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 April
Frances
Hello petals • BLOSSOM SIGNALS THAT WARMER DAYS ARE ON THEIR WAY. AS THE FLOWERS OPEN, RACHEL DE THAMPLE SHARES HOW TO BOTTLE THEIR GENTLE SCENT AND CELEBRATE THEM ON THE PLATE
Things to want and wish for • Loving your home, inside and out. Books and treats for you to enjoy.
In praise of whimsy • WHETHER GREETING THE BIRDS, SINGING TO THE CAT OR NAMING YOUR CAR, THERE’S MUCH TO BE GAINED FROM ADDING A BIT OF FANCIFULNESS TO YOUR DAY, SAYS LAURA BROWN
My day in cups of tea • We head to The New Forest for a cuppa and an oatcake with wallpaper and fabric designer Laura Wilkes and to find out how prints can tell a story
CAKE IN THE HOUSE KULICH • Somewhere between panettone and brioche, this Slavic Easter bread is a baking project for the long weekend
April Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH
A simple thing…
MY ISLAND AMORGOS • WHITEWASHED HOUSES, BLUE SEAS AND EASTER CELEBRATIONS, NATHALIE MOURIER GUIDES US AROUND HER GREEK CYCLADIC HOME
COULD-DO AMORGOS • Nathalie’s favourite places on the island
PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words
Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF THE CUCKOO
Lighting the way • WELCOME IN SPRING WITH THE SCANDINAVIAN TRADITION OF VALBORD - A GATHERING OF FRIENDS, FOOD AND FIRE…
The joys of SPRING • HOW TO DESCRIBE ANOTHER APRIL SHOWER? OR A SURPRISE MOMENT OF SUN? LOOK TO OTHER LANGUAGES TO EXPRESS THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND FEELINGS OF A NEW SEASON
Many happy returns • WELEDA’S ICONIC SKIN FOOD RANGE HAS BEEN NOURISHING SKIN FOR 100 YEARS AND WE’RE MARKING THE CELEBRATIONS WITH TWO PRODUCT BUNDLES UP FOR GRABS
A simple thing…
Good things • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
That’s all, yolks! • SAVOURY OR SWEET? SNACK OR SUPPER? WHATEVER THE EGG-SHAPED HOLE IN YOUR LIFE, WE CAN FILL IT…
Births, deaths & marriages • THESE MILESTONES ARE FAR MORE THAN A LINE IN A REGISTER. WE MEET THE WOMEN SUPPORTING PEOPLE THROUGH THESE PIVOTAL MOMENTS, WITH LESSONS FOR ALL OF LIFE’S STAGES
Little WONDERS • SMALL BULBS AND PLANTS HAVE A CHARM ALL OF THEIR OWN. LAETITIA MAKLOUF USES THESE MINI JEWELS FOR AN EVER-EVOLVING DISPLAY OF DELIGHTS
THE BIG IDEA • So many wellbeing books, so little time. Our deconstruction of someone’s fresh thinking could send you in a new direction
FROM LEFT FIELD • TRACTOR RIDES AND MEETING LAMBS MAKE GREAT FAMILY DAYS OUT, BUT THERE’S MUCH MORE HAPPENING DOWN ON THE FARM, FROM GOAT YOGA TO WILLOW SCULPTING
All the LETTER • LOOKING FOR A MORE MEANINGFUL WAY TO COMMUNICATE, VICTORIA MAW IS NOW A SIGNED-UP MEMBER OF THE SUNDAY LETTERS CLUB
The benchmark of good quality • LAZY SUSAN OFFERS MINIMAL UPKEEP AND MAXIMUM STYLE, SO YOU CAN SIT BACK AND ENJOY YOUR GARDEN ALL YEAR ROUND
WHAT I TREASURE • The brass piskie
Speak easy • BRUSHING UP YOUR CONVERSATIONAL SKILLS CAN IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS AND BOOST CONFIDENCE, AND IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT YOU SAY…
WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love COWBOY BOOTS
FOUND IN THE GROUND • COUSINS ELLIE AND LUCIE BEGAN SEARCHING WITH A METAL DETECTOR IN THE GARDEN - NOW THEY SHARE THEIR ANGLO-SAXON AND ROMAN FINDS WITH THOUSANDS. THEY’S PART OF A WAVE OF DETECTORISTS BRINGING BRITAIN’S PAST TO...