Discovery Series Ornament – Orlando

Discovery Series Ornament Orlando is a mini mug for a vibrant city in Florida, known for being the home of Walt Disney World and its status as one of the most-visited cities in the United States. Originally inhabited by the Timucua people, the area began to see European settlement in the 1830s, with the establishment of a small fort during the Seminole Wars. The town was officially named Orlando in 1857, possibly after a soldier named Orlando Reeves, though the exact origin remains a topic of debate.… Read more

Been There – Northwestern University

Starbucks Been There Northwestern University is probably the last mug from the Campus Collection. Looking back, it has been three years since the release of the first mug from this subset.

Northwestern University, founded in 1851, is a private research institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The university was established by nine prominent Chicago businessmen who sought to create a high-quality educational institution to serve the Northwest Territory. Initially starting with just two faculty members and ten students, Northwestern has grown into a renowned academic center with multiple campuses and a diverse student body.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Niagara-on-the-Lake

The release of the Discovery Ornament Niagara-On-The-Lake is yet another confirmation that this new series will be pretty big, with mugs and ornaments for more places than the previous collections. In the case of Niagara-on-the-Lake, we’ve seen it before in the form of the full-size mug, but not the ornament.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, located in Ontario (Canada), was originally known as Butlersburg. It was later renamed Newark when it became the first capital of Upper Canada in 1792. The town played a significant role during the War of 1812, when it was burned down by American forces in 1813.… Read more

You Are Here – Kapadokya

You Are Here Kapadokya is the latest (for now) mug from Türkiye.

Kapadokya, an ancient region in central Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), has a rich history spanning thousands of years. First inhabited by the Hittites in the late Bronze Age around 1800 BCE, the region later came under Persian rule as one of their important satrapies. After Alexander the Great’s conquest, it was ruled by a line of independent kings before becoming a Roman province in 17 CE. The region gained particular significance in early Christian history during the Roman and Byzantine periods (3rd-11th centuries CE), when Christians carved thousands of cave churches and underground cities into the area’s distinctive soft volcanic rock formations, creating a vast network of refuges to escape persecution.… Read more

Been There – Kyoto

Starbucks Been There Kyoto is a mug for one of the oldest municipalities in Japan.

Founded in 794 CE as Heian-kyō, Kyoto served as Japan’s imperial capital for over a millennium, shaping the nation’s cultural and spiritual identity. The city emerged as a center of aristocratic culture, Buddhist scholarship, and artistic innovation during the Heian period. Despite fires, wars, and modernization, Kyoto preserved its cultural heritage through centuries, maintaining its status as Japan’s cultural heart even after the imperial capital moved to Tokyo in 1868.… Read more

Discovery Series – The Bronx

Discovery Series The Bronx is a mug for the only New York City borough that is part of the United States mainland.

The Bronx was named after Jonas Bronck, a Swedish sea captain who settled in the area in 1639. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the region remained largely rural, dotted with farms and estates owned by prominent New York families. The borough underwent a massive transformation in the late 19th century with the arrival of elevated trains and subway lines, spurring rapid urbanization and population growth.… Read more

Discovery Series – Orange County

Starbucks consistently mentioned this county from the Los Angeles metropolitan area in its series of merchandise: here’s a mug from YAH and another one from Icons. It was skipped for the Been There Collection, but now makes a return in the form of Discovery Series Orange County.

Orange County’s story began in 1889, when it was officially separated from Los Angeles County. The name originated from the vast orange groves that once dominated the landscape, with citrus farming being the region’s primary economic driver in its early years.… Read more

Been There – Virginia Tech

Been There Virginia Tech is the latest addition to the Campus Collection set of mugs.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, commonly known as Virginia Tech, was founded in 1872 as Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College. The institution began with just 132 students and has grown into one of Virginia’s largest universities, becoming a leading research institution in the United States. Throughout its history, the school has evolved from its agricultural and mechanical roots to become a comprehensive university offering more than 280 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.… Read more

Discovery Series – Atlanta

We’ve identified five design elements from the ornament earlier, and it is time to review the rest from the Discovery Series Atlanta mug.

– We can see the Atlanta skyline on the front, which is a striking amalgamation of modern architecture, featuring iconic structures like the Bank of America Plaza and the soaring SunTrust Plaza against the Southern sky. These gleaming towers, along with the distinctive cylindrical shape of the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel and the contemporary Mercedes-Benz Stadium, create a dynamic urban silhouette that perfectly represents the city’s role as the capital of the New South.… Read more

Discovery Series – Lake Tahoe

Discovery Series – Lake Tahoe follows the ornament that we’ve reviewed recently. Thanks to the bigger size, designers were able to fit a little bit more details when compared to the ornament, namely water activities during the summer.

During the warm months, kayakers and paddleboarders glide across the lake’s smooth surface, enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains. Adventurous visitors can try their hand at water skiing or wakeboarding, while fishing enthusiasts cast their lines for Mackinaw trout and Kokanee salmon.… Read more

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