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 Splash!
Editoral
JULY ALMANAC • Seasonal thoughts & things to help you enjoy the month
Sunshine sushi • A CELEBRATION OF JAPANESE DISHES IS JUST RIGHT FOR SUMMER – LIGHT, BRIGHT AND SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE TO MAKE AND ENJOY
magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF MOON JELLYFISH
Things to want and wish for • Loving your home, inside and out. Books and treats for you to enjoy.
Wheels of fortune • To many of us, a campervan equals freedom. A vehicle made to roam, to stop where you like – and to hunker down in if the weather turns. But for these three van lovers it also meant a mobile office, a more affordable and simpler way of life and a chance to share the experience of off-grid living with visitors.
CAKE IN THE HOUSE
My day in cups of tea • We asked floristry teacher Rachel Wardley to tell us all about her day – and what she thinks makes a blooming good cuppa
A simple thing...
SMALL CHANGE
GOOD THINGS • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
The Happy Broadcast • Taken from The Happy Broadcast by Mauro Gatti. Follow @the_happy_broadcast
Heart, body and soul JASMINE • CREATE AND COOK WITH A SIMPLE INGREDIENT TO FEED YOU, GIVE TO OTHERS AND LIFT YOUR SPIRITS
MY CITY* SIENA • GIULIA SCARPALEGGIA TAKES US ON A SUMMER TOUR OF THIS HILLTOP TOWN, RICH IN MEDIEVAL HISTORY, LOCAL TUSCAN PRODUCE AND THE UNIQUE CULTURE OF THE PALIO HORSE RACES
GIULIA’S PERSONAL TOUR
Creaks and Sighs
A simple thing...
“The true definition of wellness is the pursuit of health and happiness, not something that’s available to buy online” • Dr Jen Gunter is on a mission to cut through the ‘junk science’ that seeps through the internet. She tells Rebecca Frank about her drive to empower women by giving them the facts about their bodies
WHAT’S UP DOC? • The Dr Jen Gunter CV
Life lessons from Alice • BE CURIOUS, EAT CAKE AND NEVER STEAL JAM TARTS FROM ROYALTY.IN CELEBRATION OF THE NEWLY-OPENED ALICE: CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER EXHIBITION AT LONDON’S V&A MUSEUM, WE’VE PUT TOGETHER SOME SAGE ADVICE FROM WONDERLAND
Food, family, friends • SEE SYRIA THROUGH THE EYES OF ANAS ATASSI, WHO TELLS THE STORY OF A VIBRANT COMMUNITY AND THE FOOD AT ITS HEART
A simple thing...
Friends reunited • NOW THAT WE CAN HUG, GATHER AND TRAVEL AGAIN, REBECCA FRANK REFLECTS ON WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO FOSTER OUR FRIENDSHIPS AND REKINDLE OLD BONDS
How to be a better friend (to others and yourself)
Leaders of the pack • IT’S BEEN 25 YEARS SINCE THE SPICE GIRLS BURST ON THE MUSIC SCENE, TELLING US WHAT THEY REALLY, REALLY WANTED. WE TAKE A ZIG-A-ZIG-AH BACK THROUGH OUR RECORD COLLECTIONS TO CHART GIRL GROUP POWER AT ITS FINEST
Wannabes
Eternal flame: girl band links
Girl groups in numbers
LEADERS OF THE PACK
WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love BIRKENSTOCKS
FOOD FOR THOUGHT • A simple recipe, with an interesting twist
Free your spirit • WIN AN ISLE OF WIGHT TREEHOUSE BREAK FOR TWO, WORTH £600, WITH MERMAID GIN
FLOW GOING • SUMMER HOLIDAYS DON’T HAVE TO BE BESIDE THE SEA. INSTEAD, TRY TAKING A TRIP TO A WATERY PLACE NEAR YOU FOR A TRANQUIL AND REFRESHING DAY AWAY
What lies beneath…
Unlocking canal speak
FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE •...