Friday, September 12, 2008

The Stroller...

So I picked up the book Baby Bargains at the bookstore this last week and I just cannot say enough good things about it. I carry it around in my purse, which is weird, but turned out to be a very good thing on Thursday night. If you're having a baby, buy it!

Here's a little background on me, I'm an obsessive, compulsive bargain shopper. I scour sale racks and shop at Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack at least once a week...each. Being pregnant has made buying baby things into a whole NEW obsession for me. Yes, I should wait for my showers but honestly, I like buying things for Lucy and get so excited when I find cute stuff for super cheap. So I may have gone a little overboard in the buying stuff department, but I've mainly stuck to clothing so far and my Fleurville Diaper Bag I ordered online for a steal at $70 last week. Below is my stash of baby clothes (from newborn to 12 months, so I feel like it really isn't THAT much) and my new diaper bag. Notice the lack of pink, neither Rob nor I like pink!






But I digress, back to the book and the stroller. Ever since I bought the book I've been pouring over the stroller section. There are just SO many choices! After reading the stroller chapter about a million times, I had narrowed it down to the Urban Single Mountain Buggy or the BOB for joggers and Peg Perego Pliko for a more lightweight option. I had remembered that the BOBs had been on sale at Costco last month online, so I checked there first...damn, of course they're all gone by the time I decide. Well, I still had plenty of time.

So on Thursday I got off work pretty late and decided that I didn't feel like going home just yet, and instead went to my usual I'm-bored-so-I'm-going-to-shop haunt, Marshalls. Of course I make a beeline straight for the baby items where lo and behold, there was the Peg Perego Pliko P3 in this adorable bright, flaming red! There was only one and it was only $159.99! I'm pretty sure it was a 2007 model, but who cares? Not me! What a STEAL! So I bought it, of course.

So that is usually where the story would end, with me triumphantly savoring the victory of yet another bargain found, however, the stroller was fully set up. All the tags were on it but it was open. No biggie, I thought to myself, I'll just take it out to the parking lot and figure it out. It can't be that hard, right? Um... why didn't anyone tell me it takes a freaking master's degree in physics to figure out how a stroller folds up? There I was, struggling with this thing for 30 minutes at dusk in the Marshalls parking lot. When I couldn't figure out how to fold it, I decided I would try and shove the whole thing into the back of my (compact) car. Then, to my dismay, it proceeded to get stuck half in, half out of the car. ARGH!!!! People were walking by me and staring at the crazy pregnant lady wrestling with this fully open stroller stuck in the backseat of her car.

When I finally got it back out again, at this point I was sweating, cursing and panting, I decided that to hell with it, I wasn't even sure I was going to keep the thing, but I was going to open up the sealed baggie with instructions. When I did I saw that there were about 25 diagrams, starting with how to put the damn thing together, and ending with how to attach the car seat. Somewhere in the middle there was a couple diagrams that looked like they might be indicating how to close it, but they weren't exactly crystal clear AND did I mention it was getting dark and I couldn't see a thing! After 5 more minutes of fighting, I finally turned the pages of the book some more to see that they had written out the instructions as well, indicating a diagram number. I read the instructions part and matched it with the picture. I am a genius! Finally, click this, pull that and VOILA!! the stroller is closed. I throw it in the car and get out of there!

So, after our initial misunderstanding, I have decided I really like this stroller. A lot! I think it was fate that brought us together and now that we've been through our rough spot it'll be smooth sailing from now on. Rob loves that it is a sporty red and made in Italy, and my mom offered to buy it for her house if I decide I want something else since she liked it so much. So all in all I'm really satisfied with the purchase. It is so darn cute and lightweight, and after you read the damn directions, it is pretty darn easy to close. I'll probably buy a BOB as well when they go back on sale at Costco, for jogging, but I won't need that for months after Lucy is born, so I can wait for my second deal on a stroller! YAY!

Here's the stroller:



Pretty, right? And it totally matches my new diaper bag. HA!

Also, since it has been so long, here are some belly pics...although forgive me for the poor quality, it was right when I got home from work, on the self-portrait setting, in not my cutest outfit. I'll have to get Rob to get some better ones this weekend.



Lastly, if anyone from Portland reads my blog we're going to the Green Sprouts Fair tomorrow, (Saturday, September 13th) in North Portland. It's a fair with information on how to be organic and eco-friendly during pregnancy and within your family. Here's the link if any of your Oregonians want to take a peek: http://www.redirectguide.com/greensprouts/about.htm.

Fun fun!

"Shopping is a woman thing. It's a contact sport like football. Women enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being trampled to death, and the ecstasy of the purchase."

-Erma Bombeck

38 comments:

Hug House said...

