The Simple Things

Taking time to live well
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Taking Time to Live Well

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DJ: Frances Ambler | Image: Shutterstock

Playlist | Lazing on a sunny afternoon

David Parker July 20, 2022

Sunny afternoon? Take a listen to our laid-back soundtrack here
Or search the rest of our playlists right here

In playlist Tags playlist, drift, issue 122
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Playlist | Blue space

David Parker June 22, 2022

Our soundtrack to July
”Nothin’ but blue skies do I see…”

Take a listen on Spotify here
Or find a playlist for every mood by searching ‘simplethingsmag’ on Spotify

In playlist Tags taste, issue 121, july, playlist, blue space
Comment

Playlist | Midsummer magic

David Parker May 18, 2022

Let her dance…
Music to enjoy late into the evening

Take a listen here
Or search ‘simplethingsmag’ on Spotify to find all of our monthly playlists.

In playlist Tags playlist, issue 120, flower, midsummer
Comment

Image: Shutterstock

Playlist | Sing aloud songs

David Parker April 13, 2022

Whether you’re in the shower, the car or a karaoke booth, these are tried-and-tested favourites for belting out.

Take a listen here
Or search ‘simplethingsmag’ on Spotify to find all of our monthly playlists.

In playlist Tags playlist, issue 118, sing
Comment

Image: Shutterstock

Playlist | What's in a name?

David Parker March 16, 2022

What’s in a name? April, May or June… just a few of the women who have inspired songs.

Take a listen on Spotify here
Or search ‘Simplethingsmag’ on Spotify to find all our playlists

In playlist Tags issue 118, playlist
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Playlist | Let's drink to that

David Parker February 16, 2022

Our drink-themed playlist may be just the tonic – cheers!

Take a listen on Spotify here
Or search ‘simplethingsmag’ on Spotify to find all our playlists.

In playlist Tags issue 117, playlist, tonic
Comment

Playlist | A Simple Christmas

Iona Bower November 10, 2021

Listen on Spotify here

DJ: Frances Ambler
Illustration: Anneliese Klos

We want to hear your own lovingly compiled Christmas soundtracks – send a link to your Spotify playlist to thesimplethings@icebergpress.co.uk and we’ll pick one of DJ: our favourites for next year’s December issue.

More of our playlists…

Featured
April Get Lucky playst.png
Mar 18, 2026
Playlist | Get Lucky
Mar 18, 2026
Mar 18, 2026
Screenshot 2026-02-20 at 17.19.34.png
Feb 20, 2026
Playlist | Mothers
Feb 20, 2026
Feb 20, 2026
Feb playlist.png
Jan 21, 2026
Playlist | Carnival!
Jan 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026

More from our blog…

Featured
Wellbeing conversations.jpeg
Mar 29, 2026
Wellbeing | Be a Better Communicator
Mar 29, 2026
Mar 29, 2026
Rhubarb Mojito.jpeg
Mar 28, 2026
Tipple | Rhubarb Mojitos
Mar 28, 2026
Mar 28, 2026
daskor-unique-hideaways.jpeg
Mar 25, 2026
Sponsored post | Heavenly Hideaways for Spring
Mar 25, 2026
Mar 25, 2026
In playlist Tags playlist, Christmas
Comment
Nov playlist.JPG

Playlist | Marvel

Iona Bower October 13, 2021

DJ: Frances Ambler

“Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you”

Listen on Spotify here

Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

More of our playlists…

Featured
April Get Lucky playst.png
Mar 18, 2026
Playlist | Get Lucky
Mar 18, 2026
Mar 18, 2026
Screenshot 2026-02-20 at 17.19.34.png
Feb 20, 2026
Playlist | Mothers
Feb 20, 2026
Feb 20, 2026
Feb playlist.png
Jan 21, 2026
Playlist | Carnival!
Jan 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026

More from our blog…

Featured
Wellbeing conversations.jpeg
Mar 29, 2026
Wellbeing | Be a Better Communicator
Mar 29, 2026
Mar 29, 2026
Rhubarb Mojito.jpeg
Mar 28, 2026
Tipple | Rhubarb Mojitos
Mar 28, 2026
Mar 28, 2026
daskor-unique-hideaways.jpeg
Mar 25, 2026
Sponsored post | Heavenly Hideaways for Spring
Mar 25, 2026
Mar 25, 2026
In playlist Tags issue 113, playlist, marvel
Comment
October playlist.JPG

Playlist | Autumn

Iona Bower September 15, 2021

Listen here

“Autumn I’ll remember
Gold landing at our door;
Catch one leaf and fortune will surround you evermore”

DJ: Frances Ambler

Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

More from our blog…

Featured
Wellbeing conversations.jpeg
Mar 29, 2026
Wellbeing | Be a Better Communicator
Mar 29, 2026
Mar 29, 2026
Rhubarb Mojito.jpeg
Mar 28, 2026
Tipple | Rhubarb Mojitos
Mar 28, 2026
Mar 28, 2026
daskor-unique-hideaways.jpeg
Mar 25, 2026
Sponsored post | Heavenly Hideaways for Spring
Mar 25, 2026
Mar 25, 2026

