Beach blanket bingo - What's New? - picnic blanket - Brief Article - Evaluation

* Dragging blankets back and forth on beach excursions while already encumbered by coolers, picnic baskets, towels, and the various accoutrements that accompany small children for a day on the sand can be a major hassle. Fortunately for seaside beasts of burden, Intromark Incorporated, Pittsburgh, Pa., has an ingenious solution to help ease the load.

The Blanket Buddie is a round blanket/ground cover/playmat that comes in 5' and 6' diameters. The top has either a plush fleece or terry cloth surface with a water-resistant nylon backing. The blanket is ideal for sitting upon or playing on at the beach or on the grass for picnics and/or other outings, but that's only half the story. A drawstring runs around the perimeter and, when pulled, converts the blanket into a carryall, perfect for lugging home wet clothes and towels, as well as a great deal of the other detritus of a day out. Built-in mesh pockets provide additional storage and are particularly useful for letting wet items dry out.

The Blanket Buddie is $34.95 for the 5' terry model or $39.95 for the 6' version. In fleece, it is $35.95 and $40.95, respectively. For purchasing information, go online at www.blanketbuddie.com.

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This symbol * indicates USA Today has tested a product for operating in full compliance with the manufacturer's specifications and to determine its performance as applicable to our reader's needs. Disadvantages, if any, also are reported. Although we cannot guarantee a product, we offer the starred designation as a guide to readers.

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