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!
JC 12.04.2012
I’m so excited to give my daughter her American Girl doll for Christmas! She’s been coveting one for a few years.
Also just gave my son tickets to War Horse for his birthday — that was so awesome!
Rachel 12.04.2012
I am most looking forward to going on our early Christmas present- a cruise to the Eastern Carribean! I’m can’t wait to get away with my hubby and kids!
Anne E. 12.04.2012
The gift I’m looking most forward to giving are aprons I made for all of my friends!
Rebecca S. 12.04.2012
I am most excited to give my hubby a personalized soccer jersey from Chelsea FC :) He is such a big fan and I can’t wait to see his face when he opens his gift!
Erin 12.04.2012
The gift I’m most looking forward to is the gear I need to continue my volunteer work with a wonderful organization called Fences for Fido in Portland, OR. We build fences for fidos that are living outside and alone on the end of chains, along with home visits, veterinary care, re-homing, etc. I’ve asked for Carharts, kneepads and rain gear so I can continue working helping them build fences throughout the winter.
Denise from Savannah 12.04.2012
I wish I could say that I was as prepared as other posters. I’m not nearly ready for the holiday this year, am having difficult picking out gifts for loved ones. I think, though, that I’m most excited to give ceramic knife sharpeners to my Niece and Nephews for the beautiful knives I gave them last year.
Kyla Rademacher 12.04.2012
We are excited to give to those who are need this holiday season. It is a blessing to give to someone you do not know and expect nothing in return.
Mary Anderson 12.04.2012
I purchased an I-pad mini for my son in the Navy to use on his next deployment. Books, movies AND facetime! Yeah!
Carla 12.04.2012
I got my parents a few vintage photos of the city where we lived in Germany. Just have to get them framed and wrapped!
Diane 12.04.2012
I am looking forward to finally getting and setting up a dvd player. I will enjoy movies all winter. Thank you for the contest.
Amanda 12.04.2012
I am most looking forward to giving my sister a Keurig (even though I REALLY want one for myself). Hopefully I win one ;)
Kristie Cox 12.04.2012
The gift I’m most excited to give is penguin pillow cases to my daughter! She loves penguins :).
Kelly 12.04.2012
I’m extremely excited to give my mom, uncles, and grandmother a unique christmas ornament. The ornament is engraved with the words “my dear family” written on it. The words are in the handwriting of my late grandfather, and they come from a letter he wrote in the 80s. He was such a loving, caring, man and I know this ornament will mean a lot to my family!
Manon 12.04.2012
I am most excited to give my mom a Griddler, because it’s the most amazing thing she never knew she always wanted :)
Jackie 12.04.2012
I am looking forward to giving my dear Mother-in-law a beautiful customized blanket with a picture of her an my Father-in law kissing a month before he passed. I’m sure that she will love being wrapped up in their love! :)
Sandra Opperman 12.04.2012
I am looking forward to giving little clay pots,planted with forget-me-not seeds. In honor of my mother,who recently passed away.
Crystal 12.04.2012
Most looking forward to giving our daughter Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures and movies. :)
Jamie 12.04.2012
Can’t wait to give my 8 year old his Kindle Fire! He has been asking for one for months and will be so stoked :)
robin s 12.04.2012
I’m looking forward to giving my new grandbaby…gees that hard to even say in my head…still don’t feel like a grandma..anyhow I got her a bear that plays “peeka boo”..can’t wait to see her play with him!
Kristin B. 12.04.2012
My siblings and I have decided to get my grandma a digital camera! I’m excited to show her how you can see the picture after taking it. . . she has an older camera with film and is quite infamous for cutting off people’s heads or having the opposite, floating heads in pictures! Maybe this will help! :)