Did someone say newness? It’s been a while since we introduced a new designer, so we’re over the moon to share a brand-spanking new range from the award-winning Dandelion Stationery

He's the brains behind many of James Bond’s gadgets, but what makes Q tick? Read on for some top secret intel from Q’s desk …

Calling all students, teachers, graduates and everyone in between. Whether you're a brainbox or slightly more scatterbrained (guilty!), our educational range make helpful study aids or great conversation starters!

Boil the kettle, grab a mug. Into the mug spoon your favourite coffee or pop a tea bag and wait for it to brew. Now, drink. Simple, isn’t it? But wait, there’s more ... why not try one of these surprising uses for tea and coffee?

1. Refresh tired eyes

Don’t have the time to book yourself into the luxury spa you truly deserve? Chamomile, rooibos, and green tea can all be effective in treating sore or red eyes. The anti-inflammatory properties of these teas may help to reduce any swelling or inflammation that accompanies irritated eyes. Apply warm, damp tea bags over closed eyes for 20 minutes.

2. A revitalising body scrub

Not only can coffee revitalise a tired morning, but it could also rejuvenate your skin! It takes only a few minutes to make with a handful of ingredients.

Take a cup of fresh ground coffee, a cup of organic sugar, and half a cup of coconut oil. Melt the coconut oil and allow it to cool but not solidify. Mix it with the other ingredients and place in an airtight jar. Packed with antioxidants and completely natural, we highly recommend this scrub. It’s gentle enough to be used daily for glowing skin!

If you have naturally oily skin, you can switch the coconut oil for a different oil. Jojoba and tea tree oils are both good for oily skin. Be careful when using the scrub in showers or baths, as the floor may become slippery due to the oil contained within the body scrub.

3. Unwind with a relaxing bath

Pop a couple of tea bags into your bath water next time you take a soak. The antioxidants in the tea leaves will leave your skin feeling soft and hydrated, while the scent of the tea can help you unwind. This is especially true if using teas known for their calming properties, such as jasmine or chamomile.

The antioxidants in tea make it a great addition to a bath. Photo by fotografierende from Pexels

4. A quick, cheap hair dye

A cup of brewed coffee can do more than just give you a caffeine boost. Though it may seem silly, it can also help dye your hair a shade or two darker, and may even cover up some gray hair. Simply brew a cup of coffee (dark roast works best) and you’re on your way to save a bad hair day. Mix a half cup of coffee with two teaspoons of coffee grounds and a half cup of conditioner. Apply the mixture to washed hair and let it sit for an hour before washing out. Okay, so it might not replace a trip to the hairdresser, but it’s a quick, easy and affordable solution in a pinch.

5. Fill your home with the smell of freshly brewed coffee

There are few smells as alluring as a fresh cup of coffee, don’t you think? If you love the smell of freshly brewed coffee as much as we do, try making a coffee-scented candle. You’ll need: an empty container (our mugs work great for this); a wick and candle wax; coffee (dark roast is best due to its bold flavour and smell); a saucepan (preferably an old one); a funnel; superglue; and a spoon.

Take your superglue and candle wick. Put a drop of glue on the bottom of the wicks base and place the wick base in the centre of the mug and let it dry. Melt the candle wax in a saucepan. Once the wax has melted, pour a thin layer into the container whilst holding the wick straight. Add a layer of coffee before adding the rest of the wax. While it’s still wet, add the rest of the coffee and stir (making sure to keep the coffee from getting too close to the wick or the coffee will burn when it is lit.) Once the candle has solidified, voila , you have your own coffee candle.

6. Refresh musty carpets

Did you know you can use the leaves from a tea bag to freshen up your carpets? Allow a tea bag to dry out then remove the leaves. Stir the leaves into a cup of baking soda and sprinkle the mixture over your carpet. Let it sit for about thirty minutes, then vacuum. The tea and baking soda will combine and work to trap dirt and absorb odours, which will make your carpet look and feel much fresher.