More from our playlists…

Featured
April Get Lucky playst.png
Mar 18, 2026
Playlist | Get Lucky
Mar 18, 2026
Mar 18, 2026
Screenshot 2026-02-20 at 17.19.34.png
Feb 20, 2026
Playlist | Mothers
Feb 20, 2026
Feb 20, 2026
Feb playlist.png
Jan 21, 2026
Playlist | Carnival!
Jan 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026
In playlist Tags playlist, autumn
Comment
Playlist.JPG

Playlist | Maths

Iona Bower August 18, 2021

“Three times one.
What is it? (Three!)
Yeah, that’s a magic number”

Listen here

DJ: Frances Ambler

Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

More from our blog…

Featured
Wellbeing conversations.jpeg
Mar 29, 2026
Wellbeing | Be a Better Communicator
Mar 29, 2026
Mar 29, 2026
Rhubarb Mojito.jpeg
Mar 28, 2026
Tipple | Rhubarb Mojitos
Mar 28, 2026
Mar 28, 2026
daskor-unique-hideaways.jpeg
Mar 25, 2026
Sponsored post | Heavenly Hideaways for Spring
Mar 25, 2026
Mar 25, 2026

More playlists…

Featured
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Nov 12, 2025
Playlist | Christmas moments
Nov 12, 2025
Nov 12, 2025
Screenshot 2025-10-09 at 12.27.09.png
Oct 15, 2025
Playlist | Herbs & Spices
Oct 15, 2025
Oct 15, 2025
075_SIM159playlist.jpg
Aug 20, 2025
Playlist | The write stuff
Aug 20, 2025
Aug 20, 2025
In playlist Tags issue 111, playlist, maths, back to school, September
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August playlist.JPG

Playlist | Sporting Tunes

Iona Bower July 13, 2021

“I don’t like cricket
I love it”

Listen here

DJ: Frances Ambler

In playlist Tags playlist, sports
Comment
Playlist.JPG

Playlist | Leaders of the Pack (girl bands)

Iona Bower June 17, 2021

Inspired by our Looking Back feature on girl bands this month, we’ve put together a playlist of some of our favourites, from The Supremes to The Spice Girls..

Listen here

DJ: Frances Ambler

Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

More playlists…

Featured
April Get Lucky playst.png
Mar 18, 2026
Playlist | Get Lucky
Mar 18, 2026
Mar 18, 2026
Screenshot 2026-02-20 at 17.19.34.png
Feb 20, 2026
Playlist | Mothers
Feb 20, 2026
Feb 20, 2026
Feb playlist.png
Jan 21, 2026
Playlist | Carnival!
Jan 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026
In playlist Tags issue 109, girl groups, music, playlist, women, feminism
Comment
Playlist dads.JPG

Playlist | The Dads' Playlist

Iona Bower May 20, 2021

Our playlist was inspired by the dad of our regular contributor, Lottie. Richard Storey became an internet sensation when he selected tracks for a ‘desert island disco’ on Lauren Laverne’s 6Music show earlier this year. To mark Father’s Day, we asked our dads (including Richard, naturally) to suggest some favourite tunes. And here’s the resulting playlist.

Listen here.

DJ: Frances Ambler and the dads of The Simple Things team.

Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

In playlist Tags issue 108, playlist, father's day, dads
1 Comment
Playlist.JPG

Playlist | How does Your Garden Grow?

Iona Bower April 15, 2021

“Hello sunshine
So glad to see you sunshine
Hello sunshine
It’s been dark for a very long time”

A bit of sunshine, a bit of rain and a lot of love. Hear the playlist here

DJ: FRANCES AMBLER

In playlist Tags issue 107, April, playlist, gardens
Comment
April playlist.JPG

Playlist | A Breath of Fresh Air

Iona Bower March 18, 2021

Songs that bring a bit of spring breeze to your day. Stop, look and listen here.

“Here comes the breeze
Come on blow me out”

Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

More of our playlists…

Featured
April Get Lucky playst.png
Mar 18, 2026
Playlist | Get Lucky
Mar 18, 2026
Mar 18, 2026
Screenshot 2026-02-20 at 17.19.34.png
Feb 20, 2026
Playlist | Mothers
Feb 20, 2026
Feb 20, 2026
Feb playlist.png
Jan 21, 2026
Playlist | Carnival!
Jan 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026
In playlist Tags issue 106, April, breeze, fresh air, spring, playlist
Comment
March playlist.JPG

Playlist | Vardrypp

Iona Bower February 18, 2021

This playlist is compiled by Norwegian reader Katrine Wang. The direct translation of ‘vårdrypp’ is spring (vår) drip (drypp), meaning “the dripping from the roofs when snow is melting in spring.” This melting begins in March across Norway.

Stop, look and listen here.

Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

More Simple Things playlists…

Featured
April Get Lucky playst.png
Mar 18, 2026
Playlist | Get Lucky
Mar 18, 2026
Mar 18, 2026
Screenshot 2026-02-20 at 17.19.34.png
Feb 20, 2026
Playlist | Mothers
Feb 20, 2026
Feb 20, 2026
Feb playlist.png
Jan 21, 2026
Playlist | Carnival!
Jan 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026
In playlist Tags playlist, Playlist, vardrypp, Scandi, March, spring, thaw, issue 105
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Playlist heart.JPG

Playlist | Heart

Iona Bower January 21, 2021

“Something’s gotten hold of my heart, Keeping my soul and my senses apart”

Listen here.

More from our February issue…

Featured
Back page.JPG
Feb 23, 2021
February | a final thought
Feb 23, 2021
Feb 23, 2021
Prawn Toasts Catherine Frawley.JPG
Feb 9, 2021
Recipe | Sesame Prawn Toasts
Feb 9, 2021
Feb 9, 2021
Bodkincreates.jpg
Feb 3, 2021
Where to buy | espresso cups like the ones on our February cover
Feb 3, 2021
Feb 3, 2021

More of our playlists…

Featured
April Get Lucky playst.png
Mar 18, 2026
Playlist | Get Lucky
Mar 18, 2026
Mar 18, 2026
Screenshot 2026-02-20 at 17.19.34.png
Feb 20, 2026
Playlist | Mothers
Feb 20, 2026
Feb 20, 2026
Feb playlist.png
Jan 21, 2026
Playlist | Carnival!
Jan 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026
In playlist Tags issue 104, Issue 104, playlist, love
Comment
Playlist europe.JPG

Playlist | European sounds

Iona Bower December 10, 2020

Book your seat on the Trans-Europe Express for an audio trip around our neighbours.

Listen here.


More music to your ears from our playlists…

Featured
April Get Lucky playst.png
Mar 18, 2026
Playlist | Get Lucky
Mar 18, 2026
Mar 18, 2026
Screenshot 2026-02-20 at 17.19.34.png
Feb 20, 2026
Playlist | Mothers
Feb 20, 2026
Feb 20, 2026
Feb playlist.png
Jan 21, 2026
Playlist | Carnival!
Jan 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026

More from our January issue…

Featured
Back cover.JPG
Jan 27, 2021
January | a final thought
Jan 27, 2021
Jan 27, 2021
Seaweed alamy.jpg
Jan 16, 2021
Nature | Seaweed Weather Forecasting
Jan 16, 2021
Jan 16, 2021
Tinker and Fix_June20_114.jpg
Jan 12, 2021
Organise | an excellent toolbox
Jan 12, 2021
Jan 12, 2021


In playlist Tags issue 103, Issue 103, January, Europe, playlist
Comment
Dec Playlist.JPG

Playlist | A Christmas Gift

Iona Bower November 12, 2020

Listen here

I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need…

Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

In playlist Tags playlist, gifts, presents, Issue 102, christmas playlist
1 Comment
Oct Playlist.JPG

Playlist | Simple Favourites

Iona Bower September 17, 2020


To mark our 100th issue, this month’s playlist comprises our favourite songs released since the first issue of The Simple Things, back in October 2012 .

Listen here.

Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

More playlists…

Featured
April Get Lucky playst.png
Mar 18, 2026
Playlist | Get Lucky
Mar 18, 2026
Mar 18, 2026
Screenshot 2026-02-20 at 17.19.34.png
Feb 20, 2026
Playlist | Mothers
Feb 20, 2026
Feb 20, 2026
Feb playlist.png
Jan 21, 2026
Playlist | Carnival!
Jan 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026

More from our October issue…

Featured
QA_-39.jpg
Oct 13, 2020
Competition | Win a £300 skincare treat
Oct 13, 2020
Oct 13, 2020
Toadstools.jpg
Oct 13, 2020
Nature studies | Fly Agaric Toadstools
Oct 13, 2020
Oct 13, 2020
Beetroot Chocolate Cake.jpg
Oct 10, 2020
Cake facts | root veg baking
Oct 10, 2020
Oct 10, 2020
In playlist Tags issue 100, playlist, Issue 100
Comment
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Featured
 APRIL ISSUE   Buy  ,   download  or  subscribe   Pre-order a copy of  our new Homebird bookazine   Buy  Flourish Volume 4 , our wellbeing bookazine Order our  our new Celebrations Anthology   See the sample of our latest issue  here   Listen to  our
Feb 27, 2026
Feb 27, 2026

APRIL ISSUE

Buy, download or subscribe

Pre-order a copy of our new Homebird bookazine

Buy Flourish Volume 4, our wellbeing bookazine
Order our our new Celebrations Anthology

See the sample of our latest issue here

Listen to our podcast – Small Ways to Live Well

Feb 27, 2026
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The Simple Things is published by Iceberg Press

The Simple Things

Taking time to live well

We celebrate slowing down, enjoying what you have, making the most of where you live, enjoying the company of of friends and family, and feeding them well. We like to grow some of our own vegetables, visit local markets, rummage for vintage finds, and decorate our home with the plunder. We love being outdoors and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with a job well done.

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