‘Tis the season to shop ’til you drop!
This weekend my Mom and I went on our 4th annual girl’s shopping trip to the Mall of America!
It’s one of the highlights of the Christmas season for me, as we get to spend the entire day together shopping. What more could two gals ask for? ;)
We woke up at the crack of before dawn, hit up Starbucks and were on our way to Minneapolis by 6:30am. At 10:00, we entered the mall in all its glory. You couldn’t help but get into the holiday spirit, what with the twinkling lights cascading down from the ceiling, and the hustle and bustle of the crowd.
Two hours of intense shopping later, we were famished.
We searched high and low for the America’s Next Great Restaurant winner’s place – Soul Daddy, right? – but alas, it was nowhere to be found. Charley’s Subs did the trick.
I don’t know what it is about Charley’s, but both my Mom and I are obsessed with their grilled subs. Maybe it’s the free samples they’re always hawking out front.
All I know is the Chicken Teriyaki sub with pickles totally hit the spot, and fueled me for another 4 hours of shopping. Muwahaha!
After six hours at the MOA, here’s what I walked away with – thoughtfully modeled by Ben. Christmas gifts for the fam (unpictured, obvi,) a fleece vest from Old Navy, belt from Forever 21’s accessories shop, electric eyelash curler from Sephora, and anti-static hair products from Aveda.
I am THIS CLOSE to chopping my hair short again, as the level of static my hair experiences in the winter is absolutely unreal. I begged the Aveda girls for help, and this is what they came up with. Fingers crossed!
Right, but what did you bring me?!
As we walked out of the mall, we were (un)pleasantly surprised to find this. SNOW! There was already 2 inches on the ground, and the fat, heavy flakes were still coming down hard and fast (twss.)
Luckily our next stop wasn’t too far away. It was right across the street, in fact. IKEA!
IKEA is the furniture store equivalent of Target. Don’t even think about walking out of there without dropping at least $100.
After slamming a couple Reese’s Trees for a pick-me-up (they’re back!) we headed in.
We oo’ed at the kitchen setups,
and ahh’d over cute bedroom linens.
But we really went cuckoo for the kitchen wares – a foodie’s dream come true.
Whisks, colanders and dishes, oh my!
This is the part where the cart really started to fill up.
I couldn’t help but throw in measuring cups, cutting boards, pastry brushes and a whole lot more for “Santa” to bring me for Christmas.
$3.99 knife sets make me happy. :)
Here’s my loot:
Individual sized bowls and baking dishes, napkins (really?), package clips and a dish brush,
new bedding for the guest bedroom,
and new drapes/curtains for the kitchen. I HEART these!
By the time we left IKEA, the roads were a complete mess. I ran into a curb, actually, so we said to heck with it and grabbed dinner at the closest restaurant we could find. This ended up being T.G.I. Fridays, where we shared pot stickers, Chicken Bruschetta Pasta,
and an all too small serving of Oreo Madness.
After crashing at the hotel, we got up early the next morning to head home before the next storm hit. Sticking with the closer to the hotel the better theme, we made a quick stop at IHOP for breakfast first!
I’ve actually never eaten at an IHOP before, but pretty much got the gist when they slammed the syrup caddy down with my mug of coffee. ;)
Pancakes it is!
I panicked and got Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. They were pretty much the best thing I’ve ever eaten.
Supplemented by eggs, hash browns and bacon which, well, weren’t.
Another successful girls trip, in the books! :D
I wish the story ended there…but it doesn’t. I locked my keys in my car at a gas station on the way home. BLERG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Similar to losing glasses in hotel rooms, locking my keys in my car is also one my things. One of my highly obnoxious, inconvenient, irritating things. Once in college I locked them in my car twice in one day. When I lived in Minneapolis a few years ago, I locked them in my car two weeks in a row, not just at the same gas station, but at the same pump.
Luckily AAA saved the frickin’ day, and we were on our way 20 minutes later. Hallelujah!
Alexa @ Simple Eats 12.05.2011
I would DIE at that mall…it looks awesome! I’d probably hit up Forever21 first. I know, pathetic haha.
Carrie 12.05.2011
PS when you get a newer car, you should get Onstar – they can unlock your car for you with a quick phone call. Has saved me many times and it’s so quick to get back on the road.
