Sponsored Post | Q&A with Gudrun Sjoden

With a big celebration in the pipeline, we catch up with Gudrun Sjödén, queen of colour, quirk and individuality, to discover what keeps her inspired after fifty years at the helm of her own brand

Welcome Gudrun, we hear you’re in celebratory mood…

Absolutely! We’re celebrating fifty amazing years of creativity! That’s half a century of designing clothes for women who are not afraid to stand out from the crowd.

That’s incredible. How did it all start?

I’ve always been fascinated by clothes. While studying at Stockholm’s University College of Arts, Crafts and Design, there was a strong focus on textile handicrafts, which had a huge impression on me and shaped my creative style. My first job was in classic tailoring, however, it was the late Sixties and fashions were cutting-edge, innovative and fun – I was itching to get out there and make my own mark on the industry.

In 1974, I registered the Gudrun Sjödén trademark and created my first collection – active leisure wear in natural materials. It was such an adventure! Two years later, I opened my first store in Stockholm and things took off from there.

Your designs are so distinctive, what inspires you?

I’ve always been inspired by my heritage and my travels, whether it’s traditional Nordic folk art, the natural hues of the Swedish countryside or the richer, more jewel-like tones of places such as Morocco. I see my collections as a love letter to colour.

I love contrasts and surprising combinations – nothing run-of-the-mill – simply functional, multi-seasonal pieces that are flattering for all ages and all figures. However, what I love the most is meeting customers who are so enthusiastic, they’re a huge driving force for me.

You clearly love what you do. What drives you on?

Creating sustainable, eco-friendly clothes is our main focus and at the core of everything we do. At Gudrun Sjödén, we believe that the first step in minimising the adverse environmental impact on humanity is to reduce consumption, so all of our made-to-last designs are intended to be worn until threadbare. They’re heirloom pieces that should be passed on from generation to generation for a new lease of life with every new owner.

Inspiring stuff. What achievements really stand out for you?

We’ve been using organic cotton – my favourite fibre – for almost three decades now. We established a working relationship with a supplier in Northern Greece back in the 1990s and have been growing together ever since. In fact, as part of our commitment to better environmental practices, our supplier switched to new machines and the cotton farmer switched to new crops – a process that takes three years. We’re always looking to reduce our carbon footprint in everything that we do. Where possible, we recycle and have reduced the use of plastic and packaging, we use chlorine-free paper in all our printed materials, and we opt for sea or rail transportation rather than air or road for our garment shipments. Gudrun Sjödén has also supported our suppliers to establish water-saving digital printing techniques in order to produce our colour-rich classics, without ever compromising on quality.

What a breath of fresh air! So, back to your anniversary plans…

We recently held an interactive exhibition in Stockholm, charting our journey from the very beginning, and there will undoubtedly be lots more celebrations to come throughout the year, with plenty of colour. As with everything, my aim is to spread joy and to add fun and sparkle to everyday life.

For more information and inspiration, visit gudrunsjoden.com and follow at: @gudrunsjoden.ldn

Playlist | Jewels

Shimmer and shine, glinting and gleaming, our latest playlist celebrates jewels, jewellery and precious metals – you can have a listen here.

It’s taken from our November JEWEL issue, which is on sale from 31 October. Order a copy in the Pics and Ink shop.

Wellbeing | Feeding the Mind

Supporting your gut microbiome will provide your brain with the nutrients it needs to function well, enabling you to think faster and clearer.

Studies have shown links between higher levels of good bacteria and improvement in learning new information and problem solving. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine are produced in the gut to help with digestive function while also having an indirect effect on the part of the brain that influences mood, appetite and energy.

“The focus is shifting from the brain to the gut as we learn that it’s not just about how our brain affects our body but how our gut can,” says Dr Emily Leeming, dietitian, microbiome scientist and author of new book Genius Gut. “There’s a growing understanding of how important the gut-brain connection is in health and disease, where disruptions in the gut can manifest as symptoms in the brain and vice versa.” For example, 80% of people with Parkinson’s disease also have constipation, a symptom which can appear as much as 20 years earlier than other warning signs.

The simplest and most effective way to ensure a healthy microbiome is to feed your gut with more of the foods that it loves and less of those that can deplete the good bacteria. A healthy microbiome isn’t about “a specific nutrient or individual meal or weekend reset, but thinking about the bigger picture and a way of eating that you can sustain,” says Emily. It’s about eating more of the good stuff and reducing the less good, ideally without rules or restrictions.

This extract is from our feature ‘Inside Out’ from our October issue, in which Rebecca Frank looks into the ways in which helping our digestion can improve our wellbeing.

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

More ways to improve your wellbeing…

More from our October issue…

Lessons | From Nigella

We can hardly begin to count the excellent lessons we have learned over the years from Nigella Lawson. Here we’ve compiled just a few of our favourites. 

Nigella on life’s simple things

“Good food doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest dishes are the most satisfying.”

