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 Marvel

Editorial

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

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

STICKY SECRETS • Slime: A Natural History by Susanne Wedlich; Translated from German by Ayça Türkoğlu

Maker: ceramicist

Shop: Pie & Vinyl

NATURAL RESILIENCE • Ness by Robert Macfarlane and Stanley Donwood

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

WHAT I TREASURE • Bridie O’Loughlin’s recipe book

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • The traditional time to make your cake or pudding, Stir-up Sunday* rewards a little patience.

A simple thing...

SMALL CHANGE

GOOD THINGS • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Know a thing or two... Wool • The story from lamb to loom – no spinning a yarn necessary

How to speak wool • Thrust into the middle of a woolly conversation? Follow our guide to the lingo…

Fleecy phrases • Such is Britain’s proud sheep-keeping and woolly heritage that aspects of the industry have infiltrated our language

Brilliant British breeds

My day in cups of tea • We asked eco-conscious maker Sara Al Bander to tell us about her day in cuppas – and to inspire us with a few of her plants and accessories, too

MARRAKECH • FROM HAGGLING IN SOUKS TO DREAMING IN THE DESERT, LUCIA SILVER OFFERS A TASTE OF MOROCCAN MAGIC

LUCIA’S PERSONAL TOUR

A POETIC PAUSE • 93 Per Cent Stardust (After Carl Sagan, who gave me hope as a child)

Afternoon adventure • IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY… TAKE A FULL FLASK, SWEET SNACKS, A PENKNIFE AND YOU'RE GOOD TO EXPLORE

A good brew What is a Kelly Kettle?

“I’ve learned to appreciate the small wins, to grab every opportunity and to not let fear get in the way” • A legend in the knitting world, designer Debbie Bliss tells Karen Dunn how she’s learned that even some of the biggest challenges can offer a chance to connect with others

A GOOD YARN • The Debbie Bliss CV

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN • THESE AREN’T ON ANY OFFICIAL LIST OF WONDERS BUT IT’S FUN TO COMPILE YOUR OWN ‘SEVEN MARVELS’. HERE ARE THE SIMPLE THINGS’ MOST AWE-INSPIRING PLACES

ARE YOU A MARVEL? • Of course you are. But which one? In a tenuous link we’ve developed a highly scientific quiz to help you discover your inner Marvel superhero. Which of these five fantastic women is your spirit super-heroine? Don your cape and read on to find out…

MODERN ECENTRICS The Pearly King and Queen

A simple thing...

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

TIPPLE OF THE MONTH • This cold weather staple has a bit of a kick that is sure to warm you up.

Remains of the day • INSTEAD OF FALLING ASLEEP ON THE SOFA WATCHING TV, A FEW RITUALS AT THE END OF THE EVENING CAN RELAX YOUR MIND AND BODY AND HELP BRING THE DAY TO A CALMING CLOSE

Try a breathing exercise

Try a sleep meditation

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF LAPWINGS

WE’VE BEEN FRAMED • AN AID TO VISION FOR MILLIONS – AS WELL AS AN EVER-EVOLVING STYLE STATEMENT – GLASSES HAVE CHANGED THE WAY WE SEE THE WORLD. WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE SPECTACULAR HISTORY...