Fate I tell you!

Seriously. I don't apply fate to many situations. I mean its got to be big time, serious kismet kind of stuff. But yesterday...I experienced fate. It was beautiful. Unforgettable really...

Behold...my fated Starbucks mug.
Sigh...beautiful isn't she?
Now before you go on and say, "But its just a Starbucks mug." NO, its not just any old Starbucks mug. Its the most brilliant Starbucks mug ever invented. They came out with during my first go as a Starbucks employee back in 2004. Before I quit, I had to have this mug. So I bought two, both in red. We loved these mugs, and they lasted a good while. Well, that was until Rob started taking them to work. A dent here, a scratch there. Then the carabiner handle broke off one day. Then the lid piece cracked. I mean the man had no regard for the fantabulousness of the mugs. Eventually, sadly, both succumbed to Rob's poor workplace, coffee mug habits.

So what did I learn from this experience? Never...ever, let your man use your beloved coffee/travel mug. So my solution? Buy a mug that no man in his right mind would ever be caught dead carrying...voila! (I bought this sucker during my second go at Starbucks. For $6.99 less 30% thank you very much!)
You bet its as pink and girly as they get. And nope, Rob has never...ever, taken this one to work!

But when I walked into Value Village yesterday, it was as thought the fates had sent me on this mission to find the long lost sibling of my beloved mug. I'm sure lights were shining down from heaven over the mug, to bring my glance upon it. I'm sure I gasped when I saw it. Its in immaculate condition...and the best part? It was $3.99! HAH! I paid about $26.00 each (less 40% for the Christmas discount). Seriously, I'm way too excited about this mug, and you bet Rob will not be allowed to take this puppy to work!

Along the journey of life I've had some good coffee mugs, but none really compared to Ol' Red. Mr. Blue came close, but then he lost his lid, and well, now he just sits at the back of the cupboard collecting dust. At each and every Value Village visit I check for a lid that might work, but alas, its been years. We had some good times, so its hard to think of just tossing him to the curb. Call me sentimental.

*PS. If you happen to see a lid that would fit Ol' blue, please think of me!

I bought Rob this mug a few years ago when he was super into drinking Yerba Mate. Yet, another brilliant Starbucks invention. But the Yerba Mate phase didn't last so long...hence why the mug is still intact ;)
Also along the journey, I've come across these fantab cold cups. I would highly recommend both. Great for smoothies on the run. And the large one does have a large plastic straw...somewhere...
My final tale about beverage containers happened a few weeks ago when Rob and I took a spin through Planet Organic. I have to admit, we had yuppy written all over us. We didn't smell like patchouli, we had washed our hair at least once in the last month, and our bright orange Dogde Neon stuck out like a sore thumb around all the Volkswagons in the parking lot.

They had these fantab water bottles, and apparently at Rob's work there is a bit of a contest to see who can bring the coolest water bottle. So when Rob saw the Voss bottle, he had to have it. But being the cheap wife that I am, I made him get the smaller one (like $2.99). When we got into the car, he said, "I'll never win the contest with this one" with the most defeated look upon his face. He had me. I told him to go get it. So he went back in and bought the man bottle. Moments like these remind me that men too can be shallow.
What's your fave beverage container?