Playlist | A Christmas mood

DJ: Frances Ambler
Image: Shutterstock

Want to listen to something to get you in the Christmas mood? You find our playlist on Spotify here.

We’ve plenty more actually good Christmas playlists. Take a listen here, here and here.

Competition | Win a Colourful Shopping Spree at Gudrun Sjödén

Two lucky readers have the chance to win a £200 Gudrun Sjödén voucher to update both their wardrobe and their home

This season, immerse yourself in Gudrun Sjödén’s latest collection – a gorgeous love letter to the brand´s heritage of Nordic folklore and textile arts. A rich range bursting with pattern joy, swirling botanical motifs and bold stripes, all in a palette of frosty white, tomato red, aubergine and golden citrus, be creative with winter layering and play with combining warming, tactile materials, contrasting block colours and patterns. If all this inspires you, enter our competition to win one of two vouchers – each worth £200 – to spend online or in store.

FRUITFUL FASHION
Included in the collection is the cosy Apelsin sweater with its lustrous citrus print, which is sure to inject some vitamin C into your wardrobe, while the Orsa dress makes the ideal Christmas outfit and comes in a luxurious velour, printed with a folky rose pattern. Gudrun Sjödén’s jewel-coloured treats aren’t just limited to your wardrobe, either; adorn your home with beautiful handmade pieces that have a story to tell. Frame your festive gatherings with invigorating homeware printed with winter blossoms and citrus fruits in warming colour combinations. While tea towels, tablecloths ceramic mugs and hand-painted baubles, all with striking motifs, make for lovely Christmas gifts, either to yourself or for a loved one.

For more info, visit gudrunsjoden.com or follow on Instagram: @gudrunsjoden.ldn

How to enter For your chance to win one of two £200 vouchers* to spend online or in store at Gudrun Sjödén, enter our competition by the closing date of 11 January 2023. Just click the button below to enter and answer the following question:

Q. Gudrun’s latest collection is a gorgeous love letter to…
a. Cosy winter
b. Nordic folklore
c. Swedish snow

TERMS & CONDITIONS This competition closes at 11.59pm on 11 January 2023. Two winners will be selected at random from all the correct entries received and notified soon after. The winners cannot transfer the prize or swap for cash. *Vouchers are not valid for carpets and rugs. Entrants must be UK residents. Details of our full terms are on p121 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Sponsored post | The Gift of Giving

With Christmas just around the corner, here are some of our favourite brands to provide a little
shopping inspiration…

Pom Pom: Happy Knits For Little Kids

What could be better than a hand-knitted present for that little person in your life, or perhaps for that knitter who loves to make for kids? Mini Pomis Pom Pom’s collection of 11 versatile knitting and crochet patterns for kids aged 0-10. From classic pullovers, to a granny square cardigan, and the perfect mittens for colder days, these are patterns that kids (and grown-ups) will love! Readers of The Simple Things can save 25%* by using the code SIMPLETHINGS at checkout. pompommag.com

Bare Kind

Nothing beats the feeling of cosy toes, except the feeling of cosy toes alongside the warm glow of helping to save endangered animals. At Bare Kind, 10% of profits are donated to help save the animal featured on their beautifully soft bamboo socks, and last year they helped to protect 1,200 acres of rainforest, planted 13 rugby pitches worth of wildflower seeds and released 4,300 baby turtles on a beach in Sumatra, which makes them a gift worth giving. Readers of The Simple Things can save 15%* by using the code SIMPLE15 at checkout.barekind.com

Oubas Knitwear

Based in Cumbria, Oubas is an independent knitwear company whose ethos is to help people enjoy dressing naturally and to embrace a slower pace. Offering knits in beautiful shades of pure wools and cashmere, Oubas has been designing and producing knitwear for 10 years, with each piece carefully made by hand. For inspiration for ideal Christmas gifts, discover their range of colourful, warm winter accessories, all in natural fibres. oubasknitwear.co.uk

Keen

Keep feet looking stylish with KEEN’s new consciously created Mosey Chukka desert boot. Featuring natural fibre laces and pull tabs, a chemical-free anti-odour system and gum rubber and cork outer sole, the women’s boots come in either felt (Natural or Taupe) – made from a planet friendly 50% recycled wool blend – or a soft, supple leather (Olive), sourced from an environmentally preferred Leather Working Group (LWG) tannery. Meanwhile, the men’s environmentally preferred leather edition comes in three colours.keenfootwear.com