Nigella on chicken

“You could probably get through life without knowing how to roast a chicken, but the question is, would you want to?”

Nigella on peeling beetroot

“Wear gloves when peeling a roasted beet unless you want more than a touch of the Lady Macbeths”

Nigella on custard

“Custard should be firm but not immobile; when you press it with your fingers, it should have a little wobble still within. Soft, warm and voluptuous - like an 18th century courtesan's inner thigh.”

Nigella on being a domestic goddess

"Sometimes...we don't want to feel like a postmodern, postfeminist, overstretched woman but, rather, a domestic goddess, trailing nutmeggy fumes of baking pie in our languorous wake."

Nigella on her ham in Coca Cola recipe

“Only those who have never tried this raise an eyebrow at the idea. Don't hesitate, don't be anxious: this really works. No one who cooks it, cooks it just once: it always earns a place in every repertoire.” Ham in Coca  Cola

Nigella on keeping dinner parties fun

“Tension translates to your guests. They'll have a much better time having chilli and baked potatoes than they would if you did roast duck with a wild cherry sauce and then had to lie down and cry for a while.”

Nigella on her Naan Pizza

“I beg you to keep the wherewithal for this fantastic instant snack-cum-supper in your storecupboard. It's a lifesaver! All I feel strongly is that while shop-bought pizzas are vile, packet naans, when heated, are not.” Naan Pizza

Nigella on cooking

“I don't believe you can ever really cook unless you love eating.”

Nigella on Fondue

“I don't suppose this is ever going to win plaudits from the World Health Organisation, but a cheese fondue is surely the stuff of dreams. On the plus side, health-wise, I love it best with radishes, chicory, spears of radicchio and carrots dipped in, but I don't know why I am trying to engage with that particular argument.Make a vat of this, and supply nothing other than fruit afterwards or, at most, a little palate-tickling sorbet.” 

In our October issue, we remember domestic goddesses from across the years in our feature ‘Household Names’ which starts on page 88. 

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

More ways to be a domestic goddess…

More from our October issue…

Recipe | Rainbow Minestrone Soup with Basil Mayo Topping

A soup to make when you think there is no food in the house. This simple bowl of veg and pasta is a vibrant creation that brings new life to everyday cupboard ingredients.

Serves 2

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
½ carrot, diced
1 small red onion, diced
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tin of top-quality finely chopped tomatoes
75g soup pasta
75g frozen sweetcorn
75g frozen peas
2 tbsp top-quality mayonnaise
2 tbsp plain yogurt
1 tbsp basil, torn

1 Warm the oil in a saucepan over a medium-low heat, then add the carrot, onion and a pinch of salt, and fry gently for 10 mins until soft. Add the garlic for the final 2 mins.

2 Add the tinned tomatoes. Fill the empty tin half-full with hot water and add that to the pan. Turn the heat up and, once boiling, add the pasta and cook for 5 mins. Add the sweetcorn and peas for 1-2 mins, then check the seasoning. Remove from the heat.

3 Mix the mayonnaise, yogurt and basil together. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with a dollop of the sauce and parsley, if you have it.

This recipe is from our feature ‘Souper Foods’ from our October issue, which includes recipes for lots of delicious soups, with tasty toppings. The recipes are by Kathy Slack and the photography by Kirstie Young.

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

More soups to warm your cockles…

More from our October issue…

Competition | Win a Unique Hideaways Escape

Win a £500 voucher for a unique getaway in the UK

Are you seeking a break from the everyday? At Unique Hideaways, you’ll find a luxury collection of glamping retreats beckoning with dream escapes in the wild and soothing cradle of nature. Simply enter our competition for your chance to win a £500 voucher to spend on your hideaway of choice…

Wild escapism and unique moments

Promising the deepest comforts while life settles into a relaxed rhythm with nature, glamping with Unique Hideaways promises a welcome haven in which to unwind. Coveting quiet corners of forested swathes, perching on romantic clifftop crowns, and basking beside glassy, sun-kissed lakes, each hideaway is crafted for wild yet luxurious escapism.

Select your dream spot across hidden corners of the UK and fill your days in ways that speak to the soul. Be it moments enveloped in a cloud-soft duvet and the crisp pages of a book, reclining on a private deck under dappled sunlight with a glass in hand, or tracing trails past rolling oceans and wildflower fields, inspiration awaits at every turn.

Luxury hideaways, every season

From the blooms of spring and golden sun of summer to the auburn hues of autumn and the frost-cloaked scenes of winter, adventure awaits throughout the year with Unique Hideaways.

Seek seaside sanctuary during a mid-summer sojourn, waking up to freshly brewed coffee and the call of the ocean for invigorating dips. Or, embrace a winter’s tale in the mountains and luxuriate in a private idyll, breathing the exhilarating air before warming to the tune of an open wood fire or alfresco hot tub under a starlit sky. With a wide range of luxury glamping abodes, from treetop retreats to cosy cabins to peaceful yurts, year-round escapes beckon the wild at heart.

