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 July

Editorial

Parking permit • SOMETIMES LIFE IS VERY SIMPLE - HEAD TO A PARK FOR AN AFTERNOON OF FUN AND GAMES, PLUS A PICNIC TO KEEP EVERYONE FED AND HAPPY

The honesty box • THROUGH HER OWN SMALL BEACON OF TRUST, LUCY BRAZIER AIMS TO HONOUR SEASONAL JOYS. WE JOIN HER AS SHE SAVOURS AND SHARES THE BOUNTY OF SUMMER - AND ENJOYS WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO OFFER

Making mayonnaisey

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF THE GRASSHOPPER

MERRY FERRY RIDES • WHETHER TAKING US TO REMOTE ISLANDS AND WATERSIDE TAVERNS OR OFFERING NEW PERSPECTIVES ON FAMILIAR CITY SKYLINES, FERRIES MAKE THE JOURNEY AN ADVENTURE

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • Gather meadowsweet flowers on a stroll along a river to make this custard tart with added sweetness.

My day in cups of tea • We asked Verity Porter of The Bath Flower School to talk us through her day in cuppas, from hot air balloons to the power of petals

July Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

BACK GARDEN PROJECT

MY CITY MARSEILLE • LOCAL JULIE VANDAL WELCOMES US INTO ONE OF FRANCE'S SUNNIEST CITIES. WHERE SPIRITED CULTURE MEETS LAID-BACK COASTAL LIVING

JULIE'S PERSONAL TOUR

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

Fields of dreams • STRAWBERRIES AND RASPBERRIES ARE OUT THERE, RIPE, READY AND WAITING. LIFE IS SWEET WHEN YOU'VE PICKED YOUR OWN - AND WITH THESE DISHES, SOMETIMES IT'S SAVOURY, TOO

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love TOTE BAGS

THE POWER OF GENTLE PROTEST • Turning anger into positive action can benefit both your health and your cause

EVERY LITTLE HELPS • Creating local solutions to global problems

GENTLE ACTIVISM

PURPLE GAIN • WITH LAVENDER IN FLOWER, USING ITS PRETTY PETALS AND UNMISTAKABLE SCENT IN SIMPLE THINGS TO MAKE WILL SEE YOU - AND YOUR HOME - SMELLING OF SUMMER ALL YEAR LONG

LAVENDER WAND

LINEN EYE PILLOW

FLOWER FARMS • Where to eat, drink and shop lavender

Women of the sea • BRAVING THE WAVES FOR WORK AND LEISURE, TO SAVE LIVES AND BUILD ANEW, THESE WOMEN ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE WATER, AND OUR RELATIONSHIP TO IT

TIPPLE OF THE MONTH • Make a gloriously retro 70s-inspiredcocktail to welcome in the weekend.

Good things • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

EARNING ITS STRIPES • WHETHER ON BEACH, IN PARK OR GARDEN, SINCE VICTORIAN TIMES WE'VE SPENT SUNNY SUMMER DAYS ON A DECKCHAIR. PULL UP A SEAT AS WE CELEBRATE THIS HUMBLE HERO

All things must pass • SUMMER DAY TRIPS ARE WHAT MEMORIES ARE MADE OF, BUT WITH A LITTLE SAVVY SPENDING ON MEMBERSHIPS AND PASSES, THESE JOYS CAN BE EXTENDED INTO THE YEAR AHEAD

The bee's knees • HONEY AND BEESWAX HAVE BEEN USED FOR CENTURIES FOR COOKING, MAKING AND GOOD HEALTH. RACHEL DE THAMPLE MAKES THE MOST OF THESE GOLDEN GIFTS

Honey, honey

FLORAL HONEY

BEESWAX LIP AND BODY BUTTER

HONEY IS THE BEST MEDICINE

MODERN ECCENTRICS • The topiarist

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

WAVES OF INSPIRATION • MAKING THE MOST OF ITS MOUNTAINSIDE COASTAL SETTING, THIS WEEKEND RETREAT ALLOWS A BUSY CAPE TOWN COUPLE TO SWITCH OFF AND RELAX

WHAT I TREASURE

Things to want and wish for • Loving your...