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

Frances

The darkening • THOUGH WE NOW KNOW THE WHERES AND THE WHYS, A SOLAR ECLIPSE STILL GIVES A MOMENT OF WONDER, SAYS LAURA BROWN

Setting the scene • STRETCH OUT SUMMER DAYS BY SHARING TRADITIONAL GREEK DISHES AS THE SUN SETS, FOLLOWED BY A FILM NIGHT IN YOUR GARDEN

Marvellous MARINE LIFE • FROM MULTI-COLOURED MOLLUSCS TO FABULOUS FISH - AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN - BRITISH SEAS AND SHORES ARE AWASH WITH WEIRDLY WONDERFUL WILDLIFE

Bags for life • CREATED TO ADD A TOUCH OF ADVENTURE TO YOUR EVERYDAY, WILDISH BAGS ARE BUILT TO LAST AND GATHER A LIFETIME OF STORIES

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • No need to turn on the oven, this layer cake is more about the assembly, a modern twist on the classic American fridge cake.

My day in cups of tea • We head to rural north Nottinghamshire to learn more about corn dolly making, and find out how straw worker Lu Towle spends her day in cuppas

August Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

HO CHI MINH CITY • HIGH RISES, HIDDEN ALLEYS AND ALL-HOURS STREET FOOD, VIETNAM’S LARGEST CITY IS A LIVELY MIX OF OLD AND NEW, SAYS MEGHAN O’NEAL

COULD-DO HO CHI MINH CITY • Meghan’s favourite places in the city

Home from home • HOLIDAYS DON’T HAVE TO BE ABOUT SEEKING NEW, AS RACHAEL OAKDEN KNOWS – SHE’S BEEN VISITING THE SAME PATCH OF NORTH WALES FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES

The puzzle makers • WHETHER A CRYPTIC CROSSWORD WITH YOUR COFFEE, OR A PUB QUIZ WITH YOUR PALS, THERE’S A PUZZLE FOR EVERY MOOD AND OCCASION. WE MEET THE GREAT MINDS BEHIND SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE BRAIN TEASERS

More reasons to love a puzzle

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love NIGHTIES

FORESHORE FINDS • SAND AND SHINGLE OR CLIFFS AND CRAGS, SEE THE COASTLINE IN A NEW LIGHT BY FORAGING FOR FOOD FOUND BY THE SEA

A good life • ON THE EDGE OF THE DERBYSHIRE DALES, MICHELLE TANSLEY GROWS FOOD AND FLOWERS IN HER COTTAGE GARDEN. EACH TIME WE VISIT WE’LL DISCOVER WHAT’S COOKING IN HER KITCHEN AND FLOURISHING IN HER VEG PATCH…

A simple thing…

Good THINGS • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

MISCELLANY • Wildlife on the coast and summer in the city; old keys, clouds in jars and cherry pickles. Plus, extra puzzles to keep your summer brain puzzling!

IDENTIFIER British coastal wildlife • Confused by curlews? Wondering about whelks? Fear not, our handy guide will make your coastal nature spotting a shore thing.

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

TIME travellers • GET A REAL FEELING FOR LIFE AS IT WAS IN THE PAST BY EXPLORING STREETS, HOMES, MUSEUMS AND MORE THAT EVOKE ANOTHER AGE

Reading magic • A GOOD BOOK HAS THE POWER TO TRANSFORM AND TRANSPORT. WHEREVER YOU’RE READING AND WHATEVER GENRE YOU FANCY, WE’VE GOT A RECOMMENDATION THAT’LL PUT YOU UNDER ITS SPELL

TIPPLE OF THE MONTH • The sweetness of ripe peach and the herbal notes of basil blend together to create a summer drink to savour.

Stand up • THE NEW(ISH) SPORT OF PADDLEBOARDING GIVES JO MOSELEY COMMUNITY, RESILIENCE AND A BELIEF IN HER OWN STRENGTH

The herbal apothecary • GATHER PLANTS FROM GARDEN AND HEDGEROW TO CREATE CREAMS, TEAS AND REMEDIES FOR SUMMER AILMENTS

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

A CABIN BY THE SEA...