015 Does urban jungle have to be always green?

When we think about indoor plants, we often imagine pots filled with green leaves. But the plants we have at home don’t have to be always green. After succulents, monstera deliciosa and then, variegated plants hype, it’s time to admire pink plants! Their beautiful deep colors aren’t the effect of Photoshop editing.

 

More light they have, with more saturated colors they pay you back. What is more, many of them, like wandering jew plant or ficus belize, don’t need any special care and every beginner can deal with their cultivation.

 

 However, in the pink jungle we can find other, more sophisticated plants, too. For example, philodendron pink princess is my great dream. I hope they will inspire you!

014 3 the best things of being a hotel receptionist

As you may know from my previous post, I have two years’ experience as a hotel receptionist. Although this type of work is often associated with stress, I remember many amusing situations and I can honestly say that I loved my job! Today I would like to tell you three stories that show why being a hotel receptionist isn’t as bad as they say…

 

1.       Hotel puppy

The wife of the hotel owner had always dreamt about a dog and that is why her husband gave her a little shih tzu on her birthday. Unfortunately, as it turned out, she was allergic to that dog breed. They didn’t want to give the puppy back, so they decided that it would live in our hotel. Try to imagine that fantastic feeling when you have a terrible day at work, and you can caress a little puppy!

 

2.       Wedding cakes

In the hotel’s restaurant, we organized weddings almost every Friday and Saturday. There can’t be a good wedding without a tiered wedding cake! Sometimes, newlyweds thanked for our job and presented us a piece of their wedding cake. What could I tell more...? 😊

 

3.       Hotel receptionist = local hero

The best thing was that I could help the people. From offering an extra pillow to looking for a lost mobile phone, printing a coloring page for children or giving first aid… Those were the moments that made me feel important and needed.

013 3 things that I hated as a hotel receptionist

I have a two years’ experience as a hotel receptionist. I remember my fist day at the front desk and my manager who was instructing me how to get around hotel guests and billions of telephone calls. She told me that if I worked there, I would learn how to be a perfect actress. And she was right – you won’t survive even one day at the front desk if you don’t know how to lie. Sometimes you must pretend you are nice, even if you boil over the range deep down.

Today I would like to present 3 common hotel situations that I really hated:

 

“Can we leave our room 3 hours after the time of the check-out?”

The time of the check-out is established in every hotel and it must be respected. After guest’s leaving, the room must be cleaned and prepared for the arrival of the next visitors.

 

“I travel all around the world! And only in your hotel…”

In 99% of the cases, the guests complain about the rejections of their early check-in (8 a.m., seriously?), the additional charge for breakfasts and parking… so, about the things that are in force in almost every hotel.

“Why your hotel is so expensive?”

If you don’t like the prices, you don’t stay in 4-star hotel, but you choose a cheaper place, don’t you?

012 Seagulls

Seagulls. For tourists, they are the symbol of holidays, sea and freedom. Beautiful, innocent birds who always accompany sunsets at the seashore. However, the local people have a different view. For them, the seagulls mean noisy predators. Most of those birds don’t live anymore at the seashore – they moved from the coast to the nearest town. It is easier to look for food in the trash than to hunt sea creatures. The local people associate the seagulls with ubiquitous beasts who empty the bins and who wake up everybody in the city with their screeching at 5am in the morning.

Although I haven't lived in a seaside town since I was in high school, I sometimes catch myself listening to the sounds of silence and trying to hear seagulls' noisy voices...

011 Variegated plants

If plants are your passion, you might know what is monstera variegata plant. Instagram got crazy about it – there are hundreds of photos with monstera leaves that are all white or partially white. It is a natural phenomenon, something like albinism for people. Variegation phenomenon can be caused by a virus infection or by genetics. Plants that are affected by this “albinism” need more sun and they are more moody than normal green ones.

Variegated monstera plants are quite rare and that is why its’ cost is really high. Not everybody can afford to buy it – for example in Poland, the cost of a little monstera variegata cutting is about 350 PLN!

Fortunately, the variegation phenomenon doesn’t belong only to monstera plants. There are many others species that can have their leaves partially white. Today I would love to share with you some photos of the most beautiful variegated plants.

 Philodendron Cobra

 Philodendron Gigganteum

 Philodendron Birkin          

 Ficus Elastica Variegata

 Epipremnum Happy Leaf

What is your favorite one?

