This week's links. Enjoy.
The Enigma of Anne Boleyn
Hilary Mantel writes an intriguing overview of her new book Bring Up the Bodies, a biography of Henry VIII's second wife Anne Boleyn, who comes off as a complex and contrary woman. This sounds like a great read.
Handspun Metal Lamps That Reclaim a Dying Craft
Check out this interesting article and video about how two industrial designers rediscovered the art of handspun metal — and the gorgeous lamps that resulted.
Best Movie Phone Scenes
Fun round up of telephones in film, ranging from the classic thriller Dial M For Murder to the more lighthearted Pillow Talk.
A Real-Life Robinson Crusoe
Short BBC interview with 86-year-old Brendon Grimshaw, who was born in Yorkshire but has lived alone for many years on the tiny island of Moyenne, located in the Seychelles in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The story of how he bought the island in 1962 for £8000 and then devoted his life to converting an exposed and sandy island into a lush paradise — and refuge for giant turtles — is utterly inspiring.
Bandwiches
If bands were sandwiches, this is what they'd be made from. My fave is the John Cage: "Silence, warmth, indirect sunlight, the memory of lettuce, the idea of bread."
The Most Beautiful Corn in the World
Take a look at the spectacularly lovely glass gem corn and see how beautiful the original corn used to be, before being bred to be consistently one colour.
Vidal Sassoon — A Life of Style in Pictures
Trendsetting hair stylist Vidal Sassoon passed away last week at the age of 84. Sassoon revolutionised women's cuts in the 1960s with his sharp geometric styles — check out this slide show featuring highlights of his career and work.
Recipes for Stale Bread
Wondering what to do with that rather tough end of sourdough? Check out these inspiring ideas from Saveur and see the saddest of leftover bread ground into breadcrumbs, toasted into croutons, grilled with oil and topped with ricotta, or reinvigorated with sugar and cream.
(photo by bieke claessens)