Competition | Win a Six-Month Subscription to Famileo

Many of us live far away from older relatives and it can be hard to meaningfully connect between visits, particularly if they’re not part of the family Whatsapp group.

Enter Famileo, a truly unique way of sharing your day-to-day, their way. Famileo automatically turns the whole family’s shared photos and messages into a personalised family magazine and posts it to your loved one, each month.

And it’s so easy to do. Once you have an account, simply download the app, invite each member of the family to do the same, and there you will find your own secure, private space in which to share photos and messages (very much like a family Whatsapp group).

What makes Famileo unique is that on your chosen date each month, your family feed is automatically formatted into a family magazine. A PDF copy is immediately available via your account, and up to a 16-page, colour, A4 magazine is printed and posted to your older relative.

 A French company, Famileo is now available in the UK and with over a quarter of a million older relatives already receiving their own monthly magazine, now is the perfect time to see for yourself the joy that regular family news, printed and posted to their doorstep, brings to older generations. Family news they can look forward to and keep going back to.

 So if you have an older loved one who is not tech-savvy, or who just prefers the tangible charm of print, then consider Famileo as a thoughtful way to share family news they can look forward to receiving each month. 

A Famileo subscription costs just £5.99 a month and allows an unlimited number of family members to join the account and a family magazine to be printed and posted anywhere (in the world), monthly. For more information and inspiration, please visit famileo.com or follow @famileo_uk

 How to enter

We have six-month subscriptions, worth £36 each (normally £5.99 a month), to give away to 5 lucky winners. To have a chance of winning, just click the button below by the closing date of 12 April 2025 and answer the follwing question…

Q: Up to how many colour pages are there in the monthly magazine?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 12 April 2025. Five 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.

How To | Keep a Nature Diary

As signs of spring begin to appear, keeping a nature diary is a great way to log the changes in the air at this time of year

Unlike a standard diary, a nature diary needn’t be personal so it can feel much easier to get started, by simply observing what you see. There are many ways you can do it. If you’re feeling ambitious you can make a few notes each day but once a week is a good aim. Or you could make it something you sit down at once a month but really give it some time, and then end the year with a beautiful record in 12 parts. 

Similarly, consider where you want to observe nature. It makes sense to take the same walk each time you journal so that you can see the subtle changes at work, but if that might drive you mad, you could vary your nature walks and maybe even include maps to document what you saw and where. Certainly it makes sense to pick areas where you know there will be things of interest to note. A location near water or with a very ‘active’ hedge will always yield plenty of wildlife to spot, but you’ll be surprised at what forces its way up even through cracks in city paving slabs. Somehow, nature always finds a way. 

Now you’ve made the mental commitment, it’s time to think about what form your nature diary will take. Here are a few ideas.

1. A physical sketchbook in which you can draw and maybe shade with coloured pencils or paint with watercolours is a lovely keepsake. You can label the plants and wildlife you see or write a bit more by each illustration of your experience that day. 

2. If you like the idea of a notebook in your hand but aren’t an arty type, you could simply log your nature sightings in pencil or pen with a time and date. Maybe look your sightings up when you get home and add Latin names or interesting facts as you learn them.

3. Should you fancy getting really down and dirty with nature, your book could include natural dyes and pigments made from the plants and earth you happen upon. You can find out how to make natural dyes from nature with a quick internet search. 

4. Another visual sort of nature diary, but a little easier for those of us not blessed with a single artistic bone in our bodies, is a scrapbook. You can press and dry leaves and flowers, stick in seeds under sellotape and add pieces cut from maps. Then add labels in your very best handwriting.

5. Go digital and record your nature walks using photos. You could print out your favourites or simply upload them to a blog or Instagram account. 

Our blog today was inspired by a feature in our February issue in which we met Jenny Coats, whose nature diaries can be followed on her account @jenny.coats.created.

