DIY: Exploration Bottle

I first saw one of these up close at the vacation house we stayed at recently. It seemed to be geared towards grown up but even Big Boy was curious about it. Then recently, I saw a lot of online buzz about The Crafty Nest's nicely executed DIY versions.

SHOPPING LIST:
Empty bottle - Vanessa uses a Voss bottle in her tutorial and I think she nailed it aesthetically. I had a terrible time sourcing the plastic version of the bottles locally but finally found some at the local Bristol Farms.
Tchotkes - anything non perishable and interesting that you can fit through the neck of the bottle. My button jar is a bit bare but I hit the motherlode online at the Sausalito Ferry Co. Other sources could include Etsy and Tiny Things Are Cute.
Filler - the tutorial uses popcorn but I am toying with using rice or orzo.
Glue

I will post photos once it is complete!

Chalkboards

Outdoor chalkboards at Ohdeedoh and Angry Chicken - could this work on a balcony too? Hmmm.

Wallcandy Arts Mini Chalkboards - I have had these for a while for we grown ups and they're great! Just recently, I did a second, lower installation for Big Boy. It's been a hit.

Eton Suit

Big Boy needs an Eton Suit to wear at his Godmother's wedding.

What is an Eton Suit?

From 1820[24] until 1967, boys under the height of 5'4" were required to wear the 'Eton suit', which replaced the tailcoat with the cropped 'Eton jacket' (known colloquially as a "bum-freezer") and included an 'Eton collar', a large, stiff-starched, white collar. The Eton suit was copied by other schools and has remained in use in some, particularly choir schools. From the Wikipedia entry.

Blue Linen Suit at The Best Dressed Child.
Navy Blue Velvet Suit at The Best Dressed Child.
Navy Blue Navy Blue Pique Suit at The Best Dressed Child.
Black Leather Oxford shoes at The Best Dressed Child.
Patent Leather Oxfords at Dapper Lads.

Dollhouse: NYT Article with Sources

This New York Times article comes courtesy of a good friend in, suitably, NYC.
J. Courtney Sullivan's list of favourite online miniature sources form the article:

Boston Miniatures - apparently her go-to site.
Kent's Minis - especially for the laundry.
Amazing Miniatures - also a very good blogger.
Literature in Miniature - The Origin of Species or Mrs Beeton's Household Management is just what I need.
Tree Feathers - a miniature house of cards!
Pepperwood Miniatures - they do Tiffany lamps!
L. Delaney - clutter up your house in style and in scale.

Tiny Things Are Deadly

Enchanting but addictive sites for small, cute, and (un)necessary tchotchke:

Harapeko Doggy Bag Store - it always seems to have those Re-ment sets you can never find (or afford) elsewhere.

NRFB Queen - Priscilla really is the queen of reasonable Re-ment rates and wonderful service.

Tiny Things Are Cute - an as of yet outmatched inventory of quirky, cute, tiny thingamagigs (e.g., those houses!)

Decor: Swingline by Henry P. Glass

Nice summary of Henry P. Glass's swingline pieces by Whorange.

Decor: Glimpt

Swedish design duo that specialize in Scandalicious (i.e., Scandinavian + Delicious, word courtesy of Grassroots Modern), knockdown furniture with nice lines and bold pops of colour.

Decor: Snail Candles

Rad Megan's tutorial (via Craftzine) for snail shell candles inspired by that beautiful scene from a terrible movie based on a fantastic book (well, it is by Michael Ondaatje)

Art: David Barth

David Barth - pages filled with detailed animals, bugs, birds, and snakes!

Decor: Cable Management

Applecore International - I have a few different sizes of these. The small ones are especially good for earbuds ... and cute.

Søren Refsgaard's Great Ball of Wire - gotta try one!