These mugs from Anthropologie have one feature that would usually disqualify them from our household collection of coffee cups, but they redeem themselves so well in other ways that they've become our favorite morning mug...

We usually only like cups with real handles, handles that our whole hand can fit through. These, however, have a thumb-sized loop of a handle that forces you to cradle the whole mug in your hands. We actually like this now, as the top band of stoneware is wide and it warms hands on cold mornings as you cradle your cup.

These mugs also hold the perfect amount of morning coffee, for us, and they come in a whole array of bright and cheering colors.

Color Wheel Mugs, $5 at Anthropologie. Online and in stores.