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!
Jessica 12.03.2012
I’m most looking forward to my boyfriend’s family’s Secret Santa. I have his dad, and I was worried at first, but I found him the perfect gift. He loves my University of Maryland hoodie and I found an exact replica even though it’s many years old! :)
Ashley 12.03.2012
I am looking forward to giving my boyfriend a Nixon watch he’s been eyeing for months. It’s a total surprise, so he’d better hold off for a few more weeks…
Kari 12.03.2012
The kids and are giving my husband a gift card to Menards to buy new laundry room doors. The guy has everything he needs or wants and our current doors drive him crazy. This will bring him great joy.
P.S We live the same distance away from MOA but in the opposite direction. It is exhausting but fun all that driving and shopping!
Sarah Boitz 12.03.2012
I am most excited to give my impossible to buy for parents a Roku box! They are retired and I think will really enjoy this gift!
Karla K 12.03.2012
I have those Joan of Arctics and love them! They took a few wears to be really comfortable, but it’s worth it!
Harmony 12.03.2012
I am most looking forward to giving my Mom the flat screen 50in TV i got her on black Friday! She has had a 25in screen forever. I am going to set it up for her while she’s at work and then surprise her when she walks in the door. :)
Tessa 12.03.2012
I am looking forward to spending Christmas with my Boyfriend in Ohio, and then flying back to KY to spend it with my family!
Sara 12.03.2012
I am looking forward to spoiling my new baby nephew this Christmas!
Yvonne G. 12.03.2012
Just a fun MOA tip from a transplanted Minnesotan. There’s a gelato shop on the third floor called Paciugo and it’s wonderful(my husband and I would totally pass over Coldstone to get this)
She Ran.She Worked.She Conquered. 12.03.2012
I am most looking forward to the boring but awesome new socks & undies & pair of PJs to wear on xmas morning. Never gets old!
Laura 12.03.2012
I am most looking forward to giving my husband the mix of photography and tool related gifts that I got him!
jeannine 12.03.2012
I am most looking forward to the toys for my nieces and nephew. Kids are the most fun to shop for over the holidays :)
Lauren M. 12.03.2012
I am most excited to give my husband tickets to a “make your own mozzarella” class at a local winery. He is a fresh mozz fanatic!
Heather 12.03.2012
I am looking forward to doing a local christmas.. only gifts bought locally in our small town. We as a family are also doing a Random Acts of Kindness Advent.. .trying hard not to get caught up in gifts. Thanks for the awesome giveway!!
Mo 12.03.2012
I can’t wait to give my mom her picture calendar this year!! It has such great pictures of all her grandchildren!
Kim 12.03.2012
A dollhouse for my 4 year old daughter.
Kristen 12.03.2012
I can’t wait to give my friends and sisters a curling iron/flat iron tote I made.
mandy gross 12.03.2012
I’m most excited to give my mom her presents. I got her a couple of movies that she’s been wanting and a few other things that she wouldn’t buy for herself haha! She will be super excited!
Deb 12.03.2012
a trip for my husband to see family
Lisa @ Lisa Living Well 12.03.2012
I am looking forward to giving my parents their gift–wine for dad and for mom, lemon curd from Trader Joe’s, Aveda hand cream, hand sanitizer for a trip my mom and I are taking to Europe and a Panera gift card for both because that is their favorite place to eat.