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

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 – 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

You Are Here Ornament – Karlovy Vary

Three years after the release of the full-sized mug, You Are Here Ornament – Karlovy Vary is making its appearance in stores.

Karlovy Vary, also known as Carlsbad, is a spa town nestled in western Bohemia, Czech Republic. Founded in 1370 by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, the city’s name translates to “Charles’ Boiling Water,” referencing its famous hot springs. Legend has it that Charles IV discovered the springs while on a hunting expedition, leading to the town’s establishment.

Throughout its history, Karlovy Vary has been a favored destination for European nobility, artists, and intellectuals.… Read more

Been There – Suzhou

Been There – Suzhou is a mug for a city located in eastern China’s Jiangsu province. Founded in 514 BCE during the Spring and Autumn period, it quickly became an important cultural and economic center. The city flourished during the Tang and Song dynasties as a hub for silk production and trade. Suzhou is renowned for its classical gardens, many of which were constructed during the Ming and Qing dynasties and are now UNESCO World Heritage sites. Throughout its long history, the city has been celebrated by poets and artists for its beauty, earning it the nickname “Venice of the East” due to its intricate canal system.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Montréal

This major Canadian city has always been overlooked in terms of ornaments. This injustice came to an end with the rollout of the new collection from Starbucks, which resulted in the release of the Discovery Series Ornament Montréal.

Montreal, founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie by French colonists, is one of the oldest cities in North America. Originally established as a missionary colony, it quickly became an important fur trading post due to its strategic location along the St. Lawrence River.… Read more

You Are Here – Kuşadası

Love the colors of the You Are Here Kuşadası mug from the Republic of Türkiye. Kusadasi is a coastal city that was originally settled by the Ionians in 3000 BCE and later came under Roman and Byzantine rule. The city’s name, meaning “Bird Island,” refers to a small island connected to the mainland by a causeway. Kusadasi gained prominence in the medieval period as an important port for trade between Europe and Asia. The impressive 17th-century Okuz Mehmed Pasha Caravanserai, built to accommodate merchants and travelers, stands as a testament to the city’s historical significance in commerce.… Read more

Discovery Series – Brooklyn

Starbucks is going granular with the release of the Discovery Series Brooklyn mug. We’ve seen mugs for parks and universities, but never for a borough of a city. Does it mean other cities will follow this pattern? It’s hard to say, but I definitely see many more locations for this new collection. The Discovery Series might end up being the largest ever. Stay tuned, I will add them all here… eventually…

As for the New York City boroughs, these are Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.… Read more

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