Life Life Strategies Smart Finds A Foldable Yoga Mat—and More Clever Items to Simplify Your Life A laptop sleeve-turned-stand, a cute scratching post for your kitty, and more smart finds. By Teddy Willson Teddy Willson Teddy Willson is a New York-based writer who covers culture, home and entertainment. Her favorite day is new music Friday and she considers Pinterest the ultimate life planner. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on April 20, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. shopstakt.com Time and again, we find that the best products in life are the multi-functional ones. Why buy any old laptop case when you could choose a sleek, vegan leather sleeve that transforms into a handy laptop stand once you get to your destination? Why add multiple exercise accessories to your cart when you can get a soft and supportive fitness mat that folds easily into a workout block, a step for incline moves, and extra padding for knees and elbows? There's really no competition there. You'll find these smart picks and more—including an actually attractive pet scratcher and a souped-up backpack—right here. Transformable Laptop Sleeve multitasky.com Buy on Multitasky.com This laptop sleeve works as hard as you do: It protects your computer during the commute and folds into a stand once you get to the office. Price at time of publish: $40 Foldable Yoga Mat shopstakt.com Buy on Shopstakt.com In more folding news, we bring you this high-functioning foam mat. Unfurl it for yoga class or close it up for tricep dips, step-ups, incline exercises, and more. Even when spread out, it’s twice as thick as a typical exercise mat. Price at time of publish: $86 Couch-Saving Scratching Post etsy.com Buy on Etsy Scratching posts aren’t usually all that pretty, but this handmade option is a whole other animal. Bonus: It hugs the corner of your couch to shield it from curious claws. Price at time of publish: $140 No-Fail Charcuterie Plate goverre.com Buy on Goverre.com If your charcuterie boards don’t come out looking particularly Insta-worthy, this melamine tray—with ridges to guide where you put your salami, Brie, and accoutrements—is the answer. Price at time of publish: $39 Cross-Body Phone Case bandolierstyle.com Buy on Bandolierstyle.com Snap this attractive case onto your phone for a no-fuss “bag” that can also hold your ID and credit cards. A perfectly practical accessory for any traveler—or anyone who needs help keeping track of their stuff. Price at time of publish: $118 Anti-Theft Vacation Backpack baggallini.com Buy on Baggallini.com Not today, pickpockets! This cut-resistant backpack has locking zippers to safeguard your stuff, no matter what crowded city you find yourself in. Price at time of publish: $110 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit