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 June

A Miclsummer Feast • SAVOUR THE LONG DAYS OF SUMMER WITH SCANDINAVIAN DISHES TO LINGER OVER IN THE SUNSHINE, AND MAYBE ADOPT SOME OF THEIR SEASONAL TRADITIONS, TOO

Sing when you're sipping

FLORAL CROWNS

Midsummer Traditions

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF THE MINKE WHALE

The joy of the 5-9 • AT THIS TIME OF YEAR WE'RE TREATED TO A FEW EXTRA SPECIAL HOURS TO RESET, RECHARGE AND ENJOY THE TRANQUILLITY OF THE NATURAL WORLD

Living in sync

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • A cake with Romanian roots, which makes the most of cherry season

My day in cups of tea • We asked Chandani Kohli to tell us about her day in cuppas and to share the joy of having Indian biscuits as part of tea time

Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

Summer living • SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVING AIN’T NECESSARILY EASY. FOR THESE WOMEN, IT’S THEIR BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR - AND THEY WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY…

BERLIN • JOE McINTYRE TAKES US ON A TOUR OF THE LAKES, PARKS, COURTYARDS AND BEER GARDENS IN GERMANY'S CAPITAL

JOE'S PERSONAL TOUR

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

WALK THE LINE • SEARCHING FOR AND FOLLOWING LEY LINES CONNECTS US TO GENERATIONS THAT HAVE WALKED BEFORE US - AND IT CAN LEAD TO SOME MAGICAL SPOTS

Veg Patch Pantry • GROWING YOUR OWN, BEING OUTDOORS, THEN COOKING UP KITCHEN TABLE DISHES, KATHY SLACK SHARES HOW TO ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOURS FROM HER GARDEN PLOT

Mango fever • SLICED, SQUEEZED, SLURPED AND SAVOURED - IN JUNE, THE FULL BOUNTY OF THE INDIAN MANGO SEASON REACHES BRITAIN. IT’S TIME TO ENJOY THEIR NECTAR

A simple thing…

Good things POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

RHINO RESILIENCE

TEEMING WITH LIFE • Women turning the tide of overfishing

Excellent WOMEN • Uncovering the secrets of the forest

Know a thing or two… THE SUN • With summer solstice on the horizon, we discover the magic behind the big ball of joy in the sky

How hard can it be… TO SEW YOUR OWN SWIMSUIT? • POSSIBLY ONE OF THE HARDEST-WORKING, THOUGH LEASTLOVED ITEMS IN MANY WARDROBES, IS MAKING YOUR OWN COSSIE THE ANSWER? ELLA FOOTE THREADS UP A SEWING MACHINE AND TAKES THE PLUNGE TO FIND OUT

WHAT I TREASURE • My van

MEETS, SHOOTS & LEAVES • Spending time with animals, camera in hand, diverts us from the pressures of the human clock and brings photographic rewards as creatures grow used to our presence. Up close and on nature's terms is how the winners of the British Wildlife Photography Awards captured animals, birds and insects going about their business

ON THE BENCH • WITH SOME BEGINNER-FRIENDLY WOODWORKING SKILLS, YOU CAN MAKE A SEAT IN JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS TO ENJOY ALL SUMMER LONG

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love THE SWEATSHIRT

BEST OF THE FESTS • IT’S TIME FOR THE ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE, AS REVELLERS AROUND THE UK SET UP CAMP IN FIELDS, LISTEN TO MUSIC AND GENERALLY HAVE A GOOD TIME. DON YOUR WELLIES, AND SOMETHING SPARKLY, TO CELEBRATE THE FAIR TRADITION OF FESTIVALS

THINGS YOU NEVER SEE AT FESTIVALS ANYMORE

HOW TO RECREATE THE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE AT HOME

Soundtrack to June THE BEST OF THE FESTIVALS

FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE • Bringing blooms...