Selecting your hideaway…

From floating houseboats moored on private banks to tree houses with alfresco bathtubs, to quiet country cabins warmed by wood burners and framed by rolling fields, Unique Hideaways has a range of retreats. Just perfect for romantic breaks, dog-friendly sojourns, and getaways with family and friends, each one paints an idyllic portrait to let your mind and feet run wild and free.

How to enter

Simply click the entry button and answer the question below.

Q: Unique Hideaways Escapes can be found within corners of where?

Terms & Conditions

Entries close at midnight on 13 November 2024. One winner will be selected at random from all entries received and notified soon after. The winner will win a voucher worth £500 to put towards their stay at a Unique hideaway. If the cost of the stay you choose exceeds £500 the winner will have to cover the extra cost. Vouchers are subject to standard terms & conditions. Please ignore and report any fake accounts claiming to be Unique Hideaways. Any accounts that contact you other than marketing@uniquehideaways.com are spam.
You’ll find our full competition terms and conditions at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Rituals | Closing the Front Door

Photograph by Elizabeth Doupnik @homeinthehemlocks

Coming home is always lovely, but taking a moment to truly appreciate it can make shutting the door on life outside one of the day’s simple pleasures

On autumn evenings, when it’s dark early, and particularly on days when the wind is up and squally showers are about, there’s nothing like the feeling of stepping inside your hallway and closing the door on the world. 

Plenty of us take five minutes to do some stretches or a meditation in the morning, or to say a prayer or write in a gratitude journal last thing at night. Maybe you even make the most of your lunchbreak by taking a moment in the garden or reading a book… We think That Moment When You Close The Front Door should be one of those milestone moments in a day, too. 

Perhaps you’ve just returned from a long day at work? Maybe you only went out for a run or took the dog for a walk? But when you get home there’s nothing like stepping into the warm and kicking off your shoes, is there? It’s a bit like the moment you get into clean sheets, or take off an uncomfortable bra and fling it in the laundry (if you know, you know). So why let that moment fade and plunge headlong back into your day? 

Before you shout ‘hellooo?’, start unloading the dishwasher or rummaging in the freezer, take a moment to take a deep breath and welcome yourself home properly. We’re all guilty of forgetting sometimes what a privilege it is to have a roof over our heads; this is your opportunity each day to thank yourself for that. 

Take off your coat and shoes, put them away carefully and reach for something more comfortable for your feet. Put on the lights in the nearby rooms. No, not the overhead ones - the ‘good’ lights; the ones that glow gently in the corners. Then draw the curtains so you’re cocooned in your own kingdom. 

Have a ‘shutting the front door ritual’. Light a scented candle if you like or spritz the room with something warming and autumnal and sit down. If space allows, no hallway should be without a Comfy Chair but if not, step into the next room or even just sit on the bottom stairs. Maybe put some gentle music on and spend a few minutes just decompressing or reading a chapter of a book to get you back into ‘home mode’. You could spend it stroking a pet - as long as they’re not going to harrass you to be fed immediately. Whatever you do, don’t make to-do lists in your head or think about the evening’s chores just yet; there’s plenty of time. 

The front door is closed, the world is shut out, you are mistress of your own kingdom. Welcome home, again. 

If you’d like more inspiration for making your hallway a welcoming place, don’t miss our ‘My Place’ pages in our October issue, which this month is on hallways, and includes this lovely space belonging to Elizabeth Doupnik.

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

More ways to enjoy your home more…

More from our blog…

How to | Stock a Storecupboard

While humans can’t hibernate (NASA are working on it), some store cupboard friends can see you through the winter

Stow somewhere cool & dry:
Squash: If kept airy with no bananas, should last to March.
Garlic: As above – not breaking up the bulbs helps longevity.
Potatoes: Pop into the dark for three months of spuds.
Tins (if not dented): ‘Low acid’ contents will last longer, for example, not tinned fruit.
Spices: Ground keep for up to 3 years and whole spices for 5.

Stow somewhere cool, dry – and in an airtight container:
Nuts: Varies by type, reckon on them keeping for 6–9 months.
Rice: The brown type will keep through to spring, while white can last for up to 30 years.
Beans: Tinned beans are fine; dry beans do a whole year.
Beverages: Loose tea keeps longer than bags, but coffee beans (not ground) last for up to 6 months, even when open.
Chocolate: Good news! Solid milk chocolate copes for up to a year, and dark for double that.

The big freeze:
Things last almost forever in the freezer, but suffer taste-wise. Think 3 months for curries, soups and stews, 6 for uncooked meat, 8 for baked goods. Low-water content veg (for example, not the likes of celery) is good for around a year.

The miracle workers:
Honey: The natural stuff is low water/high acidity, a sweet spot meaning it won’t go off. Can use in treating wounds.
Salt: If not ionised, lasts just about forever. Helpful for a saltwater gargle, too.
Spirits: The high alcohol keeps it from going off if unopened: it’ll keep into spring, if you dip in.

