A Nice Cuppa

As an admitted coffee and tea addict, I have a large collection of coffee and tea accoutrements ranging from pretty teapots and stovetop espresso makers on down to sugar spoons and battery operated milk frothers. Many of these things, along with great china and bedding, came to us as wedding booty from generous friends and family. Ever since, my husband and I have been steadily adding to the assortment, but we never updated the coffee mugs. Instead, we are laden with those my husband assiduously gathered from various law school clubs and associations. And me, well I resorted to the more sordid institution of snagging them from dear friends who moved to exotic locales like New Zealand.

Somewhat embarrassed by my shabby un-chic mugs, I thankfully discovered that I???m not alone in this strange lapse in matching dishware. My older brothers and friends also boast strange mug collections offering up the logical reason that ugly mugs are free and pretty mugs are way too expensive. My own experience rings true: I don???t mind paying a king???s ransom for a dinner plate, but for a mug? They???re just mugs, right?

The other day, I wandered into the Cath Kidston store in Nolita and noticed they have adorable reasonably priced mugs. They are like Goldilocks mugs: large enough without needing constant refills. Small enough so you can finish your drink before it gets cold. And durably delicate, entirely avoiding that horrendous diner mug look. There are so many patterns and colors to choose from, but my favorite is the blue strawberry tea mug. It reminds me of summertime on a Virginia farm. These mugs are perfect if you are looking for something whimsical with a girly vintage flare.

* If you live in New York City, Cath Kidston is located at 201 Mulberry Street between Kenmare and Spring Streets.

*For those of you who don???t live in New York City, Cath Kidston mugs are available online at CathKidston.com.