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More ways to appreciate nature…

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Competition | Win a Weekend Stay in Whitstable worth £1,400

You could win a two-night break in Whitstable, a town loved for its oysters, sunsets, beach walks and indie shops 

Ask anyone who has been to Whitstable what they loved about their visit, and they will undoubtedly say the beach walks, local food and hospitality, independent shops and the incredible sunsets. Just an hour from London, on the north Kent coast, the charming town of Whitstable has become a year-round destination for food lovers, families and those seeking a little weekend escape to the seaside.

With longer days and lighter evenings upon us, there’s never been a better time to visit. If you’ve never visited or would love to return, then enter our competition to win a seaside escape thanks to Whitstable Holiday Homes. The prize is a two-night stay – worth up to £1,400 – at So Ho House, a stylish and spacious house in the heart of the town.

The house name is derived from the owner, Solange’s, initials and she has been the creative heart behind its beautiful interiors and furnishings. You and up to seven guests, plus pooch, can relax and catch up in the huge kitchen, dine al fresco in the garden, chill in one of the two lounges and enjoy a great night’s sleep in one of the four bedrooms. Located near the harbour and beach, it’s just a short stroll to the shops and amazing foodie places. To ensure you’re well looked after during your stay, Whitstable Holiday Homes’ owner Gail will be on hand to offer personal recommendations on how
to make the most of your visit.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic break, a family holiday, birthday celebration, or a dog-friendly stay, Whitstable Holiday Homes has over 25 charming properties to choose from, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Visit whitstableholidayhomes.co.uk for more information, or follow on Instagram: @whitstableholidayhomes. To see more information about So Ho House, visit whitstableholidayhomes.co.uk/so-ho-house.

How to enter

For your chance to win a two-night stay in So Ho House (for up to eight people and one dog), enter our competition by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 9 April 2025.

Q: Whitstable is on the coast of which English county?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 9 April 2025. One winner selected at random from all correct entries. Prize must be taken before 31 March 2026 and excludes school and Bank Holidays. The winner is responsible for transport to and from So Ho House and will need to pay a Refundable Security Deposit of £300 prior to arrival to cover any loss or damage to the property. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap for cash. The winner may be required to participate in publicity. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Competition | Win an Esse 1 stove worth £695

Combining style, environmental responsibility and over 170 years of experience, ESSE stoves are something to get fired up about

March can be a funny old month, and the weather is often reliably unreliable, as the adage suggests – in like a lion and out like a lamb. But despite spring sending snippets of brighter and warmer days, we know that once the sun goes down, the chill will return. So what could be more inviting after a day spent getting out and about or pottering in the garden than retreating inside to the warmth of an ESSE 1 stove.

Hand-built in Britain, ESSE stoves have been in production since 1854, and the small and mighty ESSE 1 model is a cosy classic. It can burn either wood or solid fuel and has an impressive 5kW output. Clean burning and efficient, it’s EcoDesign compliant and approved for burning wood in smoke control zones. Simple yet sophisticated, the cast iron ESSE 1 is easy to use and features adjustable feet, tertiary air supply, top or rear flue options, and a cooler-touch handle. Its compact design – 510mm (h) x 380mm (w) x 322mm (d) – also makes it a welcome addition to any home.

If you’re warming to the idea, then we have one ESSE 1*, worth £695, up for grabs. Simply enter our competition and you could soon be snuggling up next to your own ESSE 1 stove, book and cuppa in hand. Good luck.

For more information, visit esse.com or follow on Instagram: @esse1854.

How to enter 

For your chance to win an ESSE 1 stove, worth £695, click the button below and answer the following question by the closing date of 9th April 2025.

Q: Esse stoves have been in production since which year?

Terms and conditions:

*The prize includes doorstep delivery of the ESSE 1 only. Installation by an approved local company will be the winner’s responsibility. The competition closes at 11.59pm on 9th April 2025. One winner 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. 

Playlist | All apologies

In our March 2025 MEND issue we learn how to say sorry.

For our playlist, we’ve taken inspiration from musicians who’ve tried to put their regrets and apologies into words. You can take a listen on Spotify here.

Or we have playlists for every kind of mood – we publish one in each issue of The Simple Things. Have a browse of them here.

Wellbeing | Eye Spy Glimmers

If winter is wintering a little too long for your liking, start spotting glimmers to get you
through until spring.

