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Survival Fun Guide

Life is weird.
Let’s be weird together.

Navigating life, work, and everything in between—without pretending we have it all figured out.

The Mug Problem - Every Item Tells a Story

Sep 6
4 min read

It’s been a while since I’ve posted—but apparently I haven’t been resting. I’ve been in the basement confronting several decades of evidence that I may have a collecting problem.


We’ll begin with the mugs.


It’s time I finally come to terms with the fact that I have a mug problem.

I LOVE mugs.


The funny thing is, I don’t drink coffee or tea. I just love mugs.


I love the artwork. Sometimes it’s the shape. Sometimes it’s where the mug came from or what it reminds me of. And sometimes there’s absolutely no logical explanation beyond, Look at that mug! I need it. 🤣


Recently, I decided that since I love mugs so much, why not start designing a few of my own?


Um.


This led to a bigger mug problem.


So now it’s time to pass along some favorites to people who might actually use them—or, at the very least, have enough cabinet space left to adopt them.


And, of course, you can’t have a Mug Problem collection with just mugs. There are teapots, tea sets and all sorts of things for anyone who has ever wanted to create their own slightly unhinged Mad Hatter tea party. 😉


Survival Fun Guide is teaming up with Flipping the Past to curate the objects that helped make us who we are—one mug, memory and wonderfully unnecessary treasure at a time.


Some pieces carry family stories. Some bring back Saturday mornings and movie nights. Others simply prove we’ve never been particularly good at leaving a great mug behind.


You’ll also find a few original SFG creations inspired by the collection, because apparently designing merchandise about having too many mugs is how I’m addressing the situation.


Welcome to I Have a Mug Problem, this week’s curated collection from the SFG Story Shop and Flipping the Past.


Every item has a story. Some are nostalgic. Some are personal. Some are just wonderfully weird. And now they’re ready for another chapter.


Find something you love? Click its individual link to purchase it. Depending on the item, you’ll be taken to eBay, the SFG Shop or one of our trusted partners.


Happy hunting. And may your cabinets have room for one more. ❤️




The tea set my mom secretly went back to buy after telling me we couldn’t afford it. Now it’s ready to be loved by someone new. [Shop the set →]
The tea set my mom secretly went back to buy after telling me we couldn’t afford it. Now it’s ready to be loved by someone new. [Shop the set →]
Coca-Cola “Thirst + Taste” Mug — At last, an equation our generation could solve without showing its work. [Shop the mug →]
Coca-Cola “Thirst + Taste” Mug — At last, an equation our generation could solve without showing its work. [Shop the mug →]
Coca-Cola Colorful Bottle Mug — Bright bottles, bold colors and enough ’90s pop-art energy to wake you up before the caffeine does. [Shop the mug →]
Coca-Cola Colorful Bottle Mug — Bright bottles, bold colors and enough ’90s pop-art energy to wake you up before the caffeine does. [Shop the mug →]
Coca-Cola Colorful Bottle Mug — Bright bottles, bold colors and enough ’90s pop-art energy to wake you up before the caffeine does. [Shop the mug →]
Coca-Cola Colorful Bottle Mug — Bright bottles, bold colors and enough ’90s pop-art energy to wake you up before the caffeine does. [Shop the mug →]
Coca-Cola “Bon Appétit” Picnic Mug — Because apparently even lunch tastes better with a Coke, a cheeseburger and some extremely enthusiastic ’90s graphics. [Shop the mug →]
Coca-Cola “Bon Appétit” Picnic Mug — Because apparently even lunch tastes better with a Coke, a cheeseburger and some extremely enthusiastic ’90s graphics. [Shop the mug →]
Handmade 1960s Cream and Sugar Set — Made as a wedding gift for my parents, these two little pottery pieces have held more than sugar—they’ve carried part of our family story for nearly 60 years. [Shop the set →]
Handmade 1960s Cream and Sugar Set — Made as a wedding gift for my parents, these two little pottery pieces have held more than sugar—they’ve carried part of our family story for nearly 60 years. [Shop the set →]
The Flintstones Mug Sets — Saturday mornings, sugary cereal and the modern Stone Age family that taught us a foot-powered car was perfectly reasonable. Two matching sets are available. [Shop the sets →]
The Flintstones Mug Sets — Saturday mornings, sugary cereal and the modern Stone Age family that taught us a foot-powered car was perfectly reasonable. Two matching sets are available. [Shop the sets →]
Two little frogs waiting to spice up your life (or food).[Shop the set →]
Two little frogs waiting to spice up your life (or food).[Shop the set →]