Meaningful Mornings

If you’re after a dose of positivity, then the Meaningful Mornings planner has been designed to help you live a happy, healthy and meaningful life. It’s ideal for getting organised and keeping on track with all of your projects and appointments thanks to its sections for monthly, weekly and daily planning. There’s also a dedicated space for recording everything that you’re grateful for and all those happy moments that you cherish. Weekly inspirational quotes will help to inspire, along with self-care tips for improved mental and physical health, happiness, productivity and wellbeing. meaningfulmornings.co.uk

Gaia Skincare

This festive season, GAIA Skincare has launched six new gift sets to support the wellness of the ones you love. Included in the line-up is GAIA’s Strengthening Gift Set, designed to support mind and body with a Strengthening Body Oil and Pulse Point. Both infused with black pepper and ginger essential oils, they’re blended to relieve aching muscles and awaken the senses, while an energisingCitrinecrystal complements the set and is said to offer healing qualities and aid emotional balance. gaiaskincare.com

Pom Pom: Knit How

Always wanted to learn to knit gifts? Or perhaps you’re looking for a present for a new knitter in your life? Packed full of tutorials and advice, Pom Pom’s Knit How is your go-to guide to start your journey through the world of yarn. From your first few shaky stitches, Knit Howguides you through ten projects, each increasing in complexity until you’ve truly mastered your craft! Readers of The Simple Things can save 25%* by using the code SIMPLETHINGS at checkout.pompommag.com

Valiant

Whatever your tipple of choice – whether it’s a minty mojito, a classic old fashioned or a simple G&T – if you’re after a gift for any budding mixologists in your life, look no further than the Valiant Cocktail Multi-Tool, which makes the ideal stocking filler for cocktail lovers this Christmas. This handy 7-in-1 foldaway device includes a stirrer, jigger, muddler, reamer, straight, zester and corkscrew – and is a great addition to any home bar or to take away for cocktails on the go. simplyvaliant.co.uk

Competition | Win a shepherd hut stay worth £340

Enjoy the best of both worlds with a break that offers nature on your doorstep and all the
creature comforts of home, too

The festive season – many of us spend all year looking forward to the final crescendo of the year, when celebrations fill the social calendar and spending valuable time with loved ones takes centre-stage. Whether it’s sipping bubbles at parties or bracing winter walks followed by cosy afternoons in front of the fire, life is full. But as we move into a new year, things slow down to a more sustainable pace and thoughts tend to turn to plans and ambitions for the year ahead.

If you’re longing to pencil in a treat on the horizon – but something a little more peaceful than activities of late – then a glamping break might be just what you’re after. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Blackdown Shepherd Huts and glamping retreat, Dimpsey, to offer one lucky reader of The Simple Things the chance to win a two-night stay for two in a beautifullycrafted shepherd hut in Somerset. With all the comforts of a high-end break, including sumptuous beds, cosy wood-burners and UK-made artisan pieces throughout, a shepherd hut stay at Dimpsey combines the best of luxury living with the simplicity of nature just outside your door. So you can relax and embrace the opportunity to totally switch off and recharge your batteries, ready to tackle all the adventures that are yet to come.

HOW TO ENTER For your chance to win a two-night break, enter our competition by the closing date of 11 January 2023 by clicking on the button below and answering the following question:

Q. Which county is the shepherd’s hut stay based in?

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: This competition closes at 11.59pm on 11 January 2023. A winner will be selected at random from all the correct entries received and notified soon after. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap for cash. Subject to availability. The off-peak break must be taken by 30 June 2023. Excludes Christmas, New Year, Easter, school holidays and weekends. Full terms are on p121 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

For more info, visit blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk and dimpsey.co.uk, or follow on Instagram: @blackdownshepherdhuts; @dimpsey_glamping

Book Group | Jonathan Livingston, Seagull

Share with your book group, read alone and join us virtually on The Simple Things sofa, or simply find a bit of inspiration.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull: A Story by Richard Bach is a short but fascinating book all about how, if you strive for higher learning, you can achieve great things. Frankly, from an author who wrote a bestselling book with a cast made up entirely of seagulls, we’re listening. Jonathan Livingston Seagull is cast out by his fellow birds for reaching for the stars and sets off on his journey towards self-enlightenment.

Questions to ponder
What sets Jonathan apart from the other gulls? What does flight symbolise in the book?

Further reading
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho both offer life lessons with a little allegory that is good for the soul.

