A new spin on a coffee cup

Mornings can be treacherous things to navigate, and most of us have developed some kind of ritual to help us get through those choppy waters. Coffee and tea have always been popular day-starters, and how we get it varies as much as how we like to enjoy it. Some of us rush about, grabbing our beverage of choice so quickly that the sloshing in the cup threatens to spill onto the floor. And others like to sit back, relax, and let the early morning stares take over. For those who belong to the latter group, here's something you might not have seen before.

Boasting the odd name of A Little Round-Round-Land Cup, this porcelain drinking vessel offers a new way to view the start of the day. The cup and saucer set features whimsical graphics (two designs are available: Merry Go Round and Adventures in Wonderland) that definitely stand out. But it's more than just creative imagery that sets these cups apart.

The saucer section features a two-layer design in which the top section can be spun in place. The neat part about that is the graphics printed along the inside of the saucer are reflected by the mirrorlike designs that adorn the sides of the cup. The effect is something like a zoetrope, giving frenetic action to the images; just sit back, enjoy your drink, and zone out on the effect. They might not change how you view the morning, but these innovative cups with their fun moving parts are certainly worth a smile.