010 What’s in my purse? My 5 everyday essentials

I can’t imagine to go out without a purse. For me, it is like a pair of shoes – who goes out without shoes? It doesn’t matter if it’s just a quick shopping in a grocery or if it’s a long day at the university, my purse is always with me. Of course, depending on the situation, its contents changes. But there always 10 things that I always have in my purse and they are my everyday essentials.

Glasses

My sight defect isn’t very serious and I don’t wear glasses every day. However, there are many situations when my glasses are very helpful, especially during straining-eyes activities: driving a car, working at the computer.

Bottle of water

It isn’t anything special. I try to drink about 2 liters per day, so I always bring a bottle of water with me. In my opinion water can’t be replaced by an another liquid like tea or juice, so 2 liters per day are my minimum. Unfortunately, I’ve been using one-use bottles for about two weeks because my filter bottle is broken down. It’s time to buy a new filter one!

Cotton bag

Carrying groceries in plastic bags is a shame in XXI century. They are so inelegant and wasteful. That is why I try to be always prepared for a shopping and I have a cotton bag in my purse. To be honest, being less-waste isn’t a piece of cake for me but I’m doing my best!

Headphones

I love walking and listening to the music. Sometimes I get off the tramway earlier, just to walk home and listen to music. It’s so relaxing after a long day at university or at work.

Hand cream and lip moisturizer

It’s just better to avoid the situations when the skin is overdried. I feel more comfortable when I have my cosmetics with me.

009 Plant friendly places in Poznan

I’ve been living in Poznan since September. I loved the city at the first sight and today I would like to share with you some places that are perfect for all crazy plant ladies and crazy plant guys. If you are into plants or you just want to take some hipster-looking Instagram photos, you won’t be disappointed!

Palmiarnia

Must-see in Poznań for everybody who visits the city. An enormous botanical garden with a plenty of plants. The garden is divided into smaller sections that are dedicated to certain climatic zones. You can meet there tropical plants, aquatic plants, succulents and cactuses… Minimum two hours of amazing walk in a real jungle!

Zarośla

This is the place where I spent a half of my salary! That florist’s isn’t like others – you won’t find there cut flowers. This shop is dedicated to pot plants, so if you are fancy to change your room into a jungle, it is a perfect place for you. What’s more, the staff is very friendly and they are always ready to solve your plant troubles and give you clever advices.

Ro_ślinka

If you want to hang out with your friends and drink a cup of coffee, I recommend that place! It isn’t only one of the best cafés in Poznań but also a florist’s. Aromatic coffee, tasty cakes (there are vegan options, too!) and beautiful interior design, where plants are the major part.

008 How to buy a plant and not to go crazy

Go to the nearest florist’s, choose a plant that you like the most and pay for it. Done.

No, no, no! Buying a plant isn’t a piece of cake. Of course, there are many possibilities to get a nice plant – they are sold almost everywhere, even in supermarkets. And there’s nothing bad at it – for example, I got my favorite monstera plant in a discount shop. But you should know that buying a plant has always a high risk, especially when you’ve already owned more plants. That is why I would love to share with you some advices how to avoid unpleasant situations with houseplants.

Looking over 

You went to the shop and you saw the plant that you would like to buy. First of all, look it over carefully. Check if there aren’t any insects on or under the leaves. Be careful, the plant pests are very small! The second thing that you should examine is plant fungus. Very often it looks like discolored stains on the leaves. Of course, not all stains are fungus – sometimes they are just burn spots. It is very important to look over a plant because all the diseases can infect other plants that you own. If everything seems to be fine, you can buy the plant.

Transplanting

After buying the plant, you must transplant it. Very often the shops don’t take care about the quality of the soil, they overwater the plants… The second thing are the pests. If you can’t see them on the leaves, it doesn’t mean that the plant is healthy – they can be hidden in the soil. 

After transplanting the plant, you can enjoy your new plant!

007 Where to eat in Wrocław?

Today I would love to share with you my favorite restaurants in Wrocław, the city where I’ve lived for almost 3 years. You might know that I’m a vegetarian but don’t worry – on my list there is also one classic restaurant with many options with meat. Let’s get started!

1.       Mango Mama:

In my opinion, this is the best restaurant ever. I love all about that place: from its pretty exotic name, climatic interior design to delicious aromatic dishes. You can try the real India’s taste thanks to Hindu cooks. What’s more, the kitchen is opened, so you can observe how your meal is prepared. Just one advice: spicy dishes are REALLY spicy. 😊 I have been there many times and I am always amazed by the taste of the food there. You can try there anything, every dish is fine-tuned and just perfect. Must-eat there? Coleslaw salad with mango.