More from our November issue…

More from our book group…

Think | Why We Want More Icelandic Things

Some cultures just really know how to do things <well>, don’t they? Here are a few weird but wonderful Icelandic traditions, customs and ways of life that we’re campaigning to bring to Britain

Jolabokaflod

We rave about this with alarming regularity but it bears repeating. Chocolate and new books for everyone on Christmas Eve?? Why is this not just the law rather than a charming Icelandic tradition?

Thorrablót

Just when the joy of Jolabokaflod is beginning to disperse, January and February arrive and bring Thorrablót, a feasting night with poems, speeches and traditional Icelandic foods. It can be a dinner with close friends or a whole town getting together, but however it’s celebrated it’s a moment to bring a little light and laughter to midwinter. Just what you need. 

Bolludagur

Hot on Thorrablót’s heels (we like the way they really keep the good stuff coming through winter, by the way), Icelanders celebrate Bolludagur - BUN DAY. As if we need to say more than “BUN DAY”, this festival in late February or early March happens the day before Shrove Tuesday. Children make bun wands and spank their parents with them. Each spank is rewarded with a chocolate bun. We didn’t say Bolludagur was about good parenting, but we want a Bun Day, too. 

Valuing time together

Icelanders are big on the important things in life, such as remembering to tell people you enjoyed their company. When they meet, as well as saying ‘nice to see you’ they’ll also say ‘takk fyrir síꝺast’ or ‘thanks for the last time’ so that you know they enjoyed seeing you then as well and you both remember what a jolly time it was. We’d like to see more of this. 

Believing in magic

Apparently 8% of Icelanders are certain that elves exist and 45% believe it is likely that elves are a real thing. Iceland has a strong folklore tradition but we applaud the way the people throw themselves wholeheartedly into it. Especially the trolls - they’re seriously into their folklore... Yes, the trolls. What?!

Proper respect for carbs

With lots of fresh fish and veg in their diets, Icelanders live a fairly healthy lifestyle. But whatever you’re having you can be sure of a nice steamy bowl of potatoes on the side. If it’s possible to love a potato more than the British, Iceland has it covered and we can only applaud this. Every meal feels more comforting with a bowl of tatties on the side. 

Getting water right

Icelandic tap water is just about the purest in the world. No need for buying plastic bottles of water here, the stuff that comes out of the tap is basically Evian. Very refreshing. And very refreshing to see the reduction in wasted plastic from all those bottles they don’t need to buy. We’d like spring water from our taps, too, please. 

Taking things slow

The top speed limit in Iceland is just 55 miles per hour, so you don’t get boy racers screeching past you on the roads. It’s safer, it’s greener and it’s just less stressful when everyone is pootling along taking in the scenery rather than racing from A to B. 

Scaring children just the right amount

Rather than saccharine Santas, at Christmas, Iceland has Gryla (a child-eating ogre) and The Yule Lads (Gryla’s child-eating progenies). There’s also a terrifying Yule Cat who eats children who don’t get new clothes for Christmas. Is anyone else spotting a child-eating theme emerging here? However, a law was passed in 1746 which prohibited adults from scaring children with these tales. The tales remained but after that, kids got presents in shoes as well to calm things down. Seems fair to us. 

Bjordagur

We’re having Bun Day for sure, that’s safe. But now we’ve heard about BEER DAY (Bjordagur) and we definitely want that, too. Beer was actually prohibited in Iceland from 1915 to 1987 so now they celebrate its return by drinking lots of beer every 1st of March. Well, you’d want something to wash down all the buns, wouldn’t you?

If you’re feeling inspired to find out more about the Land of the Midnight Sun, don’t miss our ‘My City’ feature on Reykjavik in the November issue of The Simple Things.

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More armchair travel…

More from our November issue…

Sponsored post | Have a delightfully undigital Christmas with Rex London

Rex London is passionate about helping you enjoy the festive season as a family. Too much technology - and too much screen time - can often get in the way of this. That’s why Rex London has curated a collection of classic games, wooden toys and traditional gifts and stocking fillers to provide the perfect digital antidote this Christmas. Sometimes modern problems need old-fashioned solutions!

Learning through play 

It’s time for tea! Children will love hosting the ultimate tea party for their friends, siblings, or even teddy bears. This beautiful play set is ideal for helping them to develop their social skills, as well as their creativity and imagination. This charming tea party set comes in a sturdy cardboard case for tidy storage that will look gorgeous in any room of the house. Or why not use it as a suitcase, for even more imaginative adventures?

Fairies in the Garden tea party set

For younger children, there is little as timeless as a classic wooden toy. Hardwearing and beautiful, they are ideal for little ones who are mastering their fine motor skills and hand eye coordination. 

