I broke my current favorite mug this morning, and it was the stupid cat’s fault, and it was one of those events that could make a person believe in a bratty universe that needles and thwarts us on purpose for the sociopathic fun of it. I had to give up coffee because of GERD/reflux, and I have missed it so much (I am hoping it is a temporary stress thing), and I have switched to herbal tea which is like a 1 on the scale where coffee is a 10, but at least it’s better than a 0, and it’s something hot to drink. Anyway, for coffee I like a smallish mug, but for tea I like a large mug. I had one (1) large mug I use for tea; it held 16 ounces, which is how much tea I like to drink. And I broke it. Because of the stupid cat. Here is a picture of the largest piece, which I used to do an image search (there is no brand on the mug), but to no avail:
And I am a person who has Far Too Many Mugs! So this should be a cause for rejoicing: Yay, I have a rare excuse to shop for a mug! But first of all, I will never find a mug I liked as much as this mug. And secondly, I am not currently shopping at the stores where I would normally look for mugs. So this morning I am looking dismally online for mugs I can have shipped.
Also, when I went to the kitchen to get my tea in its too-small mug, I noticed a college mug that was Too Big and so had been turned into a pencil holder; I measured it and it holds 16 ounces. So I have something to use in the meantime. I notice it is hand-wash only, which is stupid and I will not remember every single time, so eventually it will go through the dishwasher and then what? Will the logo come off? Well, we walk in a vale of tears.
I am trying to buy less on Amazon, but when you want a particular thing and you want a lot of choices and you want it shipped for free, well, sometimes that’s Amazon. Here’s one in a Swistley blue:
(image from Amazon.com)
This one is a little grandmotherly, and I prefer a non-flared lip, but I still like it:
(image from Amazon.com)
This one is funny, but I don’t usually like a straight up and down side, or the shorter proportions, or the color red, and it’s more than I would ever pay for a mug, and it may be starting to occur to you that I am kind of particular about mugs:
(image from Amazon.com)
Too expensive, kind of short, but pretty, and holds 21 ounces which is maybe even better than 16?? Also, I am coming around to the idea of spending more for a mug:
(image from Amazon.com)
I like the overall vibe of this one but, just as I don’t like mugs to have shortish proportions, I don’t like mugs to be too TALL, either:
(image from Amazon.com)
Bees:
(image from Amazon.com)
Oh, okay, I think this is the one:
(image from Amazon.com)
Preferred shape, preferred lip, BEE, $10ish, and also I’m jusssst running out of interest in looking. DONE.
…Well. Or actually. Perhaps I do not want to be reminded of rage and resistance when I am drinking my soothing herbal tea. Perhaps I could get back to coffee sooner if I were not thinking so often of bees. Perhaps the first mug would be better, the soothing blue—or pink, or dark green. Or I like this soothing option from Target:
(image from Target.com)
And it’s only $4 and it can be shipped. But it says it’s a 9.2-ounce mug, and then in the description says it holds 16 ounces. Soooooooo. Is 9.2 ounces the…weight? No, they wouldn’t put it in the title like that. The description also says the mug is 4 inches high by 3.62 inches wide; do any of us remember how to find volume? Okay, I found a volume-calculator thingie, and it says the volume is 41.17, and that just does not help me at all in terms of ounces. But the cat mug above is 4 inches high by 4 inches wide, so I am guessing that Target mug is NOT 16 ounces.
Or this is nice, though 27 ounces may be erring on the side of too many ounces, and also I don’t know if I want to be told to be nice right now, but I do like the colors:
(image from Target.com)
I like this one, but it’s too short and can’t be shipped:
(image from Target.com)
I appreciate this mug‘s attitude:
(image from Target.com)
It’s only 15 ounces, but I feel I could give up ONE ounce of disappointing beverage. I have put it in my online Target cart, and will probably buy it when my order gets to the $35 shipping threshold.
You figured out that the volume (3.14*half width*half width) is 41 cubic inches. Cubic is 3 dimensional, which is what volume is. You can type ‘how many Oz will 41 cubic inches hold’ into google and get that it’s about 22.
