Crib Drama

I'm pretty particular when it comes to making *major* purchases. It has to be exactly what I want, at the price I want, or fugghetaboutit. I'm not going to spend my hard-earned cash on something I don't absolutely love. And that's final. I'm also thrifty, so a $1,000 crib was completely out of the question (yeah, Oeuf cribs, I'm talking about you).

Naturally, I knew I'd have a hard time picking out a crib because of these factors, so I started researching and scoping them out early. Like... pretty much as soon as I found out I was pregnant (which was back in February).

It's now almost October and I was finally able to commit. But not without drama and endless mind-changes. Because that's just how I am. (Side note: I'm actually starting to wonder if I make things more difficult for myself on purpose so my life isn't boring. Wouldn't that be terrible? Knock it off, Meg!)

Up until a few weeks ago, I was dead set on a particular crib from Ikea. It was a rockin' lime-green color, only $99 and I was telling everyone about it. So fun. So unique. It was mine. I was sure of it. Then the worst thing ever happened. The dreaded "Ikea Crib Recall of 2011." My lime-green dream was shattered. I obsessively checked Ikea's website for months to see if they were back in stock yet. No such luck.

Devastated, I knew I had to move on if I didn't want my infant sleeping in a dresser drawer.

I looked at cribs from Target, Wal-Mart and even Overstock.com. However, I didn't like white, natural wood, dark wood, or oak. Yeah, I'm THAT picky.

The Baby Mod collection at Wal-Mart had my favorite styles, but I wasn't thrilled with the color selection. That is, until I discovered this little number. For some reason, it never popped up during the first few searches I did on their website, but I kept digging and it magically appeared. (In reality, I probably thought it was black at first and skipped over it).



The Baby Mod Modena 3-in-1 Fixed Side Crib in Navy

Cue "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder. 'Cause that's how I felt when I discovered her.

Modern lines, four mattress positions, converts into a toddler bed, non-toxic finish, and most importantly... made of "sustainable pine wood from New Zealand." SOLD! Haha. Just kidding. At $199, I figured we better just go for it. I was tired of waiting for Ikea to get their butts in gear.

Because I'm a cheapskate, I opted for the free "site-to-store" shipping which takes a little longer, so it's set to arrive next week. I can't wait for the nursery to actually look like a nursery! Stay tuned, because I'm eventually going to post a complete breakdown of everything in Baby A's room: price, source, inspiration, etc. We were on a tight budget, but it's coming together beautifully and I can't wait to share photos of the finished product.

$25 Dresser Upgrade

This is the second knob change-up this dresser has received. 

Considering the dresser was free to begin with... two upgrades at $25 each ain't bad!

It came with the matching brown wooden knobs.
Then I switched them out for these babies a few years ago...

... which I just sold on eBay for the same price I paid for them.
So, according to my logic, I got the latest set for free.
I feel awesome.

Changing out hardware and painting are the cheapest & most dramatic ways 

to give your furniture new life (or so I've read on various DIY blogs). Home Depot, Lowes & various discount hardware websites, like this one, have great deals. I love Anthropologie's hardware but buying it would completely defeat the purpose of a cheap upgrade.

$10/knob x 14 knobs = out of my budget

I'd love to paint this guy, but I'm not sure how much longer we're going to be in our apartment and I don't want to commit to a color scheme.

It's complicated.

[I was halfway done taking the knobs off when I remembered the before pic... whoops!]

[Forgive the terrible lighting, they are actually silver.]

My husband loves his snazzy upgraded t-shirt & undie storing device. 

That's pretty much all he owns, hence the need for an entire dresser to house them.

(And he thinks I have too many clothes! Psshh.)