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 November

Editorial

Fire starters • ADD SUGAR AND SPICE TO BONFIRE FAVOURITES AND YOU HAVE A RECIPE FOR SERVING UP ALL THINGS NICE

Come dancing • WHY LIMIT YOUR MOVES TO WEDDINGS AND BIRTHDAYS? WHETHER KITCHEN DISCOS OR CLASSES, WE COULD ALL DO WITH A BIT MORE DANCING IN OUR LIVES, SAYS FRANCES AMBLER

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • Beetroot brings a deliciously moist and deep flavour to these cakes, topped off with a good dollop of coconut icing.

My day in cups of tea • We swing by the Suffolk studio of Slow Squirrel to chat to Annabel Burstow about joyful mugs, fruit cake and how she spends her day in cuppas

November Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF THE KESTREL

MY CITY CAIRNS • BETWEEN REEF AND RAINFOREST, AUSTRALIA’S TROPICAL CITY HAS WONDERS APLENTY. LOCAL JULIE JOHNSTON SHOWS US AROUND

COULD-DO CAIRNS • Julie’s favourite places in the city

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

Harvest roast • GET OUT THE NAPKINS AND LAY THE TABLE TO CELEBRATE THE BEST OF AUTUMN WITH A SPECIAL SUNDAY DINNER

WHAT I TREASURE • My kitchen dresser by Harriet Derioz

“Aligning ourselves with something bigger than ourselves could open up a new way of living for all of us” • In a world of ever-changing flux and flow, connecting to our greater purpose can help re-kindle our sense of joy, peace and place in the world, says neuroscientist Ken Mogi

Shrewd food • EATING WELL SHOULD BE A HAPPY PLEASURE BUT THE GLUT OF ADVICE CAN FEEL OVERWHELMING – HERE ARE SOME EASILY DIGESTIBLE NUGGETS

Star performers • Adding these hero foods to your weekly shopping list can make a big difference.

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love CAPES

A simple thing…

IN BLOOM • A return to flower in a Kashmiri lake restoration

THE HIGH ROAD • How Scandi streets are leading the way to less traffic deaths

Excellent WOMEN • Taking up space

Spend the night • MAKE TIME FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIPS BY REKINDLING THE MAGIC OF THE SLEEPOVER

DOWN THE RABBIT* HOLE • FROM SKIVE TO SKIBIDI, SLANG IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE WAY WE COMMUNICATE. TAKE A SEAT IN DICTIONARY CORNER TO LEARN THE LINGO

LOST LINGO • Old-fashioned slang we’d love to revive.

TIPPLE OF THE MONTH • Juniper berries bring a subtle piney note, reminiscent of gin which – combined with herbs – tastes like a walk in the woods.

SCENIC SAUNAS • TAKING THEIR CUES FROM NORDIC CUSTOMS, A NEW BREED OF SAUNAS ARE POPPING UP AROUND THE UK, OFFERING EXTREMES OF HOT AND COLD IN EQUALLY EXHILARATING SCENERY

AUTUMN colour • ANGELA HARDING CAPTURES THE BEAUTY OF THE SEASON, ITS BIRDS, BEASTS AND RUSSET LEAVES

Stove-top ceremony • FOR NATASHA KAUR CHAWLA, THE MAKING AND DRINKING OF MASALA CHAI IS AN EVERYDAY RITUAL TO BE SAVOURED

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

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL • A HOME BURSTING WITH COLOUR AND CLEVER DESIGN IDEAS MAKES USE OF EVERY INCH OF SPACE FOR A FAMILY LIVING IN A LEAFY CORNER OF NORTH LONDON

BRANCHING OUT • WHITTLE AWAY AN AUTUMN AFTERNOON TO MAKE SOMETHING USEFUL AND POTENTIALLY BEAUTIFUL, TOO

Things to want and wish for...