Tag: Ornament

Discovery Series Ornament – Orange County

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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

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Discovery Series Ornament – Monterey

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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

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Discovery Series Ornament – Alabama

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Discovery Series Ornament Alabama reflects the character of a state shaped by deep Southern history, a diverse landscape, and a culture rooted in both tradition and innovation. Alabama’s story includes Indigenous heritage, European settlement, cotton-era growth, and a major role in the Civil Rights Movement, all of which helped define its identity long before it joined the Union in 1819. Today, the state blends historic legacy with natural beauty and coastal leisure.

– Alabama’s coastline offers inviting stretches of sand and gentle waves, making it a wonderful place to unwind by the ocean.… Read more

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Been There Ornament – Pattaya

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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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Discovery Series Ornament – Denver

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Here are the pictures of the Discovery Series Ornament Denver that I picked up from the post office recently. There are two more mini mugs from Colorado that I will be reviewing soon. Stay tuned!

Denver’s identity has long been shaped by its location at the edge of the Rocky Mountains, where frontier history, mining heritage, and the growth of the American West converged. Founded during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush, the city quickly grew from a rugged settlement into a major gateway for explorers, traders, and travellers heading deeper into the mountains.… Read more

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Been There Ornament – Phuket

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Been There Ornament Phuket is the first mini mug from Thailand in this series that I am adding to my collection. Interestingly enough, there doesn’t seem to be a country ornament yet.

Phuket has grown from a historic trading port into one of southern Thailand’s most culturally vibrant urban centers. Its history reflects centuries of exchange along busy maritime routes that brought Chinese, Malay, Indian, and European merchants seeking tin, spices, and safe anchorage. These influences blended with local Thai traditions and helped shape the character of Phuket’s old streets, its multicultural food, and its diverse communities.… Read more

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Discovery Series Ornament – San Antonio

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Here is the Discovery Series Ornament San Antonio for the Alamo City – a vibrant blend of history, culture, and Texas charm.

San Antonio is one of Texas’s oldest and most storied cities, founded in 1718 when Spanish settlers established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, later known as the Alamo. Over the centuries, the city grew into a lively cultural crossroads shaped by Indigenous peoples, Spanish colonial heritage, Mexican traditions, and Texan identity. Its long history is reflected in its architecture, its festivals, and the deep sense of place that still defines San Antonio today.… Read more

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Been There Ornament – Malaysia

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Strangely enough, Been There Ornament Malaysia was released later than ornaments for some of its cities.

Malaysia’s history is shaped by ancient Malay kingdoms, centuries of maritime trade, and waves of cultural influence from China, India, the Middle East, and Europe. Over time, these interactions formed a vibrant nation where diverse traditions coexist naturally. From the early sultanates to British rule and finally independence in 1957, Malaysia has grown into a country celebrated for harmony, cultural pride, and rapid modern development.… Read more

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Discovery Series Ornament – Utah

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Discovery Series Ornament Utah is a mini mug for the Beehive State, a symbol of hard work, community, and the pioneer spirit that still defines it today.

Utah’s history stretches far beyond its modern cities and iconic landscapes. Indigenous nations such as the Ute, Paiute, Goshute, Shoshone, and Navajo lived across this region for thousands of years, building communities, trade systems, and cultural traditions tied directly to the land. European and American explorers arrived in the 18th and early 19th centuries, but it was the arrival of Mormon pioneers in 1847 that transformed the area into a major settlement hub.… Read more

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Discovery Series Ornament – Arizona

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Discovery Series Ornament Arizona is here.

Arizona’s history as the 48th state begins with its admission to the Union on February 14, 1912, though human presence in the region dates back over 12,000 years. The state’s territory was part of Mexico until the Mexican-American War and the Gadsden Purchase of 1853 completed its current boundaries. From ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings to Spanish missions, Old West mining towns, and modern metropolitan centers, Arizona’s landscape tells a story of diverse cultures, frontier spirit, and adaptation to one of America’s most dramatic desert environments.… Read more

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