We went on a Glimmer Hunt in our February issue, noticing the small things that make us feel safe and calm. One of the things we loved most was the idea of compiling a Glimmer Library; a list in a notebook, on your phone or just in your head of the glimmers you have seen to refer back to when you need a boost. To help get you started with your Glimmer Library, we’ve collated a few glimmers here that you might like to spot this month…

• Snowdrops in full bloom

• Sticky buds on trees

• The smell of fresh lemons on pancakes

• The sound of rain on your roof when you’re cosy inside

• A perfectly formed spider web

• Sinking into a bed with new sheets on

• Tea in your favourite mug

• The crackle of logs on a fire

• Suddenly noticing how light the evenings are

• Winter birdsong

See how many of our Eye Spy Glimmers you can spot this month and add more of your own as you notice them to create your Glimmer Library. 

You can read more about seeking out glimmers in our feature by Lottie Storey in our February issues, which is in shops now. Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

More things to make you feel good…

More from our February issue…

Tipple | Ginger & Maple Hot Toddy

Sweet, spicy and soothing, this cocktail also eases a sore throat and helps clear the sinuses. In fact it’s practically medicinal. Best enjoyed on a bracing walk by the sea

Makes 1 cup

3 slices of fresh ginger

1 ginger teabag

1 tsp maple syrup

Lemon slice

2 star anise

1 cinnamon stick

A shot of brandy or whisky (optional)

Place all the ingredients in a mug and top up with boiling water – use the cinnamon stick to stir it all together. If you plan to serve the hot toddy while out, make the ginger tea and add to a flask with the maple syrup and brandy or whisky, if using. To serve, pop the ginger, lemon slices, star anise and cinnamon sticks into each mug, pour over the ginger tea and enjoy.

This recipe is taken from our ‘gathering’ feature, which in our February issue is a bracing walk on the beach with hot drinks and snacks, followed by a make-ahead lunch at home. You’ll find all the recipes, including Granola Bars, White Bean Puree with Crunchy Topping, Mushroom Ragout, Gremolata and Jam Crumble Tart from page 6. The recipes are by Louise Gorrod and the photography by Emma Croman.

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More tipples to warm up winter…

Nature | Waterfowl Valentines

You dancing? You asking?… All good relationships start with a bit of flirting, even in the
natural world

Mute swans entwine together to form heart-shapes with their graceful necks, jackdaws preen each other, and great crested grebes dance.

Typically, only faithful for a season (although there are exceptions to the rule, as there often are in the animal kingdom), the great crested grebe (pictured above) is intense when it comes to first impressions. Meeting a potential mate, the birds rise up to mirror each other’s moves, shaking their rust-coloured ruff as they bow their heads. The crescendo of their dance is a charge towards each other, waving water weed, before coming together to hold the same piece of weed in their beaks.

And the common crane is a real flirt. Harsh, honking calls float across the Nene Washes in Cambridgeshire as the UK’s tallest birds show off their courtship choreography. Their head bobbing, wing stretching, and jumping is contagious – when one pair start, others quickly join in, the flock turning into a flash mob of long legs, red crests and spilling tail feathers.

The extract above is taken from our feature ‘Love is All Around’ by Jeni Bell, from our February issue. Read more love stories from the animal kingdom from page 50.

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More from our February issue…

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Nest | 5 Famous Chairs

Photography by @mycambridgefairytale

One should never underestimate the value of an excellent chair. Here, we look at a few chairs that have made history…

1. King Edward’s Chair

Used for every English monarch’s coronation (other than Mary II since she was crowned jointly with William II) since the 14th century this is quite a place to rest one’s royal bottom. Edward I commissioned the grand wooden throne to house the Stone of Scone (on which Scottish monarchs were crowned) after he stole it from Scone Abbey in Perthshire in 1296. It was rightfully returned to Scotland in 1996. One less thing for His Majesty to dust, too. It was originally gilded and covered with glass mosaic. Four gilt lions were added as feet in the 16th century. Today, it basically looks very old and very wooden but you can still just about make out animals and foliage depicted on the back. 

