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 September

Editorial

Plates to plot • GATHER SPADES, SNIPS AND FRIENDS AT AN ALLOTMENT TO SHARE THE HARVEST WITH SEASONAL DISHES

THE SLAPDASH MANIFESTO • GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR GOOD ENOUGH

Experiment with slapdash

My day in cups of tea • We head to Thames Ditton to meet Mama Nurtured's Laura Bardell and find out how she spends her day supporting mums, over a cuppa or two

September Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF THE POLECAT

MY CITY UTRECHT • THE NETHERLANDS’ MEDIEVAL CITY OF LEAFY CANALS AND HISTORIC BUILDINGS IS ALSO A HOTSPOT FOR MUSIC, CULTURE AND CAFÉS, SAYS ZSARÀ GRÜNFELD

COULD-DO UTRECHT • Zsarà's favourite places in the city

The last meal of the day • EMBRACING KVELDSMAT – NORWAY'S LATE-NIGHT SNACK – IS A CHANCE TO SLOW DOWN, CONNECT, AND GATHER ALL YOUR FAVOURITE BITS FROM THE FRIDGE, SAYS JESSICA FURSETH

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

HOME ECONOMICS Tomatoes • RACHEL DE THAMPLE SHOWS US WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF A SEASONAL GLUT OF TOMATOES AND SQUIRREL AWAY THE REST

“When you see people with their coffee and cakes, they're stepping out of the grind and making a special place” • During 40 years of creating pottery that's become a treasured part of our homes, Emma Bridgewater believes in following her heart, even when it has taken her on some unlikely journeys

POTTED HISTORY • Emma's lessons for life

TIPPLE OF THE MONTH • A fresh herbal tea – made with whatever you have growing – is rewardingly refreshing.

National treasures • FROM CHALK STREAMS TO ANCIENT OAKS, BRITAIN IS RICH IN LANDSCAPES AND WILDLIFE THAT YOU'D STRUGGLE TO FIND ELSEWHERE

Time for torta • LET SUMMER LINGER A LITTLE LONGER WITH ITALIAN CAKES TO BE ENJOYED AT ALL TIMES OF DAY

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love WRISTWATCHES

A simple thing…

COMMEMORATION IN STITCH • The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt honours through craft and community

FLOWER TOWER POWER • Turning our city skylines greener

Excellent WOMEN • Software for smallholders

PASTORAL CARE • From cattle to combines, artists have long recorded the changes in our farming landscape

Putting it on paper • AS A SIMPLE SKILL WITH A MULTITUDE OF BENEFITS, HANDWRITING EXPERT SARAH ADAMS SAYS IT’ S WELL WORTH MAKING TIME TO PICK UP A PEN…

ACTION STATIONS • HIKING BETWEEN STATIONS OR HEADING TO THE END OF THE LINE, IT'S THE JOURNEY THAT MATTERS ON DAYS OUT BY TRAIN

MODERN ECENTRICS • The hat festival

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

MY NEIGHBOURHOOD • A CREATIVE HUB IN THE UPPER CALDER VALLEY, FILLED WITH GALLERIES AND INDIE SHOPS, PROVED THE IDEAL PLACE FOR AN ARTIST TO MAKE HER HOME

WHAT I TREASURE • My mum's charm bracelet

HIGH AND DRY • THIS WOODWORKING PROJECT WILL HELP YOU DRY YOUR HERBS AT HOME – AND MAKES A KITCHEN RACK THAT WILL LAST FOR YEARS

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

Photo opportunity • THERE'S INCREDIBLE WILDLIFE TO BE SEEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED IN YOUR OWN GARDEN, SAYS ANDREW FUSEK PETERS

My place...