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 July

Lisa

Spread the love • ADDING SUMMER HERBS AND FLOWERS TO FRUIT JAMS IS A BRILLIANT WAY TO CAPTURE THEIR FRAGRANT GLORY

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF THE PURPLE EMPEROR

HIT THE DECO • WHEREVER YOU LIVE, IT'S LIKELY NOT FAR FROM AN ART DECO DELIGHT. THIS YEAR MARKS A CENTURY OF THESE MUCH-LOVED BUILDINGS, SO WHAT BETTER TIME TO SEEK SOME OUT?

TIPPLE OF THE MONTH • The sappy green, spicy notes of tomato leaves work brilliantly in a martini. Pick them on a summer's eve to capture the best of the scent.

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • The sunny grapefruit takes centre stage and brings a bit more colour and zing than your traditional lemon cake.

July Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love SANDALS

THESSALONIKI • WITH A HISTORIC CITY CENTRE, A LIVELY BUT LAID-BACK ATMOSPHERE AND PLENTY OF OUTDOOR CULTURE, GREECE'S SECOND CITY IS AS VARIED AS ITS MEZE

COULD-DO THESSALONIKI • Ami's favourite places in the city

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

All out for tea • WITH CRICKET SEASON IN FULL SWING, PACK UP A PICNIC FOR A LAID-BACK AFTERNOON OF COUNTING RUNS AND SIPPING LEMONADE

“Hope comes from recognising that there are small things you can do to turn passion and worry into action” • Author and academic Robert Macfarlane tells stories of people, places and nature to spark action and imaginations. In his latest book, he helps us reconsider the waters that surround us

DEEP WATERS • Robert's lessons for life

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

The golden hour • IMAGINE A SUMMER EVENING IN PROVENCE WHERE, AS THE SUN BEGINS TO DIP, DRINKS, SNACKS AND NIBBLES TURN INTO A MAKESHIFT DINNER THAT LASTS LONG INTO THE NIGHT…

MODERN ECENTRICS The sea shanty singers • IN A WORLD THAT CAN FEEL INCREASINGLY UNIFORM, WE'RE CELEBRATING THOSE HAPPILY DOING THINGS a bit differently. Meet the PEOPLE WHO ARE seriously PASSIONATE about their pastimes. PERHAPS THEY'LL PERSUADE YOU TO TRY something NEW?

My day in cups of tea • We pop by the Hastings home of artist Louise Burgess to admire her colourful paper garlands and puppets and to find out how she spends her days in cuppas.

A simple thing…

RUNNING WITH THE HERDS • A cross-continent puppet parade arrives in the UKN

ROOMS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Excellent WOMEN • Tackling illegal waste trafficking

Sleepless in summer • LONG DAYS AND WARM NIGHTS ARE GREAT FOR GATHERINGS, BUT WE MAY NEED A LITTLE HELP WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP, SAYS REBECCA FRANK

WHAT I TREASURE • My backpack

Fill YOUR BOOTS • THE CAR BOOT IS BOTH A MEETING POINT AND A MUSEUM OF THE EVERYDAY – ALWAYS FRUITFUL, INSPIRING, AND SOMEWHERE TO PICK UP A BARGAIN, SAYS ARTIST AND MAGPIE-EYE MARK HEARLD

FROM FAR AFIELD • Common or garden flowers are more extraordinary than you might think, originating in far-flung places before appearing in a vase on your table

Open to visit • FOR CLAIRE FITZSIMMONS, THE IDEA OF ‘EXPLORER DAYS’ HAVE BECOME A WAY TO DISCOVER NEW DELIGHTS ON HER DOORSTEP, TO BREAK THE USUAL ROUTINE… AND TO KEEP EVERYONE...