Been There Ornament – Brunei

I was lucky to receive the Been There Ornament – Brunei recently. It resembles the design of the full-size mug that we’ve reviewed recently.

Brunei, officially known as the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, has a history deeply rooted in Malay culture and Islamic traditions. The earliest records of Brunei date back to the 7th century, when it was part of the Srivijaya Empire and later came under the influence of the Majapahit Empire. By the 15th century, Brunei had become a powerful Islamic sultanate under Sultan Bolkiah, extending its influence over much of Borneo and the southern Philippines.… Read more

Been There Ornament – Cambodia

Let’s continue our journey through Southeast Asia by reviewing this beautiful Been There Ornament Cambodia. Similar to some other ornaments from this region, it comes in a set with another city mini mug. You can see the photo of the box below.

Here are a few of the symbols I spotted in the design of the ornament:

Angkor Wat stands as Cambodia’s greatest symbol and the world’s largest religious monument, representing the height of Khmer architectural mastery. Built in the early 12th century under King Suryavarman II, it was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu before becoming a revered Buddhist temple.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Kansas City

Discovery Series Ornament – Kansas City is the release for a vibrant heartland metropolis that straddles the border between Missouri and Kansas. Founded in the 1830s as a river port along the Missouri River, the city quickly grew into a center for commerce, transportation, and culture. Its rich history includes the rise of jazz music, the development of world-famous barbecue, and a reputation for warm Midwestern hospitality. Today, Kansas City blends its historic charm with modern innovation, offering visitors and residents a unique mix of tradition and creativity.… Read more

Been There Ornament – Laos

Been There Ornament – Laos is the release for the landlocked nation in Southeast Asia with a history that weaves together ancient kingdoms, colonial influences, and modern resilience. Once known as the Kingdom of Lan Xang, or the “Land of a Million Elephants,” Laos was founded in the 14th century and flourished as a center of trade and Buddhism. It later fell under French colonial rule in the late 19th century before gaining full independence in 1953. Today, Laos continues to embrace its cultural traditions while steadily growing as a peaceful and welcoming destination.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Missouri

Along with the ornament from the neighbouring state, I picked up this beautiful Discovery Series Ornament Missouri. I really like how the shades of blue stand out in the design; they make it especially eye-catching. Do you agree?

Missouri, “The Show-Me State”, became the 24th state in 1821 as part of the Missouri Compromise, which tried to balance slave and free states in the growing Union. Before statehood, it was home to Native American tribes such as the Osage and Missouria and later became a major point of westward expansion.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Kansas

Discovery Series Ornament – Kansas is the latest addition to my collection.

Kansas became the 34th state to join the Union on January 29, 1861. Various Native American tribes had long inhabited the region before European settlers arrived via trails such as the Oregon and Santa Fe. It was at the center of national conflict over slavery in the 1850s, earning the nickname “Bleeding Kansas.” Over time, the state’s rich soil and climate made it a powerhouse of agriculture, transforming its economy and identity.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Nevada

Here is the Discovery Series Ornament Nevada that I recently added to my collection.

Nevada, admitted to the Union in 1864 during the American Civil War, is often called the “Battle Born State” due to its wartime statehood. Its history is closely tied to mining, as the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859 brought a rush of settlers and wealth to the region. Early Native American tribes, such as the Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe, lived in Nevada long before European exploration began.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Seattle

Here is the Discovery Series Ornament – Seattle from the Emerald City. The city earned this nickname for its lush evergreen forests and vibrant year-round greenery, officially adopted in the 1980s after a contest to highlight its natural beauty.

Here are some of the symbols of the city that we can see from the design of this espresso mug:

Starbucks Coffee Bag: Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks, the world’s most famous coffee company, founded in 1971 at Pike Place Market.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Baltimore

I like the blue colors of the Discovery Series Ornament – Baltimore, but I wish the string were also blue.

Baltimore’s story begins in 1706 when Maryland’s colonial General Assembly created the Port of Baltimore at Whetstone Point for the tobacco trade. The Town of Baltimore itself was officially founded on August 8, 1729, when the Governor of Maryland signed an act establishing the settlement on the west side of the Jones Falls. The city was named after Cecilius Calvert, the 2nd Lord Baltimore, connecting it to the English aristocrat who helped establish Maryland as a colonial haven for religious tolerance.… Read more

Been There Ornament – Sydney

It seems that none of the elements were removed from the design of the large mug when creating the Been There Ornament – Sydney. This city mini mug is paired with the country ornament in a set, so if you want to collect all the cities, you’ll end up with a few extra country ones.

– The front of the ornament shows Sydney’s famous harbor view with the Opera House‘s sails standing out against the sky and the Harbour Bridge curving behind it.… Read more

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