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Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,563
Registered: ‎11-08-2014

I'll parrot Arvin Olano--  "Nobody asked, but......"   (ha)

 

A few months ago, I posted on my search for good-looking lead-free and cadmium-free mugs.  Got both "Bistro" and "Glendale" from the Serami company on Amazon.

 

Have been using both since then, and here's the long-term verdict.  They are both sleek, sturdy, just the right size, AND with roomy handles that are a must for hubby-- he hates skimpy little ones.

 

"Bistro":

9b04892c-6d91-4563-a473-834d1eab4350.__CR0,0,1940,600_PT0_SX970_V1___.jpg

 

"Bistro" is my favorite, because at 4 1/4 inches, it fits exactly under my teeny Keurig, without having to pull the llittle platform out.  And I like the chunky, sort of "Euro-cafe" shape.  But not too heavy.  Comes in white, black or cobalt blue.

 

"Glendale":

9960cf4f-b3cb-45ee-87a2-89b444baa4c4.__CR0,0,1940,600_PT0_SX970_V1___.jpg

 

Taller, skinnier, looks cutely just like an overgrown version of the smaller ceramic mugs that you get with Corelle dishes.  I like that slightly "modern-retro" shape too.  Also comes in white, black or cobalt blue.

 

This is hubby's favorite, because he thinks the wider base is more stable when he presses down with his Aeropress-- less likely to tip, he thinks.  But he admits the Bistro mugs have not tipped either.

 

Bistro is hovering around $21 for four;  Glendale is now around $17 for four.  As far as the shipping from Amazon/Serami, the first set of four came with one cup broken;  the next three orders came well packed and intact.

 

When we reported the broken one to Serami, they said they'd replace it, and surprised us by sending another whole set of 4 to replace the one broken one.  Nice customer service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,501
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

I like the sleeker look of the Glendale mug.  I think it would be nice in cobalt blue.

 

And, yes, that's great customer service!

"" A little learning is a dangerous thing."-Alexander Pope
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,969
Registered: ‎12-13-2020

I'm like you @Oznell I like the bistro one better. Smiley Happy

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,321
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

@Oznell   Another Arvin fan???  He cracks me up.  Especially when he says Mary-Susie-Sally or whatever names he uses to explain he doesn't want comments about his opinions.  He just tells the person to move along!

 

I don't have a preference regarding your mugs -- I'm a Fiesta gal.  However, both are very nice.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,432
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

I like the Bistro mugs.  I have some Bistro de Paris mugs that we love for coffee and they fit perfectly with my Nespresso cafe' pods which produce just the right amount for these mugs.  Yours look like mine but mine have that imprint of Bistro de Paris and two black stripes around the perimeter (top) with a red checkered imprint in between.  They remind me of a great trip where I picked them up years ago and they are still very useful, pretty and it was not so long ago as they are microwaveable.  

 

I have my father-in-law's Bistro mugs with green stripes (I think they are actually Pyrex) and they are not microwaveable.  A son popped one in the microwave and it popped right out and splashed beverage throughout.  I love the Bistro shape.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,432
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Oh, I watch Arvin Olano until I cannot watch him any longer.  Then I back off for a few days and he has something new and I watch him.  I like his videos.  I am clearly not into the same period of decor that he is but he offers advice that can be used with any period, any style, just basic good decorating common sense.  However, I do enjoy watching him and have subscribed to his channel.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,563
Registered: ‎11-08-2014

Re: UPDATE ON COFFEE MUGS

[ Edited ]

Yes, @hellodali and @Nonametoday ,  Arvin is fun.  Agreed, these youtubers don't necessarily have to be my personal decorating style to be interesting or have some appealing angle to offer...

 

The decorating sites I look at most include him, The Painted South, Garret LeChic, Farmhouse Vernacular, Nick Lewis, Nicolas Fairford and Beau Alexander.

 

baiyinadotcom has been good lately because of her 'adventure'--  she is a desiger who, disillusioned with L. A., decamped from there, and wound up in Dallas area.  She's got a sort of French decorating sensibility and is slowly decorating her small apartment on a budget.  Much fun to see the progress on projects like that...

 

Edited to add:  I inadvertently put the name of the baiyina decorating blog, not the videos, above;  for the youtube videos that follow the decoration of her new apartment, I think googling baiyina youtube will pull them up...

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,837
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

@Oznell   I like both mugs but prefer the Bistro mug.  I just ordered new mugs (two of two different types) from Nespresso.  I have a new Nespresso Next machine (had another one that died recently) and have been enjoying my espresso in the morning.

 

I like Alvin Olano, too, and have subscribed to his channel due to your posting about him.


The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau





Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,321
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

@Oznell   I had stopped watching baiyina because I had sort of lost interest in what she was doing.  I had no idea she had relocated.  I will have to check out her new adventure.

 

I really enjoyed The Painted South, but haven't seen her in a long time.  I know they were thinking of moving and doing some downsizing.  I hope she shows more of that. 

 

I just got the notice to join Farmhouuse.  Of course, the yearly rate works out much better than the monthly, but I may just sign up for a month or so to see if I enjoy it.  I do like Paige's videos; however, I am hesitant to put out $199 and not know if I would really get any use out of what she is going to teach/demonstrate.

 

I also am a fan of Lisa Holt design.  Sometimes she is a little too enthusiastic, but I do like her decorating style so I try to put her bubblyness aside.

 

I find myself watching far too much YouTube!  I really try to narrow it down, but I definitely enjoy it far more than regular television programming. 

 

Good chatting with you.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,563
Registered: ‎11-08-2014

Oh, lucky you with your Nespresso, @NickNack , yum!  You and I seem to like a lot of the same decorating sites, I've noticed. 

 

@hellodali,  exactly, I hope The Painted South comes back, I've been missing my "fix" of her soothing diy videos!  I can watch Lisa Holt in small doses-- she does have good information, a lot of the time.  Valentina of "House of Valentina" tends a bit to that "over-enthusiasm" too, but again, nice videos...

 

Gosh, I didn't even notice the paid courses that Paige does.  I'll stick with the free videos--  for some reason, the various courses that these people give don't appeal to me very much. 

 

These talented youtubers are a replacement for the decorating mags I used to love to get and pore over!

 

Great to chat with you too--  you're another who hones in on a lot of stuff I like too!