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 July

Lisa

Messing about in boats • OARS AT THE READY! SEEK OUT A LUSH RIVERBANK FOR A PLENTIFUL PICNIC AND SOME SPLASHING ABOUT ON THE RIVER FOR A SUMMER’S AFTERNOON OF FUN

Hidden treasures • EXPLORING ONLINE MAPS HAS BECOME A FAVOURITE WAY FOR JESSICA FURSETH TO DISCOVER THE LITTLE-KNOWN AND UNEXPECTED IN HER CITY, AND BEYOND

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love T-SHIRTS

YARNS OF LIFE • Marianne Seiman celebrates the world around her through her intricate recreations in crochet

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • This cake captures all the sparkle of the classic cocktail and you don’t need to wait until apéro hour to enjoy it.

My day in cups of tea • We head to North Yorkshire to learn the ropes and find out about how Heather Cumpstone of Kefi Ropemakers spends her day in cuppas.

July Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND • HOME TO LOBSTER, LIGHTHOUSES AND A LOVED LITERARY HEROINE, THIS CANADIAN PROVINCE IS FULL OF CHARM, SAYS STEPHANIE McQUAID

COULD-DO PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND • Stephanie’s favourite places on the island

WHAT I TREASURE • My dad’s camp whistle

SUMMER means beans… • … AND COURGETTES, FOUND IN ABUNDANCE IN PLOTS AND AT FARMERS’ MARKETS THIS MONTH. THESE FLAVOUR-PACKED RECIPES ARE FULL OF FRESH IDEAS TO LAST ALL SEASON

Know your BEANS

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

WISH YOU WERE HERE • A NEW PATH AROUND ENGLAND’S VARIED COAST OPENS UP MORE WAYS THAN EVER FOR EXPLORING THE SEASIDE THIS SUMMER

BEACHCOMBER BLUEPRINTS • USE SHELLS AND STONES TO CREATE PRETTY PRINTS WITH FOUND BOTANICALS AND THE POWER OF SUNLIGHT

A blank canvas • STONE, PAPER, FABRIC, SPACE: STARTING WITH A BLANK CANVAS INVITES BOTH PRESSURE AND POSSIBILITIES. FOUR WOMEN SHARE HOW THEY APPROACH CREATING SOMETHING FROM NOTHING…

What to do when you can’t do anything • WHEN WORLD EVENTS LEAVE YOU FEELING HELPLESS, LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF AND THE THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL HELPS TO SAFEGUARD YOUR SANITY

A simple thing…

Good THINGS • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

SEEKING shush • AMONG THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF SUMMER DAY TRIPS, THERE ARE PLACES OF PEACE AND QUIET TO BE FOUND - AND RELISHED

Magical creatures AN APPRECIATION OF THE ANT • AN APPRECIATION OF THE ANT

SOUNDS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT • MUSIC HAS A UNIQUE ABILITY TO TRIGGER EMOTIONS AND FLASHBACKS, AND THERE’S NO BETTER TIME THAN SUMMER TO TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE, SAYS CHERI AMOUR

PLAYLIST

TIPPLE OF THE MONTH • Take a jar on your amble, or savour at home, this take on a margarita combines the kick of jalapeños and the sweetness of blueberries

STAMP OF APPROVAL • WHAT ITEM OF STATIONERY’S HISTORY INCLUDES SUFFRAGETTES, SOLDIERS AND SAUCINESS? ANSWERS ON A POSTCARD…

My living • Many of us dream of running our own business. We ask those who are actually doing it to share some of their insights and inspirations, the reality of the graft and their hard-won wisdom – and why they wouldn’t have it any other way

Embrace the spirit of nature • DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO WITH AN OVERNIGHT STAY AND TICKETS TO SEE THIS WEST END HIT

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