https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 17 May 2026 11:24:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-916219 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 14:34:09 +0000 scotchbonnet 916219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is what I hate about living abroad too. I have had to give up on so many things I really wanted as a first time mom because they cost twice as much here or are just not available. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-915482 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 11:55:28 +0000 loveisstrange 915482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NaturallyCathy: <a href="http://jesykaditri.com/ikea-play-kitchen-makeover-hack/" rel="nofollow">http://jesykaditri.com/ikea-play-kitchen-makeover-hack/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-915450 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 11:44:29 +0000 bunnylove08 915450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>someone used an ODDA chest as a fridge <a href="http://www.ikeahackers.net/2009/07/vintage-style-play-kitchen.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ikeahackers.net/2009/07/vintage-style-play-kitchen.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-915423 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 11:38:06 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 915423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: That's super cute! I'm glad you guys were able to figure something out :)</p> <p>We're considering getting H a play kitchen soon, which is why I've gotten all the soft fruit and vegetables at IKEA. I still need to get the pots and pans but I might save those for when we actually get the kitchen. And that IKEA hack? Epic. Love it. Might have to do something similar. Where did you find that again? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-915394 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 11:31:02 +0000 travelgirl1 915394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: it's the same in Canada, everything is so insanely expensive :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-915364 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 11:24:23 +0000 loveisstrange 915364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I discussed it with DH when he got home. His vote in one waiting 4 months until we move home and making it her 2nd birthday present instead of Christmas. We decided on the pink corner kitchen. </p> [attach=1353/13/mpog8n.500x500.17-4198-01.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-915032 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 09:54:46 +0000 loveisstrange 915032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: I saw that one too, but I want something taller. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-915025 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 09:52:48 +0000 ShootingStar 915025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I saw this hack a while ago for a fridge to go with the ikea kitchen - <a href="http://www.ikeahackers.net/2012/07/duktig-kitchen-goes-from-bland-to-bling.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ikeahackers.net/2012/07/duktig-kitchen-goes-from-bland-to-bling.html</a></p> <p>They take an Apa storage box ($15) and spray paint it, and add handles and hinges. <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20078031/?query=APA+Storage+box" rel="nofollow">http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20078031/?query=APA+Storage+box</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914966 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 09:39:34 +0000 loveisstrange 914966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@photojane: The issue with that being it's a washbasin cabinet, so it doesnt have a top. :/ I was thinking about cutting the other door in 2 and making either side-by-side or top-bottom.</p> <p>Another awesome thing about the IKEA kitchen? It's 7" taller than the KidKraft ones! Perfect for my crazy tall baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914809 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 09:02:46 +0000 photojane 914809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: I don't know if you hate the idea of the double fridge, but the Fullen cabinet is only £20 &amp; includes a shelf! You'd have to buy handles, but that's not a huge expense. You could totally paint a water/ice dispenser on the front &amp; make it super cute. </p> <p>I googled to see if anyone else had done it, and found these cute side-by-sides from cabinets...<br /> <a href="http://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/play-kitchen-by-the-blooming-hydrangea.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/play-kitchen-by-the-blooming-hydrangea.jpg</a><br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4lnymnzFxQk/S8pr3uIzRCI/AAAAAAAAB-U/suhHbOG4W-U/s400/IMG_6476+blog.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4lnymnzFxQk/S8pr3uIzRCI/AAAAAAAAB-U/suhHbOG4W-U/s400/IMG_6476+blog.jpg</a><br /> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4lnymnzFxQk/S8pwZMTak1I/AAAAAAAAB_E/4-4_5eXqnYM/w470/IMG_6451BLOG.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4lnymnzFxQk/S8pwZMTak1I/AAAAAAAAB_E/4-4_5eXqnYM/w470/IMG_6451BLOG.jpg</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914791 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:56:10 +0000 loveisstrange 914791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Oh god, I didn't even consider then sending it Royal Mail. I'd have people ship stuff to my APO box because the import taxes are so REDONKULOUS. Plus, our post office in town is a b***h to get to. As visiting forces, we can use a VAT free scheme on stuff over £100 but only some places do it and it's a really frustrating process anyway. IKEA doesn't do it. </p> <p>On a side note, you want stuff from etsy you can send it to me. I can post it to you. hahahah </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914790 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:55:50 +0000 T.H.O.U. 914790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: The hacks you posted on Pinterest look super cute! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914784 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:52:01 +0000 Cherrybee 914784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: It's frustrating, isn't it? It's the VAT that really screws you over here.</p> <p>@winniebee: Two words for you - import tax. Even if zippylef had it shipped to her parents' house and sent here as a gift, even gifts attract import tax here. Packages get stopped at customs, opened, import tax applied and then you get a letter inviting you to visit the local post office depot and pay to release the item. Not only do you have to pay the import tax on it, you are also liable to handling fees payable to Royal Mail. It's why I can't buy anything from Esty, sob sob. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914782 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:51:35 +0000 loveisstrange 914782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I think this whole thing would probably end up costing just as much! hahahaha, at least it'll be custom then, I guess. </p> <p>£90 for the kitchen<br /> £17 for the cabinet<br /> £11 for the cabinet door<br /> £3 for hinges<br /> £6 for 4 shelves<br /> Haha, that's £127 right there.