by Furnishly | Nov 8, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
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If I had to name one simple, unassuming gift I’ve received that ended up becoming an item that I use every single day, it would undoubtedly be the mug warmer that sits on my desk. While there are tons of mug warmers out there to choose from at all different price points, including the Kitchen editor-favorite, splurge-worthy Ember Mug, this no-frills gadget comes out on top for me. Without realizing it, the Vobaga Mug Warmer quickly became one of the most-used gifts I’ve ever received, as it comes in handy multiple times a day.
As someone whose first coffee in the morning usually stretches into the afternoon, I’m quite familiar with the song and dance of having to reheat the same cup over and over again in the microwave. And as anyone else who also sticks their coffee in the microwave knows, it always tastes a little off after and much more bitter.
Having had a Mr. Coffee mug warmer in the past that I lost after moving, my mom bought me this Vobaga mug warmer instead last year to use while working from home. I hadn’t been impressed by the Mr. Coffee warmer as it didn’t keep my coffee very warm (which I didn’t mind since it was only $10!), so I didn’t expect much from this tool that only cost a bit more. But I have been pleasantly surprised!
While there are mug warmers that cost over $100, this under $25 pick does exactly what I need it to do. I’ve noticed that it works best when you place your hot coffee or tea on it right away, rather than halfway through sipping when it’s already gone lukewarm. I think people expect these gadgets to bring their drinks back to a steaming hot temperature — but many are built to slow down the cooling speed. When I place a hot cup of coffee on it fresh from my French press, I can sip it well into the afternoon and have it still be warm. Later in the day, I usually switch to tea, which means that this tool is on basically all day and has yet to show signs of wear or tear.
The Vobaga warmer has three settings, although I always keep mine at the highest setting. I recall being able to touch the plate of my Mr. Coffee warmer when it was on, but this one certainly heats up much higher (aka: Don’t touch the burner!). I also like that it’s touch-enabled and doesn’t have bulky buttons, which contributes to its overall sleek look. While I have it in black, it also comes in several colors like Sky Blue, White, and Wood Grain that make it look like a much more expensive warmer.
Now, I can leisurely sip all my warm beverages and not have to worry about a trip to the microwave. It’s safe to say that I’m ready for winter, thanks to my favorite desk accessory. And clearly, it makes for a great gift for coffee lovers (or tea and hot chocolate) that they’ll use almost constantly!
by Furnishly | Nov 4, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
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Fact: We love our coffee here at Apartment Therapy. As a busy editor who quite literally runs on my morning French press brew, it’s fair to say I’ve gotten a bit picky when it comes to my go-to blend. Enter Partners Coffee, the Brooklyn-based small-batch coffee roaster you need to get on your radar. Today, they just brought back their limited-release Miracle Blend just in time for the holidays, and I’ll admit it: I’m completely hooked on this coffee.
Partners’ Miracle On N. 6th Street is a blend of coffees from Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Honduras that has comforting notes of orange, honey, cranberry, and spice-mulled wine. It’s basically Christmas in coffee form, and it makes my entire apartment smell festive and cozy. I love adding a splash of oat milk or almond milk and sipping it piping hot in the morning as I work, but it’s also smooth and creamy enough to drink black, if that’s more your speed. This special seasonal release makes for a perfect addition to any holiday gathering, but it also makes for one heck of a cute gift for your coffee-loving friend or family member.
My advice? Order your Miracle Blend now while you still can ahead of the holiday rush. Santa would definitely appreciate a piping hot mug of this stuff over milk and cookies.
by Furnishly | Nov 3, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
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I’ve loved coffee since taking my first sip from my father’s cold mug when I was seven. In fact, as I write this, I’m taking my time with a cup of hours-cold coffee. The only change (besides twenty years) is that now I’m drinking it from a Stagg tasting glass from beloved kitchen brand Fellow. It’s made all the difference when it comes to how I start my days and enjoy my favorite simple pleasure.
I’ll start by saying that, as much as I wish I could call myself a connoisseur, I’m merely a coffee fanatic. I have my go-to blends and am always trying new ones, but I just about always have a fresh(ish) cup of coffee nearby at any given time. I have a French press for hosting, a moka pot for espresso, a pour-over set for everyday, a Mr. Coffee for nostalgia, a Chemex for special blends, and about 6,000 “favorite” mugs. The mugs, though, became understudies when the Stagg glasses came into the picture. I began experiencing coffee for all of those little tasting notes that had previously (and quite embarrassingly) been lost on me.