Wild Wonders wooden elephant push along toy and wooden shape sorter

Vintage entertainment

There's nothing quite like treating the children in your life to a classic toy you received yourself when you were young. Get all nostalgic with Rex London’s favourite retro toys and games, from kaleidoscopes to juggling balls. Perfect for popping into stockings this year for hours of undigital entertainment on the big day.

Traditional stocking fillers for children

Family fun

The Christmas holidays aren’t complete without the family battling it out over some classic games. With more than 20 different games from dominoes and tiddlywinks to bingo and table tennis, Rex London has loads of fun and affordable options to keep the family entertained. One of this year’s most popular gifts is their Ocean memory game. Young children will enjoy finding the matching pairs, while older kids (and grown ups!) can discover new species and even learn their Latin names.

Ocean memory game

Feeling inspired? Be sure to visit Rex London to discover hundreds of unique and thoughtful gifts for all ages and interests. Gifts they’ll adore, at prices you’ll love. 

Exclusive offer

Treat everyone this year with beautiful gifts at beautiful prices. Get 10% off your next order with code ‘RexSimple10’. Code is valid on UK and EU websites until 23:59 on 22 December 2022. Code must be added at checkout. One use per customer. Valid on full price items only. 

Learn | Street Photography Tricks

All you need to be a street photographer is a camera (or even just a camera phone) and some free time. Here are five tricks to try that will help improve your pictures instantly

1. Get down low. Putting your camera actually on the pavement captures a whole new perspective that none of us usually sees. Seeing the world from a pigeon’s perspective (see above) adds a completely different dimension to your photographs. 

2. Try a tilt. This works particularly well with straight lines, such as buildings. Frame your focal object centrally and upright and then tilt your camera 45 degrees before taking the picture for a slightly more interesting shot. 

3. Find a setting and then wait for the subject. If you spot a fabulous backdrop, find a good place to stand to capture the photo in the best light and with the best composition and then wait… for the right person to walk into shot. This often makes for a much better photo than when you focus on looking for a subject primarily and let the background take care of itself. 

4. Get a grid. Most camera phones let you turn on a ‘grid’ on your camera in your settings and it’s really helpful for composing a picture. The grid gives you nine equal squares and you want to place your subject on any of the corners of the central square, leaving space in the rest of the image - this is known as the ‘rule of thirds’, as you’re filling one third of the grid, on the left or right, and leaving the other two thirds emptier. Try it and you’ll see.

5. Look for leading lines or patterns. Leading lines are lines in an image that draw the eye somewhere, so that could be a path, a river, a staircase, a telegraph wire… They can go in any direction or even be curved, but they’ll add depth to your picture. Patterns, particularly repetitive patterns such as those in floor tiles or on a table cloth, also create visual impact. They look great when they seem to have appeared accidentally, or when the pattern is just slightly broken, for example: five brown eggs in a bow and one white one. Just look out for the patterns and lines and have fun! 

Inspired to give it a go? First read our feature on Street Photography, ‘These Streets’, in our November issue, which is taken from the wonderful book Think Like a Street Photographer by Matt Stuart (Laurence King).

More from our November issue…

More photography inspiration…

Recipe | Sticky Sloe and Nut Clusters

These snacks are gooey, sweet, sticky, crunchy… and hard not to finish all in one sitting.

We were inspired to some sweet and slow cooking by the sloe recipes in our feature Let it Sloe in our November issue. It included Sloe Syrup, Sloe Gin Chocolate Cake and a Sloe Treacle Tart. But these munchy Sticky Sloe and Nut Clusters were too good not to share. Find the rest of the recipes in our November issue…

Makes 36

40ml rapeseed oil
140g demerara or soft brown sugar
200g sticky sloes, pitted
70g plain flour
1 heaped tsp cornflour
150g almonds or hazelnuts, roughly chopped

1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6 and line a large baking tray (30 x 40cm) with baking paper.

2 In a bowl, mix the oil and sugar, plus 1 teaspoon of water and the sticky sloes. Stir, then add the flour, cornflour and nuts and stir well to combine.

3 Make the clusters by distributing heaped teaspoons of the mixture evenly across the baking tray, with enough space between them for the mixture to spread out a little.

4 Bake for approximately 12 mins, or until the clusters are bubbling and dark brown at the edges. Remove from the oven immediately and leave for 5 mins before gently transferring from the tray to a cooling rack.