Just a tip on the BOBs (which you may already know). You can sign up for REI emails and they will give you a 15% off coupon which you can use on your BOB. Maybe not as good of a deal as Costco? But worth it if Costco is out for good.

The Quarke Family said...

Haha, well done on finally getting it closed! It is cute.

Wifezzilla said...

wow, i love the stroller and diaper bag together also, it's fantastic! great find, and you look great!!!

Anonymous said...

Had to laugh at all the clothes from Marshall's and such..my husband and I are the same way. As soon as we found out we were having a boy we ran out and bought so many outfits from there, ha-ha! Gotta love bargains!

Brooke said...

Hello - Lurker here :) We've gone through many, many strollers! I think we have 4 currently in our possession - the one we started with for the car carrier (Chicco), then we have one of the fun, simple fold up umbrella strollers (I think a Chicco too). These were shower gifts, and if I had to do it all over, I would opt out of getting them - hardly ever used. We also have a Stokke (won this)and a BOB. At 18 months, the later two are the strollers we use most often and are the best fit for our daughter! I think you will really like the BOB, and even though you can't jog right off the bat with her, it does recline back into a lying position, which is nice for a fast-paced walk :)

Anonymous said...

Beverly,
I have lurked on your site for months and am enjoying your journey. I saw this yesterday morning on GMA and am so glad I found a fellow bargain hunter to share it with. The link is http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/SmartHome/story?id=5786999&page=1. Don't know if there is an event coming up in Portland but it looks like this may be around for a while so there may be bargains for years to come.
Good luck with your bargain hunting.
Patty

Bee said...

I laughed so hard at the image of a pregnant woman "fighting" a stroller in a parking lot. Glad you both made up.

T-Bone said...

Just had to tell you that...

1. You look GREAT! :)

2. I have the Pliko P3....LOVE IT!!

Excellent find, I am sure you see now it is very easy to close and open for that matter. You will love it I'm sure :)

Nutz said...

You look beautiful! All belly!

FWIW, Dh and I really didn't like pink either. We did the nursery in yellow and our theme was frogs. I asked for clothes that were more neutral, and of course still ended up with a TON of pink. But now I enjoy dressing her in pink, because she doesn't have much hair, and I am not a fan of headbands or bows, so pink is the best way to show people she is a girl. Plus, the cutest outfits seem to come in pink!
My sister tried to go different and get some purples for us too, as a different option.

s.e. said...

You and I like the exact same bargain stores. I cannot wait to start baby shopping!!

bb said...

You look awesome and YAY for finding such a great deal!

Mrs.Rotty said...

super cute. i'm so excited for you.

Meg said...

Love your stuff!

Mr and Mrs M said...

The same thing happened to my bestfriend and I when she bought a stroller (also on sale) to keep at her mother's house.
The two of us are standing outside the hatch-back of her car trying to close this stroller. People must've thought we were nuts.
You'd think they'd have a neon light pointing to the lever to close it.

Anonymous said...

stoller?

christy | brides to booties said...

Fabulous find (and quite a steal) on the PP Pliko P3!! I too have this stroller (older model in Black/Grey "Black Sable") - I wasn't a fan of the blue/pink stroller stuff either. Working in the baby care industry, I can tell you you'll be quite happy with it! My son will be 3 in November and we used this with the Primo Viaggio Infant Car Seat (as a travel system) and still use this stroller for him and he fits very comfortably in it. Not to mention it's very lightweight and the company fold is excellent!! Have fun and congrats on your find (we actually have a few Pliko's at our Marshalls too right now - I'm trying to hold myself off from buying another "newer" one!!)

Albee Baby (albeebaby.com) has the coordinating car seat in Mod Rosso (color of your stroller) for $129.99 right now...another STEAL (http://www.albeebaby.com/pegpe20prvis8.html) if you're interested (normally $219.99)

Beverley said...

STROLLER!

Damn it! Thank you anon for catching that for me. ;) That is what I get for typing two long posts on a Friday night after work.

Unknown said...

SO freaking cute! Both the stroller, diaper bag, AND you! Gosh, I only hope I look that good when I finally catch preggers! I do love me some TJ MAXX, I'm sure that will only get worse with pregnancy too.

Jen

Harmony said...

the BOB stollers are fantastic! one of my good friends has a orange BOB and it is sooooo easy to use and totally awesome!

what a great steal on that red stroller! such a cute design and color!

glad you finally got that stroller closed! i hate having moments like that! it seems like everyone is walking by just at the wrong moment doesn't it?!?!

you look so beautiful in your new pics! not too much longer!!!! :0)

scstoller said...

Haha! We had a terrible time at BRU trying to get the floor models to close up, too. You're not the only one. (And, yes, we felt like idiots.) BTW-I was at Green Sprouts on Saturday! I wonder if I saw you there!