A nice cup of tea in a bone china mug. The best use of tea, if you ask us! Nice Cup Of Tea mug by Betsy Benn.

Although these are all fascinating uses for tea and coffee, for most people the preferred method is simply to drink it. If you’re a tea lover or coffee aficionado, bone china mugs are a great choice. We have hundreds of designs to choose from, so there’s something for everyone. Find your new favourite mug today.

Cover photo by Polina Kovaleva from Pexels

Cool off this summer and beat the heat with seven delicious iced coffee recipes. Keep it simple with coffee, sugar and ice or go for something a bit fancier. Which one will you try first?

How to make iced coffee

Like most things, nail the basics and you're laughing. Follow BBC Good Food's step-by-step video to get started on your iced coffee journey. You'll be whipping up your own tasty chilled concoctions in no time!

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/videos/how-to-make-iced-coffee

Cold brew coffee

As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait. You'll need to plan ahead if you're looking to cool off with a cold brew coffee, with a recommended brewing time of between 8 and 24 hours. Less bitter and acidic than regular iced coffee, it's well worth the effort!

https://www.olivemagazine.com/drink/cold-brew-coffee/

Nutella iced coffee

Say hello to your new favourite summer drink! A spoonful of the super tasty hazelnut spread is enough to turn a simple iced coffee into something altogether more special.

https://www.delish.com/uk/cocktails-drinks/a36953138/nutella-iced-coffee-recipe/

Iced latte

An iced latte at home, just how they make it in Starbucks. Well ... almost. Classic, cool and refreshing, what better way to beat the heat this summer than with an iced latte?

https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2016/iced-latte-at-home/

Classic Italian affogato

Okay, so it's not quite an iced coffee, but this Italian coffee-based desert is too good not to include. A generous dollop of vanilla ice cream drenched in a single espresso—heavenly!
https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/classic-italian-affogato/

Vietnamese-style iced coffee

The classic Vietnamese pick-me-up combo of rich black coffee and condensed milk is ready-made for happy hour with a drop of liqueur.

https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/vietnamese-style-iced-coffee-recipe/zh3ya3a2

Tried any of these recipes, or perhaps spotted an iced coffee recipe you'd like to share? We'd love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments.

Picturemaps fans you won't want to miss this! Three bestselling mug designs are now available as prints: Women Who Changed the World, Dinosaurs and Art Timeline. Colourful, informative and a great way to brighten up a blank wall.

Each design is printed on 300gsm FSC®-certified paper with a beautiful textured finish. The prints look fantastic on their own and even better framed. Will you frame yours or pin it up au naturale?

Don't forget Father's Day on Sunday 17th June, the one day a year he gets to make as many Dad jokes as possible and get away with it. Show him how much he means with our collection of Father's Day gifts.

There are lots of colourful, informative or tongue-in-cheek designs to choose from to make Father’s Day 2021 special, no matter his interests. From cycling, rugby and football to history, maths and science, there's something for everyone.

Gifts for dapper dads

Your dad isn't like other dads - his Father's Day gift shouldn't be either. Follow these four easy steps for a gift as unique as he is. Plus, shop before Sunday 13th June, 2021 and enjoy free personalisation on any mug.

1. Choose a mug to suit his personality

There are lots of colourful, informative or tongue-in-cheek designs to choose from to make Father’s Day 2021 special, no matter his interests. From cycling, rugby and football to history, maths and science, there's something for everyone.

2. Add his name or a personalised message

Make it personal by adding his name to the handle. There'll be no mistaking who the mug belongs to (and no playing innocent if he leaves the washing up). To add your own message to a mug, tick the "Personalise" box on the mug's page.

Not sure which mug to choose? Check out our Father's Day 2021 Gift Guide for some inspo, or shop new arrivals.

Everyone seems to be taking to their bikes these days. In Scotland, 43% more journeys were made by bicycle in the summer of 2020 than in 2019. The Covid lockdowns have had a big impact on the increasing popularity of cycling but there are a number of other factors that have contributed to the upward trend.