</p> <p>Plus paint, fabric, tile, drawer pulls and whatever to customize it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914774 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:48:00 +0000 photojane 914774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: That Ikea hack is so cute! Could you just get a cheap Ikea cabinet &amp; add long Ikea handles to make it look like a side-by-side fridge? </p> <p>Like this one maybe... <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70189041/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70189041/</a> with these long handles.. <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70189041/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70189041/</a> </p> [attach=1879/13/mpo900.500x500.cabinet.jpg] [attach=1879/13/mpo902.500x500.handle.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914773 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:47:45 +0000 avivoca 914773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: Have you seen YHL's Play Kitchen (<a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2012/01/claras-christmas-kitchen/" rel="nofollow">http://www.younghouselove.com/2012/01/claras-christmas-kitchen/</a>) and the fridge they built (<a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2012/12/one-cool-christmas-present-for-clara/" rel="nofollow">http://www.younghouselove.com/2012/12/one-cool-christmas-present-for-clara/</a>) out of cabinets from the ReStore? You might be able to hack something similar, or build a fridge to compliment the Ikea kitchen if you hack it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914770 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:45:09 +0000 looch 914770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that's perfect! I think it's going to look great when you're all said and done! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914764 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:43:01 +0000 loveisstrange 914764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Ive been looking at the IKEA website at their kitchen cabinet frames. I found this one, which is only 16cm (6in) shorter than the kitchen itself. I think it could work well as a fridge. <a href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/54179510/#/24278210" rel="nofollow">http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/54179510/#/24278210</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914740 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:37:38 +0000 looch 914740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: for the fridge, what if you got a nightstand with a cabinet door, and painted it to match the kitchen? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914676 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:15:41 +0000 loveisstrange 914676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did see this hack of the IKEA kitchen that is SUPER cute. I would just need to come up with something for a fridge to match. </p> [attach=1353/13/mpo7i5.381x600.968108739dc2509c97f4282e2427faf6.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914657 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:10:14 +0000 loveisstrange 914657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: Haha, the issue being that the UK kitchens are just as expensive and MUCH smaller, mostly without a fridge. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914644 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:06:07 +0000 regberadaisy 914644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>But maybe the issue is you're not looking for AWESOME European play kitchens that we might not have in the States??! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914639 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:05:23 +0000 mynoahbear 914639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm trying to buy LO a kidkraft kitchen too. Of course, Amazon US won't ship it here to Beijing. I found the kidkraft vintage at a store in one of the shopping malls but it costs 3445 rmb which is like $550 US. It's outrageous. It's like that with anything imported here in China. A can of formula is at least $ 50 but there's nothing you can do you just can't trust any of the Chinese products. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914634 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:04:29 +0000 winniebee 914634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: Could you have someone in your family purchase it for you and ship it to you (and you pay shipping)? Would that be cheaper? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914628 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:03:01 +0000 loveisstrange 914628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: 10 months. We could always wait and get it for her for her 2nd birthday, which is a month before we move back. </p> <p>Im just a whiner because I wanted it to be her Christmas gift. We were supposed to have been home before Christmas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914616 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 07:59:11 +0000 looch 914616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: I was going to suggest border shopping, but that's probably not an option for you. I would get stuff in Germany and bring it over the border to Switzerland. For some reason, they had more selection of stuff, especially baby things. </p> <p>For the kitchen, I'd just get the one from IKEA or wait until you relo to the US...is that soon? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914609 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 07:57:55 +0000 loveisstrange 914609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sloaneandpuffy: Yes but there are restrictions on what can be shipped to an APO and companies can choose not to send stuff here. </p> <p> @looch: Hahaha, I do the same thing! I came back with so much stuff last time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914602 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 07:53:58 +0000 mamimami 914602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wait, don't you have a military address to ship to?? </p> <p>I have the same problem -- fortunately I know a lot of people who go back and forth and I use them as my mules LOL. But a play kitchen is pretty big.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914601 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 07:53:57 +0000 looch 914601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OMG, tell me about it! Not only does stuff cost twice as much, there is half the selection!</p> <p>I would do so much on line shopping and have it shipped to my parent's home it wasn't funny. Every time we'd go through customs, it was a debate as to wether or not we'd declare our goods and if we'd get pulled out to open our suitcases, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/one-thing-i-hate-about-living-overseas#post-914600 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 07:53:38 +0000 loveisstrange 914600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: There is a company that ships them, but the box would be large enough that it would have to go by freight and it would cost like $75, negating the savings anyway. :( </p>