This week's links. Enjoy.
A Lady With Two Faces
Lady with an Ermine is the second-most famous woman in Leonardo da Vinci’s life. As she makes a rare trip to London, Francesca Kay looks at her magic.
How to Write About a Baker
Via The Browser: "Some lovely vignettes in these reflections on baking, family and writing. Including a memory of a brilliant but volatile pastry chef, at war with colleagues, for whose puddings no expense was to be spared."
The Personal Helicopter
A group in Karlsruhe, Germany, recently conducted the first manned flight of its personal multicopter — the E-volo is a one-man flying machine with an elaborate steering system, 16 propellers, and a quiet, eco-friendly electric engine that can support up to 176 pounds. The future just got a little closer!
Ballet Shoes and Ballerinas as Technology: A History En Pointe
Intriguing piece about how the ideal bodies of dancers have been reshaped by pointe shoes. Not sure I completely agree, but an interesting thesis.
You Only Live Twice — or Maybe Three Times
Extraordinary news of how a new spy novel was withdrawn by its publisher after it was discovered that it was completely plagiarized, stitched together from chunks of classic spy novels — including 007 titles. The discovery was made by readers, as the publisher was apparently so unfamiliar with spy genre classics that it failed to catch it in the manuscript stage.
Water in the West
Have a look at this great slideshow of the collaborative nature photography project Water in the West. Gorgeous work.
Top 10 Illustrated Funny Books
Illustrator Liz Pichon chooses her favourite humourous funny books, ranging from Spike Milligan's Silly Verse for Kids, The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss to Matilda by Roald Dahl (love the illustrations by Quentin Blake in this one).
20 Perfect Fall Pastas
Nice Saveur recipe roundup of lovely pasta recipes for cool late autumn evenings, including Squash Gnocchi with Meat Sauce, Pasta Alla Norma, Pasta With Cauliflower and Wild Mushroom Pasta.
(lovely photo from the portfolio of stylist lotta agaton)