positive company culture

What is a positive company culture

Every organization, also known as a company, has a culture within. In order for the brand to be successful and productive, it is important to take care of this said company culture. To figure out how to take care of it, firstly it is important to figure out what is a positive company culture.

Simply put, a healthy workplace culture is one that places a high priority on employee well-being, provides support at all organizational levels, and has rules in place to promote respect, trust, empathy, and support.

In this article find out more about positive company culture and how to implement it into your everyday workspace.

Wellbeing of employees

The first thing to think about in order to create a positive company culture is your employees’ wellbeing. It is important that the people you hire and welcome into your organization are feeling like a part of the team. Of course, wellbeing goes in a bunch of different standards and it can mean a magnitude of things.

Wellbeing means getting appropriately paid, getting a good work schedule and overall the environment. Every member of the team should feel like their values are aligning with the company’s values. In order for that to happen the common goals and values have to be heard and understood.

Another valuable part of well-being is the whole beginning of starting to work at a company. Also called the onboarding process which can be crucial for both employees and company bosses. If you do not know what this means, check out the article What is onboarding for a good explanation.

company values in organizational culture

Support and feedback

When an employee joins a new workplace, they expect to receive support – especially during those first few weeks. So naturally there has to be great communication at the very beginning from the boss’s side. 

A great indication of a strong company culture is an environment where there are no secrets or hidden agendas. The staff members are not taken aback by any information that they were not made aware of prior to it being announced at a meeting or when they checked their email. 

New information is disclosed well in advance, and managers may even solicit assistance from staff in problem-solving. A good example are brands with mentoring programs. Every newbie has a trusted mentor they can turn to when anything is not clear. 

Comfortable environment

One thing to think about is ensuring your employees have a good and comfortable working environment. Comfort can be measured in both physical and mental ways.

How people feel about their jobs and their company can be greatly influenced by the type of physical environment they work in on a daily basis. The overall feeling is greatly boosted by providing workspaces with amenities and benefits that matter to the workers. 

To retain staff, many companies provide free meals, reimbursements for supplies or lunch, conveniently placed office space, and other perks.

positive company culture

Everything starts with a positive company culture!

Building and sustaining a company’s culture is an investment that is worthwhile. If you want good employees that are a part of your success, then you must give them a good working environment. 

Hopefully you enjoyed this article. Let us know down below in the comments what are any other signs of a positive company culture in the modern era?

Check out some other articles such as Cool mugs to use everyday and Educational wall decals.

Coconut song

Coconut song lyrics

Music is one of the best ways to help take your mind off any stress and problems. Therefore I listen to all kinds of music genres, including some very silly and funny ones. By the name of this article you already know that I am going to mention the Coconut song.

I love the Coconut song because it is so easy going and fun. When I listen to it, however silly it is, it brings a smile to my face. So in hopes it does the same to you, I decided to remind you of this song.

I am sure we all know this song. But here are the lyrics of it, so you can finally sing along!

Coconut song – sing along

The first question I get when thinking about coconuts, is are they even nuts? Because if not, why would it be called a coco nut? Who knows, this song might just be the answer if you’re wondering the same thing. 🙂

coconut song

The coconut nut is a giant nut
If you eat too much, you’ll get very fat
Now, the coconut nut is a big, big nut
But this delicious nut is not a nut


It’s the coco fruit (it’s the coco fruit)
Of the coco tree (of the coco tree)
From the coco palm family


There are so many uses of the coconut tree
You can build a big house for the family
All you need is to find a coconut man
If he cuts the tree, he gets the fruit free


It’s the coco fruit (it’s the coco fruit)
Of the coco tree (of the coco tree)
From the coco palm family


The coconut bark for the kitchen floor
If you save some of it, you can build a door
Now, the coconut trunk, do not throw this junk
If you save some of it, you’ll have the second floor


The coconut wood is very good
It can stand 20 years if you pray it would
Now, the coconut root, to tell you the truth
You can throw it or use it as firewood


The coconut leaves, good shade it gives
For the roof, for the walls up against the eaves
Now, the coconut fruit, say my relatives
Make good cannonballs up against the eaves


It’s the coco fruit (it’s the coco fruit)
Of the coco tree (of the coco tree)
From the coco palm family


The coconut nut is a giant nut
If you eat too much, you’ll get very fat
Now, the coconut nut is a big, big nut
But this delicious nut is not a nut

(3x)
It’s the coco fruit (it’s the coco fruit)
Of the coco tree (of the coco tree)
From the coco palm family



Ole!

original socks

Expanding my collection with original socks

As I’ve mentioned in my articles before, such as Why socks are a fun gift, I am a huge socks fan. It is one of my favorite pieces of clothing that lets me personalize my whole outfit. By choosing some fun and colorful socks, I feel like me. Therefore I’ve decided to expand my existing  collection with some original socks in fun patterns.

