For years now, when people have moved here from hip urban cities, they’ve told legendary tales of a store entirely focused on storage.  As legend goes, this retail store holds the key to organization and for over 30 years, built a reputation by selling storage solutions including every type of bin and receptacle known to man.  With glassy-eyed child-like wonder, I fantasized about this magnificent store as visions of perfectly-shaped hangers without notches danced in my head.

Last week, this fantasy storage solution wonderland became a reality for me when the Tampa Bay Bloggers and I were invited for a speak peek of the Oz of all organizational stores: The Container Store.

The 25,000 feet square-foot presentation of storage solutions was truly organizational Nirvana.

Our tour of The Container Store began as we followed the plastic shoebox bin brick road.

As we eased on down the aisles, we stumbled upon laundry baskets with legs.  If only it had a brain or the courage to climb stairs, fold laundry and put it away in premiere his and her storage systems.

As a closeted hoarder, I found comfort in the cozy wicker bins and the wicked elfa shelf systems.

Somewhere under the rainbow of bins, we stumbled upon trash cans almost as colorful.

A few of my blogger friends (Mindy and Caroline) and I thought it would be funny to stage some fear and loathing trash talking shots.

*Photo credit to Crystal of Thrifty and Frugal Living*

I call this one “An Uncanny Sexy Librarian Look”.

*Photo credit by Caroline of My Fascinating Life*

(Left to right: Teresa, Crystal, Caroline, Mindy, Sheriss, me and Ellie)

*Blogger group shot – Photo credit to Jon Peters*

As a pack-rat without a plan, I found The Container Store a bit overwhelming.  Therefore, after lunch and a few more photo opps, I clicked my heels to leave the fantastical wonderland of storage solutions along with a complimentary sweater box and tote.

The Container Store officially opened its doors last weekend to offer Tampa costumers 120 food storage solutions, 700 organized office products, 45 types of laundry hampers, 350 products to organize a traveler and much, much more.

Visit The Container Store online to learn store hours, location and Click and Pickup service.