Bed Bath & Beyond is crazy.

I'm currently sitting in my room, surrounded by bags and packages of every shape and size. There's an insane amount of "things" I need to get before heading off to college, and this growing pile is just the beginning. Most of it is pretty small stuff, just the everyday things you don't even really think about using. I guess I'll just say that I realized that I take a lot of borrowing for granted. From the parents, from my brothers, the miscellaneous desks and drawers around our house...who knew I didn't even have a stapler? And you're telling me I need to get my own laundry detergent? What kind of a world have I lived in all these years?! Haha. But in all seriousness, there is a lot to be bought. (Many thanks to all the gracious family and friends who shoved money-filled cards into my hands at my grad party!)

So I went on a little drive to the local Bed Bath & Beyond on Saturday, and let me tell you. If there is any possible gadget that could even slightly seem to be remotely useful in your four years at college, it was there. And the choices! Incredible. Should I get a laundry basket, a laundry bag, or a pop-up laundry hamper? Decisions, decisions...

Just a bit of advice if you haven't started shopping for your college dorm yet...DO IT NOW. The way the aisles were packed made me nearly claustrophobic. Us Ohio Staters don't even have move-in day until mid September, so the waiting game is even more dangerous for us. I decided that while I'm sure by September everything will be on sale, which is convenient, all that will be left are the picked-over remnants to choose from. And from the looks of it, I'm about to be proven right.

Now I have some of the basics, including my mattress pad, comforter, and food storage (that's a necessity, right?). And I have to admit, even I was lured in by the cuteness of some not-so-basic items. A mini-fan that clips onto my bedside and then converts to a standing desk fan? Almost a necessity. A contraption that cooks pasta and rice in the microwave? Possibly acceptable. An adorable little "USB man" that plugs into my computer and gives me a few extra USB ports despite the fact that I already have 3? Probably highly unnecessary, but come on! He's pink and he even has a little smiling face. How could I resist the charm??

Photo Credit: http://smiggle.com.au/Images/Catalog/ProductImages/440764_Pink_m.jpg

Lessons learned:

• Be watchful of the crazies (parents and kids alike) who roll their carts around like it's the next Indy 500. 
• Make a list beforehand. It's tempting to give in, and sometimes a plastic-y pink, smiling geek gadget will get ya if you're not careful...

• As promising as the advertising seems, you seriously will not need everything you see.*

*Addendum: Feel free to splurge just a little :) After all, this is probably the only time you will be able to buy that fuzzy, neon-rainbow colored chair and have it be socially acceptable!

Happy shopping! :)