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

In the night garden • THE TWILIGHT GARDEN IS A FEAST FOR THE SENSES. SO RATHER THAN HEAD INDOORS AS THE SUN SETS, ALICE WHITEHEAD LINGERS FOR THIS SPECIAL TIME

SPOTTING AND JOTTING • WHETHER PAINTING IN A DECKCHAIR OR DOODLING AT YOUR HOTEL, TRAVEL JOURNALS HELP TO CAPTURE HOLIDAY MEMORIES FOREVER

Magical creatures AN APPRECIATION OF STARFISH

TIPPLES TO SHARE • Find your favourite jugs and fill tubs with ice to make pitchers of cocktails that can take a party from summer afternoon to well after sunset. Cheers!

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • A quick, simple and delicious cake for the tin, to make the most of a glut offresh raspberries.

My day in cups of tea • We pull up a pew in embroidery artist Rebeckah Kemi Apara's home studio and chat about how cuppas – and chocolate chip cookies – fuel her creativity…

August Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

BORDEAUX • TIM PIKE GUIDES US ALONG THE BANKS OF THE GARONNE, THROUGH THE HISTORIC STREETS AND OUT TO THE CITY's FAMOUS VINEYARDS

This Is Just To Say • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

Field day • MAKE THE MOST OF A SUMMER MEADOW AND SHARE A PROPER PICNIC WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

The pursuit of pleasure • WHETHER IT's GUILT, ‘BUSYNESS’ OR PUTTING OTHERS FIRST, THE THINGS WE LOVE ARE OFTEN LAST ON OUR LIST. IT's TIME TO MOVE THEM UP, SAYS JESSIE JOHNSON

“Showing your emotions is a sign of strength. I cry because I'm passionate about everything I do” • Whether it's punk, pottery or presenting, Keith Brymer Jones believes it's about giving your all – even if that involves a few tears along the way, he tells Karen Dunn

Gifts from the goddesses • CONTEMPORARY RETELLINGS OF GREEK MYTHS OFFER FRESH PERSPECTIVES ON THE CLASSICS - WORTHY OF A PLACE IN THE MOST MODERN OF READERS’ HOLIDAY PILE

WIN a Weleda wellness bundle, worth £130! • ENTER OUR COMPETITION TO WIN WELLNESS TREATS, INCLUDING AN INSPIRATIONAL BOOK PACKED WITH WISDOM FROM WELEDA

Pick & Mix • GROWING AND EATING FLOWERS AND HERBS IS A TREASURED TRADITION. THIS MONTH, LOTTIE STOREY HARVESTS HONEYSUCKLE PETALS AND LEMON VERBENA LEAVES FOR THE KITCHEN

Rewilding • How stepping back can let nature flourish

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love SHIRT DRESS

A natural resting place • BY RETHINKING THE TRADITIONAL FUNERAL CASKET, WILLOW WORKER SOPHIA CAMPBELL CREATES COFFINS THAT HONOUR BOTH THE PLANET AND THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE THAT COME TO REST IN THEM

GOOD THINGS • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Greening the ground • WOMEN ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF RECLAIMING ARID LAND TO MAKE IT FERTILE AGAIN

EXCELLENT WOMEN • Making social housing a home

THE FABRIC OF OUR LIVES • IT's HARD TO IMAGINE OUR HOMES WITHOUT A SMATTERING OF DITSY FLORALS OR WILLIAM MORRIS’ BOUGHS AND, FOR THAT, WE NEED TO APPLAUD THE VISION OF ARTHUR LIBERTY

BENEATH THE WAVES • INCREDIBLE CREATURES AND UNIQUE ECO-SYSTEMS LIE UNDERWATER AND ARE EASY TO EXPLORE JUST OFF THE BEACH

SHARING STORIES • It's official, a subscription to THE SIMPLE THINGS makes you feel good

Museum OPEN • FAR MORE THAN ECCENTRIC REPOSITORIES OF THINGS, A TRIP TO YOUR LOCAL MUSEUM CAN REMIND YOU OF THE UNIQUE CHARACTER OF WHERE YOU LIVE, AND BRINGS A TOUCH...