Wednesday, January 19, 2011


I am currently going through a bit of a mobile crisis. I've been searching for the perfect one for months now and it seems that they are either beautiful but just not the right fit for the look I'm going for, or they're downright horrid. Seriously people, there's some ugly baby crap out there. Obviously, most of us have seen these Frazier & Wing mobiles floating around blogland... they're fantastic (especially the yellow one)! So, why not buy one? Well, with all the other expenses we have right now (birthing classes, MEDICAL BILLS) plus the fact that I'll be taking about three months off of work, I'm just not sure it makes sense for us to spend $75 on a mobile. Not that I don't think they're worth it, because I DO. And then, I'm not sure I feel comfortable putting a $75 mobile on our registry. Although I did manage to add this $48 GIRAFFE so my logic must be totally out of whack. Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is, is it absolutely ludicrous to spend $75 on a mobile when I'm not a guh-zillionaire? It's not like we're racking up credit card debt for this baby, but still? And I have spent that amount (and more) on an article of clothing and not thought twice about it. Am I over thinking this, like I do with pretty much everything in my life? Should I just stop being such a baby and make my own mobile... even though the thought of taking on a mobile project makes my pregnancy hormones soar through the roof, and even though I know in my heart it would never be as beautiful as the yellow one I really want?? What would you do?

18 comments:

  1. register for it.

    you should have a few special things on there. and it will be the kind of thing your rad design-ey friend will be so glad to get for you. as long as most of your registry is more reasonable?

    then if you don't get it as a gift:

    i think one or two special splurges is reasonable. you just have to decide if this is one of them. (i want a 150 dollar lamp for his room SO BAD. obv i am not registering for it. i just have to wait and see if we have the cash for it.)

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  2. I agree with Jamie wholeheartedly. Put it on the registry, and see what happens. You're not forcing anyone to buy you something in particular, and you love it so much that a friend might just love to buy it for you. It is lovely.

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  3. It really seams like the mobile could be an investment piece for your home. Granted I have no idea what your place looks like, but would you love it post nursery in the kiddo's room, or a corner of your bedroom/living room? If so, register for it or splurge.

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  4. Put it on the registry. There are much more expensive and much less awesome things out there. This one would make a lovely gift. And if you don't get one, make one-- even after the baby comes! We ended up making one after our daughter was born, when we saw how obsessed she was with black and white shapes. The homemade mobile (acrylic paint, chipboard, string, glue) was the first non-food thing that she got excited about, at around a week old. We were so delighted with her delight, we didn't care if it matched anything.

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  5. I agree - register for it... but honestly, they don't look too difficult to craft on your own. I mean, not that you'd be copying them down to each particular element, but it's just thick colored paper & string right? seems like a fun weekend project!

    I'm pining over a lost ebay auction for "the perfect rocker". husband wouldn't let me go over $300 for it. he said, which is true, think of all the other things we could spend $300 on! le sigh...

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  6. You two are the Cuuuuutest! And yes I agree with Jaime... rad design-y friends with no babies love to buy things like this and don't really even want to look at things you'll actually need like um... breast pumps.

    I mean the last baby shower I went to I bought the couple a GC to a super fancy lingerie shop... thinking hey we all need a little help in that department especially after the babe arrives and well you get it. xo

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  7. And when I said you two I meant you and Jaime.

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  8. Yep... registry! If you don't receive it as a gift, though... may I suggest:

    This one, which is similar to the one you're lusting over (and only $40):
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/62550958/the-earth-spectrum-mobile-chandelier

    If you end up getting crafty, this one looks easy to make!):
    http://www.spoolsewing.com/blog/2008/05/16/bird-mobile/

    And I love the paper birdies on this one ($45):
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/62696533/birds-of-paradise-mobile
    ...which looks like something the genius over at Cactus & Quail could whip up for you (*wink*).

    Good luck! xo.

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  9. Register for it. Lots of times people might go in on something and I think it's OK to have some higher priced items for situations like that...because nobody wants to chip in on a $10 gift and look cheap, right? Right. xoxo

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  10. Thanks guys! I added it to our registry... Let's see what happens. Xo

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  11. "there's some ugly baby crap out there" - and that, there, is the biggest truth i've read all day!!
    (it might cost $75, but it is lovely lovely lovely... i hope it turns up from the registry!)
    p.s. found your blog via Peonies... hello! there's a baby in my belly too! :)

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  12. I am going through the exact same dilemma at the moment! I think I am going to go with the plan that I am allowed to buy a maximum of 5 'luxury' items (without going overboard) to decorate the baby's room, and the rest I will have to scrounge for or make myself. It's so easy to get carried away when you see beautifully designed baby stuff (as most of it's horrid!).
    P.S. I found your blog via Peonies. What a great idea! I am looking forward to following your stories and eventually seeing photos of your little ones!

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  13. Buy it! You love it. You'll get tonnes of joy out of it and it will brighten up the baby's room in the best possible way.

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  14. The market for baby things is a bit like the market for bridal things, no?
    Totally overpriced b/c it's for something special and we can't say no...
    As cool as mobiles look, imho they are so unecessary. Maybe invest the $ in a ltd. ed print or photograph the baby can grow with and have forever (Sharon Montrose baby giraffe!!)

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  15. I am thrilled that you two will be vetting all of these these things for me for the someday baby.

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  16. There is this mobile that IKEA sells. It is these little colorful stuffed fish with big circular eyes. It is, I believe, imbued with magical baby entrancing powers. My boys were totally enchanted with it, and now my twin nephews can't get enough of it. Every mom I've talked to who had it has been amazed at how much their babies adored it. And it is crazy inexpensive.

    http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2008/01/babymobile.html

    Even though I have a major beef with IKEA, this thing is too cool to not recommend.

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  17. Hi Celia,
    Thank you for posting about my mobiles! I hope you either put in on your registry or decide to splurge on one yourself. I know it seems like a lot of money for a mobile, but I find that I am usually happier when I save and purchase things that I truly love instead of settling for the thing I only like because it costs less money. AND, just think of it as a family heirloom. When it is time to take down it can be put back in it's lovely package and saved for future generations, like a vintage treasure of the future:)

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