Yesterday we wrote about a striking similarity between Pottery Barn’s new nursery banks and Jonathan Adler’s ceramic sculptures. Well, Leah H. has found what could be Jonathan’s original inspiration: This jaunty circa-1966 ceramic horse figurine features intricate and oh-so-groovy detailing and measures a pert six and a half inches from hooves to mane. C’mon — you know you want it. Current bid: $80 and rising! Click here to try to nab this real deal yourself. Auction ends Jan 6th.

See more of Leah’s great finds on her blog, More Ways to Waste Time.

When it comes to Utilitarian Chic, you can’t beat a vintage Swiss Army blanket. There’s that graphic red stripe and white cross, and the earthy gray-brown nubby wool. These circa-1930s to -1950s military-issue throws are perfect for draping across the back of a sofa or folding at the foot of your bed to add a shot of color and texture to the room and to help ward off the winter chill. Robert Redford’s Sundance catalog is hawking Swiss Army blankets for (a shocking) $289 a pop — but you can snag one for a tenth of that price on eBay. The one at above measures 56″ X 77″ and is currently at $23.50. Click here to bid now.

See more of Leah’s great finds on her blog, More Ways to Waste Time.

Never mind Christmas — are you ready for your New Year’s Eve festivities? Just think how great those cocktail nuts will look in this midcentury silver-and-enamel bowl, made by MEKA of Denmark. Current bid: $10 (hurry — the auction ends Wednesday evening).

See more of Leah’s great finds on her blog, More Ways to Waste Time.

Our friends over at White Elephant have offered up a special discount for you, Shelterrific readers. From now until December 20th, you can get 10% off their goods by using the code SHELTERRIFIC-BLOG-FAN at checkout! Just enter the code in the “message to seller” section during checkout, and make sure to wait for a revised invoice from them. Among the vintage treasures up you’ll find there: joyous Wooden Blocks, $13.50.

Never again be at a loss for dinner ideas with this circa-1956 illustrated linen tea towel. If it’s Monday, then it must be time for Broiled Butterfish. Thursday? Why, Broiled Liver, of course. And no Saturday night would be complete without Pot Roast. Current bid: $1 — Leah H.

See more of Leah’s great finds on her blog, More Ways to Waste Time.

I spent the Millennium New Year’s Eve in Palm Springs partying away the night at the Kaufman House. Pink Martini played live on the tennis court. What a party! All these years later, I am still haunted by the Akari paper lanterns smattered and aglow in the desert trees beyond the poolhouse. It was all so magical!

Cut to this past Saturday, I went to hear Clarence Greenwood of Citizen Cope sing an acoustic set at the Bearsville Theatre. I sat in the small balcony transfixed by the paper lanterns lighting both sides of the room (pictured a bit blurry, sorry.) I have always been in awe of the simple clean texture an Akari light sculpture gives off. Like a flame to the moth, I can’t help but be transfixed by a grouping of the lanterns. It’s no surprise that they were the creation of design avatar Isamu Noguchi. Years ago I was moved to tears when I visited the Noguchi Museum in Long Island City for the first time. Being a world class crybaby this outburst is a happy memory. I relish the rare moments where my soul is moved by the breadth of one man’s body of work.

I encourage all who can to get over to Long Island City to experience what a true master of invention the Japanese American artist was. — Allison R.

Serving your morning coffee or after-dinner decaf in this striking and sculptural porcelain pot — designed by midcentury modern icon Paul McCobb for Royal Jackson Internationale — would just be so much more civilized than sloshing that java straight out of the standard-issue Mr. Coffee canister, don’t you think? Current bid: $20. (Hurry — the auction ends Tuesday.)

See more of Leah’s great finds on her blog, More Ways to Waste Time.

Ya gotta love Etsy, a place where bloggers can turn the things they write about into stores we all shop! Another brilliant found-treasure type of store opened today, White Elephant Vintage. It’s from the gals who write the I Love It A Lot blog and it’s filled with adorable, well-photographed finds, like this deer planter, $20. Click here to see more!

How totally stylin’ is this circa-1950s Scandinavian storage cabinet? I love the sexy tapered legs, the minty teak finish, the clever swing-out bins and flip-top lids, and that grip-handle on top absolutely slays me. (And no, I don’t think it’s weird that I’m getting this worked up over a piece of furniture … ) Current bid: $305, plus $64 shipping from the Netherlands. (Not cheap, but hey — it’s an investment piece, people.) Click here to see on eBay. — Leah H.

See more of Leah’s great finds on her blog, More Ways to Waste Time.

We’ve written about our admiration for living design icon, Eva Zeisel before, so you can imagine how tickled we were to see this feature in New York magazine’s design issue about her Rockland County studio. Though she has lived on the Upper West Side (near Columbia U., near Angela M!) for decades, her design studio is on an old, eclectically decorated farmhouse. We especially love this photo of her dining room, which features a collection of gorgeous yet well-worn rugs (Tibetan? Afghanistan?), sensuous wooden candleholders, and folksy blue-and-white plates. It’s a reminder to buy things you love, not trends. Click here to see more at New York Mag.