Over these mugs I didn’t buy when I was in Korea.

I know it’s wrong to  obsess over material objects…but these lovely handmade mugs are exactly what I need for my home to serve up homemade cappucinos, soup, mugs of tea and everything else warm and yummy during these cold winter days and nights.

Sigh.

But the good news is that Random House Korea recently bought the rights to my book “Upcycling,” which means there is a tiny chance I may go back to Seoul for a book tour?   Hear that Random House Korea?   I would gladly come promote to get my mugs!

Happy Friday everyone!     Glad to be back.

Tune in February 22nd for my first “House Proud” tour of my home on The Nate Berkus Show.  Just taped it and Nate called my home “sick.”  Hope that’s a good thing!

Some exciting news today.  Our new line of Danny Seo cookware and bakeware is arriving in stores right now.

The line includes everything and anything you need to whip up a culinary storm in your eco-friendly kitchen.    The non-stick coating on the line is ceramic based and is 100% free of harmful chemicals like PTFE and PFOA and zero harmful fumes were released in production.  Suitable for both gas and electric ranges (including induction!), it is also dishwasher safe.

One of our recycled paper hangtags that go with the open stock cookware.   This is for the 7″ saucepan.

A great big roaster rack.    It’s just $16.99 and you can find it in stores like HomeGoods.

I do believe the 12″ wok is going to be a staple in my home.  Lately, I’ve been doing healthy stir fry recipes when I want something quick and delicious to eat.   With the ceramic non-stick coating, I can do it with way less oil now.

Muffin tins!  We also have baking sheets, tart pans, bundt cake pans and loaf pans for all of your baking needs.

The clear glass matching lids for the cookware line feature our Danny Seo logo.   I love the fact you can peer inside without having to lift the lid.

If you’d like to check out the line, the best place to see the best selection are stores like HomeGoods.    Let me know if you pick it up and would love to hear your thoughts!

Here’s a  scan of the book jacket for my next book: Upcycling Celebrations!

It will be in stores this Fall (around August) and will be book #8 for me.

We’re onto pre-production on book #9 right now, which will be a book idea book for resourceful, eco-friendly, crafty home decorating.   Having lots of fun poring over the scouting shots of beautiful homes all over the country.

In Upcycling Celebrations, you’ll find a treasure trove of easy ideas to decorate, entertain and gift give all year round. Starting with New Year’s Eve and ending with the December holiday season of Christmas and Hanukkah (and everything else that falls in between), I am so proud of this book and the many fun ideas we came up with to put inside.

Of course, that also means last minute ideas are being rushed to be put into the book.   I tend to wake up in the middle of the night, dreaming of some fabulous craft project, and then insist we all shoot it and put it in the book.  Our last shoot for “pick up” shots will be February 2nd and then we can put this book to bed!

Outside the dining hall at Rancho La Puerta were two golden trees flanking the entrance.   They had gone from lush green trees into shimmering bare trees holding onto gorgeous seed pods.

Up close, you can see how even in their completely dried out state, they still hang onto the tree despite wind gusts and—-I admit it—-a certain blogger here who shook the tree to try to knock a few down.

I did manage to collect a few dozen pods and bring them back with me.  I found this image of a seed pod garland online and thought this could be a fun upcycling project to make.  So, I’m off to figure this out.

It looks like in this picture the pods were sewn onto string…. since I don’t sew or have a sewing machine, I’m gonna see what the next best thing might be.  Any ideas?