Oh, I've been meaning to tell you that there's a Hillsboro moms group (Hillsboro Infant & Toddler Playgroup) on Meetup.com that I'm apart of. It's a great group of women if you're looking to get out of the house after Lucy is born.

Anonymous said...

No worries, Anon LOVES you.

christy | brides to booties said...

So glad I was able to help you find the car seat. That truly is a steal for the PV seat!!

Let me know if you need help finding anything else. Like I said, I work for a research/design company in the baby care industry and hear about bargains all the time!!

C and M said...

First, you look great! Are those maternity jeans? If so, where are they from? They look so great!

Congrats on your awesome Marshall's find. I need to go check out ours! I found a DEAL on our Mountain Buggy at albeebaby.com... just in case you look at those again.

danielle said...

I have a BOB and love it. It is really the only stroller I use now. My daughter is 1. You will love it! I got mine through happymothers.com and it was no sales tax and free shipping. Just in case Costco doesnt have it. I enjoy seeing your updates!

FSD said...

Beverly,

I've been lurking on your blog the last few weeks. I've enjoyed reading it. Love the stroller and the diaper bag! I admire your determination and patience to find great deals. I'm a self-professed impatient shopper, thus I'll probably end up spending a fortune on my baby. :- )

I look forward to following your journey. I'm approx 6 weeks behind you, so I'll be looking to you to blaze the trail towards motherhood. :- )

FSD

Kacie said...

That's a pretty funny stroller story! I probably would have given up and either just let it hang out my trunk or drag it behind my car :) hehe.

By the way, I'm due on 12/30!

Anonymous said...

I too have been lurking on your blog the last few weeks. I've enjoyed reading it.

Great job with the stroller and diaper bag! Where did you get the diaper bag for such a great price?? I want to get one but not at the $150 price tag! What website did you find it on?

I'm going to have to check out Marshall's tonight to see if I can find any good deals like you did!

Suzi said...

Hi! I used to be on the Nest (spartannsuzi) and had to stop hanging out there because I simply didn't have the time. But I followed you and your story the whole time I was there.
On a whim today I thought of you and googled your blog...I almost fell of my chair with glee when I saw that you are now pregnant! I am so thrilled for you and your little family and I wish you the best of luck!

~Suzi~

Jessica White said...

Great deals! I love all the stuff you got, that bag is awesome!

Anonymous said...

Less than 100 days for us Bev!!! I can't believe how fast time has gone (and how slow it seems to go sometimes!) We're having a girl too!!!! Crazy excited because I swore she would be a he! Have a great day! :)

Shelly said...

lurker here...love the stroller story. Could totally seeing that happening to me. I also have a husband named Rob and we're expecting in Jan....also are anti-pink;) I agree check REi for BOB discounts.

Allison Slater Tate said...

I am also a stroller woman! Two recs for you to look at (I'm on my third baby and about my tenth stroller): The Inglesina Zippy (absolutely my all-time favorite stroller) and the Baby Jogger City Mini. Both are FABULOUS. You'll need more than one. Just trust me!

Congratulations!

black327 said...

I enjoyed one of the songs on your old playlist but can't recall the artist. Can you list the old playlist for me? Thanks so much

Anonymous said...

Is everything Okay? It's been almost a month since your last update. Do you not love us anymore?!?

Crystal said...

I am a lurker coming out of hiding! Love the stroller. And your belly is soo cute!!

Anonymous said...

No post in a while, I haope all is well!

Anonymous said...

Really, a $70 diaper bag, and it's a steal? Wow... Your baby is just going to want your time and attention and connect with you, the diaper bag just isn't going to imprint on her brain, your touch and voice will... materialism and capitalism... do you have any idea what $70 can do for a refugee camp's newborn babies over a week's time? A $20 one from WalMart would have done too... but you will know that too, in a couple of year's time... Enjoy your baby and love her for her, not her representation of yourself in this world...

whispering loudly said...

I just stumbled upon your blog... I think I'm just gonna have to subscribe to see how this all pans out! Congrats!!

Anyway, if you are still looking for an undecided about jogging strollers, let me highly suggest the Chariot! Not only does it have stroller wheels, but also a jogging attachment, among many, many other things (XC ski...). It also has some great infant inserts so you can get her out in it right away (even in winter).

It is a bit pricey, but I have found that many people love to pool their money on bigger ticket items like this as a gift. If there is a small bike shop in you town that carries them, they will often be able to set up a 'registry' for it even.

Check out their website ... www.chariotcarriers.com to see all that they have. REI sells them, and I got a terrific deal on my double stroller at www.joggingstrollers.com.

Hands down, this is my favorite jogging stroller, especially if you are an outdoorsy family!

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