Thursday 28 March 2013

Mug Shot


I was packed off to University with a box of crockery we picked up at Argos, it soon transpired that my little matching set was identical to those of half my flat. We never knew whose mugs/plates/bowls were whose and in a student kitchen with dubious standards of hygiene it was a touch hit and miss when making a cup of tea! I think this is what kicked off my love of distinctive, pretty mugs - nobody could pinch my super clean, shiny ones now that they were so different from everyone else's. I never found carefully grown mould on top of congealed cuppa-soup again. Well, almost never. 

Mugs are a personal thing; witty-banter talking point mugs, plain jane white stoneware mugs, retro charity shop offerings, mugs with cats, mugs with dogs, the gaudy patterned sort, delicate bone china granny-mugs. We all have a preference, and when you think about it your favourite mug (as long as it stays in one piece, there is always an inevitable dropping incident) is a constant companion; it weathers cold mornings, flu season, tea and sympathy, bad days and busy days as stoically as the occasional 'just because' breakfast in bed. If mugs could talk . . . . Think of all the conversations they have overheard, snippets of life they have witnessed and gossip they've gleaned from being central to cosy catchups with visiting friends and family. The likelihood is they've seen you first thing in the morning minus the miracle of a shower, a hairbrush and a coat of mascara too. 

The boy frequently grumbles about our jam-packed mug cupboard - but he made a few additions of his own when we pooled our resources seven years back, in fact he owns a witty-banter talking point mug with a fart-based quote that I'm loath to make tea in for anyone besides him and my Dad. I took out my entire mug stock last week, determined to prune half a dozen or so to take to the charity shop and could  have sworn I heard the cupboard creak in weary relief. There was much shuffling and muttering, a hot spa dip for them all and then half an hour chilling out on the draining board before I returned them all to their rightful home. They know too much!     

40 comments :

  1. Oh my :) That mug is splendid :) I totally understand you, my mug collection is ever-expanding day by day :)

    I, too, would love it to if mugs could talk :) All those different conversations !

    Valeria

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  2. There are sooo many mugs in my mug cupboard, I really need to have a clear out - I'm planning on using this weekend for spring cleaning.

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  3. I have so many different mugs! I love the vintage old ones that have to be just the right size. Not the size of boobs but not the size of an egg cup either, just right! Even so i still will only use one of two for myself the most. It's only when they are in the wash that i reach for something else :)

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  4. Great post! And I totally agree! All mugs have such great stories to tell.

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  5. That mug is wonderful! I kind of glad mugs can't speak - the things they must hear! Xo

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  6. In my house it's an obsession with teapots! We've got so many! I do have a soft spot for my tardis mug as I'm a total geek really.

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  7. Oh my goodness, you've just given me such an amazing idea for a children's story.

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  8. I need a good mug clear out but I'm never throwing out my Buffy one that I got with an Easter egg as a teenager and my polka dot one I got in a blog swap last year. I don't think you can ever have too many mugs though really x

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  9. I love nice mugs too and my mum actually collects them! Her collection doesn't even fit into any sort of regular cupboard anymore, so she had a board made for the ceiling on which they hang now, it actually looks pretty cool :)

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  10. Love your mad hatter mug
    I have a bit of a collection going on too, so easy to pick up a nice one here and there
    http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/

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  11. Ah man our mugs are so plain and boring in comparison - just red ones which go with the plates! Never really see many exciting ones at estate sales. Hmmm.

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  12. Aw you are so right, I wonder if my mugs could talk what they would reveal.. Love this Alice in Wonderland one! I only really have nice tea cups- my mugs seem to be more functional and since living with the boy I've had to accept an Arsenal mug, an England!!!footy one and The Clash one.. xx

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  13. I love mug designs and this one is amazing. =)
    Good shots!