Cook’s note: These can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Taken from Wild and Sweet by Rachel Lambert (Hoxton Mini Press) Photography: Elliott White

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More fun with foraged foods…

More from our blog…

Make | Homemade Bath Salts

Just a light sprinkling of these soothing salts will turn bathtime into a luxuruious treat

You will need:

120g Epsom salts

120g pink Himalayan salt

¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda

10 drops each of your choice of essential oils (we used Moroccan rose, lavender and chamomile)

1 tbsp dried flower petals (we used rose, lavender and chamomile)

Airtight glass jar (a Mason jar

or apothecary jar look pretty)

Equipment:

Bowl

Spoon

For giving:

Ribbon and gift tag

1 Mix the salts and bicarbonate of soda in a small bowl.

2 Add 10 drops each of your essential oils and mix together, ensuring everything is evenly distributed. Then add the dried flower petals.

3 Decant the bath salts into your jar and decorate with a ribbon and gift tag with your message and the following instructions: “Dissolve a handful of salts in a hot bath. Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.”

These bath salts are just one of the makes from our feature, The Personal Touch, in our November issue, taken from The Art of Gifting Naturally by Angela Maynard (Hardie Grant).

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More calming bathtimes…

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Tipple | Spiced Pear Syrup

Serve diluted as a cordial or as an aperitif – equal parts syrup, vodka and soda water, with ice, a squeeze of lemon and a pear wedge.

Makes 600ml

700ml water
300g sugar
3 pears, roughly chopped (no need to peel or core)
2 star anise
2 cloves
1 cinnamon stick

1 In a pan, heat all the ingredients until almost boiling, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 30 mins. Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool completely.

2 Once cool, sieve the syrup into a jug (save the pear to eat with breakfast granola or the maple crème fraîche), then pour the liquid into a sterilised glass bottle. Store in the fridge and use within a week

This recipe is taken from our November' issue’s ‘Gathering’ pages, which we’ve called ‘Giving Thanks’. The recipes and ideas, by Lucy Brazier, are for a British twist on an American Thanksgiving get together, including Celery Soup with Toasty Toppings, Roast Chicken with Winter Salad, Stateside Salsa Verde, Bean Harvest Stew, Sweet Potato Gratin and an Apple and Hazelnut Tart with Maple Creme Fraiche.

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More recipes inspired by Autumn…

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Fun | Gothic Book Title Generator

Fancy penning a spooky novel but can’t quite get going with it? Let us start you off by coming up with a title for your book.

Simply select from the lists below the first letter of your first name, the month you were born and the first letter of your surname and find out what your Gothic novel should be called. So, for example, If you were called Jane Robinson and you were born in June your book would be called ‘The Trees of Fearful Waters’. There. You’re planning your Booker Prize acceptance speech already, aren’t you?

First pick your opening noun using the first letter of your first name:

a- The Castle. b - The Woman. c - The Curse. d - The Mystery. e - The Darkness. f - The Devil. g - The Man.
h - The Caves. i - The Bridge. j - The Trees. k - The Legend. l - The Tale. m - The Skulls. n - The Secret.
o - The Rats. p - The Vampire. q - The Monster. r - The Ghost. s - The Murmuring. t - The Clouds. u - The Birds. v - The Hounds. w - The Dagger. x - The Heart. y - The Cloak. z - The Creature.

Next pick your adjective by the month of your birth:

January - of Everlasting. February - of Dark. March - of Eerie. April - of Howling. May - of Terrible. June - of Fearful. July - of Satanic. August - of Bloody. September - of Haunted. October - of Cold. November - of Ancient. December - of Murderous.

Finally, pick your closing noun using the first letter of your surname:

a - Horror. b - Crows. c- Hollow. d - Terror. e - Churches. f - Spirits. g - Fear. h - Mists. i - Memories.
j - Sobs. k - Screams. l - Books. m - Dungeons. n - Runes. o - Moors. p - Valley. q - Forest. r - Waters.
s - Dreams. t - Fires. u - Spells. v - Rituals. w - House. x - Manor. y - Grave. z - History.

Why we all love a scary story

There’s nothing new about spooky tales of course. Ghost stories have been an important part of folklore for as long as stories have been told and our oldest myths contain monsters. The act of sharing a story and getting scared together is an age-old bonding experience, a way of being afraid but also having fun. Fear isn’t always an unpleasant emotion, especially if we can see it through and reach a resolution. When we experience fear, we get a surge of adrenaline and endorphins which awaken all our senses and give us a rush of energy. After the moment has passed and we’re no longer afraid, we relax and experience a flood of post-horror calm.

Read more about why scary stories are good for us in our Wellbeing feature, Little Shot of Horror in our October issue. And if you pen that spooky story, please do share it with us so we can enjoy being vicariously frightened!