2. Christine Keeler’s chair

The most iconic image of the Profumo Affair, which brought down Harold Macmillan’s government, is of Christine Keeler sitting astride a back-to-front chair, naked, and looking slightly over the whole thing, we might add. But the chair is as much the star of the photo as Keeler. It’s an imitation of a design by Danish artist Arne Jacobsen, who later created the iconic ‘Egg’ chair, too. Keeler’s chair was a cheap copy of Jacobsen’s Model 3107, bought from Heal’s in London. The photo caused national outrage… imagine if he hadn’t turned the chair back to front…

3. The Mastermind Chair

Striking fear into the hearts of quiz-goers for decades, the black ‘soft pad lounge chair’ was designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1969. Two of them were originally bought for the first 25-year run of Mastermind and they would travel the country with the show by lorry. In 1979 one of them was held to ransom by students of the University of Ulster to demand money for their Cambodia Relief Fund. The chair was eventually negotiated to freedom without the exchange of any cash, 

4. Roald Dahl’s Writing Chair

Seated in his large, brown wingback chair, which once belonged to his mother, Dahl created entire worlds that have enchanted generations of children ever since. The chair was the basis of a very particular writing set up. Dahl wrote for two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon. Having got comfy, Dahl would prop a rolled up piece of corrugated cardboard on his knees, and on top of that he rested a board he’d made himself, covered in green baize. He would then sharpen six Dixon Ticonderoga pencils and write on yellow legal paper. The chair, in its now threadbare state, can be seen in the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden.  

5. Blofeld’s Swivel Chair

Which of us can honestly say we haven’t at some point sat in an office chair and swung it round dramatically, while stroking a pretend fluffy white cat just for laughs? We have the G Plan 6250 to thank for that. Arguably the most famous chair ever to appear on the silver screen, and housing Blofeld’s behind admirably, this large, black, iconic winged design has always been in its Villain Era. As well as being one of the stars of You Only Live Twice (with Donald Pleasance playing Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the chair has also made guest appearances in Farenheit 451 and the Beatles’ film Help!

This blog was inspired by our February issue’s My Place pages, which this month looks at ‘cosy spots to sit’, including the very comfy looking armchair above which belongs to Paola Salvaire.

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Cake | Chocolate Coconut Squares

When only chocolate will do, bake these moist, coconutty squares for an oh-so-satisfying
cocoa nibble

Serves 9

150g coconut oil, melted and cooled

200g soft light brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract or essence

60g plain flour

45g self-raising flour

30g cocoa powder

40g desiccated coconut, plus extra

for scattering (optional)

For the topping:

100g dark chocolate

100g soft, but not liquid, coconut oil

1 Preheat the oven to 180C/Fan 160C/Gas 4. Using a little of the coconut oil, grease and line a 20x20cm tin.

2 Place the rest of the coconut oil, the sugar, egg and vanilla extract in a bowl and stir until combined.

3 Whisk the flours and cocoa in a separate bowl to remove any lumps, then stir in the desiccated coconut. Make a well in the centre, pour in the coconut oil mixture and stir until completely combined.

4 Spread the mixture evenly into the lined tin and bake for 25–30 mins, or until just firm. Leave to cool in the tin.

5 Meanwhile, melt the dark chocolate in the cooling oven, then beat in the soft coconut oil until it’s a thick icing.

6 When the base is cool, spread over the icing and leave to set. Cut into 9 squares and scatter extra coconut on top, if you like. This will keep for up to five days in an airtight container.

Cook’s note: Coconut oil can be used like-for-like to replace butter in recipes. Depending on what temperature you store it at, it can also be solid in the same way as butter. The more refined coconut oil doesn’t have a distinctive coconut flavour and so works well in dishes that you don’t want to taste of coconut.

This recipe from our February issue is taken from Every Last Bite by Rosie Sykes (Quadrille). Photography: Patricia Niven

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Competition | Win a Boating Holiday for Six in the UK

Win a seven-night boating adventure with Le Boat for up to six people worth up to £1,700

Get a table with a different view every minute! Le Boat is giving you the chance to win a seven-night self-drive boating holiday for up to six people, where every moment is filled with adventure, relaxation, and breathtaking scenery.

