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 October

Editorial

Grape expectations • A CHEESE AND WINE EVENING IS AN EASY SELL. BUT MAKE FRIENDS WORK A LITTLE WITH TASTING NOTES TO DISCUSS AND BY PAIRING INTERESTING WINES WITH CHEESY BITES

SUNDAY BEST • THROUGH A MIX OF TRADITION AND LEGISLATION, THE SEVENTH DAY OF THE WEEK HAS ITS OWN DISTINCT CHARACTER AND ACTIVITIES, WHICH SHOULD BE SAVOURED SAYS DANIEL GRAY

Soundtrack to October SUNDAY SONGS

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

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • Buttery pistachios with the just-enough bitterness of matcha makes a cake that’s definitely more treat than trick

My day in cups of tea • We pop in to the studio of eco artist Caroline West to find out how she spends her day in cuppas, and how even our old tea bags can become works of art

October Almanac • SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

A simple thing…

Magical cratures • AN APPRECIATION OF THE TAWNY OWL

MY CITY OTTAWA • CANADA’S CAPITAL HAS HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND NATIONAL MUSEUMS, BUT THE LOCALS ARE JUST AS AT HOME ALONG ITS MANY TRAILS, RIVERS AND CANALS, SAYS CARLA SALAZAR

COULD-DO OTTAWA • Carla’s favourite places in the city

"Knowing that somebody is truly caring for you is absolutely, astonishingly powerful - it's transformative" • As a palliative care doctor, a former journalist and a prize-winning author, Dr Rachel Clarke is an active campaigner for better care – for its power not only to help individuals but also the way we live

AFTER HER OWN HEART • Rachel’s lessons for life

Kitchen therapy FRUITS OF autumn • SPENDING TIME AT HOME COOKING AND BAKING CAN BE A FORM OF SELF-CARE. LOTTIE STOREY INVITES US OVER TO FEED BOTH BODY AND SOUL

YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YETI • FROM BIGFOOT TO NESSIE, WE LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO PROVING THE EXISTENCE OF ELUSIVE BEASTS

WHAT I TREASURE • ‘POT’, my pot cat

HOME ECONOMICS Koromogae • TAKE A CUE FROM THE JAPANESE TRADITION OF A TWICEYEARLY SEASONAL SWITCHOVER, TAKING CARE TO STASH AND REFRESH YOUR CLOTHES TO KEEP THEM LOVED FOR LONGER

LINEN SPRAY • Spritz sheets, clothes, towels, curtains and other fabrics in your home for a refresh that you can make in minutes.

NATURAL MOTH REPELLENT • Protect clothes from moths without the harsh chemicals by creating sweet smelling bags to hang in your wardrobe or place in drawers. Mix up the amounts for the scent that you prefer.

A simple thing…

Good things • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Chapter and verse • KEEPING A COMMONPLACE BOOK IS A CENTURIESOLD WAY OF GATHERING INSPIRATION – AND A GENTLE RITUAL IN TODAY’S BUSY TIMES, SAYS MIRANDA MILLS

PAUSE • Take a moment with some well-chosen words

Indulge your senses and your soul • WIN TICKETS TO NEXT MONTH’S MIND BODY SPIRIT FESTIVAL, AND IMMERSE YOURSELF IN ALL THINGS WELLBEING AND SPIRITUALITY

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

Plot twist • IT MIGHT BE THE END OF THE GROWING SEASON, BUT IN THE COLDER MONTHS THERE’S FERTILE SOIL FOR THE IMAGINATION IN BOOKS

The dog walker • Many of us dream of running our...