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 May

Frances

RESPECT YOUR ELDERS • NOW'S THE TIME TO MAKE THE MOST OF FRESH, FLORAL ELDERFLOWER. PLAN A FORAGING SESSION, THEN ENJOY MAKING CAKE, CORDIAL AND MUCH MORE…

MODERN ECENTRICS Vintage car lovers • IN A WORLD THAT CAN FEEL INCREASINGLY UNIFORM, WE'RE CELEBRATING THOSE HAPPILY DOING THINGS a bit differently. Meet the PEOPLE WHO ARE seriously PASSIONATE about their pastimes. PERHAPS THEY'LL PERSUADE YOU TO TRY something NEW?

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • There's always room for a little more chocolate, and a fudge-y slice or two of this crowd-pleaser will have you feeling full of beans

My day in cups of tea • We pop into Eloise Salter's Derbyshire studio to admire her all-season garments and find out how she spends her day in cuppas

May Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

GUERNSEY • BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, FESTIVALS AND THE CREAMIEST OF ICE CREAMS MAKE LIFE IN THE BAILIWICK OF GUERNSEY SWEET, SAYS HOLLY FARRELL

COULD-DO GUERNSEY • Holly's favourite places on the island

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

THE EARLY BIRD • ONE OF NATURE'S MOST UPLIFTING EXPERIENCES IS ALSO ONE OF ITS MOST ACCESSIBLE. SET THE ALARM AND STEP OUT TO HEAR THE DAWN CHORUS AT ITS BEST THIS MONTH

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF POND SKATERS

Whittle down the woods • WITH NATURE AT ITS MOST INVITING, FILL A BACKPACK WITH TASTY TREATS AND HEAD INTO THE TREES TO ENJOY THE FREEDOM TO RUN, PLAY AND CARVE OUT A DAY OF FUN

The joys of being a regular • WHY KEEP CHASING THE NEW WHEN REVISITING FAVOURITE PLACES RESULTS IN SO MANY HAPPY RETURNS, ASKS JESSICA FURSETH

“In crisis or despair, walking has a way of untangling the mess, until you have neat strands to reshape however you choose” • Author Raynor Winn harnesses the potential of long distance walking in the landscape to face adversity, travel miles and build a creative life

THE PATH LESS TRAVELLED • Raynor Winn's lessons for life

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love APRONS

A simple thing…

STOP AND SMILE • How a bus stop in Cornwall became a destination in itself

PERFORMING WELL • Bringing song and dance to the heart of Africa's biggest refugee camp

Excellent WOMEN • A voice for Dalit women

Shelf HELP • BUILD A COLLECTION OF CLASSIC WELLBEING BOOKS TO HAVE WISDOM ON HAND, WHENEVER YOU NEED IT, THROUGHOUT LIFE'S CHANGES AND CHALLENGES

TAKE A LEAF • USING NATURE AS YOUR GATHERING GROUND MAKES FOR BEAUTIFUL SEASONAL PIECES, LIKE THESE GORGEOUS LEAFWORKS CREATED BY ARTIST JENNIE ASHMORE

HAPPY CAMPERS • IT'S OVER 100 YEARS SINCE PEOPLE BEGAN SLEEPING UNDER CANVAS FOR PLEASURE AND CAMPING HASN'T LOST ITS THRILL. WE OVERSTUFF OUR RUCKSACKS AND VENTURE BACK IN TIME TO REVISIT SOME OF ITS GREATEST PITCHES

WHAT I TREASURE • My patch

A moment in time • WHEREVER SHE FINDS HERSELF, MIRANDA KEELING IS LOOKING AND LISTENING, NOTICING AND NOTING. SHARING MOMENTS OF EVERYDAY MAGIC, SHE ENCOURAGES US TO DISCOVER THE PLEASURES THAT COME WITH PAUSING TO PAY ATTENTION.

FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE

FRENCH CONNECTION • A HOME FULL OF VINTAGE TREASURES AND A FULFILLING BUSINESS, ALL THANKS TO A COUPLE'S LOVE OF FRENCH BROCANTES

Nook ALIVE • TENACIOUS PLANTS...