Oops, I just gave you area. Area is 2D (square inches) Volume is 3D (cubic inches). So 3.14* half width* half width * height
Love this for a Monday morning (not the mug smashing, that is tragic, the mug shopping!). May I suggest this: https://smartwomencompany.com/products/thirst-for-knowledge-mug ? I got this as a gift when I was in grad school (a lot of years ago, I’m thrilled it’s still available!) and it still makes me so happy!! Although I’m more of a chai latte in an insulated travel mug consumer these days.
No wait! Check out the vote 2020 collection!!!! https://smartwomencompany.com/collections/all-products
I used to have that mug and it was my favorite!!!! Thanks for sharing the website -I’m going to go buy an unnecessary mug too!
It is not fair that your favorite mug (such a beautiful mug, too!) should break on a Monday morning in the middle of a pandemic during an election season where the future of the world rests on the outcome.
I like the Swistle Blue option the best of the ones you linked to.
Oh! I dm’d you on Twitter.
My very favorite mug is from a book festival I went to last year. It has the book festival’s logo on it, and I’m not usually a fan of logos, but it’s a VERY PRETTY non-logo-looking design. When I bought it, it was the very last one they had. I don’t know what I’ll do if it ever breaks because there’s no way I’ll ever be able to replace it.
I love the “This is Going Well” mug, but ONLY if it’s being read in a sarcastic tone.
Is there any other tone in which to read it?? :)
Oh, my sympathies! That kind of search, where you know EXACTLY what you want but can’t FIND IT, is maddening. I’ve been going through that with sandals, and I finally gave up, dug out a photo of my old/dead ones to see what the heck brand they were, and found a pair to order on Poshmark. Please may they fit exactly the same way. Best of luck with the mug search!
That looks like my favorite mug, made by “the button florist” on instagram. Hand made and one of a kind, much more expensive than the options you have found…. But if you want one very similar, could be worth looking for her.
I know you’re not going out, but if you want a Big Mug, someone gave me a giant black mug that was basically a huge bowl with a handle from a dollar-type store years ago and it kind of became my signature in meetings. It holds more than 500 mL (about 2 cups). When meetings were still a thing I got about equal numbers of comments on my giant mug and the cinnamon-y smell of Bengal Spice herb tea emanating from it. Now that I’m working from home, it’s most often employed by my children to hold Mr. Noodle or tea, depending on which child is using it. It’s not pretty, but it’s big, and cheap, and easily found for purchase.
Conversely, I bought a large handmade blue and white swirly mug at a craft fair for $45 CDN + tax last year and it’s my go-to for coffee at home when it’s clean. It also holds just shy of 2 cups of liquid and fits perfectly into my coffee maker. If you want to splurge, Etsy is probably a good place to look.
Oh and I have totally coveted this mug for a long time, but it’s a bit small for me since I like my mugs big, and I wasn’t sure about shipping to Canada, and now that I search it up I see it’s no longer available, but I still LOVE it: https://emilymcdowell.com/products/everything-will-be-okay-mug
Gone for good?! Noooooooooooooooooooooooo. :( I bought the clusterf#ck mug for a co-worker care package recently and was eyeing up that discontinued mug for similar pandemic therapy reasons. Boo.
I realize you did NOT ask for suggestions and are probably Fully Over looking at new mugs, but just in case you have the mental/emotional bandwidth to look at other options, I have an Esty shop I just adore & love to support. She has some excellent I Am Mad At the Current World designs, but also designs that fully delight me every time I see them, such as this shark screaming Whitney Houston: https://www.etsy.com/listing/561444278/funny-shark-mug-angry-shark-mug-i-love (although it is not big enough) BUT she also has some 15oz options in other designs. Also, just excellent items in general if you need, for example, a shirt with gay bees on it (my new favorite thing to wear): https://www.etsy.com/listing/647062667/70-off-the-opposite-of-straight-as-is
Anyway I promise i am not affiliated with her in any way or paid for this comment :)
Oh, the BEE! I love it! I know what you mean about not wanting to feel all ragey when you’re drinking your tea, but I find that looking at bees make me so happy, maybe because I know we’re all in this together and that thought is uplifting.
We are shimmering like honeybees! Take *that*, murder hornets! (Remember when they were in the news? Ha ha ha ::sob::)
https://gizmodo.com/giant-honey-bees-oddly-hypnotizing-shimmering-is-actual-1831887335
While looking for the mug I had in mind for me, I also saw this and thought of you. I don’t think it’s as big as you want, but it is just so pretty! https://www.amazon.com/PIP-early-bird-blue-mug/dp/B0037LIV5K/ref=sr_1_4
You’re right—that mug seems like it’s just the thing! So pretty!
Hm, it seem like shipping may be pricey at this link. Perhaps search to see if it’s available domestically somewhere?
Have you ever seen the penguin orgy mug? I got this rabbit one for a white elephant for my Catholic Mom’s group last year:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0033VXZQ4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
But I know there is a penguin one out there somewhere, and also maybe bears? It says it only holds 11 oz, but the hilarity might be worth it. Aha, here is the penguins on their website, but not on Amazon. https://www.taylorandng.com/penguins-blue-nitetime-animates-mug.html
Last year when my niece got married they requested no gifts. We gave money, but I had had a gift picked out for her for so long that I couldn’t resist. She has the perfect warped sense of humor to appreciate a “dancing” rabbits mug from Buell. I got an elephant mug for her new husband.
Her mother informed me that she didn’t get it at first. “A rabbit mug and an elephant mug. That’s cute, but kind of… random?” My SIL had to point out what the animals were doing.
I also forgot to show you my favorite current-use mugs! They are expensive (I got the set as a Christmas gift from my husband after specifically sending him the link) but they bring me so much joy. They are the calamityware “Things could be worse” mugs and they are porcelain, look like the traditional blue-china but they have like, bigfoot and pteradactyls hidden in the design. I LOVE THEM. It says they have a big 20 oz cups too but they are sold out right now. https://calamityware.com/products/calamityware-mug-1-things-could-be-worse?variant=31273839067159
I LOVE These mugs so MUCH
One vote for Swistle-y Blue! That would be SO cheering to pull out of the cupboard / dishwasher.
I have a favourite mug and it is the plainest you’ve ever seen – just brown, no design. But there’s something about the weight and shape of it. Good luck finding a suitable replacement! On my Xmas wish list I’m adding a baby yoda mug :)
It’s so distressing when a favorite mug is broken! I love this one for drinking wine, because it’s too small for my coffee. It does make my husband nervous, which I like. https://emilymcdowell.com/collections/coffee-mugs/products/weak-men-mug
I used to take pottery classes and hand thrown mugs are expensive, but ones with correct proportions and a comfortable handle are worth their weight in gold.
For what it’s worth, I have the “Be A Nice Human,” mug in my office- it was a gift in a care package. I would like to offer up my opinion that it is a nice size for decorative purposes, but I would not like it as a tea-drinking mug. It has quite a lot of heft to it and I cannot quite comfortably wrap my hands around it so as to be soothed by the warmth of a beverage in my hands.
I greatly sympathize with your current predicament. My favorite mug broke about a month ago. No idea how. It has two long cracks by the handles. We hand wash everything so I can’t blame the dishwasher. It came from the Los Angeles County Office of the Medical Examiner gift shop, which is now permanently closed, so I can’t even replace it. This most definitely feels like an unfair year.
I’m sorry about your mug!! I have cabinet full of mugs but I only use two of them, and would be quite sad indeed if one were to break. My husband also had to give up coffee because of reflux but then found this at Whole Foods: https://www.amazon.com/365-Everyday-Value-Operator-Cinnamon/dp/B074M9BZBF
It’s not too cinnamon-y, and he can drink it in moderation without stomach problems. So, maybe that? Or stick to tea in a nice, new, calming mug and think happy, peaceful, non-ragey thoughts. (Good luck with that last part.)
I have two versions of that Starbucks (Venti 20 oz) mug in a grande size (which is 16 oz). Same shape and I do find it very pleasing to drink from.
Have you considered looking up a local potter who may be having troubles selling things in these COVID times of no craft shows and buying the mug from them?
I bought 2 from a local potter and I am not generally a “pottery mug” kind of person. I have been converted. They are my favourite mugs now.