In this article I decided to share the designs I’m getting so you can maybe get inspired to do the same. It’s always so fun to share good products so I’d love to take you on this shopping spree with me.

Let’s go shopping!

Cat in a teacup socks

zeesocks kitten cup

I love animals, especially cats and dogs so you will for sure see both in my today’s sock choice. This first pair of socks I chose is Kitten cup socks. They come in a fun color combination that is perfect for spicing up your whole outfit. Since that is exactly what I’m looking for, these definitely grabbed my attention.

There is just something so adorable and cute in little kittens who are tiny enough to fit into a cup of tea. Besides, these socks also give me the association with English tea drinking parties. The cups seem elegant enough so I will call these my new royal kitten socks.

Socks for pug lovers

socks pugs zeesocks

This sock choice comes as no surprise since I just mentioned how much I love animals. I have never seen any pug socks, therefore I decided I absolutely needed some. Also the color combination is so bright and fun here too. These red socks will be a perfect centerpiece of my next outfit.

There is just something amazing about patterned socks. It is way more fun than socks that have just one drawing on them. The pattern just simply makes sure that the whole design is taken into the account and everybody can see it from all angles. 

Original beer socks

zeesocks beer socks

These fun beer socks are another great example of what original socks look like. Have you seen socks like these before? If I have to choose an alcoholic beverage, a beer is always an easy go to drink. Therefore I have officially found my outfit choice for the socks on the night I decide to go out bar hopping with my friends.

If you are ever looking for a funny gift choice, I do recommend you think about socks. They are pretty universal to give away and buy for somebody since you don’t need an exact size. If your friend loves colorful details and accents, socks could be the way to bring those out. Another cool idea could be to personalize your socks. For example these beer ones would be perfect for a beer lover.

A set of fruit socks

fruit socks set zeesocks

Since we started talking about gifts, this fruit socks set is a perfect option. If you know somebody who isn’t all for crazy colors and patterns, then this option is more laid back and simple. For minimalists who still love some bright pop of color here and there these socks could be super fun to wear.

I do love a fun combination of all styles and colors in my socks drawer. You just never know when you might need a more formal and simple pair of socks. That doesn’t mean I will run to the basic black and white socks. That’s not me!

Snacks socks for foodies

snacks socks zeesocks original socks

As you might already know and remember from my articles like Easy dinner in 20 minutes: pasta salad, I love food. And I definitely consider myself a foodie that isn’t afraid to show it with some snack socks. These are the socks that you can better see in the title photo of this whole article – a bright and high quality version.

When I’m thinking of my fast food of the choice, I will always end up saying pizza or burgers. So you see how these original socks are the perfect match for me. Since I haven’t mentioned it just yet, all of these cool socks are from the brand ZeeSocks. They have so many fun designs to choose from that I could shop there forever.

Maybe check them out if you’re interested!

I have found a new socks store that I will go back to, maybe now you have too!

anniversary date ideas

Anniversary date ideas

Anniversaries are special occasions that call for celebration. It’s one day a year when you can forget about all your worries and spend some quality time with your partner. It’s fun to clear out your schedule for anniversary and plan a special date. Doesn’t matter if it’s the second, 10th or 50th anniversary, there are always some cute anniversary date ideas.

If it so happens you’ve run out of ideas for dates, I’ve compiled a list of fun and cute anniversary date ideas that you can use for your anniversary. These dates may vary based on the different times of the year – some will work all year round while others call for warm weather.

Hopefully you find these anniversary date ideas useful!

At the end of the article you will also find a linked article for anniversary gift ideas.

