Summer means days at the beach, picnics, playdates at the park and outdoor concerts and fireworks displays. Unless you enjoy sitting on the grass, it’s helpful to have a blanket handy. The folks at Vat19 sent me a Tuffo Outdoor Waterproof Blanket to review.

The top cover is soft enough for a baby, and the cushioned-blanket is big enough to accommodate a family of four. The waterproof nylon underside keeps you dry even when the ground is wet. It’s easy to wipe the bottom clean with a damp cloth after use. If you prefer, just toss the blanket into the laundry for a thorough wash.

My uber-creative friend Martie made these adorable and affordable pumpkin people decorations. Visit her blog to learn how to make pumpkin people.
Martie is the party and entertaining expert on MSN, but she’s no Martha Stewart. Her ideas are meant to be affordable and easy for normal people to do. For a recent party, Martie used hollowed out gourds she found at a farm stand as vases and candle-holders. She spent less than $40…but the decorations looked luxe and expensive.
Another affordable idea: line your driveway or the path to your front step with …

When you have children, you make certain sacrifices. And of course when you look into those smiling faces, it is all worthwhile. But when you watch others sipping cosmos at a cocktail party or mint julips on Derby Day, perhaps you feel the slightest bit jealous? And very thirsty…parched even?
When I was pregnant with my first, a couple of other expecting friends and I downed sparkling cider and wished there was a fun recipe book of mocktails for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or just don’t want to overdo the …

 Guests at my baby shower were oowing ahhing over the diaper cake centerpiece from Diaper Cakewalk. I received the Blue Caramel Diaper Cake (pictured), which perfectly coordinated with the blue and chocolate invitations and decorations selected by the shower hosts.
I’ve purchased diaper cakes as presents for other baby showers in the past, so I could recognize the superior quality and attention to detail in the Diaper Cakewalk cake. First, this diaper cake was made entirely of Pampers Swaddlers. Many of the other diaper cakes I’d seen were made of lower quality diapers. Second, this cake was …

Easter is early this year. Even if the weather is chilly, you can still throw a great Easter Egg Hunt Party using these tips from my friend Martie Duncan.
I can’t wait to make the Marshmallow Peeps Cake (check out Martie’s article for more info). What a great decoration.  I know Peeps are unhealthy and full of sugar, but there’s something about those little pink bunnies and yellow chicks that reminds me of springtime! 
For a healthier party snack, try Martie’s peanut butter fluff dip with sliced red and green apples.

Tired of being supermom? Miss hanging out with your girlfriends? Instead of going out on the town, indulge in your favorite guilty pleasures during a Girls’ Night-In party.
Party-expert Martie Duncan gives tips for planning the perfect, no-fuss Girls’ Night-In Party in her new series at MSN. You can serve everything from doughnuts and candy to mini-burgers, chips and fondue. (Check out her recipes.)
Martie and her friends enjoyed gossip magazines, “Sex in the City,” and “Desperate Housewives” at her party. But you can design your own brand of fun by cooking, …

When I was in college, I often threw fun, no-fuss parties. After graduation, entertaining grew more time-consuming….and more expensive. I would spend hours in the kitchen making recipes from Martha Stewart and Bon Appetit, worry about my wine selection, and completely stress myself out in an attempt to throw the perfect party. As a result, I started to hate throwing parties. After working all week, who wants to spend an entire Saturday getting ready for a party? It just isn’t worth the effort.
I’m thankful that my friend Martie Duncan …

Here are some of our favorite places to shop for Halloween!
Click here for a full list of our Halloween Shopping Partners and don’t forget to check out our most recent Halloween Coupons, Promotions, and Deals in Mamanista’s Coupons for discounts and specials at many of these stores.
Halloween Costumes, Accessories, Decorations and More:

HalfPriceCostumes.com (sponsors of our Halloween Costume Contest): Get 10% off & Free Shipping on orders $70+ (hpc10ship); Get 10% off orders $50+ (hpc10)
ExtremeHalloween.com (use exclusive coupon code MAMANISTA for 10% off of $30+)
BuyCostumes.com Save 10% with coupon code: …

Whether you have a room full of little gremlins, or your hosting a slightly older gathering of ghouls, Fun Halloween Games are a great way to break the ice. You get 50 printable Halloween, Harvest, and Thanksgiving games for $17.95 and you can print as many copies as you like. The games include picture matches for the smallest monsters, trivia games that are great for door prizes, word finds and scrambles to challenge older spooky celebrants, and interactive games. You can purchase individual games, such as Which Witch is …