Discovery Series Ornament – Minnesota

I got the Discovery Series Ornament Minnesota earlier this year, and it was patiently waiting for this photoshoot.

Minnesota’s history as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” begins with its admission to the Union as the 32nd state on May 11, 1858. The region was shaped by Ojibwe and Dakota indigenous nations before French fur traders arrived in the 17th century. The lumber and flour milling industries, particularly in Minneapolis with its massive mills powered by St. Anthony Falls, drove early economic growth in the late 1800s.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Atlantic Canada

Similar to the previous collection, Starbucks released a single mug for the Atlantic Canada region rather than separate designs for each province. This approach added some challenges for designers, as they had to create a one-size-fits-all design for the Discovery Series Ornament Atlantic Canada.

Atlantic Canada refers to the region of Eastern Canada comprising four provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The term “Atlantic Canada” was coined by Joey Smallwood, the first premier of Newfoundland, when the Dominion of Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949.… 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 Ornament – Alabama

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

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

Discovery Series Ornament – Denver

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

Been There Ornament – Phuket

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

Discovery Series Ornament – San Antonio

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

1 3 4 5 6 7 42