Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Shopping Trip: Gingham

One of my aunts surprised me with $100 gift certificate to Gingham, the baby store in Spaces. What a treat!

I've never ventured into this shopping center, even though it adjoins my favorite grocery--I guess I never feel well-dressed enough. Today I put on some earrings, grabbed my hand-me-down designer bag, and set out.

The goal: to find a super-cute crib sheet to coordinate my existing baby bedding.

Gasp. The cheapest crib sheet in the store (thin cotton, mind you) was priced at $76.

I wasn't impressed with the quality or design--similar to the Amy Coe line at Target. Actually, everything was a newly produced version of flea market style (vintage cowboy art, faded chintz quilts, etc.).

I finally found a yellow matelesse coverlet and baby pillow for $70, thinking I could have it monogrammed in a contrasting color, but the owner informed me that they don't do monograms. Oops. I didn't know monograms were now declasse.

I thought about saving face by grabbing a $95 maternity tank with "Due in June" emblazoned in rhinestones across the belly, but I just couldn't make myself.

Edited to add: I had a chance to study the inventory alone today and finally picked out a super-plush sherpa blanket and a Little Giraffe towel set. The only practicality was choosing them in pale green with cream, just in case we are able to have another boy one day.

What I *did* find interesting was the Tulle-a-lu Cuddler nursing pillow (sold there for $75)--which I had bought at a thrift store this week, simply because I needed another one ($2.50). I guess there's something to be said for cruising the fancy shops for research, too!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow. I went and tried the popsicle shop there once, but the one by my house is just as good. I didn't get a chance to wander through the rest of Spaces. What prices though!

Did you get something with your gift certificate?

Anonymous said...

So, did you feel dressed enough? I once went into Barney's in NYC in a pair of sneakers. woah, that's living on the edge for you.

I should have known that monograms were going out. GRRR! I just found some great oversized letters at TJMaxx in just the right initials. I guess by the time it makes it to 'affordable' at TJM then ...

Meredith said...

No, the little one was pulling on me and whining to go home. I thought I'd bring my crib skirt and paint chip and try another day...at least the sticker shock will have worn off by then. I'd love to look at all the handmade jewelry and other fun stuff in the rest of the shops, too.

Catherine at Frugal Homemaker Plus said...

Wow...just...wow. I knew there was a reason I bought a whole giant box of baby clothes and misc. baby things for my SIL at Goodwill and yard sales.

Sarah E. said...

I think I would sell your gift card on Ebay for $50.00 and then go to Target and buy 4 crib sheets with the money! :)

Mom of thirteen said...

I was thinking along the same line as Sarah was. You could look into one of the gift card sell or swap sites too. ( very popular after Christmas!) Ebay is a good one too. It amazes me how on Ebay some people will bid up to like $98 for a $100 gift card! LOL! If you have a craigslist in your area you could try that too. Take the cash and get everything you want in the colors you want and have some money left over!
~jerri

Meredith said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Meredith said...

That's a good way to recycle your unwanted gift cards. This is from a local boutique, though, and it would hurt my aunt's feelings if I didn't spend it just the way she intended--on something absolutely beautiful but not necessarily useful. I'm sure there's something I need hidden in there!

Anonymous said...

ooo, Meredith, I babysat for a little boy this year who was gifted a "Little Giraffe" blanket. You can spot one on nordstrom.com or similar place. If Gingham carries those, they are so luxurious and cushy (feel them!) and also, come in subtle colors like 'mocha' in addition to the standard baby colors. About $65.00! The kind of thing you would never buy yourself...it's like, baby blankets are a dime a dozen, right? And then, when your daughter is 9 and still cuddling up with hers at night, you wish you'd had the foresight to help her attach to something prettier than a coral-colored polyester rag. ha!

Anonymous said...

oops, not trying to lurk, Meredith. It's me, Debbie, who left the post above about that blanket.

Sarah E. said...

It's always nice to splurge once in awhile, especially if it's not your money that you are splurging with! Have fun!