The Stagg glasses, which come as a set of two because they’re an experience worth sharing, have a flared lip that delivers your coffee to the entirety of your palette. In all of my years of unintentionally searing the center of my palette with gulps of hot coffee, I took a sip with this glassware, and as warmth spread across my palette from edge to edge, I tasted new impressions of a coffee I’d had countless times before. I became obsessed. With my Stagg pour-over kettle (aka the coffee tool that started it all for me and heats water to the perfect brewing temperature every time) in tow, I was able to brew coffee really well. And with the Stagg glasses, I was finally able to get those pleasant, formerly mysterious notes of raisin, tobacco, chocolate, berries, and even citrus.
My brewing routines are no more complicated than they were before I found the Stagg set, yet my personal coffee journey has taken a huge leap. So if you’ve been looking for a way to up your coffee game, this is it. Just keep in mind one consequence of trying them out: The amount of time you spend shopping for coffee may increase dramatically.
by Furnishly | Oct 28, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
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Who else remembers childhood advent calendars filled with a tiny piece of chocolate each day? Or you may have had an annual countdown calendar like my family that included no treat at all — gasp! These days, advent calendars have become a curated, luxurious treat to yourself during the holiday season because you get a gift every day. Ring in the most wonderful time of the year with the Bonne Maman advent calendar that always sells out or pick up one of the coveted Aldi’s advent calendars that carry wine and Belgian chocolates.
With a dozen distinct specialty coffees to sample leading up to Christmas, Bean Box’s Twelve Mornings of Coffee Advent Calendar is going to make early rising so much jollier. Each day comes with a 1.8-ounce bag filled with your choice of ground coffee or coffee beans from high-quality independent roasters across the country. You might find a new brand to fall in love with along the way, too!
Explore limited-edition holiday-inspired roasts like the Sleigh Bells Blend from True North that has chocolate and brown sugar flavors reminiscent of Christmas cookies. Or, try the Fireside Blend from Ladro Roasting that tastes just like roasted chestnuts with notes of molasses and allspice. There’s also the Celtic Winter Blend that gives off caramel, marzipan, and poached pear flavors, perfect for kicking off a snowy winter day. The size of each bag is big enough for enjoying a few cups of coffee, so you can still sip on these cozy brews on chilly mornings even after Christmas is over.
While you’ll want to grab one of these advent calendars for yourself, it’ll also make fantastic gifts for your fellow coffee lovers. Buy it as an early holiday present or gift it to them on Christmas — they can enjoy a specialty coffee for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas afterward!
by Furnishly | Oct 26, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
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I don’t claim to be a coffee expert — I’m still trying to make the perfect cup of joe out of my French press every morning — but I do know two things for sure about my favorite morning pick-me-up. The first is that it brings me joy, obviously. The second is that there’s something about drinking coffee out of a glass cup that makes the whole experience even better.
For instance, I know I’m in a fancy coffee shop when I’m served a latte in a glass cup, the kind with grooved sides that widens at the top. I love watching the coffee and milk swirl together when I stir it with a spoon, something that us hot coffee drinkers don’t get to enjoy as regularly as iced coffee fanatics. So you can imagine my joy when I discovered the world’s prettiest glass travel coffee cup, the KeepCup.
These barista-standard reusable coffee cups were created in Melbourne, Australia, aka the coffee capital of the world. They have the most intentional design I’ve seen in a travel coffee mug, from the size of the mouthpiece to the way the cup curves so it fits perfectly in my hand. What makes them especially unique is that they come in different sizes that accommodate different coffee drinkers, ranging from extra small to large. I find that the small size is ideal for espresso drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites, while the large size seems like it would be perfect for filling with drip coffee from your home coffee maker and taking it with you.
In case you’re wondering, they do sell plastic cups for anyone who doesn’t trust themselves with breakable glass on-the-go, as well as thermal cups if you’re a stickler for keeping coffee piping-hot. However, if you’re someone trying to turn your to-go coffee into an experience worthy of an Italian café (ahem, like myself), then the brew-style glass is for you.
Lately, I’ve been using my KeepCup for when I treat myself to an afternoon latte from one of the cafés nearby to bring home and enjoy while I finish the workday. It’s lightweight and easy to toss in my bag, plus it helps cut down on waste from using disposable coffee cups.
I tend to even use it with coffee I’ve made myself at home — it makes a regular coffee feel a little bit special. It’s also speedy to clean, unlike a normal travel mug that usually requires a bottle brush. Plus, they’ll make great gifts for any coffee lover because they come in so many styles and colors, but I think the glass cup with the cork band can’t be beat.
Now excuse me while I sip on my latte from my room, imagining I’m sitting outdoors at a café in Barcelona overlooking the Mediterranean.
