Apartment Therapy and Pretty Rugged Dropped a Luxuriously Soft Faux Fur Blanket I’m Using All Winter (Perfect for Outdoors!)
In New York City (and many cities, for that matter), it can be hard to find outdoor space nearby if you just want to chill out in nature. Fortunately, I moved into an apartment building with a pretty sweet rooftop this past year. I like to hang out there all spring and summer, whether I’m sunbathing, having a glass of wine at happy hour, or reading on the weekends. It’s honestly one of the best features of where I live. But when fall rolls around and the temperatures drop, I have to part ways with my beloved rooftop for about four months. At least, that used to be the case. I was just thinking about how I could prolong my rooftop time (maybe a portable heater?) when Apartment Therapy’s CEO Maxwell Ryan announced an upcoming collaboration with Pretty Rugged.
In case you’re not familiar with the brand, Pretty Rugged is known for its luxurious outdoor blankets, which are made of cozy faux fur. Today, it launched an all-new version in collaboration with AT, and it’s my new favorite outdoor accessory. The City Mink Long Lap Blanket is also perfect for gifting, regardless of whether your loved one is the outdoorsy type or not. (It might just make them enjoy the outdoors, in fact.)
What is the City Mink Long Lap Blanket?
The City Mink blanket is made of Pretty Rugged’s signature faux fur material and SatinTex backing, which is waterproof and windproof. It arrives in a matching satin drawstring bag, and both the bag and blanket are emblazoned with Apartment Therapy’s charming red ribbon logo. The blanket is a deep gray color and felt so much softer than I expected it to when I pulled it out of the bag. It strikes a perfect balance between being homey and practical, which is part of what initially drew Apartment Therapy CEO Maxwell Ryan to Pretty Rugged.
“Since meeting Tracy years ago, I love how she has perfected the indoor/outdoor blanket to create a durable, warm solution that allows us to spend more time outdoors in all weather conditions,” Maxwell Ryan explained. “We at Apartment Therapy are elated to work with her to infuse our style into her collection, and bring her work to our audiences across the country.”
My favorite thing about the blanket, besides its cozy feel, is that it’s machine washable. I’ve owned faux fur blankets in the past that pilled after washing, but when I washed this one on a delicate setting and dried it on low heat, it retained its furry texture and lustrous sheen. You’ll also be happy to learn that the City Mink blanket has a waterproof corner pocket, which is the perfect size for your phone, wallet, and other small personal items.
Also notable is the fact that the blanket is not a perfect square but rather a long rectangle, as its name suggests. It measures 33 inches wide by 56 inches long. Of course, you can use the blanket indoors in addition to outdoors — I know I’m going to.
Why I Love the City Mink Long Lap Blanket
I used this blanket a few times last week on my beloved rooftop. One time I just took my laptop up there and spread out on a chaise lounge while finishing up some work tasks. The weather hasn’t been too cold in NYC lately, but you can catch a chill if you stay out a while nonetheless. The City Mink blanket was just the covering I needed to stay cozy and comfortable, and I ended up staying out for over an hour. If you use this covering below 50-degree weather, you definitely still need to bundle up in order to stay warm. But I think it would be great for fall camping trips or bonfire hangouts. I like to have the furry side up, but if I were to use this outside while it was really cold, I would definitely drape the furry side over myself for extra insulation.
I also appreciate the blanket’s rectangular shape. I can spread it over my lap and feel covered without swimming in fabric, or I can wrap it around my shoulders like a shawl as I scroll on my phone. If I want to put my phone down without losing it in the blanket, I simply slide it into the pocket, and my hands are free to hold a snack or flip through a book. The blanket is big enough to share with one other person, and when you’re done using it, it rolls up seamlessly back into its bag. I love my City Mink blanket so much that I might also use it while lounging indoors on the couch. It would also make a wonderful gift for anyone who enjoys being outside year-round, especially because the blanket is personalizable.
Be sure to grab this limited-edition release for yourself or for a loved one (or both!) while it’s still available. Luxurious blankets are rarely also this durable, making the long lap blanket a real gem.