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

Lisa

Sunset beach • HEAD DOWN TO THE COAST AS THE DAY WINDS DOWN, FOR A DIP IN THE SEA, FOOD WITH FRIENDS, AND THE BEST VIEW THERE IS…

Flying solo • SETTING OUT ALONE, WHETHER ABROAD OR AT HOME, CAN BE DAUNTING, BUT HAS ITS OWN UNIQUE REWARDS, AS LAURENCE MILLAR DISCOVERED HIKING A PILGRIMAGE TRAIL IN NORTHERN SPAIN

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • If you can't show off a little in summer, when can you? This cocktail-inspired pudding-cake is a crowd pleaser.

My day in cups of tea • We pop by the Cumbrian workshops of Catherine Douglas and husband Jamie to find out how they build their creative life around their cuppas.

August Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing.

MILAN • ITALY'S NORTHERN BIG CITY IS A CENTRE FOR FASHION AND DESIGN, BUT SUMMER REVEALS A SOFTER, CALMER SIDE SAY LOCALS FRANCESCA GIOVINAZZO AND TOMMASO FOGLIATA

COULD-DO MILAN • Francesca and Tommaso's favourite places

SAVOURING summer • SPENDING TIME AT HOME COOKING AND BAKING CAN BE A FORM OF SELF CARE. LOTTIE STOREY INVITES US OVER TO FEED OUR SENSES AND PICK A DISH OR TWO THAT BRING US PLEASURE

Out of the blue • MANDY BARKER'S IMAGES ARE BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT, WHILE SHARING SOME POIGNANT TRUTHS ABOUT OUR OCEANS

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF ROCK DWELLERS

That'll do ice-ly • THERE'S AN ICE CREAM THAT'S JUST RIGHT FOR EVERY SCENARIO IN THE SUMMER MONTHS

My living • Many of us dream of running our own business. We ask the people who are actually doing it to share some of their insights and inspirations, the reality of the graft and their hard-won wisdom – and why they wouldn't have it any other way…

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love MAXI DRESSES

A simple thing…

KEPT IN RESERVE • The landscape of the Brontës is becoming one of 25 new UK nature reserves in a bid to protect wildlife and habitats

NO LONGER HIDDEN DEPTHS • The Ocean Census is helping us to discover the secret species of the seas

Excellent WOMEN • Supporting women in rural Kenya

TIPPLE OF THE MONTH • Saffron paired with citrus is a match made in heaven to create a sunny drink for long evenings

MODERN ECENTRICS Punch and Judy • IN A WORLD THAT CAN FEEL INCREASINGLY UNIFORM, WE'RE CELEBRATING THOSE HAPPILY DOING THINGS a bit differently. Meet the PEOPLE WHO ARE seriously PASSIONATE about their pastimes. PERHAPS THEY'LL PERSUADE YOU TO TRY something NEW?

Have you heard…? • GATHERING AND SHARING STORIES IS HOW WE FORM FRIENDSHIPS AND UNDERSTAND THE WORLD, SO PERHAPS IT'S TIME TO RETHINK THE VALUE OF GOSSIP

GOOD WELL HUNTING • VISITED IN THE PAST FOR REFRESHMENT, HEALING AND WORSHIP, WELLS AND SPRINGS ARE MAGICAL PLACES, SAYS CLARE GOGERTY

Worth doing well • Customs and traditions to take part in when visiting a well

WHAT I TREASURE • My copy of The Wind In The Willows

COSTUME DRAMA • WHAT WE WEAR TO SWIM IN HAS ALWAYS REVEALED A LOT MORE THAN A BIT OF SKIN. JOIN US AS WE DIVE INTO SWIMWEAR'S FASCINATING STORY

FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE

A TROPICAL HAVEN • A CLEVER SHIFT IN THE WAY THEY WORK LETS THIS COUPLE SPEND HALF THE YEAR SOAKING UP THE PLEASURES OF A TRADITIONAL-STYLE HOUSE IN...