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?

THIS MAGAZINE BELONGS TO

joules

A could-do list for June

Pushbike picnic • PACK A PANNIER WITH PORTABLE GOODIES AND GATHER FRIENDS FOR A COUNTRY BIKE RIDE TO A SUMMER MEADOW

A pilgrim in the city • A MINDFUL WALK IN AN URBAN SPACE IS AS CALMING AS IT IS ENLIGHTENING, SAYS CLARE GOGERTY. COMMUTING IT ISN’T!

THINGS TO NOTE AND NOTICE • June is the month for midsummer flower crowns, fish and chips, and watching ballet on a big screen

SPEAK UP! • WITH MAINSTREAM POLITICS IN DISARRAY, THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN. LAURA CORYTON, LEADER OF THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE TAMPON TAX, LOOKS AT WAYS TO USE YOUR VOICE TO CHANGE THE WORLD

Iberian summer • GUDRUN SJÖDÉN’S SUMMER COLLECTION IS INSPIRED BY THE HISTORY AND LANDSCAPES OF MALLORCA

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • We’re getting in the mood for tennis and these cakes feel like just the thing for afternoon tea, watching a match

My in day cups of tea • WE ASKED ECO WRAP ENTREPRENEUR FRAN BEER TO TELL US ABOUT HER DAY IN CUPPAS

A simple thing...

Help that women can bank on • FROM AFRICA TO SOUTH AMERICA, A PROJECT SHOWS THE BENEFITS OF INVESTING IN WOMEN’S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

SMALL CHANGE

RENEWING HOPE

GOOD FIGURES • Where statistics and optimism meet

LJUBLJANA • INGA BATUR LOVES THE SMALL-CITY CHARM OF THE BEAUTIFUL SLOVENIAN CAPITAL

INGA’S PERSONAL TOUR

A POETIC PAUSE • Mirrors Must Not Be

WORLD OF LATHER • DELICIOUSLY FRAGRANT, NON-DRYING, LOW ON PACKAGING AND OFTEN ETHICALLY MADE, SOAP COULD WELL BE THE FUTURE OF WASHING. THIS WAY TO THE BAR!

SOAPER STARS • Thoroughly modern bars leading the soap revival

STEP UP TO THE BAR: MAKE YOUR OWN SOAP

A FOODIE TOUR OF YORKSHIRE • MAKE YOUR OWN WAY ON A FOOD-THEMED WALKING TOUR FROM THE SIMPLE THINGS AND INNTRAVEL

DRIVING MISS, DAILY • TAKE A MOTOR DOWN MEMORY LANE, AS WE REMEMBER THE CARS THAT WE’VE LOVED AND HOW THEY’VE PUT WOMEN IN THE DRIVING SEAT

Wheels for women?

Making their mark: the Damsels of Design

ARMCHAIR TOURIST • RECREATE THE LUSH SERENITY OF THIS INDONESIAN ISLAND IN YOUR HOME WITH JUNGLE-STYLE PLANTS, RATTAN FURNITURE AND A LAID-BACK VIBE

HOLIDAY SNAP • FROM PIERS TO PEDALOS, STICKS OF ROCK TO ROLLER COASTERS, PHOTOGRAPHER ROB BALL HAS SPENT MORE THAN TEN YEARS CAPTURING IMAGES THAT CELEBRATE THE SIGHTS – GREAT AND SMALL – OF BRITAIN’S SEASIDE RESORTS

excellent women • OFFERING INSPIRATION FOR THE REAL WORLD, DR JULIET MCGRATTAN IS AN ACTIVIST FOR BEING ACTIVE

FINDERS KEEPERS • HEAD TO THE COAST IN SEARCH OF PLUMP, SALTY SAMPHIRE STEMS, SAYS LIA LEENDERTZ. IT’S ONE OF SUMMER’S MOST PRIZED FORAGES

A simple thing...

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

ALL ABOARD THE MAGIC BUS • WITH A LOT OF INGENUITY AND SOME CLEVER SALVAGING AND SOURCING, LAYLA AND ROB ROBINSON RESCUED AN OLD BUS AND CONVERTED IT INTO A COSY AND STYLISH BOLTHOLE

LAYLA AND ROB’S STYLE

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • A simple recipe but with an interesting twist

COME REIGN OR SHINE • No matter the weather, there’s a piece of royal-related history you can delve into for an afternoon. Through the centuries our kings and queens have left their stories all over Britain...