I say get this one just to “own” the cat:
https://fishseddy.com/collections/mugs/products/dog-person-mug
(if you are not holding a grudge against said cat, they also have a cat person mug)
There is also a version available for pickup at Target. It’s too small, but presumably the cat will take its vengeance soon enough:
https://www.target.com/p/15oz-stoneware-dog-person-diner-mug-white-opalhouse-8482/-/A-77789373#lnk=sametab
If you have to wash a mug by hand, what better reason than RBG? Heat changing!
https://www.worldmarket.com/product/ruth+bader+ginsburg+heat+changing+mug.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=Search
Just short of 16 oz, but blue and dishwasher safe:
https://www.worldmarket.com/product/marine+blue+surprise+hippo+mug.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=Search
I just looked over my mug shelf to see if I had anything good enough to share. Well, this one is not quite perfect (13.5 oz) but it is wonderful. The design is by Vicki Sawyer and the brand is Paperproducts Design. She has a series of mugs featuring drawings of birds and other animals wearing hats they’ve made for themselves out of flowers, and they are silly and adorable. I don’t see the exact one I have on Amazon right now, but there are several to choose from, all very cute (search “Vicki Sawyer mug”).
Also, I gave my mother-in-law a set of appetizer plates and some dish towels from this collection, so if the mug doesn’t make the cut maybe it will come in handy as a future gift idea?
Oh man, I feel you. Just yesterday my favorite aggressively feminist mug that I’ve had for a decade broke and I was like IN THIS ECONOMY!? I can’t find it again and I’m depressed. I do have my Elizabeth Warren Billionaire Tears mug which is almost as good, but man, I miss that other mug. Sigh.
My favorite mug is a large yellow mug with the Luke’s logo on it. It was actual WB network merch so that tells you how old it is. If I ever break it, I’ll be devastated.
I am on the look out for a new travel tumbler. I like the one I have so I’m trying to find something similar in shape, material and lid/opening style.
I would like to gently encourage you to spend as much as you damn well please on a mug you use daily. $10 may be pleasingly frugal, but even a scandalous $50 ÷ days of use = pretty reasonable.
Also, Teeccino Hazelnut is my not-coffee of choice. It is not pretending to be coffee, it is just a robust, pleasing option on its own. Celestial Seasonings Roastaroma is also nice.
My very favorite mugs are all handmade, because that is the heft and texture I find most pleasing. The one I am saving pennies for is this: https://www.laughingnome.com/store/p63/Mug-Therapy-Mug.html
It’s called a therapy mug because of the spinner bead. I have done taste tests with the same tea in their clay vs glass…I am not known for my palate and it made a difference.
Have you seen this website? https://meriwether.love/collections/kitchen
Their mugs are funny and I think 15 oz.
How do you feel about swear words on your mug? Because effin’ birds has got quite a selection of mugs and not all of them sport and f-bomb. They also have enamel ones so the next time the cat makes you drop your mug it won’t be so bad (not recommended for those like me who reheat the same warm beverage 20 times a day)
https://www.effinbirds.com/collections/mugs
Good luck!
I know it’s a splurge, but I die over pottery mugs from Etsy or craft fairs when they used to happen. Something about them just amps up the coziness by a factor of 10! Which might help your tea get closer to coffee levels :)
Four years ago I felt this article so hard. And many times in the last four years, when I turn to herbal tea, I think of it and it makes me smile. When I read your thoughts on the bee mug I thought it was possible you had not already seen it but you’d probably like to:
https://local.theonion.com/relaxing-tea-better-fucking-work-1819579209
Ha!! This made me laugh, thanks!
Earlier in the pandemic, you linked to a mug shop that made me antsy to buy more mugs!
https://www.roykirkham.com/
Breaking a favorite mug is the worst! My favorite mugs are from a UK based store called Cath Kidston. They are the perfect size (16oz) and shape (not too tall, not too wide, a little curve and no lip) and they have pretty floral patterns that are retro without looking too grandma-esque. I wish I could find a link to purchase in the US, but here is a link so you can get an idea of what they look like. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cath-Kidston-Bleached-Flowers-Mug/dp/B006WX7QX8
It’s amazing how having to use a non-favorite mug In the morning legitimately effects my mood. For that reason I agree with the person above who encouraged you to splurge if you find something that you live but is a little outside your preferred price point. You’ve got such cute replacement options listed – can’t wait to see what you choose!
