Discovery Series Ornament – South Dakota

Discovery Series Ornament – South Dakota was spotted in stores recently!

South Dakota, located in the Midwestern region of the United States, has a rich history dating back to Native American tribes like the Lakota Sioux, who inhabited the area for thousands of years before European exploration. The territory was part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and became the 40th state on November 2, 1889, formed from the western half of the Dakota Territory during a period of rapid western expansion and settlement.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Iowa

Discovery Series Ornament – Iowa is here!

Iowa’s history traces back to Indigenous tribes like the Sauk, Fox, and Ioway, who inhabited the land for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. In 1838, Iowa became a territory, and on December 28, 1846, it was admitted to the Union as the 29th state. The region quickly developed as an agricultural powerhouse, with settlers transforming the vast prairie lands into fertile farmlands that would become the backbone of the state’s economy.

Here are some of Iowa’s symbols and landmarks according to the design of the ornament:

– The tractor symbolizes Iowa’s deep agricultural roots and innovative spirit.… Read more

Discovery Series – Las Vegas

We reviewed the ornament earlier this year; here’s the bigger version of the mug: Discovery Series – Las Vegas.

Las Vegas began as a small railroad town in 1905, founded on land auctioned by the San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad. Initially a modest settlement in the Mojave Desert, the city experienced a dramatic transformation with the construction of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s, which brought thousands of workers to the area. The pivotal moment came in 1941 when mobster Bugsy Siegel opened the Flamingo Hotel, effectively launching the modern Las Vegas Strip and establishing the city’s reputation as a gambling and entertainment destination.… Read more

Discovery Series – Queens

Discovery Series – Queens finalizes the mini collection of five New York City boroughs.

Queens is a vibrant and historically rich borough of New York City, located on the western edge of Long Island. Established in 1683 and named after Catherine of Braganza, the Queen consort of King Charles II of England, Queens has grown to become the largest borough by area and the second-most populous district in New York City. As of 2020, Queens boasts a population of approximately 2.3 million people, making it the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world, with over 48% of its residents born outside the United States.… Read more

Discovery Series – Massachusetts

Discovery Series – Massachusetts is a mug for “the Bay State” boasting a colorful design. We’ve reviewed the following symbols and landmarks of Massachusetts in the post about the ornament: lobster roll, Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, Mayflower, Black-Capped Chickadee, and Cranberries. The full-sized mug has more to offer:

Cape Cod is a legendary destination that captures the essence of New England’s coastal beauty, with its distinctive curved shape extending into the Atlantic Ocean. The region is renowned for its picturesque towns, historic lighthouses, and pristine beaches that attract millions of visitors each year.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Texas

Discovery Series Ornament – Texas is a smaller version of the full-sized mug, one of the first to be spotted from this collection.

Texas and cowboys are synonymous in American culture, embodying a rich history of rugged individualism and frontier spirit. The iconic cowboy emerged in the mid-19th century when vast cattle ranches spread across the state’s expansive landscapes. These hardy men rode horses, herded cattle, and became living symbols of American independence and resilience.

During the great cattle drives of the 1866-1886 period, cowboys would guide enormous herds from Texas ranches to railheads in Kansas, traveling hundreds of miles across challenging terrain.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Ontario

I feel like the designers of the Discovery Series Ornament – Ontario made an oversight by using a picture of poutine for this mini mug. While poutine is enjoyed across Canada, it is a dish that originates from Quebec, has strong cultural ties to Quebecois heritage, and is a proud part of their culinary tradition.

The forest, the islands on the front, and the moose on the back of the ornament remind us that Ontario is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, with a diverse landscape of lush forests, serene lakes, and rugged wilderness.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Maine

Discovery Series Ornament – Maine, a new ornament from New England has landed!

Maine has a rich and fascinating history that spans thousands of years, beginning with Indigenous peoples like the Wabanaki tribes, who inhabited the region for millennia before European contact. European exploration of the area started in the early 17th century, with French and English settlers establishing trading posts and small colonies along the coast. Maine was originally part of Massachusetts until 1820, when it was admitted to the Union as the 23rd state through the Missouri Compromise.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Austin

With the overwhelming amount of releases from the latest collection of Starbucks mugs, it’s not easy to keep track of all of them. My pattern for adding them to the site is that I pick the unexpected ones first. Discovery Series Ornament – Austin is a good example since this city didn’t have an ornament before.

Austin, the capital of Texas, has a rich history that reflects its transformation from a frontier settlement to a vibrant cultural hub. Originally inhabited by Tonkawa, Comanche, and Lipan Apache tribes, the area was first settled by European Americans in the 1830s, when pioneers established the village of Waterloo along the Colorado River.… Read more

Discovery Series – Universal Studios Hollywood

Discovery Series Universal Studios Hollywood is a full-sized mug for the previously reviewed ornament. Some of the elements found on both the mug and the ornament are King Kong, T-Rex, and the studio tour tram.

Universal Studios Hollywood traces its roots back to 1915 when Carl Laemmle, founder of Universal Pictures, began offering studio tours to the public. What started as a small behind-the-scenes glimpse of moviemaking evolved into a full-fledged theme park. The iconic rotating globe, now a recognizable landmark at the park’s entrance, was introduced in the 1990s and has become a symbol of the studio’s cinematic heritage.… Read more

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