I apologize readers for not posting sooner, but the Internet wasn't working in our room yesterday, so we used the time to shop instead. I also apologize if this entry is mostly nonsense, as I am drinking cheap, cheap, duty free white wine. From a Styrofoam coffee cup. Class-y.

I dropped my first big bills at Albertville Outlet Mall. Some basics from The Gap:

Rule # 1: When you find something you love and on sale, buy it in every colour

Rule #2: Layer, layer, layer.

Another layer piece and *surprise* a book of poetry, from *surprise* a middle-aged ladies' outlet store. It was 8 bucks and made me cry.

The weather on Friday was BEAUTIFUL for walking around an outdoor outlet mall. At random moments I would break into a grin and say to myself, "you are walking OUTSIDE on NOVEMBER 25 in a light sweater, with shopping bags full of items you have legitimized purchasing because your 30th birthday is a week and a bit away." I was in my happy place.

After the outlet mall, Amara and I returned to our hotel room and had a fashion show. Then we went to the Mall of America and made more purchases. Then we hiked it to Chevy's Mexican restaurant for our favourite guacamole and my free, Birthday Entree, which was big enough for us to share. I forgot to take a picture of me and my mojito, but I was wearing the same sweater I wore last year when we went to Chevy's, ordered guacamole and shared an entree, so I will re-post that picture:

Original Posting date November 2010

After dinner we went back to the mall. I don't even remember this. I must have been in a shopping coma, but Amara remembers, and I probably have the receipts to validate her story.

Today we woke up at 7ish even though we had planned to sleep in until 8pm. Feeling wide away and raring to go, we went to the hotel fitness centre and made use of the treadmills. Oooh, Jill, you little bragger you, going to the gym on your holiday. Yeah, well, you know what? I forgot my running socks so my feet went commando and I grew a blister on my right foot, which is sucky when you are supposed to spend the rest of the day walking around a mega mall. Serves me right.

We grabbed breakfast and then hopped the shuttle back to the MOA where I had my eyes focused on shopping for others this time, but still managed to pick up 2 pairs of shoes and some pj pants.

I love the MOA at Christmas

Frilly! Colours! Strappy! Love.

For lunch Amara and I dined at our favourite frozen yogurt bar.

Mine: pumpkin spice, birthday cake batter, egg nog and coconut fro-yo with a few morsels of cookie dough, a dollop of whipped cream, a dousing of hot caramel, and a cherry.

Amara's looks like a fancy trail mix, but trust me there is fro-yo in there.

Lunch was followed by more shopping, then home for more cheap wine, fashion shows, dancing around and now here I am, talking to you. Okay, gotta go, I think I still have five dollars in my wallet.