See a different side to England or Scotland as you cruise the historic Thames or the breathtaking Caledonian Canal. Your journey will showcase the beauty of the UK like you’ve never seen before.

No experience? No problem! No prior boating experience or licence is required—anyone can do it. With our easy-to-handle Budget and Comfort boats, you’ll have the freedom to explore at your own pace. To find out more about the holidays visit leboat.com/en.

How to enter

So, why wait? Enter now by clicking the button below and answering a simple question for your chance to win the ultimate getaway and experience the magic of a Le Boat holiday. 

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Terms and conditions

*T&C’s Apply: Must be booked at least eight weeks in advance, departing between 1st April - 31st October 2025, excluding select dates and boat types. Available for departures in the UK on budget and comfort boat types only. For full terms and conditions, visit the Le Boat website. Read The Simple Things’ terms and conditions on page 125 of the magazine or visit thesimplethings.co.uk/comprules.

Make | A Jam Jar Garden

You’ll need:
Glass Mason jars or ordinary jam jars; a bag of hyacinth bulbs; a bag of gravel.

To make:
1 Give the jars a good clean and dry, then add gravel up to the shoulders of each jar.

2 Fill with water to above the top of the gravel in each one and place a hyacinth bulb on top of each jar.

3 You’ll need to keep the water topped up as the bulbs sprout. Just gently move the bulbs to one side and top up with a jug.

4 Gather all your hyacinth jars together on an old tray, in a small wooden crate or any other receptacle to make a centrepiece for a dining or coffee table, or simply line them up on a windowsill, or anywhere that catches your eye and create your own indoor jam jar garden to remind you that spring is just around the corner.

This is just one of the ideas for things to note and notice, plan and do from our Almanac pages. Find more seasonal inspiration in the February issue, in shops now or available to order from our online store.

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More from our Almanac pages…

More from our blog…

Recipe | Pomegranate Molasses

Homemade pomegranate molasses is both sweet and sour – drizzle it over bread and cheese or use it in dips, dressings and even drinks or desserts. Its vibrant colour will help give you a lift at the dog end of winter, too

Makes around 280ml

4-6 large pomegranates (juiced to produce 1 ltr pomegranate juice)
125g sugar
1 large lemon (juiced, to produce around 60ml lemon juice)

1 Peel the pomegranates and remove as much pith and membrane as you can, leaving the seeds intact.

2 Put the seeds in a large sealable plastic bag – you may have to do this in batches. Use a rolling pin to roll over the seeds, releasing their juices.

3 Cut a tiny hole in the corner of the bag and pour the juice into a saucepan. Squeezing the leftover seeds will release the last few drops.

4 Add the sugar and lemon juice to the saucepan and place over a medium-high heat. Once the juice starts to boil, reduce the heat and simmer. You should see the liquid boiling very gently in the middle. Let the mixture simmer for 45 mins, stirring occasionally to make sure that the juice doesn’t catch.

5 Reduce the heat very slightly and let it simmer gently for another 15 mins. To see if it’s ready, dip a spoon in. If it coats the spoon, it’s done.

6 Remove from the heat and leave the mixture to cool in the pan for 30 mins, then pour into a sterilised jar. The mixture will still be runny at this point but will thicken as it cools.

Cook’s note: You can store the molasses in the fridge for up to 6 months.

A project for while your molasses cools…

Watercolour painting is a quietly mindful activity that you can do while waiting for the oven timer to ping. Shed any thoughts of proficiency, this is not meant to be a masterpiece. The point is to simply look deeply and try to recreate what you see.

You will need:
Pomegranate, cut or torn in half
Watercolour paper
Pencil
Rubber
Paints
Palette or old plate
Brushes
Jar of water, for rinsing brushes

1 Arrange your pomegranate sections and take time to really look at it – its shapes, colours and textures, and how the light falls on the fruit. Notice what you’re feeling – perhaps you’re excited or nervous or calm.

