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 June

Lisa

A bit of a stretch • SALUTE THE SUN WITH A YOGA SESSION IN YOUR LOCAL PARK AND A PICNIC WITH FRIENDS AFTERWARDS

The longest day • LAST YEAR, WE ASKED YOU TO SEND IN YOUR MICROFICTION, INSPIRED BY THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR. HERE ARE OUR THREE FAVOURITES FROM THE HUGE ARRAY OF STORIES THAT WE RECEIVED…

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF THE OTTER

Free AND EASY • SIMPLE IDEAS – USING RECYCLED MATERIALS – TO HELP YOUR GARDEN GROW AND BLOOM

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • With just a few ingredients, this tart is a slice of summer, celebrating the tastes of the season.

My day in cups of tea • We take a trip to Mentley Farm Lavender in Hertfordshire to breathe in that scent and find out how founder Louise Vickers spends her days in cuppas

June Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

GRAZ • AUSTRIA'S SECOND CITY HAS A MEDITERRANEAN FEEL, THANKS TO ITS OLD TOWN, WARM LIGHT AND AL FRESCO LIVING, SAYS ANGELIKA WÖLFL

COULD-DO GRAZ • Angelika's favourite places in the city.

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

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…

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

PEAKY BLINDERS • FROM HIKING ON THE PENNINE WAY TO SAMPLING BUXTON BLUE CHEESE, PHOEBE SMITH SUGGESTS WAYS TO MARK 75 YEARS OF THE UK'S FIRST NATIONAL PARK

“I think Mother Nature has all the right answers – we just need to be asking the right questions” • Looking for a greener way to care for your home and garden? Nancy Birtwhistle has become the go-to-guru, guiding millions with her warm, straight-talking advice and homemade remedies

WHAT I TREASURE • My gardening journal

A simple thing…

Good THINGS • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Making things count • RECORDING BUTTERFLIES OR SURVEYING SEAWEED IS AN ENGAGING WAY TO WHILE AWAY AN AFTERNOON – AND THE DATA COLLECTED BY CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS IS VITAL TO RESEARCH. JO MATTOCK GETS INVOLVED.

On the SHOULDERS OF GIANTS • TAPPING INTO FORGOTTEN FOLK TRADITIONS – AND CREATING A FEW MORE – THE WOMEN BEHIND THE LOST GIANTS ARE THINKING BIG

Know a thing or two… salt • A sprinkling of well-seasoned facts about this everyday essential

Salty sayings

Salt and the sea

Salt sites

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love RETRO BRIGHTS

SUMMER SALVES • CREATE YOUR OWN HERBAL REMEDIES TO PROTECT AND SOOTHE YOUR SKIN

TIPPLE OF THE MONTH • This no-alcohol version of the refreshing Spanish and Portuguese tipple is packed with fruit, nourishing green tea and coconut water.

Off the leash • HAVING TRAVELLED AROUND EUROPE WITH ARTY, HER MANCHESTER TERRIER, LOTTIE GROSS FOUND A CONTINENT OF DOG LOVERS

Why weight? • GET TO GRIPS WITH WEIGHTS AND ENJOY THE MANY BENEFITS OF BUILDING INNER AND OUTER STRENGTH

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

TINY TREASURE • THIS ‘SMALL BUT MIGHTY’ SELF-BUILT HOME PROVIDES...