This feature is from our October Miscellany where you’ll find lots more seasonal ideas each month.

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

More storecupboard recipes…

More from our blog…

Recipe | Apple & Cinnamon Rose Cake

Pretty as the flower, this tastes and smells like autumn. An extra pat on the back for hand-picked apples.

Serves 8-12

For the apple topping:
50g unsalted butter
4 tbsp soft brown sugar
4 apples, washed, cored and finely sliced
Juice of 1 lemon

For the cake:
280g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
100g unsalted butter at room temp
100g caster sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon
100ml milk
1 apple, washed, cored and grated
1 tsp ground cinnamon, plus ¼ tsp to sprinkle on the top~
1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1 tbsp sieved icing sugar to decorate

1 Start by making the topping. In a large saucepan, heat the butter and brown sugar for a few minutes, stirring until melted. Add the apple slices and the lemon juice, and heat for a few minutes until the apple slices start to soften. Set aside.

2Preheat the oven to 190C/Fan 170C/Gas 5 and grease a 25cm cake tin.

3 In a large bowl, stir together the flour, a pinch of salt and the baking powder.

4 In a stand mixer, whisk 100g butter and the caster sugar until blended. Add the eggs, vanilla extract and lemon zest, and continue mixing until the mixture is smooth. Add the milk and blend until combined.

5 Add the dry ingredients slowly to the mixer on a slow speed. Stir the grated apple into the mixture along with the cinnamon before adding to the greased cake tin. Tap the tin to

level the mixture.

6 Take your bowl of preprepared apple slices and lay them in an overlapping circle on top of the mixture, with the sliced edge facing down into the batter. Sieve a ¼ tsp of ground cinnamon on top.

7 Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes. Test it is baked by putting a metal skewer into the middle; it should come out clean. Grate the nutmeg over the cake and sieve the icing sugar on top too.

This recipe is taken from our feature ‘Life is Brewtiful’ from our October issue, a menu designed for an autumnal late afternoon tea. It also includes recipes for Ginger Fizz, Pear & Cheese Toasties, Smoked Fish & Kale Quiche, Parmesan & Chive Savoury Scones, Spiced Autumn Tea and Spiced Biscuits. The recipes are devised and styled by Kay Prestney and photographed by Rebecca Lewis.

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

More apple inspiration…

More from our blog…

How To | Launch Your Own Tiny Magazine

If you’ve ever flicked through a copy of The Simple Things and thought that we must have a lot of fun making an independent magazine, you’d be absolutely right. Here’s how you can have a slice of the fun yourself by creating a ‘mini’ magazine of your very own.

A ‘zine’ (pronounced ‘zeen’) is a magazine in a very small format that you can unfold to photocopy and then distribute within your community, whether that’s your church, school or a gang of your friends. They began back in the 1930s when people produced their own science fiction fanzines (or ‘zines’, for short) to share with other fans. They’ve had many resurgences over the years, with political zines being published in the 1960s and cultural ones during the punk era of the 80s. Whatever your interest, there will have been a zine for it at some point and if not - you can make your own! Here’s how:

1. Decide on a theme for your zine. It could be for a local community group, it could be self-published poetry, or just something very niche… recipes for brownies? Portraits of your neighbourhood’s cats? An illustration of the life cycle of a hawk moth? It’s all up to you. You’ll want to give it a name, too.

2. Decide whether you need to assemble a team of mates to help or if this is a solo project, and then get people on board or simply stock up on coffee and good biscuits before going it alone. 

3. Make your original zine. There are several formats you can use but the easiest is the eight-page zine. You can search instructions on how to do the folds for an eight-page zine online. There are several on YouTube or try ‘How To Make a Zine’ on Mymodernet.com. Make the folds first and number the pages, then you can flatten it out again to write or draw on each page. You will need to make one snip between pages 3 and 8 or 4 and 7. 

4. Design your cover on page one and your back cover on page eight, then fill the remaining pages with your content. Don’t forget you can stick in photos and blocks of text, use calligraphy or other images. It just needs to be clear enough to read when photocopied.

5. Unfold and flatten out your zine, photocopy as many copies as you need and then fold them all in the same way as you folded and snipped your original. 

6. Sell, give away or foist your indie zine upon friends, family and unsuspecting locals. 

If you’re already feeling inspired, don’t miss our My Living feature in the September issue, which is all about producers of indie mags. And if you’re looking for more indie mags to read yourself, you can always find plenty of them on our sister site Pics & Ink where you can buy mags on every subject imaginable, from adventure and travel to food and drink to film and music. Head to picsandink.com to have a browse.

More from our September issue…

More things to make with paper…

Sponsored Post | Burning Ambitions with Charnwood

As the days cool down, it’s time to warm up your evenings with Charnwood’s classic range of wood-burning stoves

With autumn setting in, there’s a definite chill in the air and thoughts inevitably turn to cosy evenings indoors. If snuggling in front of flickering flames, cuppa or glass of wine in hand, sounds like heaven, Charnwood may have the answer.

