Discovery Series – Los Angeles

The Discovery Series Los Angeles is a mug for a dynamic coastal metropolis where film, beaches, creativity, and cultural diversity come together under year-round sunshine.

Los Angeles is a city shaped by reinvention, creativity, and cultural influence. Originally founded in 1781 as El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles, it grew from a small Spanish settlement into a global metropolis during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The arrival of the film industry, a booming port, and waves of migration helped define its modern identity.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Toronto

The Discovery Series Ornament Toronto was one of the first mini mugs from this series that I got. I have time to finally post it here.

Toronto is one of Canada’s most dynamic cities, shaped by Indigenous heritage, British colonial roots, and waves of immigration that helped turn it into a global cultural and economic center. Originally known as York in the late 18th century, the city grew rapidly with the expansion of railways, industry, and trade along Lake Ontario. Today, Toronto stands as Canada’s largest city, known for its skyline, neighborhoods, and strong connection to sports, food, and outdoor life along the waterfront.… Read more

Discovery Series – Montréal

Discovery Series Montréal is a mug for a city that blends European charm and North American energy, where historic streets, vibrant festivals, and a world-class food scene come together. I reviewed the ornament for Montréal more than one year ago!

Montreal’s story begins in 1642 when French settlers established Ville-Marie on an island in the St. Lawrence River, naming it after Mount Royal, the triple-peaked hill at its heart. The city flourished as New France’s commercial center before British conquest in 1760 created the unique bicultural character that defines Montreal today.… Read more

Been There Ornament – Sarawak

The Been There Ornament Sarawak is the last known Malaysian mini mug from this collection. I am lucky I was able to collect them all thanks to my friend!

The design of the Been There Ornament Sarawak reflects the rich cultural history and natural heritage of Malaysia’s largest state, shaped by centuries of indigenous traditions, trade along river routes, and colonial influence. Sarawak’s past is closely tied to the Brooke era, when it was ruled by the White Rajahs in the 19th century, leaving behind distinctive architecture and institutions that still define the region today.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Los Angeles

Discovery Series Ornament Los Angeles is an espresso mug from California.

Los Angeles began as a small Spanish settlement founded in 1781 under the name El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles. Over time, it grew through Mexican rule, became part of the United States in the mid-19th century, and rapidly expanded with the arrival of railroads, oil discoveries, and the motion picture industry. Today, Los Angeles stands as a global city where entertainment, coastal living, and cultural diversity intersect, all of which are reflected in the symbols and scenes illustrated on the mug.… Read more

Discovery Series – Palm Springs

Similar to other mugs from this collection, the design of the Discovery Series Palm Springs has more symbols and landmarks, compared to the ornament that I added to my collection earlier this week.

Palm Springs evolved from a remote desert inhabited by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians into Hollywood’s favorite escape in the 1930s and 1940s. Movie stars built hideaways just two hours from Los Angeles, seeking privacy, sunshine, and the therapeutic dry climate. The city’s heyday during the 1950s and 1960s brought architectural experimentation with modernist homes that maximized desert living through glass walls and seamless indoor-outdoor spaces.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Alberta

Discovery Series Ornament Alberta is the first-ever mini mug for this Canadian Province.

Alberta joined the Canadian Confederation on September 1, 1905, as one of two provinces (along with Saskatchewan) carved from the Northwest Territories. The region was shaped by Indigenous peoples, including the Blackfoot, Cree, and Métis, before the arrival of European fur traders in the 18th century. The completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885 opened Alberta to settlement, while the discovery of oil at Leduc in 1947 transformed the province from an agricultural economy into Canada’s energy powerhouse.… Read more

Been There – Penang

The design of the Been There Penang mug celebrates the broader history and identity of the state of Penang, long known as one of Malaysia’s most important trading hubs and cultural crossroads. Established in the late 18th century, Penang played a key role in regional commerce, migration, and cultural exchange between East and West. The design thoughtfully incorporates a depiction of Penang Island, anchoring the artwork in the place where much of the state’s historic and modern life has flourished.… Read more

Discovery Series – Iowa

Discovery Series Iowa joins the ornament that I reviewed recently.

Iowa became the 29th state on December 28, 1846, carved from territory acquired through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. The state’s fertile prairies attracted waves of European immigrants, particularly Germans and Scandinavians, who established farming communities throughout the 19th century. Iowa’s agricultural bounty earned it the nickname “Food Capital of the World,” with corn and soybean fields dominating landscapes and hog production leading the nation. From its role in presidential politics through the first-in-the-nation caucuses to its position as America’s agricultural heartland, Iowa embodies Midwestern values of hard work, community, and productive land use.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Palm Springs

Discovery Series Ornament Palm Springs is a mini mug for a city that didn’t have one before!

Palm Springs transformed from a desert oasis inhabited by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians into a glamorous resort destination in the early 20th century. Hollywood stars discovered the area in the 1930s, making it their playground just two hours from Los Angeles, while the clean desert air attracted those seeking relief from respiratory ailments. The city’s golden age in the 1950s and 1960s saw architectural innovation through mid-century modern design that still defines its aesthetic today.… Read more

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