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!
Shel Welker 12.03.2012
We love our Keurig at home, and would love the small one for the office! Thanks!
Susan 12.03.2012
I am excited to give my MIL a Piano Guys cd.:)
Callie Bowers 12.03.2012
I am most excited to give my hubby his new golf clubs. He’s worked so hard this year and totally deserves it!
Amber 12.03.2012
I found a book set that I know my dad will just love! I’m so excited I may just wrap each book individually.
Mac 12.03.2012
My grandpa is in charge of organizing the town Christmas caroling and the caroling books are looking pretty rough, so I am making new ones and getting them laminated for him, I am super excited to give him these!
Mendy Schanck 12.03.2012
I am most excited to share my time ant local charities – it is also a gift that I share with my children (we work together).
Sarah 12.03.2012
A watch for my fiance! Our first Christmas together I planned on getting him one, but then he off-handedly mentioned he didn’t like “man jewelry.” Now that he’s out of school and “all grown up,” though, he wishes he got that nice watch instead of what he asked for that year instead-a video game.
Lib 12.03.2012
I look forward to making and giving Christmas baskets with ornaments, small gifts for children and homemade goodies!
Terry C 12.03.2012
I’m most looking forward to giving my mom a Kindle Fire! She’s been wanting something pad-ish for a while, but won’t bite the bullet and get it for herself so I got her one when Amazon was having a fire sale… SCORE!
Carolyn Kidd 12.03.2012
I am most excited about the Made in the USA gift basket for my ex-husband!
Tammie Brenton 12.03.2012
I can’t wait to give my husband 50 years of James Bond on blu ray:)
Katie H. 12.03.2012
I am most looking forward to giving a Keurig to my sister Megan (and I’m not just saying this!). She has been talking about wanting one since last summer when she had one in her hotel room on vacation. She would be thrilled to receive this great gift!
Lauren 12.03.2012
I made a scrapbook of family photos for my grandparents, took me about 3 weeks and I am so so excited to see their faces when they open it!
Carrie W 12.03.2012
I’m looking forward to giving handmade scarflets made by a fellow mom. They are adorable and super cozy.
Sara 12.03.2012
I’m most excited to give my handmade sweater mittens to my friends! They watch me make them, now they finally get to enjoy them!
Also, I finally broke down and tried coffee this year, and now I LOVE it! I would love a keurig of my own to use this winter :)
Love your blog, Iowa Girl!
Melody black 12.03.2012
I can’t to give my kids an iPod touch each! Then they’ll stop begging to play on my iPhone! Hopefully… :)
Ryan 12.03.2012
My daughter has been BEGGING for an American Girl doll for months but we have been holding out for xmas! I can’t wait to see her face!
Barbara 12.03.2012
I got my mom a gorgeous lazy susan made from an old wine barrel…and I can’t wait to give it to her!
Sandy 12.03.2012
I am most excited to give my husband a shopping spree bc he lost 35+ lbs this summer and now desperately needs some updated clothes :)
GINA STIERWALT 12.03.2012
I’m looking forward to giving a getaway package to my inlaws — they deserve it!