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 for March
Lisa
Down with the daffodils • HEAD TO THE WOODS TO SPOT EARLY SIGNS OF SPRING AND SHARE THE FIRST PICNIC OF THE YEAR
Things to want and wish for • Loving your home, inside and out. Books and treats for you to enjoy.
The honesty box • THROUGH HER OWN TINY BEACON OF TRUST AND GENEROSITY, LUCY BRAZIER AIMS TO HONOUR SEASONAL JOYS AND SIGNIFICANT DATES - WE JOIN HER AS WINTER TIPS INTO SPRING TO MARK MOTHERING SUNDAY
Wild garlic salt
CAKE IN THE HOUSE • A traditional Greek dessert, this custard pie makes the most of abundant spring milk and is a top cake, whether eaten hot or cold.
My day in cups of tea • We head to Cornwall to chat to sustainable designer Ella Griffee over some eggs and Earl Grey about how she spends her day in cuppas
March Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH
A simple thing…
Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF THE SCOTTISH WILDCAT
VALENCIA • MARIA BROWN INTRODUCES US TO SPAIN'S SEASIDE CITY THAT SMELLS OF ORANGES AND CELEBRATES SPRING WITH FIREWORKS
Use your loaf • IS ANYTHING BETTER THAN TOAST? SPEEDY AND TASTY FOR A WORKING-AT-HOME LUNCH - AND YOU CAN USE YOUR IMAGINATION WHEN IT COMES TO TOPPINGS
“Abundance is about growing flowers and food that give you a great return, even when resources are limited. ” • Gardener, cook and writer Sarah Raven believes plants should earn their place in the garden, and her recommendations for cut flowers not only built her business but also changed what many of us grow
GROWING SUCCESS • Sarah's lessons for life
TIPPLE OF THE MONTH • There's not much going on in the veg patch or herb garden yet, so look further afield for a drink to remind you that sunshine isn't far away.
Between the lines • COLLECTOR LUCY IRELAND GRAY ENCOURAGES US TO SEE THE BEAUTY AND POIGNANCY THAT CAN BE FOUND IN SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AND EVERYDAY AS A DISCARDED SHOPPING LIST
Happy feet • PAYING YOUR FEET A LITTLE MORE ATTENTION CAN MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER FROM TOP TO TOE
The power stance • This exercise recommended by Yamuna will help build your arches and align your feet. Use it throughout the day, such as when you're standing in the kitchen or waiting for a train.
Shoe sense • Biomechanics expert Christophe Champs’ golden rules when it comes to footwear
Simple seated stretches
PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words
A simple thing…
good things • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
TO DRAMATIC EFFECT • Light comes in many forms, all alluring, and is expertly captured here by photographers’ lenses. In these remote parts of the globe, there's little artificial light to interfere with the way nature plays with sun, sky, fire and ice
CAMPAIGN AND THE WINNERS ARE…
Daily tread • WALKING A PARTICULAR PATH ALL YEAR ROUND ENABLES YOU TO TRULY APPRECIATE THE SHIFTING OF THE SEASONS
THE BIG IDEA • So many wellbeing books, so little time. Our deconstruction of someone's fresh thinking could send you in a new direction
SHARING STORIES • It's official, a subscription to THE SIMPLE THINGS makes you feel good
WRAPPED UP • PRACTICAL, PRETTY, AND FULL OF PERSONALITY - IS IT ANY WONDER THAT SILK SCARVES HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF GETTING US ALL OF A FLUTTER?
WEARING...