Proudly made in Britain for over 50 years, Charnwood stoves are designed and crafted on the Isle of Wight and are ideal for both urban and rural living, bringing warmth and comfort to any home. Meticulously constructed from cast iron and plate steel, their timeless designs feature ceramic-glass picture windows, so you can enjoy a mesmerising view of the blazing fire within.

A smart and practical option for the environmentally conscious, Charnwood stoves are designed to burn sustainable local wood and nearly all models have earned a five-star Clear Skies rating, releasing minimal emissions and particulates while maximising efficiency. They also meet strict European regulations.

Furthermore, they provide an independent heat source for those in-between months when you’re not quite ready to flick the central heating back on, and their enduring appeal undoubtedly has a positive impact on wellbeing and mental health. After all, who could fail to enjoy a toasty evening in front of their warm glow?

Choose from Charnwood’s manually operated stoves or the new automatic Skye E700, where all you need to do is load, light and shut the door. The app-controlled intelligent tech does the rest! So make yourself a drink, grab a good book and settle in for a cosy evening.

For more information and inspiration, visit charnwood.com or follow on Instagram at: @charnwoodstoves

Make | A Macrame Dog Lead

Give your pup some extra flair while keeping them safe and secure on walks. If you’re looking for a project where you can comfortably sit while working, this is a great one to tackle.  

You will need: 

14.6m of 5mm braided cotton cord in off-white/natural color 

13.4m of 5mm braided cotton cord in color of your choice  

Swivel snap hook (approximately 70mm long) – we got ours from trimmingshop.co.uk 

Clipboard 

Measuring tape 

Scissors 

Cut List: 

1 x 13.4m long, of 5mm braided cotton cord in Mustard Yellow (or color of your choice) 

1 x 13.4m long, of 5mm braided cotton cord in off-white/natural color 

1 x 122cm long, of 5mm braided cotton cord in off-white/natural color 

1 Attach the snap hook to a clip board. Take the 13.4m piece of colored cord and use the Bundling Cord technique to bundle up one end until there is about 3m of cord remaining. Measure 2.4m from the remaining end, and fold the cord in half at that point. Create a Reverse Lark’s Head Knot around your snap hook, ensuring that the bundled end is on the outside of your snap hook and the 2.4m end is on the inside. 

2 Repeat step 1 with the 13.4m length of off-white cord. Make sure that when attaching to the snap hook, the shorter ends of both pieces of cord are in the center. These two cords will be our filler cords for the entire project. 

3 Take the left cord and create a loose “4” shape over the second cord. Wrap it behind that cord, and pull the bundle through the loop created. Tighten this knot so it sits right below the Reverse Lark’s Head Knots created in steps 1 and 2. 

4 Repeat by creating a loose “4” shape again with that same cord, but this time cross it over both center cords, wrap it behind these two center cords and pull the bundle through the loop created. Tighten to the knot above. 

5 Repeat steps 3 and 4, but this time create a loose backward “4” shape with your farthest right cord. Take the right cord and cross it over the cord closest to it. Wrap it behind that cord, pull the bundle through the loop created and tighten. Do the same with both center cords just as you did on the left. 

6 Continue this pattern by alternating the left cord and the right cord as your working cords all the way down for 1.5m. Adjust the lead on your clipboard as necessary. Pull cord from each bundle as needed so you have a comfortable amount of cord to work with. 

7 Once this first section of knots measures at 1.5m in length, it is time to create the handle of your leash. Measure 5cm down from your last knot and create a Square Knot using the same working cords. From there, continue making Square Knots until this section of Square Knots measures 38cm in length. 

8 Remove the leash from the clipboard and fold this section of Square Knots in half. You will see the handle start to form. 

9 Take the two filler cords and feed them through the center of the 5cm opening you created. 

10 Using your working cords, create Square Knots around all six cords until you hit the section of knots below. 

11 Take the 122cm three-strand off-white piece of cord and tie a Gathering Knot around this most recent section of Square Knots. 

12 Make sure this knot is nice and tight! Once you feel it is secure, cut off all the ends as close to the Gathering Knot as possible. You can also use the tip of your scissors to help push any excess ends into your Gathering Knot for a cleaner look. 

 You can find more instructions on how to create all these knots in our October issue, where you can also find instructions on how to make a macrame plant pot holder.

Taken from The Complete Beginner’s Guide To Macramé by Alisha Ing (Page Street Publishing)

More from our blog…

More things to make…

Playlist | Night-walking

DJ: Dan Richards
Image: Vanessa Grzywacz

In our October WEAVE issue, Dan Richards takes us along on a night walk through Wigtown. He’s shared a taster of his soundtrack with us: you can take a listen here.

