Beach umbrellas and blankets

[alleycat]

Please recommend your beach umbrella and beach/picnic blanket. Preferably something that's not too costly. Thanks!

[lizzywednesday]

I have a picnic blanket I bought at Target 3-ish years ago. It has a fleece side and a waterproof side, folds up into its own little bundle and was on clearance from $25 to $10.

I've since misplaced it.

For this summer, I bought this (http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/58396?parentCategory=3886&feat=3886-tn&cat4=1096) sun-shelter cabana from LL Bean to use at the beach with DD who will be 4 months old when we go down the shore. I scored free shipping, so I only had to pay sales tax, but it was about $100 as I also purchased the "privacy screen" for nursing.

[fivi2]

I have a Target picnic blanket also - it folds up and zips for carrying. I love it.

We bought a big beach umbrella at Costco last year. It has worked well.

I don't know if either are available this year - sorry!

[PMJ]

I remember some people mentioning on a previous post that they got theirs from :

BRU http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4001268

and Bed Bath and Beyond http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=117667

[Twoboos]

I *almost* bought this recently when it was the Amazon DOTD ($42 at the time I think?). I read somewhere they are available at Costco for around $40.

http://www.amazon.com/SKLZ-BRE01-050-02-Sport-Brella-Red/dp/B002CLQ1NA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1277327622&sr=8-1

Need to get one of the BB&B blankets, too! Right now we use my old college comforter for the beach!!

[newg]

we got this umbrella at Costco for $39 and used it on Hilton Head in May. It was awesome and I can't wait to use it again.

http://www.amazon.com/Sport-Brella-Portable-Weather-Shelter/dp/B0036FDA8U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1277343333&sr=8-2

It even held up against the HH winds.

[alleycat]

Thanks for the suggestions. I guess I'll make a trip to BB&B this weekend to see if I can find a blanket. We're not Costco members but I'll have DH check out BJ's to see if they carry umbrellas.

NEWG: when did you get the $30 one from Costco? Do they still have it? I might have to see if any of our friends are Costco members. I really like the coverage (and the cost) of that umbrella.

[PearlsMom]

We have a Nautica beach umbrella that we got from Marshalls or Daffys or someplace similar. The key feature is that it has a SCREW at the bottom that lets you grind it into the sand, not just a point. It's also got a little metal bar that you insert into a hole running through the umbrella pole to use as a handle when screwing the umbrella in. These features really help eliminate the need to chase the umbrella all over the beach on windy days!

[Twoboos]

we got this umbrella at Costco for $39 and used it on Hilton Head in May. It was awesome and I can't wait to use it again.

http://www.amazon.com/Sport-Brella-Portable-Weather-Shelter/dp/B0036FDA8U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1277343333&sr=8-2

It even held up against the HH winds.

OK, I just picked up one of these at BJs for $39.99. 8 feet wide and spf 50! (Where was this when DDs were really little??? :)) Looks good and can't wait to use it on the beach.

[alleycat]

When I went to BBB, I couldn't find any blankets but I did buy this.

http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Shelter-beach-Cabana-carry/dp/B000SAPXOA/ref=sr_1_26?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1277946984&sr=8-26

It was $29.99 and I used a 20% coupon.

Wondering if I should get the BJ's one instead. The BJ's one looks like it has more coverage. I guess I'll have DH buy it the next time he goes to BJ's and will compare.