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!
Danielle 12.03.2012
It sounds a little cheesy, but I’m looking forward to getting the gift of spending time with my family! I haven’t seen them in a year, so I’m so excited to spend some quality time with my family. Anything beyond that is icing on the cake.
Kara D 12.03.2012
I can’t wait to give my mom a kindle!
Katie 12.03.2012
I’m surprising my husband with an iPad!
Megan 12.03.2012
I can’t wait to give my daughter her drum set!
Ellyn Peterson 12.03.2012
I am looking forward to giving my son, age 6, his first guitar. Music is good for the mind and the soul!
Misty Block 12.03.2012
I’m most looking forward to giving my husband a year of pre-planned/paid dates. I think he’ll love it!
Katrina W. 12.03.2012
I can’t wait until my sister opens her photo book that I worked so hard on putting together. She has really wanted one for a few years and I finally got one put together for her this year.
Dana Polk 12.03.2012
I had two of my husbands favorite pictures from our trip to Alaska printed for hanging. I can’t wait to see his face!
Jackie Little 12.03.2012
A batman set to my grandson who is so sure Santa is bringing.
Tammy 12.03.2012
I am giving away a painting that a friend pointed out they really wanted, I was able to sneak in and purchase it without being spotted. When they went back to the store it was gone. The shock when the gift is received will be epic!
Marche Metoyer 12.03.2012
An iPad to my sweetie!
Karinda Bacon 12.03.2012
We just had our first kid in June, and he is the first grandbaby on both my side and my husbands side. As a result I am most excited to give grandma necklaces to both of his grandma’s that I ordered off of etsy!
April H. 12.03.2012
I’m most looking forward to giving my Grandpa his “Papa’s Coffee” vintage spoon I ordered on Etsy. This plus the Keurig Starter Kit would be perfect! :)
Lisa 12.03.2012
I’m SO excited to give my husband tickets to an event that he has wanted to go to for 2 years! I can’t wait!
Abby 12.03.2012
I can’t wait to give my sister the riding boots that she has been dying for all year! going to be a great surprise!
LisaM. 12.03.2012
What a cool product! I so excited to give my boyfriend his Christmas gift-a massaging nap pillow!
Ashley 12.03.2012
I live very far from my family, so I’m very excited to send my youngest sister a box full of goodies. She’s still in school so she’s hard to buy for, but I’ve got some great stuff this year!
Jill 12.03.2012
I am so excited to give my son his new football jersey!
Ashley 12.03.2012
I’m looking forward to making gift baskets of all local products from NH to bring to my family in NY.
Jordan 12.03.2012
I am looking forward to giving my neighbors their gifts. I just love pinterest and all the fun ideas I find there!
I am a Joan of Artic owner…. I can’t say that they break in too much though… I live in mine!