My mother-in-law gave us a really great, portable picnic blanket made of Scottish wool and we loved it – until we had kids. Now, it’s all about barf-proof, spill-proof outdoor gear that doesn’t require spot treating, or worse, dry cleaning. Milk Factory (started by two Vancouver moms) makes a fleece spill-proof blanket with a nylon backing that’s machine washable and dryable. It’s big and soft and can take any liquid, goo or mess my kids want to throw at it. And better still, it still works for those rare occasions when my husband and I go to an outdoor concert – alone. A find at www.milkfactory.com