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 March

Lisa

Loose ends • INVITE FRIENDS TO BRING ALONG A PROJECT THEY HAVE ON THE GO, FOR A CRAFTERNOON FILLED WITH FOOD, DRINKS AND THE ODD DROPPED STITCH

Things I learnt from the soil • BETWEEN THE BARE BEDS OF WINTER AND THE ABUNDANCE OF SPRING, KATHY SLACK FINDS HOPE IN THE VEG PATCH CYCLE

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF EAGLES

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

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • Forced rhubarb can bring some much-needed colour to the table and it's even better served in a billowy cloud of whipped cream.

My day in cups of tea • We take a trip to Cumbria as Imogen Royall, founder of Northern Pasta Co., tells us all about her day in cuppas…

March Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

THE BIG IDEA • So many wellbeing books, so little time. Our deconstruction of someone's fresh thinking could send you in a new direction

MY CITY ANTWERP • FROM HIDDEN CANALS AND SECRET GARDENS TO QUIRKY MUSEUMS, JONATHAN RAMAEL SHOWS US AROUND HIS GEM OF A BELGIAN CITY

COULD-DO ANTWERP • Jonathan's favourite places in the city

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

Tipping point • AS THE LAND BEGINS TO WAKE UP, RACHEL DE THAMPLE MAKES THE MOST OF THE SEASON'S SAPS, BUDS AND SHOOTS TO CREATE NOURISHING AND REVIVING DISHES AND DRINKS

SPRING ahead • ANGELA HARDING CAPTURES THE SEASON'S BEAUTY, WITH ARTWORKS THAT ARE RICH IN MEMORIES AND CELEBRATE THE JOYFUL UNFURLING OF NATURE

Learn with mother • SKILLS, PASSIONS AND LIFELONG PHILOSOPHIES – THESE WOMEN HAVE EACH INHERITED UNIQUE QUALITIES FROM THEIR MOTHERS, WITH CHILDHOOD LESSONS CARRIED INTO THEIR ADULT LIVES

TIPPLE OF THE MONTH • Fruity, herby, fizzy – this cocktail will have you feeling like spring has truly sprung.

HOME ECONOMICS Patching and stitching • HANNAH PORTER SHOWS HOW TO REVIVE JEANS, SHIRTS AND OTHER WARDROBE STAPLES WITH SOME EMBROIDERY THREAD AND A BIT OF TIME, AND SHARES WAYS TO KEEP THESE HARD-WORKING ITEMS LOVED FOR LONGER, TOO

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love WELLIES

A simple thing…

THE GREAT GREEN WALL OF CHINA • The planting of millions of hectares of trees is an environmental win

A FLOATING WORLD

Excellent WOMEN • A pioneer in global health

Making amends • THEY'RE TWO OF THE HARDEST WORDS TO SAY BUT A GOOD APOLOGY IS A BRAVE WAY OF SHOWING YOU CARE

The right type • JAMES COOK BUILDS CITYSCAPES AND CONJURES LIKENESSES, ALL THROUGH THE KEYS OF THE HUMBLE TYPEWRITER

LIFE OF PIES • COMING IN ALL SHAPES, SIZES AND TASTY COMBINATIONS, THERE'S A PIE OUT THERE FOR PICNIC OR PARTY, HANDY LUNCH OR HEARTY DINNER. HERE ARE SOME FAVOURITES FROM THE SIMPLE THINGS

LOST & FOUND • ALL GARDENS AWAKE IN SPRING. BUT SOME HAVE SLUMBERED LONGER, GIVING THEM STORIES AND MAGIC UNIQUELY THEIR OWN

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

BERKHAMSTED MY NEIGHBOURHOOD • MOVING TO A HISTORIC MARKET TOWN HELPED LOU RICHARDSON CREATE AN IDEAL PLACE TO WORK WHILE ALSO FINDING A BALANCE BETWEEN RURAL LIVING AND CITY LIFE

WHAT I TREASURE • My copy of A Munroist's Log

Building a sanctuary •...