This week's links. Enjoy.
Alphabet Soup
Writer Christopher Hirst explores the history of restaurant names — and how they're becoming increasingly esoteric these days.
The Great New York-to-Paris Auto Race of 1908
A true story of daring young men in their jaunty jalopies — and how the race swiftly took a turn for the worse when the going became more difficult. Fascinating piece of social history.
A Panorama of Middlemarch
Check out this extraordinary ten-foot-tall panel by Jason Novak, illustrating the classic English novel by George Eliot. The tiny people in the drawing remind me of Moomins (the wonderful characters from Tove Jansson's stories).
Serpentine Dance
Have a look at this mesmerizing short film by Alice Guy from 1902 of dancer Lina Esbrard performing the Serpentine Dance. Amazingly modern.
Women in Architecture: Toshiko Mori
Part of the Women of Architecture series, this installment features Toshiko Mori, FAIA, founder and principal of Toshiko Mori Architect, discussing her work. The lecture begins with a 15 minute documentary A Girl is a Fellow Here: 100 Women Architects in the Studio of Frank Lloyd Wright, produced by the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation.
How to Work For Friends
The charming Bri of Design Lovefest shares excellent advice on doing freelance work for friends — great suggestions on how to make sure everyone leaves the experience happy. I truly wish I'd had this when I was starting out.
A Refined Formula to Predict Doom in Celebrity Marriages
Who says statistics can't be fun? Two social scientists let their hair down and apply their expertise to developing an equation predicting the longevity of celebrity marriages. Amusing — and surprisingly accurate, too.
Breakfast Tacos with Avocado Radish Salsa
This easy recipe from the lovely The Year In Food blog would make a perfect early spring brunch. Yum.
(lovely photo by jonas ingerstedt)