2 With your pencil, sketch out the shape of the fruit – its form and the detailing around the seeds and their membranes. Use the rubber to remove any sections you’re not happy with and play around until you’ve got something you’d like to paint.

3 On your palette or plate, combine the colours you want to use. Adding a tiny amount of blue or yellow to pinks and reds can add depth to the colours in ready-mixed paints.

4 Begin to transfer the paint from palette to paper, building up in layers to create depth. With watercolours, you can continue to layer up when the paint is wet if you want to combine colours or wait until each area is dry if you don’t want colours merging, such as the yellow of the pith. Allow your painting to dry fully before putting it somewhere for you to admire.

This recipe and project are taken from our new series, Kitchen Therapy in which we celebrate spending time at home, cooking and baking, as a form of self care. Find more recipes and ideas for the end of winter in the February issue, which is out now. The recipes and makes are by Lottie Storey and the photography is by Kym Grimshaw.

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More ways with winter fruit…

Folklore | Beira Queen of Winter

Hills and hollows, cliffs and caves have inspired folklore for generations. Here’s one tale in which the British landscape has become a character in itself…

The appropriately named Loch Awe is Scotland’s longest freshwater loch, and we have Beira, Queen of Winter, to thank for this incredible view. As well as creating mountains and using the wild Corryvreckan whirlpool near Jura as her washing machine, this giantess with blue skin and one eye also made Loch Awe by mistake. One day, after drinking from a well, she forgot to cover it again. The water overflowed and flooded the land, forming this magnificent loch. It is now home to a monster, of course – the Big Beast, who has 12 legs and looks like a gigantic eel.

You can read more about British landscapes that have inspired folk tales in our January issue feature, Scene Setting. The issue is in shops now or can be ordered from our online store.

More folk tales…

More from our January issue…

How to | Make a Tea Cosy from an Old Jumper

Turn an old jumper into a tea cosy with this simple make project

You will need:

Old jumper(s) with high wool content

Cloth bag or old pillowcase

Pen and paper

Scissors

Pins

Sewing machine, or needle and thread

How to make:

1 Put the jumper in a cloth bag or an old pillowcase into your washing machine on a hot setting. This may seem wrong, but it’ll help it felt, making it easy to sew.

2 Take your (empty) teapot and lay it on its side on the paper. Draw a semi-circle over the top to roughly work out the size of your cosy. Neaten up the curve so it’s symmetrical. Add on 1cm all around the curved edge as your seam, and cut out to act as a template.

3 Once your jumper is dry, pin on your template. Position so the bottom ribbing of the jumper can double at the bottom edge of the cosy. Cut out a piece for the front and back.

4 Pin the two pieces together, with the sides you want on the cosy’s outside facing in, towards each other. Leaving the bottom open, sew around your 1cm seam allowance. If you’re on a machine, you can zigzag stitch the raw edges together.

5 Remove pins and turn right way out. You could use leftover scraps for mittens or slippers (see TST149), and enjoy your supply of warm tea.

This project is taken from our January Miscellany pages, where you’ll find facts and fun to interest you each month.

More simple make projects…

More from our January issue…

Sponsored Post | "We only buy products that we love and want in our homes"

We catch up with Jason Bensohn, Managing Director of One.World to see how family values play a role in the company’s success 

Hi Jason, tell us about One.World – how did it all begin?

We started out way back in 1989 when my mum, Kathy, was sourcing candles from Swaziland, while living in South Africa. My parents then decided to move to the UK and Mum continued with the Swazi candles, mostly selling at gift fairs in London. They became a hit but customers didn’t just want to buy the candles, they wanted to buy the pieces that Mum used to display them on, too, and the range just took off from there. My dad, Sid, also got involved to help grow the business and it’s slowly evolved to what it is today.

So it was inevitable that you’d join the family business, too?

Not at all – my parents never actively encouraged us to get involved. However, me and my brother, Jamie, had helped out so often in the warehouse or at trade fairs over the years that the pull of the family business became hard to ignore. We believe that the best businesses are family owned, because however small or big they may be, they typically have shared core values and they care that little bit more.