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  14. I love your blog! That mug is gorgeous. Is the blueberry jam tea? It looks yummy! xx

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  15. Gorgeous post Jem:) I agree with you on all accounts about the importance/significance/affection for all the mugs in my life, (of course didn't admit this the other night when my newish partner sided with my mum on her obsessive collection of cups and they had a one hour conversation defending her weakness!)! My tea tastes best out of my bone china cup with a scene from little red riding hood!! Have a great Easter!:)

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  16. I can't believe how cute that mug is! The handle is so appealing. The tea just looks wonderful!
    Happy Easter from way far away!
    Linda

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  17. This is so true! I don't think you can have too many cups, can you?
    I have certain cups for tea, certain cups for coffee, and some that are just purpose built for hot chocolate. My mum was making me a cup of tea at my home earlier this week, and she went to use one of the hot chocolate cups. I couldn't do it, I had to ask her to use a different cup (the orange polka dot one) - I'm sure she thinks I'm mad but she obliged anyway :)

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  18. Oh my soooo cute!!!! www.adoramehitabel.blogspot.co.uk

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  19. I am such a sucker for mugs, I love this one! I also have an Alice in Wonderland one which I got from Urban Outfitters, that has the little white rabbit chasing around the cup with loads of lovely little details!

    louisejoyb x

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  20. I completely agree with your feelings towards mugs. The lovely thing about my collection is that they are all gifts, which means each one reminds of a special person in my life. Once again your photography is beautiful.

    Happy Easter everyone! Hope you're all indulging in crafts, creativity and chocolate.

    http://littlemissjolly.blogspot.co.uk/

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  21. Ooh that tea looks wonderful! I love the handle on that mug, the White Rabbit has always been one of my favourite characters.

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  22. This mug might be the mug of my dreams :) it's wonderful! And I know exactly how you want to have nice, unique things so others wont just use them (which would be not a problem at all, if they would clean them up again).
    Have a wonderful evening :)
    xx Cici

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  23. Mugs do seem to capture a lot of life, I never thought of it that way before. I very rarely drink hot drinks - so sadly don't have many mugs. I can very much see the appeal of a cupboard full of mis-match mugs - a story behind each one xxx

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  24. That mug is so unique, I love it!! x

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  25. such a sweet mug, you really do take lovely pictures! xox

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  26. Your White Rabbit mug is adorable, and I am totally enchanted by your lovely blog, new follower :) xo

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  27. Loved this, as a tea-drinking obsessive who has a mug/teacup hoarding tendency, i'd never really thought about how teacups and mugs are always there in our lives! I sound crazy now!:') I love your white rabbit mug too, where is it from?annie xx


    www.cheramiblogger.blogspot.co.uk

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  28. I am a mug-enthusiast myself and I am particularly in love with your White Rabbit mug in the pictures! Where did you find it? Etsy has some sweet Alice in Wonderland mugs. I am currently drinking my tea out of a Vincent Van Gough sunflower mug XXOO :)

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  29. You have beautiful photos. I love the rabbit mug. You can't beat a good piece of crockery!


    Lucy x

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  30. Oh that warmed my heart a little bit :) so nice to think of all the little moments mugs of tea take us through! xxx

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  31. Need that mug, loved this post xx

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  32. Firstly what a beautiful cup!
    Secondly, what a flipping good post! I love this so much.
    I am the same with the cups... so many, all different, and personal and couldn't possibly throw a single one out.

    Such a great post Jem.
    xxx

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  33. Haha, thats the one thing I don't miss about halls at all! Mugs of tea solve everthing :) xo

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  34. That cup is beautiful! I have a little obsession with buying mugs for the last few months. Trying to find the perfect one I've been buying more and more, which all end up in storage for when I move out of home (again!)

    inkedhibiscus.blogspot.com
    xo

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  35. I love cute and novelty mug, I can't stop buying them! This mug is so adorable :)


    www.ofbeautyandnothingness.blogspot.co.uk

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  36. Your blog has the most amazing photos.
    The tea-cup is adorable.
    Sammie
    Little Blonde Life

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  37. I need this mug in my life - amazing!

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