1. Poinsettia Doormat: 19.95 (you save $3.00!)

2. Buckinham Doormat: $26.9

3. Glorious Fall Doormat: $22.95 (you save $7!)

Find a variety of affordable doormats at Smarter.com.

1. Check the weather!! If it’s going to rain, can you get shelter? Will an umbrella or tent suffice, or is it going to be so hazardous that the event isn’t worth it? Is it going to be over 100 degrees? Make sure you bring all the proper equipment, sunscreen, water bottles, coolers, snacks, etc.

2. How long is the event/ what will parking and travel be like? Will you have to take a 2 hour car ride to NYC for the All Points West concert? Will you only have room in the trunk to pack? Think about the ratio of necessary equipment vs. time at the event/ traveling to the event total. You don’t need to pack for a marathon weekend if you’re only going down the block to see an outdoor movie projected on the side of the bank.

3. Seating. Will it be provided? Will there be a lawn? Should you bring a blanket (so you don’t disrupt the view of your fellow audience?) or should you bring a chair to have a fantastic view, but irritate everyone around you?

Some necessities for every concert goer, outdoor eventer, or summer partier:

High Boy Beach Chair with Cupholder from EverywhereChair.com: Pair of chairs for $230.95

Supersize Primaloft Comforter on sale at The Company Store.com: $107.00 for twin size, $188.00 for extra-warm king size.

Better than a beach towel or sheet, a comforter actually gives some support and is thick enough to protect you from the moist ground.

Coleman X-Treme Wheeled Cooler 62 Quart: $45.86

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more beach chairs and coolers.

Ballard Designs Tilt Umbrella: $359

We live near the gulf so once in a while, a breeze comes.  A tilt umbrella will certainly help that umbrella stay in place.

Frontgate European Sun Umbrella: $699 on sale (Was: $999)

Have to be different?  Umbrellas don’t have to be in the middle all the time.

Half Umbrella Grandin Road: $299

Ok, so not everybody has a huge yard, some of us have very small balconies or patios.  No problem!  The half umbrella is designed for your outdoor space!

Solar Powered Umbrella Plow & Hearth: $149.95 (Umbrella); $79.95 (Base)

It looks like a regular umbrella but Plow & Hearth’s version is the eco-friendly kind.  No need to put outdoor lanterns, this one already has lights installed in it!

So, enjoy summer & stay in the shade!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more patio umbrellas.

Find at Brookstone.com - Mobile Laptop Desk: $129.95 $99.95 on sale!

Compact Appliance:  12% off freestanding beverage fidges - BEVFRG12 (Exp: 05/31/09)

Find at CompactAppliance.com - Avanti Commercial Beverage Refrigerator: $286.56 after coupon  code is applied 

Designer Linens Outlet:  Free shipping on orders of $69+ - ShipAF69 (Exp: 05/31/09)

Find at DesignerLinensOutlet.com: Castle Hill of London 200 Thread Count 100% Egyptain Sheet Set: $49.99 $29.99 on sale!

Living  Direct: Take an additional 5% off all patio furniture - 5PATIO (Exp: 05/31/09)

Find at LivingDirect.com - Vifah Luxany Caffe Bench Patio Set: $749.00 $551.65 on sale! $524.07 after code is applied.

Tool King: Free shipping on all orders over $149 - SPRING (Exp: 05/31/09)

Find at ToolKing.com -Makita Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver: $269.99

Click here to find more coupons for home and garden stores. 

The umbrella to our current patio set has rusted shut. Long story short when it gets windy my Dad shut it, well rain followed the wind and eventually the bugger rusted shut. I sent my Dad a link to the following discount patio umbrellas from Overstock.com. 

This Aluminum Thermometer/Clock Lighted Umbrella adds a touch of versatile style to your next gathering–day or night.  It lights up to add a dash of whimsy to your summer nights and it contains a built in thermostat so your cranky grandparents and house guests can repeat over and over “it’s 102 degrees” !!

Was $225.00

On Sale $89.99

You Save $135.01 (60% Off)

To shop for the  Aluminum Thermometer/Clock Lighted Umbrella, click here.

Nothing quenches the scorching heat like soaking in a cool pool! When I was a child I could literally spend hours upon hours in a swimming pool. Looking back I can’t even recall what I would do per say - float, imagine, play? But as an adult there are only two things I enjoy doing poolside, and that is drinking and lounging with a drink in my hand.

Which is why I now see the brilliance in purchasing quality poolside furnishings. Take for example the Maravilla Pool and Patio lounge chair, the functional curves of the polyform floatation arms provide stand alone support for patio seating and exceptionally stable water lounging.

The jacquard fabric provides the best combination of superior strength, quality appearance and, multi-season all –weather use.

Designed to support over 250 pounds, this luxury lounge features a fully cushioned seating area with dacron filled pillow, built in drink holders and stainless steel hardware. 

This is truly an awesome lounge chair, serves as floaty, lounge chair or tanning deck chair!

Price - $289.99

To purchase or shop for the Maravilla Pool and Patio Lounge Chair, click here.