by Furnishly | Jun 24, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
As someone who still does everything from home — work, exercise, entertain… trust me, the list goes on — I’m no stranger to making the most of a surge protector. An easy, effective way to maximize your outlets without blowing a fuse? There’s no wonder why my fiancé and I have power strips in practically every room of our apartment. But recently, I had a surprising realization: A surge protector might be one of the most functional accessories in my home, but it’s by no means attractive. In fact, it’s kind of an eyesore.
For as long as I can remember, I’d buy those traditional power strips that would sit idle on my floor, dresser, or media center. Practical? Yes. Stylish? Well… not quite. Not only would my power strips of yesteryear hog up some valuable square footage, but they would also make my cables look unkempt. Almost like Medusa’s mane, and I don’t mean that in a glamorous, mythological way. “There must be a better, less cluttered way to stay plugged in,” I thought to myself.
Turns out, there is. A few weeks later, I went to a friend’s apartment when I saw the perfect solution in her bathroom: a surge protector… that’s mounted to your wall. I immediately picked up two from Amazon and am convinced it’s the game-changer my apartment needed.
For such a simple switch, it’s amazing how much of a difference it’s made. Instead of having a power strip awkwardly on my floor — and trying to find a semi-creative way to mask it — this new-and-improved surge protector blends into my wall. And, with six outlets and two USB ports, my wall mount has ample space to power up my phone, the television, our sound bar, and my fiancé’s gaming console.
Of course, a wall-mounted strip is about more than just aesthetics. Now, all outlets rest nicely above the floor, making my cables less taut than they used to be. And, since my cords have more give, I don’t have to worry about my precious office lamp getting hurled off my desk at the slightest movement. (Yes, it’s happened before.)
The only downside? The surge protector I bought from Amazon Basics is currently unavailable, but don’t worry: there are still plenty of options. If you want to stick with Amazon’s signature brand, Amazon Basics has a wall-mounted option with six rotating outlets. (That way, you can pivot you cable in the direction of your device.) Looking to plug in your smartphone? Belkin’s take has over 75,000 reviews, a near-perfect rating, an “Amazon’s Choice” badge, and two USB ports. Or, for the more budget-conscious, Cable Matters has one for less than $10.
Make no mistake, my chaotic cables still have a long way to go. In fact, I’m even looking for the perfect cord ties to keep the Medusa vibes to a minimum. But, if you’re also tired of looking at the same power strip cluttering your floors, this is a great place to start.
Kelsey Mulvey
Contributor
Kelsey Mulvey is a lifestyle editor and writer. She has written for publications like Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Wallpaper.com, New York Magazine, and more.
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by Furnishly | Jun 21, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
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I know I’m not alone when I say it’s a total chore to eat enough fruits and veggies every day. It’s not that I don’t love juicy mangoes, strawberries, and watermelon ( I once devoured an entire cantaloupe in one sitting as a child ) — the pain is in the prep. Living in a big city, it’s tricky to plan what I’m eating in a day, and it’s even more complicated to carry food with me while commuting. After all, my back can only handle so much schlepping! Thankfully, my fruit-eating struggles came to an end when I discovered the BlendJet 2 a couple of years ago. I’ve been hooked ever since.
If this small (but mighty) gadget hasn’t made its debut on your Instagram feed yet, let me introduce you. The BlendJet 2 is a personal blender that’s portable, USB rechargeable, and serves up single-size smoothies, juices, and way more in just minutes. You can simply toss in your favorite smoothie ingredients, press the start button, and you’ll have a creamy, dreamy drink that tastes just as good as the ridiculously expensive $15 smoothies I used to buy at fancy cafes. Yes, it definitely doesn’t hurt that it also saves me a ton of money while at the same time ensuring I get my daily nutrients in.
Another city-dweller issue I put up with is not having counter space for a bulky, super-powerful blender, so this baby is the next best thing. It barely takes up any precious storage real estate, and it doesn’t come with a bunch of accessories that I don’t have space for. Not to mention, the BlendJet 2 Portable Blender comes in a bunch of chic patterns and colors, so you can match it to your mood or kitchen decor. It also comes with an attached handle for toting on the go.
I’m someone who thrives on routines, so I use the same smoothie ingredients regularly. I also live alone, which makes it difficult to eat fresh fruit before it goes bad, so I rely primarily on frozen fruit. I’ll usually make my smoothie with almond milk, a banana, yogurt, and some frozen berries. My secret for a seriously tasty treat? I add in a little gourmet honey, and if I need an energy boost, I’ll add in some protein, too.
The beauty of this blender is that you can make way more than just smoothies with it. Whip up gourmet salad dressings, sauces, or even frozen margs in seconds! Best of all, it’s a total breeze to clean. When I’m done sipping on my beverage, I fill it with some warm, soapy water, press the start button, and it cleans itself.
Overall, this little tool packs a serious punch. Depending on what I toss inside, I have to run a few cycles until it’s perfectly blended. But most of the time, it gets the job done with one go. Sometimes, I let my frozen fruit sit out on the counter for 5-10 minutes so it’s a little easier to blend.
I honestly don’t know how I lived without this thing for so long — I use it multiple times a week, and it’s such a lifesaver when I don’t have time to sit down and eat a full meal. It’s also perfect for summer sipping!
