You know the saying, "sometimes you just have to look under your nose to discover what you are truly looking for?" I embellish because I can't recall exactly how it goes, and I have no inclination to look it up, but it rings true. You get the gist.

In my pursuit to find the perfect (and cheap) outdoor lounging set, I discovered an idea for Grocery Stories. It had been there all the time - right under my nose. I'm talking about Cost Plus World Market. Just because it doesn't sell toilet paper or bananas, doesn't mean it isn't a market - and there is some truly cool shit in there.

Let's begin with my favorite part (no not the beer and wine, yet), but the condiments. Because they are a "world market," you will find a slew of ethnic food from Japan to India. My favorite being the Indian inspired foods, with sauces like vindaloo, butter chicken, tikka masala, korma and my favorite Patak's Mild Curry Paste for $3.99.

My most favorite new find is the curry ketchup from Germany for $5.99. Instead of using regular, plain old ketchup for your fries or burger, next time pick-up some of this curried bliss. Like most everything else cool, the Europeans, mainly Germans have been diggin' on this stuff for years.  You can also find the "oh, so British" HP sauce too.

Keep Cost Plus in mind for holiday stocking stuffers or any occasion when you need to make a gift basket. Aside from the incredible selection OF baskets, there are miniature hunks of cheese, salami, Tabasco, olive oil, balsamic, maple syrup, mustard, honey, salmon, pate, and so much more.

Don't miss all the imported chocolate, chips, cookies, tea, coffee, preserves, soups, and Vegemite. Yes, the Australian "treat" Vegemite or the other offshoot brand called Marmite. Oh yes, the name MARMITE makes this yeast extract paste much more appetizing and more likely to buy than the Vegemite.

Look out for all the crazy retro candy and sodas. Remember the creepy orange circus peanut-looking marshmallow treats? Yeah, they have those. Ick. Better than that, they have SOUR salt-water taffy! Very fun.

Need to stock up on Pez? They have a pretty varied selection including a collector's edition Wizard of Oz set with eight characters for $19.99.

Looking to have a circus themes party for your kids this summer? As I mentioned earlier they have some cool retro sodas, like Nesbitt and Bubble Up, but the Funnel Cake, Churro, corn dog and cotton candy kits are where it's at. Throw in some of the other cool retro candies and toys, and you have a summer party to remember.

Speaking of party, why should the kids have all the fun at the circus? Cost Plus has a nice selection of ginger and root beers, along with some pretty damn eclectic beer like Midnight Sun's Panty Peeler or Shmaltz Coney Island lager. The wine selection is more than plentiful and well chosen. See, we adults can have fun too.

Aside from all the way cool consumables, Cost Plus is a playground for the ultimate at-home entertainer. Kitchen gadgets galore, glassware, flatware, place settings and the list goes on forever. It's easy to get sucked into this store for hours, and is that such a bad thing?

Cost Plus World Market

4036 Tacoma Mall Blvd., Tacoma
253.475.3500
www.worldmarket.com