The Friday 5: Unsung Heroes Edition

The best of EcoSalon’s stories this week.

Everything Fred Astaire did, Ginger Rogers did backwards and in high heels – and this week, we take inspiration from one of early cinema’s most graceful performers.

Helvetica – the font without personality? Not so, as these 20 terrifically creative (and obsessive) projects illustrate.

If you’ve ever found yourself turning up your nose at a young adult novel, you might be missing a trick. Scott Adelson looks at 10 examples of truly terrific fiction for kids and teens.

Just because you’re renting doesn’t mean you have to live in drab surroundings. The landlord won’t let you repaint? Then refurnish yourself a riot of color.

Finally, fermented food means tasty food. How many of these have you tried?

Mike Sowden

Mike Sowden is a freelance writer based in the north of England, obsessed with travel, storytelling and terrifyingly strong coffee. He has written for online & offline publications including Mashable, Matador Network and the San Francisco Chronicle, and his work has been linked to by Lonely Planet, World Hum and Lifehacker. If all the world is a stage, he keeps tripping over scenery & getting tangled in the curtain - but he's just fine with that.