How has One.World changed since the early days?

Well, the product mix has changed from just candles to furniture, lighting, mirrors, wall art and so much more. The internet also arrived, which now makes the world a smaller place, enabling us
to communicate with our suppliers and customers across the world more easily. However, many things have also stayed the same. We have a philosophy that you must love what you do, and as a consequence, we only buy products that we love and we want in our own homes.

Oh, really?

Yes, we love timeless, statement pieces that you may one day hand down to a loved one. In fact, some pieces in our core range have stood the test of time and have been around since the early years of the business. Rightly or wrongly, we don’t follow trends because we don’t always love the latest trend. We try to seek out and develop timeless and interesting pieces that will last, grow and change in whichever home they find themselves in.

You’re clearly passionate about One.World’s product range

I feel lucky that I get to experience and be a part of so many aspects of One.World; developing pieces, marketing, speaking with clients and much more. But ultimately, it’s all about the products
– that’s what keeps us ticking and is what it always comes back to.

What company achievements are you most proud of?

The fact that it’s a family business and that family extends to cover our staff, too – many of whom started in the early days and are still with us over 30 years later. As we like to say, “We love what we do, with people we love.” We’ve also been able to give back and have funded the planting of over 30,000 trees, which is quite cool.

The future sounds exciting, so what’s next for One.World?

We have hundreds of new pieces launching – I believe this is our largest ever season launch. Plus we’ll be rolling out a brand new website soon, which we’re very excited about, so watch this space…

One.World is offering readers of The Simple Things 20% off all orders. Simply use code TST20
at Checkout. Offer valid until 28 February 2025. Subject to availability.

For more information and inspiration, visit one.world or follow on Instagram: @onedotworld.

Sponsored Post | Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

Suma’s recently-rebranded coffee range delivers both on flavour and Fairtrade ethics

There’s nothing quite like that first sip of a good cup of coffee. Whether it’s to kick-start your day or to give you a little pick-me-up mid-afternoon, a comforting cup of coffee offers a moment away from life’s busyness. But what if that cup of coffee could be more than just a drink? What if it could connect you to something bigger – a story of community, sustainability and ethical farming? That’s what Suma’s new-look coffee collection is all about.

With a selection of beans from Colombia, Ethiopia, Sumatra, Peru, and Honduras, the eye-catching new packaging tells the story behind the beans. Suma has also simplified the flavour profile of each variety to make it easier for you to choose a coffee to suit your tastes. However, these beans are so much more than your morning wake-up call, they’re a direct link to Fairtrade-certified farmers, who are working together in co-ops to empower their communities.

By choosing speciality coffee from Suma, an ethical, equal pay worker co-op for over 40 years, you’re supporting sustainable farming, protecting the environment, and investing in the future of these coffee-growing regions Suma’s carefully curated range of coffee is Fairtrade-certified to ensure that its beans are grown with care, respect for the land, and a commitment to fair pay for growers. Which means each sip is an invitation to pause, reflect, and appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into every cup. And when you choose Suma, you’re supporting a company that values transparency, ethics, and sustainability – values that resonate with those of us who want to make a positive impact, no matter how small the steps.

Suma’s coffee range is designed for those who appreciate the finer things in life – the joy of a well-made cup, the satisfaction of knowing where your food and drink come from, and the pleasure of sharing it with friends and family. After all, there’s nothing quite like a good conversation over a cuppa and, with Suma, you can rest assured that your coffee has a story worth sharing.

For more information and inspiration, visit suma.coop or follow on Instagram: @sumawholefoods

Playlist | A nice bit of brass

In our February GLIMMER issue of The Simple Things, we get to meet all female brass band, She’s Got Brass. And, to blow our own trumpet, we’ve put together a rather fine accompanying playlist.

You can have a listen here.

Not quite hitting the musical spot today? We make a playlist for each issue of The Simple Things. Have a browse of them all here.

February GLIMMER is on sale from 29 January.