Sponsored Post | Works a Treat with Blackdown

Enjoy a special place to work, create and be inspired with a Blackdown Meridian
Workspace Hut

When the busy demands of the day are overwhelming and the noise around us is that little bit too much, we all dream of a place we can escape to and call our own. 

If, on top of that, you’re also trying to work, balancing your laptop on the end of the kitchen table while chaos prevails everywhere you turn, the need for your own escape space – somewhere you can concentrate, be inspired or just answer those urgent emails – becomes even more pressing. 

If this is you, the solution is a Blackdown Meridian Workspace Hut, a well-appointed and individually designed office or studio in your garden – a place that is at once an escape, a place to work in peace and a home away from home.

Meridians are imaginary lines that divide the Earth and, in Chinese medicine, energy pathways in the body. Taking inspiration from them, as well as a desire to create spaces that work for their customers, Blackdown’s bespoke built offices offer a working area with all the necessary features and fittings – such as a fall-and-rise desk and an Everhot electric stove – and luxuriously cushioned seating that’s ideal for taking time to be inspired by the natural world outside, viewed through the full-width glazed windows. Work and play in perfect alignment.

With the option to add a security and lighting pack, a hospitality pack (including a Quooker tap and coffee machine), an entertainment pack, a bathroom module and even a wall bed, your escape space can be as individual as you are.

So, whether it’s a yoga studio with minimal interiors or a bright, expertly outfitted workspace where you can add all the extras required to get the job done, Blackdown has a beautifully styled interior to fit your needs. 

For more information and inspiration, visit blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk, or follow on Instagram at: @blackdownshepherdhuts.

Competition | Win Seasonal Soups (plus a microwave to heat them up)

HungryHead soups are packed with flavour and are ready to enjoy in just a minute

With the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding time to enjoy a delicious, wholesome meal can be a challenge, let alone making every meal from scratch. But thanks to HungryHeads, you can now savour stunning soups in no time at all.

To celebrate the launch of its new range, HungryHeads is inviting readers of The Simple Things the chance to win a microwave that’s packed with rich servings of SoupHead meals to keep you warm in the cold months to come, plus two additional meal bundles to give you even more bowl-ready options. In total, the prize is worth more than £200.

The SoupHead range is made up of five sensational flavours – vegetable and sweetcorn, tom yum, yunan congee, hot and sour, and tom kha gai. The winner will be well stocked up with Asian-inspired, flavour-packed meals that you can have piping hot on the table in 60 seconds. They’re just what you need to keep you well fed during your busy day.

SoupHead is just one of the tantalising varieties available. NoodleHead, PastaHead, Mac ’n’ CheeseHead and RamenHead ensure that whatever else you’re in the mood for – a hearty noodle dish, a pack-a-punch pasta, a cheesy pleasure or a soothing ramen – HungryHeads will fill you up.

Find HungryHeads in Tesco. Discover more at thehungryheads.com/noodlehead and follow on Instagram @Be_a_noodlehead

How to enter

For your chance to win a microwave and range of soups, enter our competition by clicking the button and answering the question below by the closing date of 13 November 2024.

Q: How many flavours make up the SoupHead range?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 13 November 2024. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Competition | Win One.World for your Home

This season, design and create a warm, elegant and truly personal living space with One.World’s range of stylish furniture and homewares

As the seasons shift, it’s the ideal opportunity to update your living space. One.World is inviting readers of The Simple Things to embrace the changing seasons with a chance to win £500 to spend on its thoughtfully curated collection of furniture, lighting and homewares. Known for its distinctive designs, craftsmanship and accessible pricing, One.World has been transforming interiors since 1990.

A home that’s both functional and stylish is key to comfortable living. As autumn sets in, create a cosy retreat in which to unwind.Begin with a colour palette that resonates with you. Then, identify a central element, whether it’s a fireplace, a piece of furniture or an eye-catching piece of artwork. Design your room around this focal point to create a sense of balance. One.World’s sought-after Monomoy collection, with its classic design and practicality, is the ideal candidate for such a centrepiece. While its new Livingston collection, handwoven from cane by skilled artisans in Malawi, adds a natural elegance to your room.

Introduce textures and pattern to add dimension. Lighting is crucial for setting the right mood, so incorporate a mix of options, such as table lamps, floor lamps and ceiling lights, to ensure a warm and inviting space. For example, the bold, chunky glass designs of One.World’s new Da Gama pendant lighting range bring a contemporary flair to any room.

Adding plants and flowers can add a burst of life and colour, while details such as rugs, mirrors, cushions, throws and decorative items add the finishing touches that make your home a place of pride and relaxation after a busy day.

For more information, visit one.world

How to enter

For your chance to win a £500 voucher to spend at One.World, enter our competition by clicking the button and answering the question below by the closing date of 13 November 2024.

Q For how long has One.World been transforming interiors?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 13 November 2024. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at: icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

10 Reasons | To Live on an Island

If, post holidays, you have a yearning to throw it all in and head off to live on island, well, we wouldn’t blame you one bit. Here are just a few reasons why island life is the best life - and a few things to bear in mind before you board the ferry.

