"Bring your own" is the new lifestyle

Bring your own has been trending, or in my mind, it should be most trending, staying alongside with mask wearing, especially during this pandemic. Covid-19 pandemic has set back many things for years, including reducing single use items.

I try to do my part in helping our environment in a feasible way. I have the habit of carrying my own coffee mug and I own a few of them, in different shapes, sizes and colours.

I am not ashamed to say that I am inexorable at times, especially on items I enjoy using, from big to small, tumblers to pen, even more obvious seeing I am still driving a 20 years old car. If you are like me, who enjoy quality over other criteria, you may have a look into these items.

My "bring your own" companions Left:KeepCup, Right: Starbucks

I am going to share some of mine “to go items” when it comes to “bring your own”. I have been using KeepCup for a few years now. The eye catching colours really made my day. The size is perfect for me, for a cup of Joe and also for hot tea some time. The silicone sleeve works well, enough friction for a good grip, considering I am a regular butterfingers. There is even a small chip at the bottom of my KeepCup, proving my usage.

The other one I have was a gift, from more than a decade ago. The Starbucks thermos is good in size but slightly heavy to my liking. The inner lining was some clay like texture and was advertised to not ruining the fragrance of tea (if memory serves correctly). I used to keep this in my car, and the cup holder in the car has actually left a ring of scratch on the exterior.

Another one which I carry very regularly is a thermos by a very good Japanese brand, Tiger. It keeps my beverage warm for hours, and light weight compares to the Starbucks thermos I mentioned above. I have been using this for 10 years now, and it is still offering nothing less than perfect. The dents are just like tree rings, marking its years of services.

Decade old thermos from "Tiger"

These items may not be cheap, but they are durable and reliable.