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 November

Editorial

Craft a-peel • INVITE FRIENDS TO MAKE DECORATIONS TOGETHER FOR WINTER, SUPPLY PLENTIFUL SNACKS AND FRUITY TIPPLES – AND LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR A GOOD OLD CATCH-UP

How I learned to love November • WHILE FIGHTING A STRONG URGE TO HIBERNATE, AMY BARNARD HAS FOUND WAYS TO THRIVE DURING THE ‘DEAD MONTH’

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • This rich and tasty cake is from Malta – where almonds, walnuts and figs are plentiful this month.

My day in cups of tea • We get out the teapot and a good, plain cake to have a chat with Yorkshire book blogger Miranda Mills about a day in the life of her tea and reading habits

November Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

MY CITY* GOLD COAST • RENAY WEIR INTRODUCES US TO THIS LAID-BACK AUSTRALIAN CITY, WHERE LOCALS ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR A BRUNCH OR A BEER

COULD-DO GOLD COAST • Renay’s favourite places in the city

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

Why I miss jumble sales • TROUSERS FOR 10p, AND CUPPA ON THE SIDE, THE SINGER REFLECTS ON WHY JUMBLE SALES NOT ONLY PROVIDED A CHEAP DAY OUT, BUT ALSO HELPED FORGE HIS SENSE OF STYLE

East, west, home's best • INSPIRED BY THE FOOD SHE GREW UP WITH, SABRINA GIDDA CREATES DISHES THAT COMBINE HER PUNJABI HERITAGE AND BRITISH FAVOURITES

Pet project • WITH THEIR INNATE ABILITY TO COMFORT AND SOOTHE, ANIMALS CAN OFFER EMOTIONAL SUPPORT IN A THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT, SAYS REBECCA FRANK

LINE OF BEAUTY • TOWPATHS OFFER A WAY TO REDISCOVER A HOMETOWN, ENJOY WATERSIDE WILDLIFE AND STUMBLE UPON BRIGHT, FLOATING COMMUNITIES

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATIONS OF WINER WADERS

A simple thing…

Mixing the magic • GATHER FRUIT, NUTS AND YOUR TIPPLE OF CHOICE. THOUGH YOU CAN BE FLEXIBLE ABOUT WHAT YOU PUT INTO YOUR PUD, SAYS LUCY BRAZIER, STIR-UP SUNDAY ITSELF IS A RITUAL WORTH MARKING

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love PATCHWORK

NICE THREADS • WEAVE A LITTLE MAGIC BY MAKING A MANY USES PEG RUG FOR YOUR HOME

Good things • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

The preservation society • WITHOUT THE NECESSARY CARE, THERE’S A DANGER OF THINGS DISAPPEARING FROM OUR LIVES. WE HEAR FROM THOSE ENSURING THE BEAUTIFUL AND RARE ARE KEPT ALIVE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

Know a thing or two… Spices • Aromatic, earthy, peppery, smoky or more – get a f lavour of these store cupboard stars

Glossary

The stories behind the blends

At a pinch • Underrated spices to give a try – after all, you know what they say about variety…

FALL INTO PLACE • Using materials and canvases offered by nature, artist James Brunt creates beautiful artworks that are as fleeting as nature itself – gentle interventions in our landscapes that can be enjoyed in the moment, before the incoming tide or forest floor reclaims them.

MODERN EƆCENTRICS The living historian

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

THRIFTER'S PARADISE • IT WAS THE SECOND-HAND MARKET THAT DREW CAROLINE GARDINER TO THE MALVERN HILLS – SO SHE’S CREATED A HOUSE FILLED WITH VINTAGE FINDS AND HOME-SEWN TEXTILES

Is it pyjama o'clock yet? • WITH THE SOFTEST OF COTTONS, CONSIDERED DESIGN AND UNIQUE PRINTS, YAWN NIGHTWEAR...