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!
Megan Joy 12.03.2012
I would love to win this Keurig!
Kara 12.03.2012
I cannot WAIT to give my mom a day at the spa. She works so incredibly hard 365 days of the year and still has time to answer the phone whenever I call from 600 miles away!
Sara 12.03.2012
I am most looking forward to giving a daughter to my fiance! We are getting married on Dec 28th with my beautiful 5 year old as a flower girl. Couldn’t be happier!!
Caitlin F. 12.03.2012
My best girlfriends and I decided not to exchange gifts this year and throw a “Pinterest Party” instead aka everyone brings something delicious/fun/crafty/etc from Pinterest. :)
Courtney F 12.03.2012
What a fun trip with your mama!! And holy moly the mall!
I am most looking forward to Christmas morning with our toddler and seeing her open the gifts we got her!!
Melissa K. 12.03.2012
I’m really looking forward to giving my kids a new art table. I’m so excited for them to have a place of their own to be creative.
Susan D 12.03.2012
I am most looking fwd to giving my mom the personalized clock that I have made for her at zazzle.com
She has a yellow lab named Toby (who is her baaaaby) and the clock has 12 pictures of him and says “Toby Time” in the middle. :-)
Nicole 12.03.2012
I’m giving my sister a gift certificate to a great place called The Paint Bar. They provide all the supplies and the steps through an entire painting. Plus there is wine!
Katie 12.03.2012
the gift i’m most looking forward to giving is probably the necklace i got off etsy for my sister. she’s 18 and a true believer of horoscopes, so i got her a dainty necklace with her sign on it. also- my boyfriend and i are buying a house that is set to close by december 31 if all goes according to plan- so that’s our big gift to each other!! we’re broke as a joke buying a house at this time of year!
Krista 12.03.2012
I’m can’t wait to give my sister and nieces a gift card to stay at Great Wolf Lodge, a hotel with an indoor swimming pool. The kids will love it!
Kristin 12.03.2012
I’m really looking forward to give my boyfriend his gift- and seeing what he gives me :-)
Melissa 12.03.2012
My mom is trying to get a Le Creuset collection started and thanks to a super sweet coupon deal, I was able to get her a starter piece! Can’t wait to see what she thinks!
Erica 12.03.2012
I am most looking foward to giving my brother in law his camo six pack fanny pack!! (Looks like a belt with 6 beer/ pop holders). He’s going to love it!
Kari 12.03.2012
Love your blog! This year I’m most excited about the gifts we’re giving to a less-fortunate family this year. It’s sure to bring a smile to their faces!
Laura @ LauraLikesDesign 12.03.2012
I love that you guys head up to the MOA each year! I’m a Minneapolis blogger and definitely love spending afternoons at the huge mall with my husband!
ladysaotome 12.03.2012
I secretly bought my bestie an adorable top and matching earrings for our favorite hockey team. I’m looking forward to sending them to her as she moved recently and watching their games together was our thing.
Kayla G. 12.03.2012
The gift I’m most looking forward to giving is ALL of the presents to my daughter! It’s her first Christmas and I can’t wait to see her play with all of the wrapping paper :D
Amanda 12.03.2012
I am most looking forward to giving my mom a Keurig – seriously! I haven’t bought it yet though…maybe I won’t have to!
Mandy 12.03.2012
Oh, how I’d love to win this! I’m really excited to send a box full of little gifty things to my sister. She just moved to Minnesota, so she won’t be home with us in California for Christmas. So, I’m not getting her anything huge/expensive, but I’m trying to pack a box as full as I can with little fun things.
April Cremer 12.03.2012
I gave some cute Santa shirts to my friends girls!