Four collectible goblets, one epic fellowship and absolutely no requirement to walk all the way to Mordor. [Shop the set →]
Four collectible goblets, one epic fellowship and absolutely no requirement to walk all the way to Mordor. [Shop the set →]
Bringing glamorous main-character energy to breakfast since 1978. [Shop the mug →]
Bringing glamorous main-character energy to breakfast since 1978. [Shop the mug →]
Red Asian-Style Tea Set — A cheerful teapot, serving tray, two ready-for-tea cups—and one imperfect little cup coming along for the ride because we don’t abandon family over a dangling handle. [Shop the set →]
Red Asian-Style Tea Set — A cheerful teapot, serving tray, two ready-for-tea cups—and one imperfect little cup coming along for the ride because we don’t abandon family over a dangling handle. [Shop the set →]
Mickey Mouse Milk Glass Mug Set — Four eras of Mickey, one cheerful set and enough Disney nostalgia to make breakfast feel like Saturday morning again. [Shop the set →]
Mickey Mouse Milk Glass Mug Set — Four eras of Mickey, one cheerful set and enough Disney nostalgia to make breakfast feel like Saturday morning again. [Shop the set →]
Vintage Green Japanese Teapot — Avocado green, floral and unmistakably vintage—the kind of teapot that makes an ordinary cup feel like a proper occasion. [Shop the teapot →]
Vintage Green Japanese Teapot — Avocado green, floral and unmistakably vintage—the kind of teapot that makes an ordinary cup feel like a proper occasion. [Shop the teapot →]
Pfaltzgraff Mug Set — Six coordinating stoneware mugs in soft pink, blue and cream—ready for long conversations, second helpings and the friend who always stays for one more cup. [Shop the set →]
Pfaltzgraff Mug Set — Six coordinating stoneware mugs in soft pink, blue and cream—ready for long conversations, second helpings and the friend who always stays for one more cup. [Shop the set →]
Black Cat and Roses Mug — A little mysterious, a little romantic and fully prepared to silently judge anyone who speaks to you before your morning beverage. [Shop the mug →]
Black Cat and Roses Mug — A little mysterious, a little romantic and fully prepared to silently judge anyone who speaks to you before your morning beverage. [Shop the mug →]
 Proof that bicycles could fly, Reese’s Pieces were a food group and home was only one phone call away. [Shop the mug →]
 Proof that bicycles could fly, Reese’s Pieces were a food group and home was only one phone call away. [Shop the mug →]
Rainbow Stacking Bistro Mugs — Six cheerful colors, one clever stacking rack and proof that practical kitchen storage doesn’t have to be beige. [Shop the set →]
Rainbow Stacking Bistro Mugs — Six cheerful colors, one clever stacking rack and proof that practical kitchen storage doesn’t have to be beige. [Shop the set →]
Ceramic Camp Mug Set — Six mugs ready for sitting around with friends, retelling the same great stories and laughing like nobody has heard them seventeen times already. [Shop the set →]
Ceramic Camp Mug Set — Six mugs ready for sitting around with friends, retelling the same great stories and laughing like nobody has heard them seventeen times already. [Shop the set →]
England Print and Greeting Card Set — Original late-’90s photographs by Traci from the Nique Imaging archives. Frame one, send one—and share a little piece of England. [Shop the set →]
England Print and Greeting Card Set — Original late-’90s photographs by Traci from the Nique Imaging archives. Frame one, send one—and share a little piece of England. [Shop the set →]
Jamie Oliver Red Tea Towel Set — Bright, bold and ready to add a little “yes, I absolutely meant to cook that” confidence to the kitchen. [Shop the red set →]
Jamie Oliver Red Tea Towel Set — Bright, bold and ready to add a little “yes, I absolutely meant to cook that” confidence to the kitchen. [Shop the red set →]
Jamie Oliver Blue Tea Towel Set — Cool blue kitchen style for drying dishes, covering dough or looking suspiciously decorative on the oven door. [Shop the blue set →]
Jamie Oliver Blue Tea Towel Set — Cool blue kitchen style for drying dishes, covering dough or looking suspiciously decorative on the oven door. [Shop the blue set →]
Jamie Oliver Multi-color Tea Towel Set — A cheerful mix of color for kitchens where the food is good, the conversation is better and something is probably simmering. [Shop the multi-color set →]
Jamie Oliver Multi-color Tea Towel Set — A cheerful mix of color for kitchens where the food is good, the conversation is better and something is probably simmering. [Shop the multi-color set →]


I Have a Mug Problem 11 × 17 Art Print — Because admitting you have a mug problem is the first step. Buying wall art about it is apparently the second. [Shop the print →]
I Have a Mug Problem 11 × 17 Art Print — Because admitting you have a mug problem is the first step. Buying wall art about it is apparently the second. [Shop the print →]


I Don’t Wanna Grow Up 20 oz Mug — Big enough for coffee, tea or whatever helps you continue pretending adulthood is merely a temporary inconvenience. [Shop the mug →]
I Don’t Wanna Grow Up 20 oz Mug — Big enough for coffee, tea or whatever helps you continue pretending adulthood is merely a temporary inconvenience. [Shop the mug →]

Becoming Me Printed Workbook — A guided place to rediscover who you are beneath the responsibilities, expectations and approximately 847 things currently demanding your attention. [Explore the workbook →]
Becoming Me Printed Workbook — A guided place to rediscover who you are beneath the responsibilities, expectations and approximately 847 things currently demanding your attention. [Explore the workbook →]

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