outdoors

Contigo - Travel Mugs

laras tuesday

Given that we live in a time where everything is fast and on-the-go, even the most practical items were bound to jump on board. Currently, you may not pay much attention to your coffee mug, but we at The Amazing Blog have found a company that makes simple yet elegant hassle-free mugs to keep your drinks hot or cold during the busiest days.  Contigo has taken the art of mug making and has formed it into a business, a business that is steadily booming here in the UK as well as other countries around the world. Contigo offers a wide array of products ranging from travel mugs, water bottles, kids cups and coffee mugs. We were lucky enough to try two of their travel mugs, the Morgan and their best-seller West Loop, both of which were a big-hit here in the office.

The Morgan AUTOSEAL Thermo Cup is stylish and easyt to carry throughout your busy day. The cup is made of soft-touch plastic and comes in four bright colours. Their design was praised by Red Dot, especially the AUTOSEAL feature that allows you to open the mug with the press of a button and seals upon release, making it 100% spill proof. I have been using this mug and have no problem with leaks considering I just throw it into my handbag on the way to work. I also enjoy the reservoir feature that keeps some of your drink a bit cooler for your next sip, eliminating those ever annoying scalds of the tongue. Though it helps protect you from burning your mouth, this cup keeps drinks hot for an hour and drinks cold for up to four.

If you are a bit more adventurous and need more from your thermo cup, you may need to try the West Loop. West Loop is a Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug which also features the AUTOSEAL making it 100% spill proof. The double insulated walls will keep your drinks hot for up to 4 hours or cold for up to 12, making it ideal for those long business trips or weekend hikes. West Loop comes available in 9 colours and is top-rack dishwasher safe (just like the Morgan), making the clean up as easy as the sip.

To get your hands on these lovely, hassle-free mugs visit the Contigo online shop here!  Next time you are trying to enjoy your drink while lugging your groceries, handbag, your child or all three at once, know that your drink is safe in your hands and only a press of a button away.

Nordic House - Botanique Oil Lamps

blog1 Gazing out the window to see sunshine and beautiful blue skies makes me crave being outside more than ever. My colleagues and I at The Amazing Blog cannot help but brainstorm all the spring activities we want to do. One of my personal favourites is coming home and having dinner or a drink on my roof terrace amidst the fresh spring air (which I’m definitely doing tonight!). Setting the mood with some candles and basking under the starry sky can always help take the edge off after a long day’s work. Thankfully, we have found the lovely Nordic House Botanique Oil Lamps to help us do just that.

The Nordic House Botanique Oil Lamps emit a soft candle light glow that is just bright enough to see your drink without blocking out the shining stars. I find the small flame and gentle coloured base really help set the mood for relaxation. Made of a distressed ceramic, these oil lamps come in grey-blue, old white and taupe. These chic lamps are quite economical too, just a small amount of kerosene oil can last weeks. And if you are in a place where bugs become a bit pesty during spring, use citronella oil instead and keep the bugs at bay. At a modest £12.95 they have become an essential to my outdoor entertainment.

The ceramic compliments my rugged terrace beautifully, but if the distressed look doesn’t quite match your style don’t be turned away. The Nordic House offers a wide variety of oil lamps on their website. From modern glass and contemporary copper to oxidised metal and aged stone, they are sure to have a style to suit your home. With weather like this, being outside is a necessity. I cannot wait to get off work and unwind with a calm candle light dinner under the spring night sky.