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 April

Veg Patch Pantry • GROWING YOUR OWN, BEING OUTDOORS, THEN COOKING UP KITCHEN TABLE DISHES, KATHY SLACK SHARES HOW TO ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOURS FROM HER GARDEN PLOT

Under the henfluence • SINCE INTRODUCING CHICKS TO HER SUBURBAN GARDEN, TOVE DANOVICH HAS FALLEN UNDER THEIR SPELL. EACH FULL OF PERSONALITY, GET TO KNOW HENS, SHE SAYS, AND YOU GET TO KNOW A LOT ABOUT YOURSELF, TOO…

My day in cups of tea • We step into the Sheffield studio of printmaker Luiza Holub to find out how she spends her day in cuppas (biscuit dunking definitely allowed)

Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

MY CITY * ROME • LOCAL FLAVIA BRUNETTI EXPLAINS HOW MODERN LIFE FITS AROUND INCREDIBLE HISTORICAL SITES IN ITALY'S CAPITAL CITY

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

Roast Italia • YOU CAN'T BEAT A ROAST AT THE WEEKEND, BUT WHO SAYS IT HAS TO ALWAYS BE THE SAME? TAKE A LITTLE TIME TO STIR THINGS UP WITH INSPIRATION FROM ITALY

ITALIAN REDS FOR A ROAST

“It's seldom things people do that they regret, it's the chances not taken – life's too short, so you have to live it” • Herbalist and forager Mo Wilde set herself a challenge to eat only wild food for a year. In doing so, she sees a way that we can all deepen our connection to nature and to the wild

WILDE THING • Mo's lessons for life

The dog in the street • EVERY TIME HE TAKES HIS LURCHER, CASSIE, OUT FOR A WALK, CHRIS PEARSON GETS TO SEE A BIT OF THE HISTORY HE RESEARCHES IN PRACTICE

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF EARTHWORMS

CAKECASIONS • IF WINE IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR PAIRING, SO IS CAKE. JUST MATCH YOUR CAKE TO YOUR OCCASION – ANY OCCASION

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love DUNGAREES

Seeking enchantment • AFTER A TOUGH FEW YEARS, KATHERINE MAY SET OUT TO REAWAKEN HER SENSE OF WONDER. SOMETHING THAT CAN BE FOUND EVERYWHERE – YOU JUST NEED TO FIND A WAY TO TUNE IN

Good things • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

STORK SISTERS • Women flock together to protect endangered birds

Excellent WOMEN • Giving children a home

BOWLED OVER • FABRIC SCRAPS OF ALL KINDS AND COLOURS CAN BE REWORKED INTO SIMPLE BOWLS THAT ARE BOTH USEFUL AND BEAUTIFUL

Making your mind up • DO YOU FIND YOURSELF STRUGGLING TO MAKE DECISIONS? YOU MIGHT BE SUFFERING FROM DECISION FATIGUE. CAROLINE BUTTERWICK MULLS IT OVER

POTS BY THE BACK DOOR • ENJOY YOUR FAVOURITE PLANTS BY GROWING THEM CLOSE TO HAND – AND YOU CAN MOVE THEM WITH THE SEASONS, SAYS HOLLY FARRELL

TURNING A NEW PAGE • TAKE ONE GREAT IDEA AND TONS OF DETERMINATION. ADD A COLLECTION OF AVID, OVERLOOKED READERS AND STIR: WE CELEBRATE THOSE WHO HAVE CRACKED THE RECIPE FOR RADICAL PUBLISHING

CATS IN SPRING RAIN • These artworks and haikus draw on the rich Japanese heritage of observing and celebrating everyday wonders – and what finer pairing than the joys of the season and our feline companions?

TO BUY NO NEW CLOTHES FOR A YEAR • CAN AN ETHICALLY-INSPIRED SHOPPING AMNESTY LEAD TO A GREATER LOVE OF CLOTHES? FRANCES AMBLER TAKES UP THE CHALLENGE AND TESTS HER RESOLVE

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

THE SIMPLE LIFE • GIVING UP CITY LIFE FOR THE CALM OF THE CANADIAN...