Hello. I’ve missed you this past week. Last minute we scooped up the kids and headed to wonderful Bandon Oregon were we spent a week of quality time with close family. The computer Gods decided to not be on my side but in a way I am glad because I got more time to dive in sand dunes and fly kites!

On our way home I had plenty of time to browse through the new Ikea catalog. Here are a few things that caught my eye: (I am most definitely getting the gray Orchid pots this week!)

1. Alvine Flora Pillow. (Check out the latest design with yellow, black and gray flowers – not shown here). $24.99.

2. Drömmar. Horse-shaped (Swedish national symbol. A must for true Swedes!) baking tins. $6.99/set of 2.

3. Mandel plant pot. $4.99/set (pot + saucer).

4. Spraka. Spice mill. $19.99.

5. Engan chest with 2 drawers. $99.99.

6. Gunilla fabric. (Hello girlfriend Gunilla!).  How lovely this fabric would be together with white! $7.99/yards.

I have an on-going love affair with white orchids. For a very long time I have been looking for the perfect table to display a cluster of these planted orchids. I had almost given up and was ready to design my own. Now I am thinking that Ikea’s Trollsta Tray Table might just do the trick! What an unexpected contrast with the elegant, simple classic plants on top of this lacquered both modern and gothic looking table.

If I can fit at least 4 planted orchids on the removable steel tray, I will be pretty happy! Now, of course I would have loved to see this table in a gray color but for the price of $99.99, I might just get 2 and try to paint one in that perfect gray myself!

I think the table is perfect for plants with its extra wide edge and high sides. The removable steel tray can handle water spills and the table is easy to fold up and easy to move. Diameter: 22 1/2 “, Height: 17 3/4 “.

I will let you know if this works or not!

I have a new fave vase that I can’t get enough of. All my fancy brand vases have been pushed aside for this simple, non expensive, versatile, handsome and modern model from Ikea! I use this Blomster vase all the time.

The roomy size (Diameter: 9 ½ “Height: 6 “), the shape and the color are all perfect and the height does not block out people on the other side of the table. Guess what – it is only $9.99! (Give your friend a vase + flowers in it – and you will be extra liked!). Each vase is hand blown and has been shaped by a skilled craftsman.

I particularly like it with a monochromatic flower color scheme. Even your average, less expensive flowers all of a sudden look costly in this handsome vase.

Being a Swede, IKEA is of course part of my DNA. EVERYBODY in Sweden, including the Royal Family, make special runs to that giant store for lovely things at Oh-So-Low prices. And for us Swedes abroad, Ikea also satisfies our Swedish fix by offering delicatessen and salty liquorice! (This is offered everywhere except at Ikea in Sweden!)

I did my special run yesterday, and I have to say that Ikea right now has some really wonderful rugs. The following ones caught my attention:

Top from the left: Beata, $299, Andrea Rund, $299, Jorun $299

Bottom from the left: Hedda, $249, Trampa Door Mat, $12.99, Kibak, $149