10 Reasons to Plant a Tree

1.               Trees save energy and money. Just three trees strategically planted around your home can cut your air conditioning bill in half.

2.               Trees save tax dollars. Trees slow storm-water runoff in a city and reduce the need for storm sewers. Tree shade also helps cool municipal buildings, lowering electricity bills.

3.               Trees cool our cities. Urban "heat islands" are directly related to massive tree-cutting for development.

4.               Trees clean our water and air. From low level ozone in our cities to pesticide and fertilizer runoff from our farms, trees absorb harmful pollutants.

5.               Trees help community life. Tree planting and community based forestry can add significantly to a local community's sustainable economy while restoring the environment.

6.               Trees protect soil. By holding soil in place with their root systems, deflecting pounding rain with their canopies and by adding nutrients each fall with their leaves, trees are crucial to keeping and improving our soil.

7.               Trees provide habitat for species of many kinds --including endangered species. A key project of American Forests is "Trees for Tigers" in the Russian Far East that is restoring habitat for the endangered Siberian tiger.

8.               Trees can pay your "carbon debt". Planting just 30 Global ReLeaftrees will absorb the amount of carbon dioxide that is generated in the production of energy for the average American lifestyle each year.

9.               Trees provide clean water and natural flood control. Forests act as natural reservoirs, and they protect watersheds, providing clean water for cities, bays and rivers.

10.            Trees are a beautiful part of our lives. From striking individual trees that are of historic significance or are simply large and majestic, to a grove of trees in a city park, trees enrich our lives by simply being there. Trees are not just a key to the natural ecosystem --trees are an essential part of community life.

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Visit IKEA Twin Cities on Saturday, October 1st when we'll be giving out Balsam Fir seedlings for you to take home and plant!  Quantities are limited, so stop by early (for breakfast, maybe?) Also, for the month of October, you can elect to donate $1 to American Forests every time you check out. To read more about the partnership between American Forests and IKEA, click here!

There's a Soup for You!

As fall approaches and the weather cools, our thoughts turn to warm, comforting foods.  The IKEA Restaurant features a bevy of comfort foods... from meatballs and mashed potatoes, to ribs and cornbread, to macaroni and cheese.  We have expanded our soup selection, and have a soup to meet every taste and dietary need!

Here's a quick list of our soups that meet special dietary needs, and make sure you try our classics like Cream of Broccoli and Italian Wedding!

  

Homemade is best, but in a pinch, the
IKEA Restaurant can fill your soup needs!
Stop in and try a bowl today!



Tomato Soup with Garden Vegetables

vegetarian, dairy free & gluten free

Yellow Pea with Ham

dairy free

Chicken Noodle

low fat, dairy free

Chipotle Sweet Potato

vegetarian, dairy free

Lentil Soup

vegetarian, dairy free

Three Bean Chili

vegetarian, dairy free, low fat & gluten free

... I also recommend the Butternut Squash and Apple soup.  Very seasonally appropriate, AND delicious! 

Try a bowl of any of our delicious soups for only $1.99.  The daily selection varies, and is served from 11am until 30 minutes before store closing time.

Fill the Walls!



This collage takes "floor to ceiling" to heart!
Be wary of hanging your frames too
close to the floor if you have
children or pets.



Few things are as intimidating as a big, bare wall when you're looking to refresh or transform your space.  For some, a large-scale piece of artwork is a great solution.  For others, a more personal and customizable solution is preferred. A photo collage (or combination of photo and art collage) can fill that empty space, while simultaneously telling your story.




Measuring can be intimidating, but with great
new tools like laser levels, and new systems
for hanging, this project is easily in reach!

One of the simplest ways to unify the look of your collage is to choose frames that are similar in shape or color. This allows the content (photos and/or art) to speak for itself, and avoids having the frames be the focus of the collage. 





Photo collages don't have to be huge, wall-filling statements either!  A smaller collection brings the theme/topic in focus (family, a vacation, etc.) and can also give you the freedom to explore different styles and shapes of frames. Put them in unexpected places!

Tips and Tricks: A ledge on the wall makes for a flexible and easy to install soution.  The best thing? It keeps your presentation fresh while lessening wall damage and keeping things on an even keel!

The Never Ending List #8 - Organic Foods

Organic Doesn't Have To = Expensive!

From strawberry jam and mustard to pancakes and pear cider, IKEA stores offer around 20 organic products, and the number is still growing!  Which have you tried?

In the IKEA Restaurant:

Organic Pasta with Marinara sauce, $1.99 (99-cents on Mondays

11am-close!)

