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 January

Lisa

Cold hands, warm heart • HUNKER DOWN WITH WINTER DISHES FROM FLORA SHEDDEN'S HIGHLANDS KITCHEN THAT WILL NOURISH AND COMFORT

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF THE WHITE HART

A winter of care and repair • WHEN JEANNA WIGGER BEGAN MAKING AND MENDING HER WAY THROUGH MIDWINTER, SHE STARTED A MOVEMENT THAT WOULD GROUND HER AND OTHERS THROUGH THE HARDEST SEASON

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • Like a mug of mulled wine, this cake brings warmth and smells gorgeous – it will use up any festive spices, too.

My day in cups of tea • We head to the Ribble Valley to chat all things candles and cuppas with Melt's Customer Happiness Manager, Sheena Moxom

January Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

TIPPLE OF THE MONTH • Add a splash of sunshine to midwinter with a refreshing herbal drink that pairs tropical pineapple with aromatic sage.

THE BAHAMAS • ENDLESS BEACHES, SPARKLY SEAS AND FRIENDLY FACES KEEP MARIAH MOYLE IN NASSAU. SHE SHOW US HER HOME AND THE NEARBY ISLANDS

COULD-DO THE BAHAMAS • Mariah's favourite places on the islands.

A taste of Persia • A WARMING FEAST INSPIRED BY FLAVOURS FROM IRAN BRINGS COLOUR TO A WINTER GET-TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS

A life on earth • BE CURIOUS, SEARCH FOR UNDERSTANDING AND FIND THE BEAUTY – EVEN IN COCKROACHES. IN CELEBRATION OF SIR DAVID'S 100TH BIRTHDAY LATER THIS YEAR, WE SHARE SOME OF HIS SAGE ADVICE

HISTORY OF A NATURAL • The Sir David Attenborough CV

Chalk IT UP • THERESA GROMSKI TURNED A KITCHEN WALL INTO A BLANK CANVAS FOR ARTWORK TO CHEER, PROVOKE AND INSPIRE

Chalk talk

POINT OF VIEW • TOWERS – WHETHER FOLLIES, MONUMENTS, SKYSCRAPERS, LIGHTHOUSES OR CHURCHES – OFFER EXCELLENT VISTAS AND A FRESH PERSPECTIVE SAYS LINDSEY HARRAD

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

A WOUNDER of WINGS • Artist Brian Wildsmith captured some of our most loved creatures with wit and admiration. Enrich your twitching with a few of his favourite collective nouns

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

A simple thing…

GRANNNIES GOING FOR THE GOAL • A kickabout in Kenya brings better health and happiness

NO SLIPPED DISKS • A creative use of technologies to preserve the archives of Stephen Hawking – and more

Excellent WOMEN • Hairdressers helping mental health

Taking cues … • BY PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO THE PEOPLE, ANIMALS AND NATURE THAT SURROUND US, WE CAN FIND LESSONS TO GUIDE US THROUGH THE CHANGING SEASONS OF LIFE

Words for winter • EVEN IF YOU'RE NO CHIMONOPHILE – A LOVER OF WINTRY CONDITIONS – YOU'LL ALMOST CERTAINLY HAVE A VIEW ON THE WEATHER. TIME TO CONSULT THE WINTER DICTIONARY…

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love BOBBLE HATS

FROZEN IN TIME • FROM ITS ORIGINS ON WINTRY LAKES TO ITS ART DECO HEYDAY AND MODERN SEASONAL RINKS, TRAVIS ELBOROUGH TRACES THE APPEAL OF ICE SKATING

A seat at the table • SOME AUTHORS LOVE FOOD; OTHERS SEE IT AS MERE FUEL. THESE SKETCHES OF FIVE FAMOUS WRITERS’ EATING HABITS OFFER INSIGHT INTO THEIR LIVES AND WORK

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

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