Competition | Win a Year of Scented Blooms Delivered to your Door

Gift a loved one (or yourself) with fabulous flowers for an entire year, thanks to Scilly Flowers

Just imagine the smile on the face of someone who receives a gift box of scented flowers through the post on a dull mid-winter day. Enter our competition and you could win 12 boxes of scented narcissi, worth over £250, to send to your friends – however, we won’t judge if you choose to enjoy a few yourself.

Grown on the picturesque Isles of Scilly, off the Cornish coast, the ‘Tazetta’ narcissi – a scented cousin of the daffodil – flourish in sheltered fields from October to Easter. The Isles of Scilly are unique in being able to grow flowers outdoors throughout winter without the need for any additional heat or light. As the flowers are delivered directly from where they’re grown, they have a far lower carbon footprint than those grown in heated glasshouses or flown in from further afield. It also makes the scented narcissi a thoughtful gift to brighten a loved one’s day, whether it’s Valentine’s Day, Mother’s
Day or just to let a friend or family member know that you’re thinking about them.

Once the scented narcissi season comes to an end in late spring, owners of Scilly Flowers, Zoe and Ben Julian, and their loyal team of flower pickers at Churchtown Farm on the island of St Martin’s, turn their attention to the summer crop of scented pinks. Similar to carnations, pinks have a subtle hue and a delicate fragrance. On an island, fresh water is a particularly precious resource, and the pinks are grown in coir-filled tubs that reduce the need for irrigation. Once on display, these blooms will brighten any room and are a reminder of the joy that is home-grown in Scilly.

For more info, visit scillyflowers.co.uk or follow on Instagram: @scillyflowers.

How to enter

For a chance to win a year’s supply of scented flowers (12 boxes of flowers to share over the year), enter by clicking on the button below and answering the following question by the closing date: 12 March 2025.

Q: Tazetta narcissi are a cousin of which flower?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 12 March 2025. One winner 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.

Reading | Books that Embrace the Cold

Photography by Joe McIntyre

There’s no time like January for hunkering down with a book but it’s not all about hiding inside from the winter weather. Here are a few of our suggestions for books that will help you to embrace the winter chill.

The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vessas

In a rural Norwegian community two young girls, Siss and Unn, meet and find they have a connection that neither of them fully understands. When Unn goes missing in the wintry landscape, Siss struggles with her disappearance. A wonderful, wintry story that should be a classic by rights. 

A Woman in the Polar Night by Christiane Ritter

A one-of-a-kind memoir from 1934, when the author accompanied her husband to the Arctic island of Spitzbergen for a year. At first she finds the cold and isolation tough but slowly she begins to fall in love with the wildlife and the wild landscape.

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis

A winter classic that you’re never too old to reread. Lose yourself in Narnia, condemned to an eternal winter by the White Witch, and its cast of enchanting characters. 

A Winter Book by Tove Jansson

A collection of beautifully crafted short stories by the Finnish creator of the Moomins. Spanning most of the twentieth century, this is a wonderful book to dip in and out of while the snow is falling outside.

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

This Gothic novel opens with a storytelling session on Christmas Eve. The action then moves to follow the story of an unnamed governess, trying to protect her charges from evil supernatural beings in the house they share. Chills for chilly days. 

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

Jack and Mabel are a childless couple living in 1920s Alaska. One day they build a child out of snow and a fairytale encounter begins…

Miss Smilla’s Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg

Set in Copenhagen, this novel follows in flashback Smilla’s relationship with a young boy called Isaiah who is part Greenlandic, as is she. During her own childhood in Greenland she developed an intuitive understanding of the various types of snow, which she used in her adult career as a scientist. Now, in the present day, it will help her to unravel a mystery surrounding Isaiah.

The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse

When Freddie’s car is forced off the road in a snowstorm he takes shelter in a tiny village on the edge of the Pyrenees, where he meets Fabrissa. They spend the night talking of love, loss and mourning but when day breaks… she vanishes. And that’s only the beginning of the mystery.

If you’re looking for more inspiration for winter reading, don’t miss our feature, Fireside Yarns, in our January issue, which is in shops now.

More bookish things…

More from our January issue…