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More from our October issue…

A few more things to scare your socks off (in a good way)

Primer | Know Your Apples

Whether browsing at a market or selecting from an orchard, apple ID is essential. Here’s our field (well, orchard) guide to the best of the crop

George Cave
What George lacks in aroma he makes up for in intensity: a crisp, sharp bite gives way to a gently sweet mouthful, not overly juicy.

Grenadier
The gnarled, knobbled skin may give this cooking apple a battle-weary appearance, but beneath the rugged armour there’s a yielding, creamy flesh, ideal for sauces and chutneys.

D’arcy Spice
The ultimate coleslaw/cheeseboard apple offers firm, crisp flesh gently infused with subtle, sophisticated undertones of star anise, clove and white pepper.

Howgate Wonder
Sweet, firm and only mildly acidic, this waxy-fleshed, blushing beauty keeps well, cooks well and makes a proper pie.

James Grieve
Take a bite of this crisp, juicy beauty fresh off the tree in late July and the acidic overtones may induce a wince. Allow James to mellow until at least September, however, and he offers an altogether softer, creamier mouthful.

Chelmsford Wonder
Softish flesh reminiscent of macadamia nuts yields distinctly Chardonnay-esque flavours, sophisticated only gently acidic.

Lane’s Prince Albert
A winter-season treat, offering substantial character that brings real personality to a crumble and delivers complexity to chutney.

Margil
Widely acclaimed by apple connoisseurs for its firm, crisp bite and highly aromatic, candyfloss overtones – to cook with the Margil would be a crime.

Pam’s Delight
This red-tinged beauty is a lunchbox classic, juicy enough to quench thirst and sweet enough to curb sugar cravings.

Beauty of Bath
Blink as this one falls from the tree and you’ll miss the best bite of this soft, sensual beauty featuring pink-tinged, creamy flesh with an almost strawberry flavour.

Peasgood’s Nonsuch
This big, sturdy stalwart delivers a densely characterful flavour-punch, good teamed with cheddar cheese or cooked in a pie.

Apple Day is celebrated on 21st October but there are apple-related events all over the country this weekend. The primer above is taken from our feature, The Apples of Our Eye in our October issue, which is on sale now. It was originally published in the first ever issue of The Simple Things and we’ve reprinted it to make our 10th birthday! Because simple things like apple picking never cease to be good fun!

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More apple inspiration…

More from our October issue…

Sponsored post | Ice Cream for Every Time of Year

This summer, Mackie’s of Scotland wanted to discover the UK’s favourite ice cream moments so they asked The Simple Things readers to share theirs, with the chance to win a lifetime supply of ice cream.

We all have our favourite ways of enjoying ice cream, whether it’s a cone at the beach, a dollop with a pudding, or a scoop straight from the tub, and Mackie’s have loved hearing all about the UK’s ice cream moments!

Mackie’s asked entrants to share their ice cream moment with one lucky winner receiving a LIFETIME supply of ice cream. That’s a regular flow of ice cream for the winner for the rest of their life!

Margaret Pitman, from Shaftesbury who was randomly selected as the winner of a lifetime’s supply of Mackie’s ice cream had described her Mackie’s Moment as “Sharing with my family and friends - even though we are a large family there's always plenty to go around!” With a lifetime’s supply, she can be even more confident that there’ll be enough Mackie’s for her big family! 

Here’s a picture of Margaret upon hearing that she’d won:

Some of the team at the Mackie’s farm in Aberdeenshire also got involved – here they are  sharing their favourite ice cream moments – whether it be in a cone, as a float … or even mixed with hot custard! 

Mackie’s listened to people’s preferences and gave them an “ice cream personality”. Now that the results are in, it’s clear that most of the UK is made up of “Smooth Operators”! These cool cats, who enjoy their ice cream simply as it is, made up a whopping 48% of participants!

Close behind, at the other end of the ice cream spectrum, were the “Showstoppers” – who are the 32% love to add a bit of everything to their dessert, whether it be sprinkles, sauce, sweets, cherries, or all of them combined!

Last but certainly not least, were our “Matchmakers”. Whether it’s apple crumble, sticky toffee pudding or fresh berries, 20% enjoy adding that perfect scoop to their favourite puddings. 

Mackie’s fans up and down the country also sent in photos showing their favourite ways to enjoy Mackie’s ice cream. Here’s one from someone who’s most definitely a “Showstopper”!

