September 7, 2017 - A simple earthen mug today. It seems that earthen tones have surged to the forefront of standard ceramic sets. They are becoming the modern day equivalent of the fruit and flowers still lifes that used to be the dominant design in the old dining sets. I'm not sure what is driving the desire for earthen tones. Perhaps we are all searching to reconnect with the perceived natural look of ceramics while still embracing the convince of mass produced items. Are we searching for the authenticity of something crafted and only finding a facsimile that sits in our cabinets? Perhaps this is all reading into much into a trend that has caught on because it simply looks good? I'll admit this mug is pleasing to the eye. There's some color that transitions to a dark interior that provides contrast for the rich brown of coffee lighten with a touch of cream. Regardless, this Target mug from China has a tiny chip at the rim, suggesting it has seen use before today and has its own tale to tell.