Environmental concerns and health and fitness are the two most likely reasons to take to your bike. Other reasons include: expensive and often overcrowded public transport, high costs of car ownership, and traffic congestion. This has led to more than 40% of Brits riding a bike at least once in the last 12 months

There has been an explosion in the increase in electric bike sales led by commuters, but getting to work is only part of the bicycle boom. Lycra clad sports cyclists have taken to the roads, the mountains and the gravel tracks in their droves, and then the street and off-road trials cyclists, influenced by the brilliant Danny MacAskill, are doing jumps and tricks galore.

Whatever your age or your fitness levels, there is a cycling style to suit you. Long gone are the days of the simple choice between the penny farthing and the boneshaker.

Long before the electric bike burst on the scene, the running machine, bone-shaker and penny farthing were all milestones in the history of cycling

A quick look in any bike shop offers an enormous range of bikes, from mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, gravel bikes, touring bikes, folding bikes and more. There’s one for you – why not pack up your saddle bag and head out for a quick spin.

Relax in style after your next bike ride with a cuppa from your new favourite mug. There's lots to love in our collection of cycling mugs.

With June just around the corner, we're thinking about all things Dad! For most of us, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June (that's 20th June this year, in case you haven't made a note in your diary already).

Exchanging Father's Day gifts, spending time as a family and enjoying the outdoors are all common traditions, but many countries also have their own unique customs.

Read on for 11 Father's Day traditions from around the world. Or start a tradition of your very own with a personalised mug.

How is Father's Day celebrated around the world?

Australia

Dads are celebrated Down Under on the first day of spring. Being in the Southern hemisphere, this means it falls on the first Sunday in September. As well as traditional activities like exchanging gifts, no Australian Father’s Day would be complete without a family barbecue.

Croatia

Following Roman Catholic tradition, Croatian dads are celebrated on Saint Joseph's Day on March 19. As well as showering fathers with attention, it's also common for Crotian families to honour "spiritual fathers" (priests).

France

Celebrated on the third Sunday in June, La Fete Des Pères was first introduced in 1950 by a lighter manufacturer, Flaminaire. Their slogan translated to “Our daddies told us they all want a Flaminaire for Father’s Day.”

Germany

Germans celebrate Vatertag on the fortieth day after Easter, also known as Ascension Day. Celebrations include a four-day weekend filled with family, outdoor activities, Father’s Day gifts, and plenty of beer.

Mexico

Día del Padre falls on the third Sunday in June. As well as time-honoured traditions, Mexican dads also have a slightly more unusual Father's Day custom. A city-wide race, Carrera del Día del Padre, takes place in Mexico City each year.

Russia

Celebrated on the 23rd February, Defender of the Fatherland Day traces its origins to the Soviet Union. Although officially a celebration of the armed forces, today it has become an unofficial celebration of men as a whole. The holiday is celebrated with parades and gifts.

Sweden, Norway and Iceland

Fars Dag was originally celebrated on the third Sunday in June. In 1949, the local merchants’ union lobbied to move the celebration to the second Sunday in November to encourage sales before the busy Christmas period.

Taiwan

Although not an official holiday, it is widely observed on 8th August. In Mandarin Chinese, the pronunciation of the number eight is bā, very similar to the character 爸 (bà), which means "dad". The eighth day of the eighth month (bā-bā) is a pun for dad (爸爸; bàba). The Taiwanese, therefore, sometimes refer to the holiday as Bābā Holiday.

Thailand

Thais celebrate Father's Day on 5th December, the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyade, considered ‘The Father of the Nation’. Tradition holds that everyone wears yellow and children start the day off by presenting their fathers with a Canna flower, which is considered to be a masculine plant.

We all love a cuppa from time to time, don’t we? It is common knowledge in the UK that no conflict or issue cannot be resolved by sitting down and enjoying a nice cup of tea. However, we all envision the contents of our mug to be slightly different and this in its own right, can cause conflict.

