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?

EDITOR

Bright and breezy • HEAD TO THE SHORELINE FOR AN IMPROMPTU DAY OUT OF RUNNING ON THE SANDS, POKING ABOUT IN ROCK POOLS, COOKING ON AN OPEN FIRE AND BREATHING IN THE SEA AIR

APRIL ALMANAC • Seasonal thoughts & things to help you enjoy the month

ALMANAC • Seasonal thoughts & things to help you enjoy the month

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • A light, lemony and fragrant cake that goes well with a cuppa and is even better the day after it’s baked.

My day in cups of tea • We take a snoop around microbaker Annabel Carter’s kitchen and find out how she spends her day in loaves and cuppas

A simple thing...

GOOD THINGS • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Heart, body and soul CHOCOLATE • CREATE AND COOK WITH A SIMPLE INGREDIENT TO FEED YOU WELL, GIVE TO OTHERS AND TO LIFT YOUR SPIRITS

Wheels in motion • There’s nothing like the feeling of freedom that comes from getting on a bike. Cycling has always been a force for change, argues Hannah Ross, and perhaps it will be again

WHAT I TREASURE

GET A PIZZA THE ACTION • GROW YOUR OWN DINNER, EVEN IN THE SMALLEST OF OUTDOOR SPACES, BY PLANTING A HANGING BASKET WITH THE INGREDIENTS TO TOP A PIZZA

HOW TO HELP YOUR HANGING BASKETS THRIVE

Walking with purpose • OVER THE LAST YEAR, WALKING HAS BECOME A REASON TO LEAVE THE HOUSE. BUT IT CAN BE MUCH MORE – OFFERING MANY WAYS TO EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE THE WORLD. MEET THESE WALKERS WHO EACH STEP OUT FOR DIFFERENT REASONS AND NEXT TIME YOU WALK, TRY IT IN SOMEONE ELSE’S SHOES

Walking without purpose

COOL FOR CATS • WE ARE A NATION OF PET PAMPERERS, FOR SURE, BUT SOME OF US TAKE ‘MAKING OUR CATS AT HOME’ TO ANOTHER LEVEL

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF THE BUMBLEBEE

Baked in Britain • REGIONAL BAKING HAS A RICH HISTORY OF FLAVOURS AND TRADITIONS, SAYS REGULA YSEWIJN, AS SHE CELEBRATES THE BRITISH BUN

DURBAN • DURBANITE NICOLA ASHE LOVES TO CHAMPION LOCAL. SHE INTRODUCES US TO HER CITY WITH ITS RELAXED HOLIDAY VIBE

NICOLA’S PERSONAL TOUR

A POETIC PAUSE • A Solo Rescue Mission to Weston-Super-Mare

A simple thing...

The big chill • IT’S NOT FOR THE FAINTHEARTED, BUT A COLD WATER PLUNGE CAN MAKE YOU FEEL REINVIGORATED AND READY FOR LIFE

Braving the cold • Ready to take the plunge? Some good preparation will help

ROMANCING THE TOME • THERE ARE CERTAIN STORIES ALMOST GUARANTEED TO GET THE HEART FLUTTERING. AS SALES AND ADAPTATIONS SOAR, WE INVESTIGATE OUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH ROMANTIC FICTION

SWEET NOTHINGS • We’re repurposing these classic romance quotes – no brooding partner required

A LABOUR OF LOVE • Georgette Heyer scrupulously researched her Regency tales – luckily, you can use this handy recipe.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • A simple recipe, with an interesting twist

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love POCKETS

THE URBAN APOTHECARY • We share our towns and cities with wondrous plants that are good to eat, grow, heal or make things with. And you don’t have to be a botanist to find them with this busy person’s guide

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

BLUE SKY LIVING • A RUN-DOWN FACTORY IN FRANCE IS TRANSFORMED INTO LIGHT-FILLED MODERN HOMES FOR FRIENDS

JOANA’S STYLE

Wind down...