{kaleido, a study in curiosities}

// A Compilation of Love/Hate Letters to Starbucks’ Holiday Cups//

Hey, Tumblr world! I’m starting a new project. Yesterday, I was inspired by Starbucks’ holiday cups to ask why people either love or hate them.

Is it just a feeling, or do you associate a particular memory with them?

Do they make you excited for the holidays, or do you despise them?

Why? I want to hear it. Submit your opinion or story here. (If you’d rather e-mail me, message me at ng.cmaine@gmail.com.) Make it a snappy one-liner, or tell me a paragraph-long tale - whatever works for you! You can even film a video, if you want. Just remember to include your name, age, and occupation :)

I’m closing shop on November 24th, so get ‘em in, and invite your friends to submit! RSVP to the Facebook event, where you can post on the wall or FB message me instead. I’d really appreciate your help in satisfying my curiosity, everyone. Thanks!

(Source: Flickr / rios-enriquez)

A girl walked into my Gateway to Media class today, waving around her Starbucks cup in excitement. The holiday-themed cups and drinks were out! Right after class, I couldn’t help but buy my favorite peppermint mocha, even though I was perfectly awake.

When I finally sat down to take this photo, I was pretty disappointed. The font and art looked out of place. Since the whole “hipster Juno” style was pushed so hard for their new frapps this year, this more reserved look felt wrong to me. On the website, though, it looks perfectly mature, but cute at the same time. I’m also all for the concept of sharing stories, not necessarily material goods, with others.

What bothers me most about the cup is the “frost” they attempted to create along the edges. It reminds me of the spray paint option in MS Paint. And the line, “When I give gifts, I always get more in return. Funny, isn’t it?”: why the hell is it funny? I just don’t like the tone. The rhetorical question just ruins the whole thing for me.

Am I being nitpicky? Yes. I think my own frustrations with voice are spilling over into other brands :P Anyway, the point is, Starbucks holiday cups and drinks are OUT and DELICIOUS and fairly PRETTY. BE EXCITED. Because no matter how the cups look, they still mark a wonderful time of the year.