatting with rea…great photos too…thanks for sharing!
blessings,
alison
stuff and nonsense
Hi Rhoda!
It looks like you girls had a wonderful day out. I met Ree at her book sigining in Columbus a few weeks back and she was just so sweet. It was well worth the wait. I bought both her books. I’ve made a couple of her recipes and they were wonderful. I have to go out of town on business this week and may take the new book with me.
Have a great week! La
Rhoda~It sounds like you had a fabulous time with great friends and a fantastic author. Ree seems so sweet. I think the name of her book is From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels isn’t it?
O.k. so that looks like a totally great day!!! Minus the three hours in line, maybe. I am thrilled to hear that Marlboro Man and the kiddos traveled along. I have wondered how it would be to suddenly have need to travel the country…..much better if family comes too!
You took such wonderful photos!
Thanks for sharing!!
Hey Rhoda, I’m so jealous on so many levels, I don’t know where to start! What fun it looks like you guys had…and how great to be able to get together with other bloggers… Meeting Ree, how fun, she seems so geniune! And, wowee, what a great shot of the Marlboro Man! 😉 xoxo Beth
I love me some Ikea! The small NM town I live in doesn’t have one so I always visit the one in the Round Rock, TX area when I visit my daughter and her family.
I bought some of the little plastic dishes that are really a child’s set to play with and they are my go-to set for snacks and such. I giggle sometimes that I am eating my sliced apples off a playset plate!
Hey Rhoda: Me too!!!I am so jealous on so many levels!!!I LOVE reading about your adventures….please…please..keep writing…I think I am living my life through your eyes..I am truly a Southern Girl at heart living in the North…Thanks for the adventure Lisa
Awe Man! I was there too! Now I am so upset that I didn’t see you all 🙂 But isn’t Ree great? I just wanted to follow her home and be her best friend 🙂
had so much fun with you! you are one awesome atlanta navigator! 😉
It sounds like ya’ll had an awesome fun time! Loved the little tour thru IKEA. I can hardly wait to be in the big city where there is an IKEA. I’m totally jealous that you got to meet Ree. She hasn’t come anywhere close to our little world. I do have the book, though.
CAS
Looks like you girls had an awesome time! You always seem to be up to something fun 🙂
Looks like you had a wonderful day! And what fantastic pictures too!
Rhoda,
I love Ikea.. LOL I do… It can be a “controversial” thing, but you can find so many fun things there! It seems you guys had a wonderful time! 🙂
Have a blessed week, Rhoda and drop by if you have a minute, ok? I’ve posted about a gorgeous chateau in France. I think you’d love that.
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
I just read your post today. My daughter (Katie) and I went to the IKEA here yesterday – she loves those round polka dot pillows, too.
I told Katie that we would redecorate her room this spring, so we’ll probably be dropping some money at IKEA soon. We were looking for a bed with storage drawers and found a new one – Mandal. Like the bed, but LOVE the wall-mounted headboard! It’s wood slats and comes with 6 adjustable shelves. In the showroom, they also showed it with two reading lamps hooked into the slats.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70176312
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70176312
They actually used two of them in the store display, one above the other, which gave it much more impact. And we can definitely use the horizontal storage/display area in Katie’s room. Another great plus is that the headboards could be used just about anywhere in a house; mounted in a kitchen for hanging utensils, etc.; on a patio with a bunch of hanging plants (I’m thinking orchids here in Florida!). And how great would that be for a renter? They could have an ever-changing gallery without making multiple holes in the wall.
Hello Rhoda,
I just went to my first Ikea two weeks ago and also ate the Swedish meatballs…they were fabulous! You gals looked like you all had such a fun time. Isn’t ‘girl time’ refreshing?
Loved seeing that you and Layla are friends…her kitchen was my inspiration for my restyle. I fell in love with her corbel’s and beadboard.
Loved the photo of you and Ree and the backside of the Marlboro Man
😉
Have a lovely week
your friend,
Janet xox
I am so glad you got to get out and have fun!!! It looks like a fabulous day, and you look beautiful! And yes, I am just a little jealous:)
What a fun day y’all had, Rhoda! I saw Ree’s book @ Barnes & Noble. It is definitely on my “to be read” list 😀