My own favorite mug is the “This Is Going Well” one from Target. I love it, and I was excited to see it on your list!
Can I just say I’m sorry you had to give up coffee! I like the bee mug and also the last one.
I feel I could give up ONE ounce of disappointing beverage
This made me laugh a lot. Does thinking of ounces of fluids bring you back to baby days, when ounces consumed seemed Extremely Important? It does for me but my kids are much younger.
I’m sorry you had to give up coffee and I too hope this is temporary.
one of my (other) favorite bloggers had to stop drinking coffee for the same reason and she now drinks cacao. Here is an article about it. https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=drinking+cacao+instead+of+coffee&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
oops, that previous link was the search page: https://www.welleco.com/blogs/news/4-reasons-to-switch-your-coffee-for-a-cacao-today
I was so worried I about breaking my favorite vintage Otagiri mug that I looked for a spare on Etsy and ended up buying a set of them. Not sorry.
Have a look at David’s Tea for Nordic mugs. This one would be awesome with your spoons. https://www.davidstea.com/us_en/teaware/multicolour-uv-nordic-mug/904291US01VAR0067223.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwlbr8BRA0EiwAnt4MToUsUhtRePGzNZ4eJKfPQhcyKmMMWZCuFdvA6eHXaDAolOuEXo2XQRoC4d0QAvD_BwE
One thing I do with broken dishes that I love is take the shards and decorate my planter boxes with them. That way you can still enjoy them. Sometimes they get buried and then they will be some future person’s buried treasure.
I love (and my children love to steal) my handwarming mug – a ceramic mug that has a cozy spot to slip in your hand and you get the warmth of the mug.
I don’t have any suggestions for mugs (but, wow, some of these suggestions are brilliant — you HAVE to buy the Big Deal one from effinbirds!). But I would like to encourage you to try lots of different herbal teas. There is definitely one out there that would rate higher than a 1! It could be quite a taste test activity during this pandemic. There are so many, and I feel sad that you are so disappointed with yours. Hopefully you can find something that brings you up, if not to a 10 then at least a 5. Happy mug shopping!
This, in blue agate, is my most favorite mug ever: https://www.benningtonpotters.com/product/american-classic-mug
Expensive but a great gift idea!
I love the Swistle-y Blue mug. <3
My favorite coffee mug came in a gift set with a bottle of Kahlua from a Yankee Swap in the Before Times. It literally says Kahlua on it: https://www.amazon.com/Kahlua-12oz-Ceramic-Mug-Cup/dp/B004L755M6
It's not something I would have picked out for myself at all, but it's very comforting for some reason.
Swistle, Modern Mrs. Darcy linked to this adorable mug on her gift guide and I immediately thought of you: https://www.etsy.com/listing/826223327/little-women-rainbow-mug-15oz-ceramic?ref=shop_home_active_19&crt=1&source=aw&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=us_location_buyer&utm_term=3657&utm_content=136348&awc=6220_1603284446_4f3bc0fcf276228b9937201037390e3a
It is only 15 oz and perhaps falls in the slightly-too-tall and/or slightly-too-expensive category, but it is SO CUTE.
I am WITH you on pickiness about mugs! I have a Nordic mug from David’s Tea, and I really like it. It has a nice feel in my hands, holds 16 oz, and fits two of my tea strainers! The link here is to the Canadian site, but I know they exist in the US, and there is free shipping often. https://www.davidstea.com/ca_en/teaware/teaware/nordic-mugs/colour-changing-nordic-mug-dandelion-black/904116DT01.html?cgid=teaware-nordic&dwvar_904116DT01_color=Black#start=1&sz=24
I would hate to further complicate your decision making process OR your enjoyment of whichever mug is shipped- but to me, personally, after a solid 29 years of mug dithering, have found (for me!) it’s the width of the handle and it’s relative circumference that allows for a comfortable one hand grip that makes it breaks the mug choice.
Gotta hold it to be sure. And for that…. Big Lots has a a surprising vast selection of mugs (for cheap) and Starbucks 50/50 will have a pleasing style with a good handle.