Aaand, we’re back!
Thankfully this year we didn’t have any freak snow storms to deal with, so Saturday morning we were able cruise from my house, where my Mom picked me up at 6:30am, to Starbucks for a hot cup o’ Joe, and pull up to the Mall of America at precisely 11am…just in time to inhale Chipotle burrito bowls to fuel us for, gulp, FIVE STRAIGHT HOURS OF SHOPPING!
(pic borrowed from last year’s post because it was super foggy in MSP this weekend!)
The mall was decorated to the nines, per usual, and after lunch we quickly got our shopping underway. 3 floors + 400 stores = a lot of road to cover!
In addition to crossing some gifts off my holiday shopping list, I couldn’t help but keep my eyes peeled for a few items I’ve been eyeing online, including my beloved Sorel Joan of Arctic boots, which I spotted from 50 yards away as we were coming down the escalator at Nordstrom’s! I couldn’t have been more jazzed to pull on a pair of the warm and fluffy boots, and was admiring them adoringly in the full-length mirror when, I took a step. And cringed.
They are so uncomfortable! There was this hard, ridge-like thingy that was stabbing me in the back of my heel/calf, and I couldn’t figure out what it was. I even tried on a couple of different sizes to make sure it wasn’t me or the boot, but no dice.
Fellow Joan of Arctic owners – do these break in at all? I hope so because they are SO cute, and SO warm. They’d be absolutely perfect for the brutal Midwest winters, though by the looks of today’s temps (63!) you’d never know it was December ’round here!
Anyways, later I consoled my sad tootsies with a rub in a foot/calf massager at Brookstone. I know. Gross. I hardly cared though. 5 hours of shopping in flats (what was I thinking?!) will convince you to give anything a try! Totally worth it.
A Coldstone Oreo Ice Cream with Brownie mix-in snack helped too. :)
After all the Christmas gifts had been bought we headed to our hotel to relax before heading off to dinner. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott, which was less than a mile away (you could see it from the mall,) and had clean, nice rooms for a great rate. We’d definitely stay there again!
We had to nearly peel ourselves out of bed an hour later to go feed our grumbling stomachs. The beds were oh-so cozy, but our appetites were oh-so strong. I know some people pssht at this, but shopping seriously takes it out of you.
Not wanting to drive any further than necessary, we headed to a nearby Friday’s because it was close and, gosh darn it, I have a not-so-secret love for the chain. Once seated we proceeded to order everything on the menu…!
They have this 2 for $10 meal where you can get an app and entree for, well, $10, and of course we had to add a cup of Friday’s famous French Onion Soup (perhaps my favorite soup, ever?!) In the end, our eyes proved to be bigger than our stomachs and I bet we ate 1/3 of what we ordered. Luckily our hotel had a fridge!
We fell fast asleep back at the hotel circa 8pm while watching Inception, but it was probably for the best as we had one last stop to make on Sunday before heading home. IKEA! :D
IKEA might be my most favorite place ever. I love their designs, and wandering around their ingenious showrooms for dream-home ideas. This modern-yet-cozy kitchen with dark wood, and stainless steel accents had me drooling.
Nothing in the showroom gets me quite as excited as kitchen utensil alley though! I have had so many stainless steel IKEA utensils, gadgets, and gizmos last me for years. They really are of high quality – and for so cheap!
Including these DARLING mini stainless steel prep bowls. CAN YOU EVEN HANDLE THIS?! :D
After checking out at IKEA, we headed on home. Another year, another successful mother/daughter holiday shopping trip in the books!
Anne 12.03.2012
Yah for a successful shopping trip! I’m most looking forward to giving my daughter a play kitchen – she’s a future foodie in the making!
kristin 12.03.2012
I’m looking forward to the gift my husband and I are giving each other, another bathroom!
Jaima 12.03.2012
A much deserved massage gift certificate for my hard working husband!
Mackensie 12.03.2012
I am most excited to give my mom the Mood fabric store bag. We are complete addicts of the show “Project Runway”, and she will be totally surprised by it!
Joanna 12.03.2012
Looking forward to giving my husband a flat panel tv!
Hillary 12.03.2012
That Keurig looks perfect for our tiny little kitchen!
I’m most looking forward to travelling to CA (from NC) to see our niece and nephews for Christmas.
Amy M 12.03.2012
I’m looking forward to giving a few fun photo gifts including framed pics, a calendar, and photo book!
Michelle Moy 12.03.2012
Two gifts I’m looking forward to giving this year:
1. a Trip to Great Wolf Lodge on New Years Eve to my kiddos
2. a sock monkey jack in the box to my 7mo old niece
Have a fabulous Holiday yourself!!!
Stephanie 12.03.2012
I’m looking forward to getting my California-raised boyfriend a warm cozy fleece jacket now that he has relocated to the East Coast!
Alex @ Alex Tries it Out 12.03.2012
The gift I’m most looking forward to giving is cookies, to my grandfather. He always tells us not to buy him anything, but he’ll never turn down a cookie!
Angela I 12.03.2012
I really want to give my mom yoga blocks!
Anna B. 12.03.2012
Looking forward to giving my kiddos their presents from Santa. Santa hasn’t purchased them yet though.
Josh 12.03.2012
Definitely a the Hallmark recordable, “Charlie Brown Christmas” book to my niece and nephew.
Rebekka 12.03.2012
My friend is having a baby and I made them a quilt. I’m pretty excited for her to unwrap it!
Trisha 12.03.2012
a trip for my husband!
Leslie 12.03.2012
Oooh I am so looking forward to seeing my kiddos faces when they open their Wii U!
Colleen 12.03.2012
I am most looking forward to giving my MIL a Michael Kors watch that she has been eying for MONTHS. She deserves it!
ppp 12.03.2012
oh! and i am looking forward to giving my three year old the ‘peppa pig’ toy she asked santa for… she’s been wanting it for MONTHS so she will go bananas! :)
gabby 12.03.2012
I’m looking forward to giving my puppy her gift :)
ppp 12.03.2012
looks like fun! Question – where are your cute tan flats from? Been looking for ones just like that! thanks! :)
Iowa Girl Eats 12.03.2012
They are Steve Madden, and I get them at DSW! :)