Mackie’s have thoroughly enjoyed discovering the UK’s ice cream moments and were happy to see that so many people enjoy Mackie’s ice cream, simply as it is.

To find out more about Mackie’s, where to buy and how their ice cream is made from “Sky to Scoop” on the family farm in Aberdeenshire, visit www.mackies.co.uk

Playlist | Northern Soul

A guest playlist from Northern Soul DJ Jordan Wilson. Take a listen to the full playlist on Spotify here

Check out his record label and read more about Jordan and his fellow Northern Soul Modern Eccentrics in the November 2022 issue of The Simple Things.

Sponsored post | Create your own printed napkins with Seasalt

Take inspiration from nature with eye-catching printed napkins that’ll brighten up the dining table

There’s a nip in the air, so now’s the time to wrap up and plan a cosy get-together with good friends and good food. We’ve teamed up with Seasalt Cornwall and creative designer, Becki Clark, to bring you this printed napkin project, guaranteed to give your gatherings a lovingly homemade touch.

You will need

Fabric

Scissors

Small potato

Knife

Fabric paint

Paintbrush

1 Start by cutting your fabric to size. You could give old clothes a new lease of life – Becki’s used linen from preloved Seasalt garments. Also, think about the finish of your napkins; you may want to hem them, however pinking shears will give a pretty edge, while tearing the fabric will give a more rustic raw look.

2 For this simple pattern, cut your potato in half to create a circular stamp, then cut a thin slice of potato for your stem stamp.

3 Use your paintbrush to apply a thin layer of fabric paint to your thin slice of potato.

4 Begin on the left-hand side of your napkin and print a stem line downwards from the top. Stop and reapply more paint if needed to keep the paint line looking consistent.

5 Apply a thin layer of paint to the potato half and print circular leaf shapes opposite each other on either side of the stem line, finishing with a final circular print at the top of the stem. Repeat this process down the centre and right-hand side of the napkin.

6 Hang your napkins or lay flat to dry.

This project was created by Becki Clark, a multidisciplinary creative designer and author who is based in the New Forest. Her simple thing is nature and watching the seasons change, which in turn inspires her work, books and craft projects. beckiclark.com

Discover Seasalt Cornwall and find more craft ideas at seasaltcornwall.com.

Becki’s Style

• Try creating a mood board with your chosen fabric, inspiration and colours to help you decide on the final look.

• I experimented with cream fabric paint before deciding to work with black for the final napkins.

• Take inspiration from nature. If you spot something that catches your eye whilst out and about, take a photo on your phone for reference. Many botanical motifs can often be broken down into simple shapes that you can recreate in a potato print.

• Sketch out your print idea and try repeating a single motif in different directions to explore repeat patterns.

Sponsored post | Make lip balm with Ricola

There are many things to love about the season’s cold weather – wrapping up warm and toasty, and crisp, clear skies – however chapped lips are certainly not one of them. If you’ve yet to discover the right balm for keeping lips soft and smiling, then try this simple project from our friends at Ricola.

It makes four small pots, so you’ll have plenty to see you through the winter months or to gift to friends.

You will need:

40g shea butter

3 tbsp almond oil

1 tbsp dried herbs (such as chamomile,

lemon balm or marigold)

5 drops of essential oil (such as peppermint, lemon, lavender or lime)

Bain-marie

Wooden spoon

Sieve

Jug

4 x 50ml lidded jars

4 labels

How to make

1 Over a bain-marie, gently heat and combine the shea butter and almond oil.

2 Add the dried herbs to the warm, melted oil mixture and leave to steep for 30 mins.

3 Sieve the mixture into a jug, then add your essential oil of choice and stir well.

4 Pour the balm into sterilised jars and leave to cool in the fridge for 30 mins, then label and enjoy.

It’s not just lips that need a little extra TLC, cold weather means that Ricola’s Soothe & Clear cough drops are a must. With 13 Swiss Alpine herbs, they come in three soothing flavours: Original, Honey Herb and Honey Lemon Echinacea.

For more info, visit ricola.com

Competition | Win £200 of Earthborn Paint

We’ve joined forces with eco decorators Earthborn to give two lucky readers pots of colour ,
each worth over £200

Planning on an interior revamp soon? Or perhaps you have cause to paint a nursery or redecorate a child’s bedroom? Then you could be in luck. Earthborn are all about environmentally friendly paints that are better for you, your home and the environment. And they’re giving two lucky readers the chance to win 12.5ltr of paint – in any one of the 72 beautiful shades in their palette. You can choose from Claypaint, a super-breathable ultra-matt, ideal for walls and ceilings, or Lifestyle, a hard-wearing washable emulsion that hits the mark in busy homes.

