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!
Christine 12.04.2012
I am most looking forward to seeing my aunt and uncle who are flying with their brand new puppy across the country to see me at Christmas!
Amber 12.04.2012
I haven’t been able to see my sister in a year since she moved to El Paso, TX and we’re flying out to see her for Christmas!! She is SOOO excited to have family FINALLY visit her! That was her only wish this year :)
Amy 12.04.2012
It will be my 4 month olds first Christmas, so I’m most excited to start traditions. While I haven’t found that perfect gift yet, I know it will be something that lights up and makes noise — those of some of her favorite things :)
Aimee 12.04.2012
I am super excited to give my parents their gift this year! Last year my sister and I snuck the dogs out for a picture with Santa. My parents still say it is the best Christmas present and will never be topped. So, we are taking on their challenge and doing a collage together of pictures of the llamas in “Santa’s Wonderland”. My siblings are dressing up as elves and we are going to take numerous shots of them feeding the llamas and hopefully we will get some antlers on the llamas :) I can’t wait!! My siblings and I are wondering how we are going to top this next year, but we have a whole year to plan!
Christine 12.04.2012
I am most looking forward to giving my brother a nice gift for Christmas (to be determined….). He has been helping my little family out a TON since my work hours have increased!!
kelly 12.04.2012
I am most excited about giving my mom a Keurig for Christmas! We just bought her one last week and I know she will love it.
Jessica 12.04.2012
I am most excited to give hand painted peg super heroes to my nephew! I know he will love them!
Blake 12.04.2012
I’m most looking forward to giving my dad his first DSLR camera. With a couple weddings and grandkids in the near future, I know he is going love it!
Kristina Caldwell 12.04.2012
I am most looking forward to giving my mom some Clinique Happy. It has been a special gift between the two of us for about 8-9 years and is very sentimental. Can’t wait!
Carlie 12.04.2012
I’m most excited to give my best friend who moved away from Iowa a couple of years ago an “Iowa” themed present this year. Hoping she can enjoy those gifts when she’s homesick for the great state of Iowa!
Courtney 12.04.2012
I am excited to surprise my husband with a trip to the National Championship game in Miami– he is going to flip :)
Sarah Jayne 12.04.2012
I am most looking forward to giving my friend a homemade gift commemorating the birth of her daughter (just last week!).
Kati Kennedy 12.04.2012
I am most looking forward to giving my family the gift of peace – Christmas is usually a challenging time for me emotionally, and by the time the big day rolls around, I’m a total basket case! I’ve been working really hard at not getting overwhelmed this year and keeping in close touch with my feelings so that I don’t implode/explode by the 24th. So far so good, and my husband has been a great partner in helping me maintain a positive and calm mental state. 21 more days to go!
Erin Austin 12.04.2012
I am looking forward to giving personalized bakeware that I made using my Silhouette Cameo!
Juliene 12.04.2012
My siblings and I always try and get together to do something nice for our mom, this year we are giving her a new dishwasher since I am pretty sure hers might be from the 1980’s haha! I look forward to giving her something every year after all the nice things she’s given us all these years!
Daisy 12.04.2012
I haven’t bought a single gift yet. can I still be eligible?!?
Pam Heward 12.04.2012
I would love a Keurig machine for use in my classroom at school!
Kate Spear 12.04.2012
Hi Kristin!
I am most looking forward to giving a Kindle HD Fire to my High School Senior daughter who will be able to use it and enjoy it for reading for school and just for fun! Loving your blog!
Kristina 12.04.2012
I have 4 kids – I’m just excited to see how excited they all are on Christmas morning!
cel 12.04.2012
I cant wait to give my mom ellen degenerous’s book that she has been wanting to read forever!