There are many ways to enjoy a cup of tea. Which shade are you?

Do you like your tea black? Sugar, one spoonful or two? And that's not to mention milk. “Just a splash of milk, please”, they say. But how much is a splash? How strong do you want it? Does that look about right to you? These are all questions we’ve had or pondered as we look down into our mugs wondering if this brew will cut it or if we have made too many assumptions.

What makes a good cup of tea?

The Internet to the rescue! Fear not, a short Google search will show you the three most important things to consider when making a mug of tea (and yes some people may actually need this). Once you have these three skills down then you will be able to make anyone their favourite cup of tea.

1. Leaf to water ratio
2. Water temperature
3. Infusion time

Of course, a cup of tea is nothing without the mug that it’s in! At Mclaggan, we've been producing mugs for over 40 years, so we know a thing or two about what kind of mug is perfect for your cup of tea. So, why not enjoy a cup of tea with a Mclaggan mug of the highest quality ... or should that be koala-tea? For mugs like this and more, visit our online shop.

For more information on How to brew tea click on the link to BBC Good Food or why not enjoy the “My proper tea” sketch by the comedian Doc Brown.

Did someone say coffee? Many of us can’t imagine starting the day without a cup of coffee to get us going. According to the British Coffee Association, 95 Million Cups of coffee are drunk every day in the UK.

However, coffee plays an important part in many people’s cultures and people take their coffees in many different ways. As you can see on the map below, people drink coffee all over the world and not in the way you would expect!

What’s in people's mugs around the world?

1. Café de Olla, Mexico

Our whistle-stop coffee journey starts in rural Mexico. Made from a mixture of cinnamon and unrefined cane sugar, this style of coffee is traditionally served black. It can also be served with orange peels, cloves and allspice.

2. Cafezinho, Brazil

If you love a hit of caffeine, then a mug of this will set you up nicely. A staple of Brazil's hospitality, cafezinho is brewed through a special cloth flannel filter and sugar is added to the brewing process early on. Cafezinho is generally served without milk or cream.

3. Kaffeost, Sweden and Finland

This northern Scandinavian tradition may not be to everyone's taste. A cube of leipäjuusto (known as "Finnish squeaky cheese") is added to a coffee mug before pouring. The cheese soaks up the liquid like a sponge for a delicious drink and meal combination. Don't knock it til you try it!

4. Cappuccino, Italy

Although the Italians have invented many ways to enjoy coffee, none are as famous, or should that be infamous, as the cappuccino. The espresso-based brew was first introduced in 17^th century Italy.

5. Frappé, Greece

Our journey continues to the warm shores of Greece where frappé are from. This iced coffee was created by chance in 1957 by a coffee salesman. With and the instant coffee and foamed milk mix has been beloved in the region ever since.

6. Arabica, Ethiopia

Known as the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia is one of the largest exporters of coffee and is home to an estimated 6-10,000 varieties of the stuff. The most common of these is Arabica. In Ethiopia, beans are roasted in a pan before being ground and served to friends and family.

7. Ca Phe Da, Vietnam

If you have a sweet tooth, then you'll love Ca Phe Da from Vietnam. Both strong and sweet, this coffee is brewed through a French drip into a cup of ice and condensed milk. Sounds delicious!

8. Flat white, Australia

Our final destination is Down Under where the flat white was first conceived. Similar to a latte, a flat white consists of an espresso shot and microfoam. This Australian speciality has since spread across the world and is enjoyed by many.

Where are all these countries?

Coffee is drunk many different ways across the globe, but do you know how big or small some of these countries are? Would you be able to find where Ca Phe Da is drunk on a map? Why not find it on our World Map mug whilst you are enjoying a cup of coffee the way you like it.

Did you also know? The largest coffee ever made was in Honduras and was over 11 feet or over 3 meters tall! That’s enough coffee to fill over 120,000 Mclaggan mugs!