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 August

Editorial

MAKE-AT-HOME MOCHI • TRY TRADITIONAL JAPANESE SWEET RICE TREATS WITH FRUITY SUMMER FILLINGS

The honesty box • THROUGH HER OWN SMALL BEACON OF GENEROSITY LUCY BRAZIER AIMS TO HONOUR SEASONAL JOYS. WE JOIN HER AS SHE ENJOYS SHARING HER SUMMER BOUNTY

Marrow Provençale

Circle of friends • CELEBRATE FRIENDSHIPS, RECONNECT AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE AT A WOMEN'S CIRCLE, ALL WHILE ENJOYING GOOD FOOD IN THE SUNSHINE

Brave new world • A LITTLE BIT OF ADVENTURE CAN MAKE YOU FEEL A LOT HAPPIER AND MORE ALIVE

Living adventurously

ICE CREAM IN THE GARDEN • If you’re a fan of retro sweets Parma Violets, this easy ice cream will give you a good scoop or two of nostalgia.

My day in cups of tea • We head to Dorset to enjoy a cup of sunshine with pastel artist Nina Squire, as she tells us about how she spends her day in cuppas

August Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

Magical creatures AN APPRECIATION OF CRICKETS • AN APPRECIATION OF CRICKETS

SPLIT • ROMAN PALACES, PALM-LINED PROMENADES AND A TRADITION OF STROLLING AT DUSK, THIS CROATIAN GEM HAS SUMMER ALL SEWN UP. LOCAL DUJE RADOVIĆ SHOWS US AROUND

COULD-DO SPLIT • Duje’s favourite places in the city

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

Please yourself • EATING SOLO CAN BE A TREAT WITH NO NEED TO ACCOMMODATE OTHERS’ TASTES. PREPARING, COOKING AND ENJOYING A MEAL MADE JUST FOR YOU IS TIME WELL SPENT, SAYS KATHY SLACK

Everything but… • WHILE THE KITCHEN SINK HAS ESCAPED GETTING PACKED INTO ABBIE MILLER’S SUITCASE, A FAIR FEW CULINARY ESSENTIALS REGULARLY GET TAKEN ON HOLIDAY - AFTER ALL, IT’S NICE TO HAVE A FEW HOME COMFORTS TO HAND…

Packed with facts

Growing kind • GARDENS CAN BE A SANCTUARY, BUT THEY’RE ALSO FOR SHARING. THESE GARDENERS’ PURPOSE IN PLANTING IS TO HELP OTHERS, GIVING JOY, SOLACE OR INSPIRATION – OR SIMPLY A HELPING HAND

Small ways to live well • Join us for Season 3 of our podcast for how to take time out and time off

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love TROPICAL PRINTS

SHE SPOTS SEASHELLS… • Picking out shells at the beach is a simple pleasure, made all the more interesting if you know a bit about what you find

MORE TO DISCOVER…

WHAT I TREASURE • My model of Sadie

A simple thing…

Good things • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Be your own captain • HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A LE BOAT SELF-DRIVE BOATING HOLIDAY ON THE THAMES OR CALEDONIAN CANAL – WORTH OVER £1,700

Ticket to read • WITH A GOOD BOOK CLOSE TO HAND YOU CAN TRAVEL TO A SUNNY SPOT, EMBARK ON AN EPIC ROAD TRIP OR CHECK INTO A GRAND HOTEL – ALL WITHOUT EVEN LEAVING YOUR GARDEN DECKCHAIR

TIPPLE OF THE MONTH • This is a Tequila Sunrise, Negroni style. It tastes as good as it looks – especially when sipped as the sun goes down.

ALL AT SEA… • THERE ARE INCREDIBLE MARINE MAMMALS TO SPOT AROUND THE UK COAST. BINOCULARS AT THE READY!

MODERN EƆCENTRICS • The synchronised swimmers

A GOOD CRY • HOW TEARS HEAL AND HELP US TO EXPRESS OUR EMOTIONS

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

A HOUSE ON WHEELS • HOME IS WHEREVER THEY PARK IT FOR...