A spot of decorating can be a calming and uplifting task – especially when you’re working on children’s rooms. It brings with it the hope of a brighter future, as well as the satisfaction of a job well done. And choosing an eco-friendly paint is just one of the little steps you can take towards a greener world.

A caring environment

We all want a safe, caring home for our family. So we’re happy to note that Earthborn paints all carry the Toy Safety Standard. This means they contain no hidden nasties and are fume free, so you can get on with creating gorgeous spaces for your children, without compromising on colour.

There’s no limit to the colour you can introduce, from walls to furniture and even toys – and all help to provide a colourful environment where youngsters can grow and play. Whatever your style, we’re sure you’ll find something to inspire you at Earthborn.

The finishing touch? Knowing your paints are gentle on your home and your family.

How to enter

For your chance to win 12.5ltr of Earthborn paint, worth over £200, enter our competition by clicking the button below by the closing date of 7 December 2022 and answering the following question:

Q: How many colours are in the Earthborn palette?
a. 72
b. 172
c. 772

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 7 December 2022. Two winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. The winners cannot transfer the prize or swap for cash. Subject to availability. Details of our full T&Cs are on p125 and at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

For Fun | Spine Poems

Poetry can be found in the most surprising places. See if you can spot some in the wild

The wonderful thing about poetry is that you can find it anywhere. Look around you and you’ll find words creating images in billboards, graffiti, on cereal packets... A well-crafted poem is a thing of beauty, certainly, but ‘found’ poetry is somehow more magical: two words that accidentally rhyme, or mirror each other, or simply form a new meaning, having collided completely by accident feels like a happy secret. 

In our October issue, our ‘Gallery’ feature took images from the book Spine Poems by Annette Dauphin Simon (Harper Design). Spine Poetry (see the one above) began as a game in a Florida bookshop when Annette and her colleagues would compete to spot the hidden poetry in the spines of randomly stacked books. So the one pictured above reads:

Like my father always said

Listen to your mother

Listen to your heart

Listen to your Gut.

What’s for dinner?

Clever, isn’t it? You can read a few more of the Spine Poems from page 44 of the October issue. We were so enchanted by the idea, we thought we’d see what a Simple Things Spine Poem from the last 12 months would look like. For those who don’t keep their back issues lined up beautifully on their book shelves, here’s our Spine Poem taken from the magazine’s spines from last November to this October. 

Building Bonfires & making gifts

Taking time to live well

Candles & clementines

Snowdrops & seedheads

Bunches of flowers & sunny day cycling

Easter chocolate & spring adventures

Floral dresses & being outdoors

Salad days & summer nights

Lavender fields & lemon spritzers

Jolly sunflowers & going barefoot

Ripe tomatoes & trying something new

Birthday cake & gathering seeds

We’d love to see your spine poems, too. Do snap a picture and comment on our blog or tag us on your social media with your own Spine Poem pictures. 

Image taken from Spine Poems by Annette Dauphin Simon (Harper Design) which is released on 13 October and can be ordered now.

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More fun to have with books…

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Make | Conker Laundry Soap

Gather up your champion conkers and give them a new life as a laundrette

Horse chestnuts contain lots of saponin – an organic chemical with a name that’s a clue as to why they’re useful: sapon is ‘soap’ in Latin. While it won’t zap the toughest of stains, this homemade liquid is an economic and eco way for more everyday washing.

The prep: 

• Gather your conkers (about a handful per wash load).
• Remove the outer brown layer, then quarter. 

• Blitz into small pieces in a blender or bash with a rolling pin through a tea towel (Wash any kitchen implements very carefully afterwards as conkers are poisonous to humans). 

• Leave the mixture to dry somewhere like an airing cupboard or windowsill. 

• Once completely dry, store in an airtight jar ready to use. (You can buy ready made ‘washkers’ at watercressqueen.company.site/products)

The wash

• Boil a kettle and add double the quantity of water to the mix used. 

• Steep for at least 30 mins. 

• Filter the liquid through a muslin. The used bits can go in your food waste/compost.
• Use the liquid as you would a normal laundry liquid (add a couple of drops of essential oil if you like it scented).
• Any leftover liquid can be kept in the fridge for a week. 

This Horse Chestnut Laundry Wash is just one of the fascinating ideas from our October Miscellany pages. Turn to page 117 of the October issue to read more miscellaneous things from puzzles and paperweights to turnip carving and foraging for fungi. 

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More autumnal fun…

More from our October issue…