Objects of Lust: Ladak Recycled Blankets

Another fave from our recent visit to Los Angeles's ReForm School: Ladak blankets. I literally could not keep my hands off of them.

Crafted in the Netherlands, each 78-by-55-inch throw is handmade from recycled moving blankets (which themselves consist of material from recycled sweaters, jeans, blankets, and mattresses). They are then embellished with scraps of colorful fabric, trim, ribbon, and lace.

The blankets cost 189 euros (about $247) apiece directly from Ladak, or you can buy one for $285 from the ReForm School e-shop. (That's not cheap, of course, but you can always rationalize the purchase by reminding yourself that 15 percent of the profits are donated to an Amsterdam homeless shelter.)

If you're crafty, you might also be inspired to create your own throw blanket on the cheap from salvaged materials. You can find simple wool blankets at most army surplus stores and on eBay, and then go to town with ric-rac, ribbon, fabric trim, lace, printed binding tape, and that collection of fabric remnants you've been meaning to do something with. (Consider writing a check to your local homeless shelter with the money you save.)

eBay Find of the Day: Vintage Typewriter

When we visited L.A.'s ReForm School last week, my daughter was fascinated with the vintage school- and office supplies there. She and I both couldn't resist tapping a few keys on a beautifully timeworn typewriter the shop had on display, and it occurred to me that in this age of computers and tiny, magical handheld devices, my kids had probably never seen an actual typewriter in person before.

Since we got home, I've been on the hunt for vintage model of our own. (The great irony here, of course, is that my late father-in-law had an awesome antique typewriter that we let go in an estate sale a few years ago.) I was thinking that maybe we could keep it on the table in the hallway, feed a fresh piece of paper into it every once in awhile, and tap out random phrases and notes to each other when we passed by and inspiration happened to strike. Wouldn't that be fun?

Right now, I'm digging this vintage Underwood, complete with the original carrying case.

Current bid: $10. (The auction ends Saturday evening, January 10.)