The Simple Things

The Simple Things is a beautiful, useful, quirky and fun magazine about taking time to live well. We cover mindfulness and microadventures, eating and growing, forgotten wisdom, home life and slow moments. It's for people who love their lives but want to take the pressure off and remember what’s really important. We like tea & cake, learning stuff, being outside and the satisfaction of a job well done. Do you?

A could-do list October

Lisa

Bier garden • CREATE A BIT OF BAVARIA IN YOUR OUTSIDE SPACE WITH A GATHERING CELEBRATING THE BEST OF GERMAN BEER AND FOOD. PROST!

Things to want and wish for • Loving your home, inside and out. Books and treats for you to enjoy.

Take your own mug shot

Rest EASY • LIKE US, WILDLIFE LOVES A COSY PLACE TO HUNKER DOWN IN COLD WEATHER. JACK WALLINGTON EXPLAINS HOW TO HELP WINTER HIBERNATORS IN YOUR GARDEN

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • Swap pink food dye for beetroot to make a vibrant variation of this classic teatime treat.

My day in cups of tea • We head to Glasgow to have a cuppa and a chat with Ellie Hodesdon, founder of East End Press, makers of screen-print stationery and homeware

October Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF THE RAVEN

TURKU • FROM MORNING MISTS TO FRESH MUSHROOMS, LOCAL VESA LOIKAS GIVES US THE AUTUMN HIGHLIGHTS OF FINLAND’S OLDEST CITY

COULD-DO TURKU • Vesa’s favourite places in the city.

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

A sky full of surprises • WHETHER AT DAYBREAK OR SUNSET, SALLY COULTHARD ILLUMINATES US ON HOW WE THINK ABOUT TWILIGHT

A good life • ON THE EDGE OF THE DERBYSHIRE DALES, MICHELLE TANSLEY GROWS FOOD AND FLOWERS IN HER COTTAGE GARDEN. WITH AUTUMN’S ARRIVAL, WE FIND OUT WHAT SHE’S COOKING IN HER KITCHEN AND HARVESTING FROM HER VEG PATCH…

Naturally stylish sofas • SCHPLENDID IS CHAMPIONING BEAUTIFUL SOFAS, MADE THE OLD FASHIONED WAY WITH MATERIALS THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME

WHAT I TREASURE • My mug collection

The art of living • THE ARTS ARE AN OFTEN FORGOTTEN PILLAR OF HEALTH, HELPING US TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE, SAYS DAISY FANCOURT, SCIENTIST AND AUTHOR OF ART CURE

“I believe the most brilliant thing a human being can do is to have normal days, and to love your normal days” • Writer, broadcaster and commentator, Caitlin Moran, shares the lessons she’s learned from a quest to find that elusive quality, hope.

HOPE FOR THE BEST • Caitlin’s lessons for life.

A naturally Nordic collection • FAMED FOR ITS FUN SCANDI FLAIR, GUDRUN SJÖDÉN’S LATEST LINES OFFER SUSTAINABLE STAPLES THAT WILL BE LOVED FOR GENERATIONS

ANALOGUE Slower life stories • Playing records

A simple thing…

Good THINGS • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

MODERN EↃCENTRICS The conker champions

THE BIG IDEA • So many wellbeing books, so little time. Our deconstruction of someone’s fresh thinking could send you in a new direction

Nature’s PLAYGROUND • SCRAMBLING ABOUT ON ROCKY TERRAIN IS FUN, REWARDING AND ONLY AS CHALLENGING AS YOU MAKE IT, SAYS MATT HEASON IN WILD ROCK

PAINTING LIFE • One of Britain’s most recognised painters, Beryl Cook’s art continues to bring joy. In the 100th year anniversary of her birth, we celebrate a shy and modest genius, whose work embodies a life lived with relish

WHAT’S COOKING? • HOME TO FAMILY MEALTIMES AND INVENTIVE TECHNOLOGIES - WE EXPLORE THE SHAPE-SHIFTING HISTORY OF THE BRITISH KITCHEN

FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE • Bringing blooms indoors: it’s what every home needs

MY NEIGHBOURHOOD • EMBROIDERER CLAIRE KITCHENER MADE A HOME FOR HER FAMILY IN A CHARMING MARKET TOWN...