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!
Stacey N. 12.03.2012
I’m looking forward to giving my mom a cute pink pea coat (like the one you’re wearing in the first picture!).
Kelly 12.03.2012
I am most looking forward to giving my sister the baby blanket that I knitted for my soon-to-be neice.
Caroline Helmers 12.03.2012
Love your blog – looking forward to time with family and enjoying my two year old daughter during the Christmas season!
Becca 12.03.2012
I am looking forward to giving my soon to be in-laws a great gift! They have really helped us out over the past year, and deserve something special! But more than anything, I am happy to have my brother home for the holidays after he has been deployed and living in Alaska for the past 3 years!
Kayla 12.03.2012
I’m most looking forward to giving my daughter these little stuffed cats with their own pet carrier. She loves kitty cats so much and will just freak out at this! I cannot wait for Christmas morning!
amy doherty 12.03.2012
can’t wait to give my kids their karaoke machine!
Katrina H 12.03.2012
I am making so many of my Christmas gifts this year, and I can’t wait for everyone to open them! Especially the engraved casserole dishes with personalized insulated carriers.
Katie Cox 12.03.2012
I am looking forward not to MY gifts but to my kids. I can’t wait for them to open all that Santa brought them on Christmas morning!
Melissa 12.03.2012
I am most looking forward to leftover prime rib sandwiches. For real. :D
Liz 12.03.2012
I am most excited to give my dad a gift of health (a gym membership)!
Erin Y. 12.03.2012
Excited for the time spent with family!
elizabeth @ chronic venture 12.03.2012
I am most looking forward to giving my Dad vintage ads of his 1975 porsche! he will love them!
KellyK 12.03.2012
I got my sister an awesome heavy duty stock pot with glass lid. I know she will love it.
Jennifer C 12.03.2012
My daughters Barbie doll house… I had one as a kid so I might get to play a little too!
Molly 12.03.2012
I am looking forward to giving my niece a baby cradle for her beloved doll
Esther 12.03.2012
I can’t wait to give my fiance the book Dinner: A Love Story. We love to cook together, so I know he’s going to enjoy it!
Caitlin 12.03.2012
I’m pregnant and due right around Christmas…so I’m looking forward to a new baby as my big gift :)
Bridget 12.03.2012
Not sure, I haven’t started shopping yet!
Tiffany A 12.03.2012
I’m looking forward to giving my husband the XBOX 360 that he has been wanting!
Joanna 12.03.2012
Looking forward to giving my mom a new cell phone!