1.  You’re never far from a sea view. It might sound obvious but one of the best parts of island life is making the coast part of your everyday routine. Have a run on the beach each morning, walk the dog along the shoreline in the evenings, or make an event of your lunchtime sarnie by enjoying it while listening to the waves. You never get bored of it. 

2. You’ll notice the seasons more. The weather tends to be a little bit ‘extra’ on islands. When the wind gets up you really feel it and a sunny day feels that little bit brighter. 

3. You appreciate the small things on an island. When you understand that nearly everything you buy has made its last journey by boat to your shores, it gives you a greater appreciation for the simple things. Your teabag for your cuppa may have come all the way from Yorkshire but then it made the brave journey across the waves just for you. It’s enough to make you quite emotional.

4. You use local products and services more because everyone likes to support other islanders. Discovering a cheese or gin or chocolate made so close to home is VERY exciting. 

5. You can feel a bit smug about actually understanding the Shipping Forecast on Radio 4. Or at least can point out the names on a map. 

6. You will soon move on to ‘Island Time’. Forget BST and GMT; island time is simply S-L-O-W-E-R and it’s a wonderful way to live. 

7. In times of crisis, you feel just a little bit safer and sheltered, cocooned in your community. 

8. Long commutes are a thing of the past. And the nearest you’ll get to a traffic jam is the queue for the ferry when you visit the mainland. 

9. You’ll get to know your neighbours quickly. Yes, everyone DOES know everyone else’s business, but that usually means everyone is happy to help when needed, too. 

10. In summer, you can bask in the glory of being a Proper Islander rather than Just A Tourist, and in winter you can glorify in knowing that really this is the BEST time of year. The island is quieter, the tourists have gone home and now the fun can really begin. 

And a few things to think about before you take the plunge…

1. You’re always just a bit behind. You might not get to see the latest art exhibitions or films for months after anyone else or have to go to the mainland for them. But the local exhibitions and Friday Film Nights in the village hall go a long way to making up for that. 

2. You can feel isolated at times. You can’t ‘just pop over’ to a friend or relative if they’re on the mainland. You’re at the mercy of ferry timetables, wind speed etc. On the other hand… you can’t be surprised by unexpected visitors either. 

3. Shopping is very much limited. Your days of wandering the shops trying on shoes will be gone. But the internet does at least mean you won’t miss out completely. You just might have to wait for your parcels to arrive by boat. And arguably the wait makes the moment of ripping the box open all the sweeter. 

4. Infrastructure is a bit more… shall we say ‘rustic’? Be prepared for more power outs and black outs than you are used to. But it’s always a good excuse to light a fire and get the candles out. 

If you like the thought of becoming an islander yourself, don’t miss our ‘My Neighbourhood’ feature in our September issue, in which we visit the Isle of Wight, as pictured above by Holly Joliffe.

More from our September issue…

More Island Fun…

Cake | Sweet Potato & Chocolate Loaf

Otherwise known as Torta Do Patata Dolce e Cioccolato, this simple Italian loaf cake with added veg is great for a teatime snack or for breakfast with a strong coffee

Serves 6-8

1 large sweet potato (approx. 300g)
3 eggs
150g caster sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
150g butter, melted
225g 00 flour, sifted
16g baking powder (we used a 16g sachet of Paneangeli baking powder)
60g dark chocolate, finely chopped

1 Preheat the oven to 180C/Fan 160C/ Gas 4 and line a 900g loaf tin with baking paper.

2 Start by cooking the sweet potato. Either bake it whole in its skin in the oven for about 50 mins, or bring a pot of water to the boil and cook it for about 40 mins until tender. Alternatively, for speed, you can peel it, chop it into small chunks and place in a bowl with about a tablespoon of water, then microwave it for about 8 mins until tender. Once cooked, mash the potato, then set aside.

3 Meanwhile, place the eggs and sugar in a bowl and beat until creamy and fluffy. Gradually whisk in the mashed sweet potato, the lemon zest and melted butter until well incorporated, then fold in the flour, baking powder and chopped chocolate.

4 Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf tin and bake in the oven for about 50 mins, or until well risen and golden on top. Leave to cool in the tin, then carefully remove, slice and serve.

