Ring it up at the Register- June 13, 2010
When we registered for our wedding we were on scanner gun toting mission. Crate and Barrel had never seen the likes of this trigger happy Bride and Groom. The destruction at Tombstone after the Gunfight at the OK Corral was nothing compared to the damage we left. No waffle iron this side of the Mississippi had a prayer.
It wasn’t until we got a registry once-over by our mothers that we realized we needed a little more organization. We got it together by rounding things out at other stores with a little more restraint.
So, for Baby we’ve done some homework. After we found out she was a girl we went to Babies R Us and Pottery Barn Kids to look around.
I’m not registering at either of those places. I’ll explain in a minute. I think we’re gonna go with Buy Buy Baby and Smart Momma. Okay, this was our experience store by store…
First up, the losers:
Babies R Us– I know this is the most popular place to register. A lot of people like it. The stores are everywhere. You can find a ton of stuff. I’ve bought gifts from there previously.
But, I had a lousy experience and they will not be getting my business. I don’t know how the store in your area is but, ours was dirty. The stuff was dirty. A gum smacking teenager led me through the registry process. I’m just not confident someone that with a high school class of 2011 ring and glitter nail polish knows a lot about breast pumps or Pack-And-Plays. But, maybe she does. I’ve seen that “16 and Pregnant” show on MTV.
Sorry, I know this would be a convenient place for out-of-state family to buy gifts. But, Greyson and I agreed it was out.
Pottery Barn Kids– Beautiful stuff. I love the catalog and the website. My niece and nephew have adorable nurseries with bedding and furniture from this store. But, we didn’t find the just the right stuff. I liked it all, just didn’t find what I think I’ll love, you know? I think if I had fallen in love with a particular crib set or something I would’ve registered there.
Target– Not enough furniture and bedding to choose from for me to register. But, my love runs deep for Target baby! Anything else I need, I head for the big red dot inside a bigger red circle. Isn’t amazing how you go to Target for like one thing and the next thing you know you’ve dropped 50 bucks? I hate that. (Oh! But, I love it!)
Registry Winners:
Buy Buy Baby– I was not familiar with this store until recently. They are relatively new and are slowly becoming nationwide. They’re like Bed Bath and Beyond for baby stuff. (Actually, they’re owned by Bed Bath and Beyond. You know those coupons you get in the mail? You can use them at Buy Buy Baby. No kidding!) They had a lot of the same stuff as Babies R Us but, a lot better. They had WAY more furniture and bedding. They carried more high-end stuff like strollers and car seats. Their staff were adults who explained the process. I’ve heard rave reviews about their return policy. The store was CLEAN!
They only have two stores in NC so far. One in Charlotte and one in Durham. So I did have to drive from Raleigh to Durham but, I’ll go the extra 20 minutes for this place. Plus, their swag bag for registering was full of way more free stuff than Babies R Us. That registers with me!
Smart Momma– God bless the local small business owner! I’ve seen this store’s commercials on TV and I know about Heather through this baby blog world I’m getting into. They have the high-end things I was looking for. (I want quality stuff that’s gonna last you know?)
Heather is the store owner and could not have been more helpful today. She went through all the strollers and car seats and explained all of their features to Greyson and I. I was digging the BumbleRide and the Uppa Baby strollers. Plus, they are moving their store to a location literally across the street from our neighborhood. Greyson picked out the sweetest little outfit for our little Tar Heel. (UNC is his Grad School Alma Mater.)
Daddy picked out a dress for his girl.
You know, thinking back, we never did get that waffle iron.
Spread it around:
So glad you're registering with Heather! She's AH-mazing.
Yay, so I am officially a follower now! Sorry it took me so long. Anyway, I love everything…as always, your number one fan! I loved everything your friend had to say about the "kosher breast feeding." Anyway, keep up the good work, love you!
I really liked Buy Buy Baby too! Much better than Babies R Us. But FYI, check out the BRU across from Southpoint – that store is much cleaner than the one in Raleigh – the store workers aren't great but the store itself is much better – but as with anything, one store will carry something I need and the other doesn't. So if you are coming to Durham anyway, you might as well stop by the BRU there rather than the dirty old store in Raleigh.
Let me know if you want my opinion on any "must haves" or things you won't really need… It's different for every Mom and even changes with the next kid! So ask lots of people what they think – and just know that even if you think you love something, once you actually have to use it, you may change your mind!!
Love the blog – keep up the great work!!
Jamie Nuss
I just went into SmartMomma today for a wetbag! If my little monkey hadn't been clawing at my eyes I might have stayed longer
I also agree about the Southpoint BRU. MUCH cleaner/newer than the Raleigh store.