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 February

Beside the seaside • A WALK ALONG A BLUSTERY SEAFRONT, FOLLOWED BY A WARMING MEAL WITH FRIENDS, IS JUST THE TICKET AT THE END OF WINTER

Little things • SEEKING OUT GLIMMERS – SMALL MOMENTS OF JOY – OFFERS A PATHWAY TO FEELING BETTER

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • When only chocolate will do, bake these moist, coconutty squares for an oh-so-satisfying cocoa nibble.

My day in cups of tea • Ropes at the ready. We call into Helen Jacob's indoor climbing centre in Wales for a cuppa – and maybe some pizza, too

February Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love DRESSING GOWNS

RÉUNION • SOARING MOUNTAINS, SPARKLING SEAS AND ACTIVE VOLCANOES MAKE THIS FRENCH OVERSEAS REGION IN THE INDIAN OCEAN EXTRA DRAMATIC

COULD-DO RÉUNION • Fabienne's favourite places on the island

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

THE END OF winter • SPENDING TIME AT HOME COOKING AND BAKING CAN BE A FORM OF SELF-CARE. LOTTIE STOREY INVITES US TO FEED OUR SENSES AND PICK A DISH OR TWO THAT BRINGS US PLEASURE

FACE ON YOUR EGG • EVERY CLOWN'S FACE IS UNIQUE – AND THEY ARE RECORDED FOR POSTERITY ON PAINTED EGGS IN A QUIRKY NATIONAL REGISTER

“I've learned that you don't have to always be the best version of yourself, but you should be the most honest” • For chef Nadiya Hussain, cooking with love helps her to feel more calm and confident. While following her passion, she hopes to inspire more women like her to find their voice

Love is all around • THE ANIMAL KINGDOM IS BURSTING WITH LOVE STORIES AS PAIRS BOND, MATE FOR LIFE AND RAISE THEIR YOUNG

WHAT I TREASURE • My Clarice Cliff cup

Another COUNTRY • IF HOLIDAYS SEEM A LONG WAY OFF, GET A TINY TASTE OF TRAVEL THANKS TO LANDSCAPES, CULTURE AND FOOD FROM ABROAD

Shelf appeal • FRANCES AMBLER IS FAN OF HER LOCAL LIBRARY. SHE PUTS DOWN HER BOOK FOR THE MOMENT TO SING THE PRAISES OF THESE COMMUNITY TREASURES

A simple thing…

GREAT STEPPES • Antelope have made a dramatic return to their historic grassland

RIDING INTO THE FUTURE • Cycling is making tracks across Africa

Excellent WOMEN • The founder of Menopause cafés

A space to grieve • GRIEF TAKES MANY DIFFERENT FORMS -TALKING ABOUT IT HELPS US TO MAKE SENSE OF THIS OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD EMOTION

MODERN EɔCENTRICS • The brass band

Flavour of the weeks • COMMITTING TO RECORD 52 WEEKS OF NATURE, JENNY COATS GAVE HERSELF SPACE TO STOP AND NOTICE – AND OPENED UP CREATIVE POSSIBILITIES, TOO

STARSTRUCK • WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN FASCINATED BY STARRY STARRY NIGHTS AND, EQUIPPED WITH TELESCOPES, THE SKY'S THE LIMIT. WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT OUR ASTRONOMICAL ENTHUSIASMS

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

IN THE ELEMENTS • WHILE THIS FORMER FISHING STORE SITS PRECARIOUSLY ON THE CORNISH COAST, IT OFFERS SHELTER AND COMFORT FOR A FAMILY WILLING TO GO WITH THE FLOW

All together now • THROUGH A LITTLE HARD WORK AND A LOT OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT, A ONCE-UNLOVED ALLEYWAY IN MANCHESTER HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A HAVEN FOR WILDLIFE AND PEOPLE ALIKE

♥ Things to want and wish for • Loving your home, inside and out. Books and treats...