http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caUKu5TbpRQ The last of our Simple Things videos!
Watch all the way to the end and you'll get to see what you've all been waiting for ... a sneaky peek of our first cover! What do you all think?
Video #4 What's your simple thing?
http://youtu.be/5I_5olQZI_A The video countdown to The Simple Things magazine launch continues - hope you're as excited as we are!
Loads of you have been sharing your own simple pleasures with us. Some of our favourites so far? Cloud watching, kneading bread dough, and the pop of the toaster on a Sunday morning (thanks, facebookers).
What simple thing puts a smile on your face? Keep your ideas coming over on Facebook or on Twitter- we love to hear from you!
Video #3 What's your simple thing?
http://youtu.be/c9lqgTfGUwk We love the smell of freshly baked bread. Share your simple pleasure with us below!
Video #2 What's your simple thing?
Summer kids activity: animal print trails
Having three young boys has taught Emma Bradshaw the kind of resourcefulness we can only dream of. Her blog, Bradshaw & Sons, is full of ideas for outdoor activities to get children out of the house and exploring.
One of our faves is an animal print trail. Emma's idea combines a little exploring, a little crafting and a touch of detective work - perhaps the perfect formula for a kids day out? It's perfect for British summertime and the prints will show up even better after a bit of rain.
Pop over to Bradshaw & Sons to find out more, then take a tip from Emma, kit your kids out in some wellies and prepare to get muddy.
Wordless Wednesdays ... bookshop nook
From Found, Now Home.
Cosy coffee shops
'Where shall we go for coffee?' is one of life's eternal dilemmas. Ensuring we never have to endure a dodgy brew again is Cosy Coffee Shops founder Tom, who has tracked down the best indie coffee shops all over the UK.
We take our hats off to Tom for a number of reasons. Firstly, first rate dedication to the cause (he's even begun extending his hunt abroad when he's on holiday). Secondly, for managing to rope in his tea and hot-choc loving fiancée. Finally, (we imagine) more than a few caffeine-induced sleepless nights. It'd rude not a try a few out, really.
Wordless Wednesdays ... cornfields
By Tori Hancock at Wellies and Vogue.
Kids go free at the National Trust
Newsflash! The generous people at the National Trust have come up trumps this summer by offering kids free entry to National Trust properties for all of August. Pack a picnic, explore an adventure playground or use the time to tick a few more items off your 50 Things to do before you’re 11 ¾ list - the choice is yours.
Pop over to the National Trust website to download your free voucher and get out and about before the sun goes in!
Wordless Wednesdays ... taking a break
From Máni Katz.
Tea tips
Apparently, tea is the world's second favourite beverage, after water. It seems that we are not alone is our love of this wonderful drink.
Helpfully, Utility Journal has produced a Tea Tip sheet as a mini-guide. Have you ever wondered about the perfect brewing time? Or if loose leaf is better than tea bags? No? Well, we take tea drinking very seriously. Pop over to Utility Journal get some answers anyway.
Book launch: Book of Organisation
Nosing into people's creative spaces is like having a tiny window into their minds, and Jo Packham has provided us with just that in her new book, Where Women Create: Book of Organisation.
Jo has charmed her way into the studios of artists of all types, from fashion designers to doll makers (including, confusingly, men) and invited them to share their thoughts and tips on the spaces that get their creative juices flowing.
Not so much a how-to guide as an inspirational scrapbook, Book of Organisation may not help you transform your messy workspace into a haven of tranquillity, but it's fascinating nonetheless. Click over toWWC Press for a sneak peek inside, or check out Jo's Where Women Create site for more arty loveliness.
Wordless Wednesdays ... dawn explorers
By Jacinta Moore at Bawk Bawk Bawk.
Get out and about this summer
Hannah and Rebecca love the UK, 'even when it rains'. They love the UK so much they've set up This Is Your Kingdom to celebrate the best of British.
The idea behind the site is that locals from all over the country share their favourite things to do in their area. Found a charming little coffee shop that's tucked away off the high street? Stumbled upon a beautiful view while out and about in the countryside? Buy all your favourite outfits from an indie boutique that no-one knows about? This is the place to share it!
The website is split into sections for men, women and kids, so there's something for everyone. Pop over to the This Is Your Kingdom website to check out the hidden gems in your area.
Wordless Wednesdays ... on the balcony
From I live in Vancouver now.
Liven up your summer with activity jars
School summer holidays are almost upon us, and unless you're super-organised, you'll be worrying about how you're going to keep your kids entertained for six whole weeks. Crafty blogger Merrilee from mer mag has come to the rescue with her simple-but-totally-genius activity jar idea.
Gather the family together for a massive brainstorm and scribble down your ideas of all the things you'd like to do. Merrilee has split her ideas into things to craft, things to cook and places to go, which means you can match your activity to what the weather outside is doing. Then, when you find your kids twiddling their thumbs (or writing on the walls, ripping each others' hair out...), crack out your activity jars and pick an idea at random.
If you're stuck for ideas, check out Pinterest for inspiration - the simple things' eat and create boards are a fab place to start!
Hunt out some secondhand and vintage
Shopping vintage and secondhand can be hit-and-miss at the best of times. Add an unknown city into the mix and you'll need a whole lot of stamina and more than a little luck to track down something worthwhile.
We're keeping our fingers crossed that these new secondhand and vintage city guides from Vivays are going to change all that. Like a textbook for the vintage-hunter, these guides cover everything from clothing to furniture to books, all organised by type and area.
The London and Berlin vintage guidebooks are already available, and we're already excited about the Paris and New York versions coming out in 2013.
Wordless Wednesdays ... dusk at the beach
From Everyday Musings.
Roll up a picnic blanket tote
Remember the handy cutlery wraps we blogged about a while ago? Well, we've found something else to add to this summer's picnic kit - an all-in-one picnic blanket tote.
The best picnic blanket tutorial around comes from the girls at Craft Buds. It's our favourite because it has a waterproof underside, so we can lay it out on damp ground without getting our trousers wet, and it rolls up into a self-contained tote, so it's easy to stash for the sprint back to the car when the heavens reopen! Perfect for British summertime, we say.
Master the art of packing
Are you a smart and organised packer or do you put it off until the last minute and end up throwing the entire contents of your wardrobe at your suitcase? If it makes you feel better, we're definitely the latter.
This summer will be different though, because we've discovered Louis Vuitton's Art of Packing. No more pulling clothes out of our baggage in a tangled, crumpled mass. No more sitting on our cases to force the zip closed.
Check out the cute little videos on the Louis Vuitton site for tips on how to organise your clothes and other bits and bobs, and even how to fold things cleverly to maximise space. There are separate versions for men and women, too. Get packing.