Carrie 12.05.2011
I love the Mall of America! I live close by and it’s my “go-to” mall. Too bad you couldn’t have checked out some better places to eat…the 2 you picked are not on any of my lists of places to go! (chain restaurants have that effect on me)
Michelle 12.05.2011
Mall of America is one of my favorite places on earth, same with Ikea. I’ve always wanted to go during Christmas, but ever get the chance.
That iHop is my favorite location. The manager is a riot! The kitchen section of Ikea is always my first stop and I too want to take the displays home with me.
Courtney @ Cookin Up Life 12.05.2011
Ann Taylor Loft and World Market :) Glad y’all made it back safely!!
Sarah 12.05.2011
My worst car key experience was when I locked them in my car during my internship, in the employee parking lot which is 3/4 of a mile away (I worked in the accounting office at a theme park)…and left my car running all.day.long!! I was mortified when I got to my car after work and had to ask the locksmith to HURRY since I was about to run out of gas. He was so confused, but when he showed up he was nice enough to follow me to a gas station a couple blocks away and make sure I made it without running out of gas!
I like to start by heading to Bath and Body Works or Anthropologie – they’re just fun stores and really get me “in the shopping mood!”
Ashley 12.05.2011
I’m thinking I may have to try that Aveda product! I always hit up Ann Taylor loft, Francescas, or the Gap.
Brook @ Redhead Reverie 12.05.2011
Oh…how I love a good holiday shopping trip. I’m heading to Chicago this weekend and can’t wait. IKEA here I come!
Anyway, favorite places to hit at that mall in order…
Target {it’s attached to the mall}, Starbucks, kid’s play area. There you go that’s our typical Sunday morning.
Have a GREAT week.
Natalie @ hellonatalie 12.05.2011
Soul Daddy got removed during the fall :( I never even got a chance to try it before it was gone!
Julie S. 12.05.2011
Oreo Madness is back?!?!!!! Oh, I wish you hadn’t told me that… :P
Loved this post! Ben “modeling” your loot cracked me up, & I always LOL at your twss comments. :P
Erin 12.05.2011
I ALWAYS hit up Von Maur….there always seems to be something shouting my name. My wallet definately doesn’t thank me after those trips.
Trisha 12.05.2011
What a fun girl’s weekend! Minus, of course, the snow and locking the keys in the car.
I too, head straight, for Francesca’s (or Frannie’s as I like to call it ;)) when I enter the mall. I can ALWAYS find something I have to buy there. But I feel like all of my other stops depend on the season. In the fall/winter, I can’t get enough of GAP for their sweaters and jeans. Summertime sends me to PacSun for their awesome sun dresses! Oh, summer… How I miss thee.
VeggieGirl 12.05.2011
ahhh Ihop, how I miss thee….but you dont fit in with my fitness goals ;0)
Mary 12.05.2011
Try using Redken’s Argan 6 oil, from the “All-soft” line to reduce static. You can use it on wet or dry hair, and it makes your hair….so soft also, and not greasy either.
Allison 12.05.2011
Sweet shopping success, bitter snow stop and car oppsies :P Loveee the holiday season- the decorations, the weather, everything and everyone is so much happier :D ‘Tis the season!
Allison 12.05.2011
P.S. I’ve never been to the MOA, but isn’t that the one with a rollercoaster?! And I thought Tysons Corner [D.C. area] was an awesome mall!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel 12.05.2011
Jealous of your trip to the mall of America. I’d love to go some day! I think I’m even more jealous of your trip to Ikea though. The closest one we have is over an hour away and it’s definitely not an ideal store to take 3 little kids to!
Mellissa 12.05.2011
I live in Minneapolis and almost never go to the Mall of America. I kind of forget about it. Shocking!
Alexa 12.05.2011
Soul Daddy closed a few months ago. It was very strange circumstances. http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/taste/blogs/124736829.html
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio 12.05.2011
What a fun weekend! I’ve heard that mall is amazing. My favorite store is Loft… I just love it! Oh, and your new guest room bedspread is super cute!
Ashley 12.05.2011
What a fun trip! Well, minus locking your keys in your car. :( Maybe Santa will bring you a hide-a-key box for under your back bumper or a spare remote for your purse. Mine have saved me many times!