Discovery Series Ornament – Twin Cities

Discovery Series Ornament Twin Cities is a mini mug for a city that only had regular-sized mugs before. I got it together with the Minnesota ornament that I added to my collection recently.

The Twin Cities’ history begins with the establishment of Fort Snelling in 1819 at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, creating a military presence that attracted settlers to the region. Minneapolis grew around St. Anthony Falls, harnessing the waterfall’s power for lumber and flour milling in the mid-1800s, while St.… Read more

Been There Ornament – Brisbane

The Been There Ornament Brisbane is almost a complete copy of the mug I added recently.

Brisbane’s history as Queensland’s capital dates back to its founding in 1825 as a penal colony for repeat offenders from Sydney, making it one of Australia’s harshest convict settlements. The settlement opened to free settlers in 1842 and was named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, the governor of New South Wales. Brisbane became the capital when Queensland separated from New South Wales in 1859, evolving from a colonial outpost into a thriving river city.… Read more

Discovery Series – Monterey

Discovery Series Monterey is another interesting release from California.

Monterey’s story begins in 1770 when Spanish explorers established it as the capital of Alta California, making it the political and cultural heart of Spain’s Pacific coast territories. The city continued as the capital under Mexican rule until California’s statehood in 1850, witnessing the transition from Spanish missions to American governance. In the early 20th century, Monterey became synonymous with its booming sardine industry, which John Steinbeck immortalized in “Cannery Row,” though overfishing led to the industry’s collapse by the 1950s.… Read more

Been There – Sabah

Been There Sabah is a mug for the Malaysian state located in northern Borneo.

Sabah’s history as Malaysia’s easternmost state begins with the establishment of the British North Borneo Company in 1881, which administered the territory until World War II. The state endured Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945, which devastated much of its infrastructure and population. Sabah gained independence and joined the Federation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963, a date now celebrated as Malaysia Day. Known as “Land Below the Wind” for its position south of the typhoon belt, Sabah has evolved from a resource extraction economy into a biodiversity hotspot and adventure tourism destination while maintaining its rich indigenous cultures and natural heritage.… Read more

Been There – Chennai

Been There Chennai is a mug for the capital of Tamil Nadu. The history of the city begins with its founding in 1639, when the British East India Company established Fort St. George on a strip of coastal land. Originally called Madras, the city grew from a small fishing village into a major colonial port and administrative center under British rule. Chennai became the gateway to South India and a center of Tamil culture, literature, and classical arts that flourished alongside colonial development.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Orange County

I reviewed the big mug before, and here’s its mini version: Discovery Series Ornament Orange County

Orange County’s history begins with its separation from Los Angeles County in 1889, when it was created as California’s 31st county and named for the citrus industry that dominated its economy. Spanish missionaries established the first settlements in the region in the 1760s, including Mission San Juan Capistrano founded in 1776. The county remained largely agricultural with vast orange groves until the mid-20th century, when Walt Disney’s decision to build Disneyland in Anaheim in 1955 catalyzed explosive suburban growth.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Monterey

While Starbucks released a mug for this California city in a previous collection, it never introduced a mini version. This is why I was excited to finally see the Discovery Series Ornament Monterey appear in stores.

Monterey’s history as a coastal gem begins with its founding in 1770 as the capital of Alta California under Spanish rule. The city served as California’s capital under both Spanish and Mexican governance until 1850, making it a center of political and cultural life on the Pacific coast.… Read more

Been There Ornament – Songkhla

Been There Ornament Songkhla is getting me one step closer to completing my mini mug collection from Thailand.

Songkhla province’s history as a vital trading port dates back centuries, with the city of Songkhla serving as a major entrepôt connecting the Malay Peninsula to Siam since the Ayutthaya period. The province was officially established in its modern form in 1901 during King Chulalongkorn’s administrative reforms. Strategic location along the Gulf of Thailand made Songkhla a melting pot of Thai, Chinese, and Malay cultures, with influences visible in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions.… Read more

Discovery Series – Denver

Starbucks Discovery Series Denver is a mug for the “Mile High City”. Its history begins with its founding in 1858 during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush, when prospectors established a mining camp at the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. The city was officially incorporated in 1861 and named after James W. Denver, the governor of Kansas Territory. Denver became the capital of Colorado when the state joined the Union in 1876, transforming from a rough frontier town into a thriving commercial hub.… Read more

Been There Ornament – Pattaya

Been There Ornament Pattaya showcases the landmarks of a city that emerged from humble beginnings as a small fishing village. It later transformed dramatically during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1960s when visiting servicemen stationed in Thailand began frequenting its coast. This early tourism wave sparked rapid development, gradually turning Pattaya into one of Thailand’s most internationally recognized beach destinations. Today, the city blends local traditions, seaside culture, global visitors, and a constant rhythm of entertainment, forming a coastal hub that has grown far beyond its origins while still retaining elements of its maritime heritage.… Read more

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