My mini collection
A few weeks ago, I attended a Toastmasters evening at another club, which was quite enjoyable. One of the speeches that evening was given by a member who told the story of his mini collection of alcohol bottles. I was inspired, and in today’s blog post, I’d like to introduce you to my mini collection! 😊 Not of alcohol, but something else. Continue reading to learn more about it 😊
I think it all started when I came to live in Luxembourg. I was accepted for my second master’s degree in European Governance and rented student accommodation near the campus in Belval. I changed rooms several times over the two years, and I also lived in the city of Luxembourg – I think five times in total. But what does all this have to do with the mini appliances? Since I was living alone, I had to basically rethink my consumer habits. I used to have formal and informal clothing attires, for example. However, I started choosing more formal clothes so that I didn’t need to keep two different wardrobes. The same went for food – the fridge at the student residence was usually quite small, therefore I had to carefully plan my groceries and have a stricter eating plan for the week. This minimalist approach transferred to the appliances that I was also using in my everyday life. I started using smaller versions as they were much more practical in terms of transportation. Moreover, the so-called “travel appliances” were also quite useful when I was travelling or doing several days of hiking.
I think these appliances were quite basic a few decades ago, but now the mini versions of kettles and coffee machines, for example, are quite powerful and, depending on the model, you won’t normally notice a difference. Not to mention that the price is usually significantly lower than the standard versions.
After I finished my master’s degree, I changed accommodation four more times (yep) and I’d honestly say that using the mini version had significantly reduced the stress of packing, transporting and repacking. I continue using the mini version in my everyday life and I enjoy it a lot. Not to mention that I take some of them with me whenever I travel. Here are my favourites.
Nutribullet Mini
No doubt one of the best mixers and shake makers out there – the Nutribullet is world-famous for its quality and power, especially when it comes to combining fruits and nuts, for instance. One of my usual breakfasts includes a protein shake with a pinch of seeds or cocoa butter. Normally, I’d find it insufficient for my morning meal, but the velvety smooth texture made me rethink that. The mini version is also great for green smoothies or if you’d like to add nuts. The only downside here is the size of the cup, of course – if you need a larger quantity, you have to make it twice.
Portable or mini Nutribullet - one of my favourite morning companions.
Mini Kettle
I learned the habit from my mother – upon waking up, to take a glass of hot water with or without lemon. As I usually don’t have much time in the morning, I tend to skip the lemon because I have to brush my teeth or have breakfast shortly after. And the best tool for this routine is, of course, the mini kettle 😊 It’s quick, quiet and stylish. The one below I got as a present.
Fancy electric portable kettle (heart)
Espresso Machine
Now that was a pain point for me since I moved. As a real coffee lover, I had to completely change my habits during the first two years at university. I was used to the strong, creamy robusta espressos that you can find in Bulgaria or Italy, and it seemed that wasn’t the favourite drink in Luxembourg at that time. Coffee was usually Arabica, which has much more acidity, less body, and contains more water. I started drinking moka, which was okay, and occasionally having a proper espresso at Knoppes in Luxembourg city.
In the past two years, I was looking for a proper espresso machine. However, there was always a problem. I tried a fancy De’Longhi model for a while – it was great for cappuccinos, but not espresso. I ordered two models of Gaggia but had to return them due to technical issues. I started going for coffee early in the morning at the nearby bakery. That social element was new for me. However, it was quite challenging, as during winter, it was quite cold at that time of the day.
I had been looking at the travel espresso machines for quite some time, and in the end, I decided to try the Outin brand. It took me a box of Nespresso capsules to learn how it works, but eventually, I managed to prepare myself a great cup of espresso. I used the occasion to switch to decaffeinated coffee and created a new and healthier habit of having a cup of decaf espresso at home. There are also lots of fancy accessories, and I can’t wait to take it with me when travelling.
High quality portable espresso machine.
What about you? Do you own a portable mini version of any of your usual appliances at home? :)