2.       Warzywniak:

This is 100% vegan restaurant nearby Technical University. The menu is seasonal and it changes every day. The prices are very affordable, so if you are a person who would like to eat delicious dinner that wouldn’t ruin your wallet, it is a perfect place for you! Everything there tastes like polish home-cooked meals, so you can try their vegan versions of pork-chops, meatballs, beer stew… I got hungry!

3.       Panda Ramen:

If you are on Wrocław’s main square, you must visit Panda Ramen. It’s just 5 minutes away on foot. The restaurant is always full, so you must be patient and wait for your table, but believe me, it is worthy! There is nothing better than warm aromatic ramen. What’s more, you can personalize your dish and upgrade your ramen by adding some extras.

006 5 things you don't know about me

Almost every blogger takes part in the challenge “5 things that you don’t know about me”. I thought that it would be nice to introduce you some of the facts about my life that you probably don’t know and let you know me a little bit better. Let’s get started!

1. My first animal

No, it wasn’t a dog or a cat – it would be too easy! When I was about 15 years old, I became an owner of tliltocatl albopilosum. Sounds very exotic, doesn’t it? You might not know that enigmatic Latin name, so I will explain you it more clearly – I had a curlyhair tarantula and its name was Sheloba. Although she was a very scary-looking spider, her venom wasn’t poisonous. Unfortunately, Sheloba died some time later. Now, as you know, I’m an owner of two cute guinea pigs. And who know, maybe our herd will grow to three ones?

2. I have a collection of thimbles

Every time I travel to new places, I buy thimbles with a name of a city I am visiting. However my collection isn’t very impressing, I own many thimbles from Poland and other European cities. Unfortunately, there is no thimble from non-European country in my collection. I think that collecting things runs in the family. For example, my sister collects snow globes.

3.  I am afraid of darkness

I know it is stupid but when it’s dark, my imagination goes and I see the things that aren’t real. Every shadow looks for me like a zombie, monster, murderer… What’s more, when I’m in bed, my feet must be covered by blanket – otherwise, I won’t sleep. There could be a monster under the bed!

4. I am a vegetarian who doesn’t like fresh vegetables

Two years ago I made a decision to become a vegetarian because of animal and health reasons. It wasn’t easy for me because I used to love eating meat and I hated fresh vegetables. First weeks of my new diet were awful because I didn’t know what to eat. Fortunately, I got used to the taste of vegetables and now I’m not frightened of the green color in my plate. :) What’s more, I love vegetables and I can’t imagine how it was possible to not to eat them before. The only veggie that I still hate is fresh cucumber, it tastes horrible to me!

5. I am engaged

I met my S.O. when I was in junior high school. We have been together since then and 7 July 2019, on our 8^th anniversary, I said yes!

005 3 ways to feel happier in the winter

I don’t like the winter season, especially when there’s no snow. The sky that gets dark too early and that omnipresent cold – is there anybody who likes such unpleasant things? Every year I get upset and depressed in the middle of November and my bad mood doesn’t change till March. Of course, there are some remedies to get a little bit better and today I would love to present you 3 of my best hacks to feel happier in the winter:

1. Tidy up your room!

Imagine that – you finish your job and it’s time to go home. The sun goes down at 3 P.M., so every time you go back home it’s already dark. You get upset easily, the city is crowded, you are hungry and there’s only light in the fridge. And then, you open the door of your home and see that mess. What’s next? It makes you more depressed and angry than before. That is why I always try to have my room cleaned. What's better than just go back home, lighten up a couple of candles and prepare a hot cup of favorite tea?

2.  Well-balanced diet

Yes, I know that “well-balanced diet” sounds obvious but don’t forget that winter is the season when we don’t eat too much healthy food. When it’s cold, nobody wants to go shopping to buy vegetables – it’s easier to order a pizza. And there’s something more ­– when I think about winter, the first image that I see in my head is Christmas time. Christmas in Poland means always the tons of greasy food, sugar and no fresh vegetables or fruits. That is why you should add more vitamins into your diet. If you don’t like fresh vegetables or fruits, try some smoothies recipes.

3. Bring summer to your home!

You might know that I am totally crazy about houseplants. I am aware that many people don’t like plants, they find them hard to keep in good condition. Of course, there are many plant species that require too much attention but there are many who are perfect for beginners, too. If you are afraid that you would forget about watering your plants, try aloe vera, snake plant or a type of echeveria plant. There’s nothing better than a little bit of green color at home when the world outside is gray and unwelcoming.