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 RENEW
Editor
Midwinter food for friends • JANUARY’S A QUIET MONTH, THE IDEAL TIME FOR A GOOD-FOR-YOU GATHERING OF FOOD FOR THE BODY AND FRIENDS FOR THE SOUL (AND A SLICE OF CAKE, JUST BECAUSE)
GREAT WINES FOR VEGAN GUESTS
January • We’ve made a few suggestions for things you might like to read, make, see and do this month. Add your own, be inspired by ours or ignore it at will
WHAT I TREASURE • My wool stash by Ottavia Moll
COLD COMFORT BALM • THE BEST MEDICINE IS OFTEN RIGHT UNDER OUR NOSE: GOOD FOOD, WATER, SUNSHINE, EXERCISE, SLEEP AND FRIENDS WILL HELP US THRIVE, NOT JUST SURVIVE, IN WINTER
CAKE IN THE HOUSE • THESE SEEDY FLAPJACKS PACK A PUNCH OF GINGER, AND THE SWEETNESS OF APRICOTS MEANS THEY GO WELL WITH A GOOD BREW
My day in cups of tea • WE ASKED TESS BILES OF THE THEATRE CHIPPING NORTON TO TAKE US BACKSTAGE WITH A CUPPA
A simple thing...
Hub of hope • WITH THE RIGHT RESOURCES, REFUGEE CHILDREN IN UGANDA ARE ABLE TO KEEP UP THEIR EDUCATION – EVEN WHEN SCHOOL ISN’T AN OPTION
SMALL CHANGE
GOOD FIGURES • Where statistics and optimism meet
ORANGES AND LEMONS • GLOWING LIKE JEWELS AND LIFTING OUR SPIRITS WITH THEIR FRESH, VIBRANT SCENT, CITRUS BRINGS ZING TO THE DARKEST OF WINTER DAYS
“You have to try. You have to take the bull by the horns and hope you are going in the right direction” • Zandra Rhodes has forged a reputation based on doing things her own way. She tells Frances Ambler about how it still remains a challenge even 50 years on
IN THE PINK
SIMPLE STYLE TIGHTS
THE UPDATE
All the fun of the fairs • TAKE IN THE 17TH-CENTURY SPECTACLE, AS BUILT UPON A FROZEN THAMES
excellent women • A VOCAL CHAMPION FOR RECENT GRADUATES, TANYA DE GRUNWALD CAMPAIGNS AGAINST UNPAID INTERNSHIPS
FOOD FOR THOUGHT • A simple recipe with an interesting twist
UP TOWN • WHETHER YOU LEFT LONG AGO OR STILL LIVE THERE, TAKING A FIELD TRIP TO WHERE YOU GREW UP ENCOURAGES YOU TO SEE IT WITH FRESH EYES, SAYS LISA SYKES
I-SPY IN YOUR HOMETOWN • Take our handy checklist on your next visit and see where it takes you
Design dilemmas • FROM HIDING A TV TO MAKING THE MOST OF AN UNLOVED FIREPLACE, FINDING IMAGINATIVE DESIGN SOLUTIONS CAN MAKE YOUR HOME WORK BETTER
BINGO! • Time for fun (41)! Make a cup of tea (number 3) and join us for a wander through the hallowed bingo halls of Britain to find out why the game is still getting plenty (number 20) of new fans
BRILLIANT BINGO FACTS
THE BEST OF BINGO LINGO • The meanings behind some of our favourite bingo calls
SINGAPORE • LOCAL JACLYNN SEAH REVEALS THE SURPRISING ART AND NATURE TO BE FOUND IN THIS METROPOLIS
JACLYNN’S PERSONAL TOUR
THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU'RE ANYTHING AND THREE - QUARTERS • We all love a list. Last new year, Katie Powell cast aside worthy resolutions about being a better or healthier person and instead drew up a could-do list of plans, hopes and dreams she wanted to make happen. It’s been a year to remember
Katie's ‘40 Things For 40 Years'
A simple thing...
The home apothecary • EXPERIMENT WITH THE POWER OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS TO CREATE LOTIONS AND POTIONS THAT NOURISH AND CALM BOTH BODY AND MIND
A POETIC PAUSE
On the trail...