This recipe featured in our September issue and was taken from Gennaro’s Verdure: Big And Bold Italian Recipes To Pack Your Plate With Veg by Gennaro Contaldo (Pavilion Books) Photography: David Loftus

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

More from our September issue…

More cakes to bake…

Think | Memories of School PE

Whether we were Sporty Susies or, erm… Last-To-Be-Picked Lucys, all of us have a strong memory or two of PE at school. Here some of the Simple Things’ team share theirs

“I'm weirdly nostalgic about musty smelling netball bibs even though they would only let me play wing defence and still shout 'pivot, pivot, chest pass'! in my head whenever I think about netball.” Fiona, Subscriptions Manager

“We used to play rounders in the summer at school - I think by that point of the academic year, the PE teachers had given up persuading us into the more traditional/taxing sports. I remember it being good fun, and one particularly hot afternoon, running to catch someone out, arm outstretched, and the ball landing right into my hand like a mini miracle. Probably the high point of my sporting prowess.”
Jo, Commissioning Editor

“Every year my school held ‘The Dale’, a punishing cross-country run across local fields and woodland. And every year I miraculously came down with an ear infection at the just the right time to hand in a handwritten note from my mum asking for me to be excused (thanks Mum!). However, in my final year, they sprung it on us out of the blue so I had no option but to pull my socks up (quite literally) and get on with it. Having never run it before, I had no idea of the route, so in a panic, I fixed on a girl in my class to follow. I remember several points where I thought my lungs would burst, but I knew I couldn’t lose sight of my classmate, especially as there weren’t many other girls around to latch onto. It was only when I crawled across the finish line that I realised this girl was pretty athletic and in my one and only time running The Dale, I had come in the top five of my year.”
Abbie, Sub Editor

“When I was at secondary school I was fairly happy to do PE as most of the sports I didn’t mind. but as you near the end of secondary, you hit that phase where you want to get out of it and just chat with your mates. I remember a form tutor raising the amount of PE absences with the class once and a girl asked why they have to do PE. Her reply was brilliant. She said that when you're older you'll have to pay to participate in a class, join a gym or do a team sport. This is the one time it’s free and you get to do it with your mates. So make the most of it. Youth really is wasted on the young as she was completely right. What i'd do to be able to play football or cricket with mates twice a week for free now (ignoring the physical pain it would cause)!”
Rob, Sales Director

“I hated almost every sport we had to do (apart from rounders and badminton) until we got to year 10, I think, and bowling - as in ten-pin bowling - became an option. If you picked it, you went into town on a Monday afternoon, bowled as quickly as possible then you were allowed to leave for the day and me, Lila and Carrie would go to Littlewoods in the town centre and share fish and chips. Not sure that was the athleticism they were looking for. I felt it was fair payback for being made to run around our school field in winter in running knickers.”
Karen, Commissioning Editor

“At my rather old-fashioned convent school, we were ‘lucky’ enough to have an outdoor swimming pool, which was the stuff of nightmares. I vividly remember the games mistress using a pole to break up the thin strips of ice that would form on the top of the pool before we got in. We complained about it to our parents bitterly and generally considered the swimming pool to be a form of child abuse. It makes me laugh now to see all the people on Instagram indulging in cold water therapy and posting about how great they feel after a session. I consider myself an early adopter now! Maybe it was character building after all…”
Iona, Editor at Large

This blog was inspired by our wellbeing feature ‘One For The Team’, from our September issue, in which we look at how revisiting childhood team sports as an adult can benefit both body and mind. 

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

More from our September issue…

More sporting and school days memories…

Competition | Win One of Two Weleda Skin Food Bundles

We have two skincare bundles to give away, each worth more than £150

Since its introduction in 1926, Weleda Skin Food has evolved from a cult secret into a firm favourite with everyone looking to soothe and comfort dry skin, and today the range is a go-to for beauty insiders – from top make-up artists to celebrities, such as Victoria Beckham, Rita Ora and Drew Barrymore.  A tube of our best-selling Skin Food Original sells every 8 seconds, whilst one product from the Skin Food range sells every 3 seconds globally. What’s more, Skin Food has more than 70,000 5-star customer reviews and is kept in the kits of more than 600 British makeup artists.

Combining botanical extracts, plant oils and natural waxes, the Skin Food formula intensely nourishes skin, and the range has something for everyone, including the iconic Skin Food Original and its lighter sister, Skin Food Light. Plus, there’s Skin Food Body Lotion and Body Butter, Skin Food Lip Balm, Skin Food Ultra-Light Dry Oil, and the new face care range which includes Skin Food Nourishing Day and Night Creams.

No matter your skincare needs, every Skin Food product is NATRUE-certified natural and made with sustainable ingredients from UEBT-certified responsible sources.

What you could win

There are two bundles to be won, each worth over £150 and featuring the full Skin Food line-up:

Skin Food Nourishing Day Cream

Skin Food Nourishing Night Cream

Skin Food Nourishing Cleansing Balm

Skin Food Ultra-Light Dry Oil

Skin Food Body Lotion

Skin Food Body Butter

Skin Food Lip Balm

Skin Food Original (75ml)

Skin Food Original (30ml)

Skin Food Light (75ml)

Skin Food Light (30ml)

How to enter 

For your chance to win one of two Weleda Skin Food bundles, worth over £150 each, enter by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 18 October 2024.

Q: How many 5-star customer reviews has Weleda Skin Food accrued?

 Terms & Conditions The competition closes at 11.59pm on 18 October2024. Two winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.