Spinach and Cheese Crepes, $1.99

In the Swedish Food Market:

Moose-shaped Pasta,

regular or whole-wheat, $2.49

Medium-roast coffee, $2.99

Tomato Sauce, $2.99

Strawberry, Elderflower,

Blueberry and Raspberry jam, $3.99

Coarse Mustard, $1.79

Apple and Pear Cider, $1.59

Lingonberry or Elderflower Drink, $1.99

Dill, Parsley, Black Pepper, and Thyme - $1.69

 

Did you know... if you’re unable to find the organic products you want in your local supermarket, you should have a word with the retailer.  Products are regularly added at the request of customers.

International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

A search on Google for “Swedish Pirates” doesn’t really bring any swashbuckling results.  Apparently, there weren’t any Swedish pirates, per se...

What we Swedes DO have, however... are Vikings!  (Obviously near and dear to the hearts of IKEA Twin Cities, and Minnesota football fans everywhere.)

The name “Viking” may be derived from the Swedish word for bay: “vik.”  The people of Sweden had very close ties to the sea, on which they depended for their livelihood. Vikings may have a reputation for drinking, looting, and robbing – but on the home front the Vikings were farmers and tradesmen.  Most of their excursions were for exploration and trade... but let’s be honest: looting and pillaging did happen.

Unlike their neighbors in Norway, the Swedish Vikings sent most of their expeditions to the East.  Their influence is found in Russia, who’s name may originate from one of the names of a Swedish Viking: “Ruser.”

Speaking of pirate names... (Viking names?...) start your celebration of International Talk Like a Pirate Day by finding out your Pirate Name!  http://www.piratequiz.com/

Give your social media a pirate-y twist with the Pirate Translator at PostLikeaPirate.com!  http://postlikeapirate.com/

...and read about Vikings on Wikipedia! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking

Seating That's Just Their Size



Whether it's craft time or quiet time, kid-sized
furniture is comfortable and durable
for every activity.



Whether it’s in the living room, their bedroom or playroom, the kitchen or outside: having seating that’s sized to fit your child gives them a sense of belonging and comfort.  Plus, with so many styles available it’s easy to fit your child’s furnishings into your current style or decor.

Use a junior chair in place of a booster seat at the dining or kitchen table.  In addition to being more secure seating for your child, having a "big" chair to sit in encourages them to behave more like a "big" kid.

Cuddling up in a chair sized for them lends a sense of security and safety.

Giving them their own furnishings in a shared space encourages interaction and social time with members of the whole family.  Bringing everyone together in a room makes even the most basic tasks more fun!

IKEA FAMILY's Newest Family!

In addition to the wonderful established families of products in IKEA FAMILY (UPPTÄCKA, PATRULL, NJUTA), there is also what we call an “Activities” range... A group of products that will change seasonally and always give you something new to enjoy!

The first new family in our shop will be: ANSTÄNDIG. It means "decorous and reputable" in German.  A fine name for a line of office accessories!

Lighting Your Bedroom

Adding task lighting makes a room feel
warmer, cozier, and more like home.

 Your bedroom is where you start your day, and where you wrap it up.  It’s your sanctuary... so don’t let your lighting choices take away from that.

Your argument may be that you don’t spend a lot of time in your bedroom with the lights on.  Okay, I’ll accept that... however, if you’re living in the “frozen north” or anywhere where the days get short and the nights get longer and longer – much more of your waking time is going to be spent living in the world of artificial light.

So make sure you make it as enjoyable as you can.

A wall- or shelf-mounted light is a good
solution if you don't have space for a bedside
table, or if you have one and you'd like
to keep the top clear.

Step one:  Assess how much lighting you need, taking into account the room’s size as well as sources of natural light and outlet locations.

A lamp on the bedside table gives a comforting
glow, but a reading lamp allows you to
direct the light and avoid disturbing
your partner.

Step two:  Assess your activities in the room.  You will definitely list sleeping, but do you also have a reading or study area? How about a dressing area? Do you need additional lighting near your dressers or in your closet? (You don’t want anyone thinking you get dressed in the dark!)

Surprise! Separate lighting in dresser drawers
or closets gives a great view of your options
while letting others sleep away!

Step three:  Consider the different types/functions of lighting. General lighting should reach every corner of the room. Direct, or task lighting will fill a specific need (reading, studying, computer work.)

Now that you’ve done your homework, it’s time for the fun part: choosing your lamps!

Extra Tip!

Are you a fan of natural lighting?  Strategically placed mirrors make a room feel larger and brighter. Or if you want to go for the gold: a skylight is a great additional source of natural light.