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

Lisa

Come what May • GIVE A NOD TO TRADITION AND CELEBRATE THIS LOVELY SEASON BY TAKING FRIENDS AND FOOD INTO THE GARDEN FOR A WHITSUN-INSPIRED GET TOGETHER

MODERN ECCENTRICS The folk dancers • 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 pa st imes. PERHAPS THEY'LL PERSUADE YOU TO TRY something NEW?

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • The humble flapjack goes on holiday, each bite a memory of sunnier climes

My day in cups of tea • We joined flower presser (and regular contributor to The Simple Things) Vanessa Grzywacz in her garden to find out how she spends her day in cuppas.

May Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

MY CITY* VILNIUS • RUTA JUSEVICIUTE INTRODUCES US TO THE COSY AND FRIENDLY LITHUANIAN CAPITAL, WITH ARCHITECTURE SPANNING THE AGES

COULD-DO VILNIUS • Ruta's favourite places in the city

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF BLUE TITS

Tales from a veg patch • MAKING THE MOST OF THE HARVEST AT HOME, THEN PACKING IT UP FOR A PICNIC, KATHY SLACK SERVES UP SEASONAL FOODS AND SHARES STORIES FROM HER BACK GARDEN GROWING

“The power of language has never gone away for me. I am constantly reminded of just what an incredible tool language is; the greatest invention by humans” • Like blossom on urban streets, poet laureate Simon Armitage believes that verse can bring beauty to unexpected places – and he's on a mission to share it with as many as possible

Blossom: a CV

RHYME AND REASON • Simon's lessons for life

Sorry, not sorry • SERIAL APOLOGISER LUCY NICHOL LOOKS AT WHAT'S BEHIND OUR OVERUSE OF THE S-WORD

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love BOWS

TALK THE WALK • THESE EIGHT WORDS FOR WALKING MAY HELP INSPIRE NEW JOURNEYS ON FOOT

A simple thing…

TIPPLE OF THE MONTH

THE BIG IDEA • So many wellbeing books, so little time. Our deconstruction of someone's fresh thinking could send you in a new direction

Pizza piazza • SPRUCE UP THE GARDEN FURNITURE BECAUSE COOKING OUTDOORS SEASON HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN. TIME TO EXPERIMENT WITH THE PIZZA OVEN*

Things are getting meaty… • MADE WITH JUST A HANDFUL OF INGREDIENTS, THE PROPER WAY, PROPERONI IS HERE TO GIVE YOUR PIZZAS (AND MORE) SOME PUNCH

HER OUTDOORS • THE WOMEN OF THE BLOOMSBURY SET FOUND SOLACE AND JOY IN THEIR GARDENS. A CENTURY ON, THERE'S MUCH TO ADMIRE – INCLUDING IDEAS FOR ENJOYING OUR OWN GREEN SPACES

HEDGE YOUR BETS • Go the whole hog in helping this species make a comeback

MIND THE GENERATION GAP • Bringing together young and old can spread joy

Excellent WOMEN • Better menstruation info, period

Small wonders • LOOKING AT THE NATURAL WORLD UP CLOSE AND IN DETAIL CAN REVEAL AMAZING PLANTS AND ANIMALS. TRY A ONE-METRE SAFARI OUTDOORS, SUGGESTS JENI BELL

Casting some light • OFFERED JEWELLERY OR FISHING RODS FOR HER 21ST, MARINA GIBSON CHOSE RODS. IT REIGNITED A LOVE FOR FISHING, GIVING COMFORT, PURPOSE AND RESPITE

FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE • Bringing blooms indoors: it's what every home needs

THE RUN OF THE MILL • AN OLD DEVONSHIRE MILL HOUSE, PACKED WITH ORIGINAL FEATURES – INCLUDING A WATER...