Romantic outdoor picnic

romantic picnic

For two foodies, who always lovetreating themselves with yummy food, a picnic will be the perfect outdoor date idea. It can be very romantic if the chosen location works in your favor. I recommend thinking of a beautiful place that also isn’t too loud or full with people. Think of a beach, river or maybe a beautiful meadow near you.

Second most important, if not THE most important side of this date, is of course food. Make sure you have tasty foods and drinks that both you and your loved one will enjoy. Get some extra points for their favorite snacks and sweets for dessert. The fact that you pay attention and remember what they like the most will for sure be appreciated.

Trying out a new hobby

mini golf

If many date ideas are already tried out and you’re seriously running out of original things and activities to do, dig deeper. Maybe you can both try something new for the first time together. That way you can both be equally inexperienced in something, which could be super fun. And who knows – maybe you’ll find a new hobby and make a tradition to go do said activity every year or so.

It could be really anything that’s fun to do in a pair. Maybe golfing – I feel like mini golf is super fun, if you haven’t tried that out yet. Other ideas for you to chose from could be mountain climbing, diving, snorkeling, taking a masterclass etc.

Horseback riding

horseback riding

Speaking of hobbies, horseback riding is such a fun one that I thought it deserves its own seperate category. This activity can be done in many different occassions. It’s a fun activity to enjoy with family, with little kids and also with your other half. It can eb a very romantic experience too.

Therefore this activity is meant for any anniversary – doesn’t matter if you’re having your second anniversary or maybe 10th and have kids and family already. Horses are very peaceful animals that will surely make you feel in check with yourself, full of peace and harmony.

Camping or glamping

camping couple

Camping is a fun activity that the couple can both enjoy together. It is definitely meant for those who aren’t afraid to be out in the wilderness. It will be perfect for the kind of couple who love being outdoors, enjoy peace and calm of the nature. On the other hand, nowadays there is also glamping available for those who like being outside but still need their comfort.

According to Google, glamping is a form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping. I’ve added a photo of an example of what could be considered as glamping. It’s the modern way of camping and why not chose it – cute, cozy and fun!

Food or drink tasting

food or drink tasting

Thinking of cute anniversary date ideas, some sort of food or drink tasting immediately comes to mind. Just me? It’s similar to the picnic idea, only more fancy. The classic would be a wine tasting. You could both go to a wine tasting, explore some new tastes and notes of wine, while eating amazing snacks and diving into great conversation. The only important thing to consider is making sure none of you drive, and you end up home safe.

There are also fun food tasting events, only you will have to look a little harder for those. For example, I was once attending cake tasting festival. It was super fun and definitely yummy! You could walk around the different caterers and try out their cakes. It was amazing! They not only tasted great but also looked beautiful! It was the whole experience.

Theatre play

theatre

If you’d like to take upon a more classy and elegant date idea then a theatre play could be it for you. This would mean dressing up really nicely and going on a fancy date with your other half. If a little bit of culture is what you’re looking for, then you will for sure find it in theatre.

All you have to do is get the tickets way before so you can make sure of getting the best seats and play available. Make sure to check out recommendations too.

Good alternatives to this date could also be a cinema, opera or a concert. And if we’re staying with theatre, then you could also try an improv class. That could be very fun, as long as you’re both brave enough to try it out! 🙂

Explore a new city together

exploring a new city together

Another fun date activity is exploring a new city you both have never been to or haven’t been there for a very long time. Doesn’t matter where you live or where you are from. It’s fun to go to places you don’t spend your everyday life in. It’s a breath of fresh air and a possibility to experience something exciting and fun.

To make it even more fun, don’t find out anything in particular about this city. Just get out at a random bus or train stop, and go from there. See where the people are living, explore new stores and bakeries, check out the parks. It’s such a fun date idea for those who love exploring!

Go to a fun museum

go to a museum

And finally – going to a museum is so much fun. You just have to find the right one that is interesting to you both. Not everybody is into classical art paintings and that’s totally okay. Check out the museums in your area and pick the most fun one.

There are so many cool museums – porcelain museums, firetruck museums, space museums, oldschool car museums, character museums, human evolution museums and so much more.

Hope you found these ideas useful!

Since it’s also common to give a little gift to your significant other on the anniversary, find some in my other articles such as Cute 2nd anniversary gift ideas or Find gift by persons birth date.

leopard print

Leopard print is coming back in style

Animal prints have been a thing for a while now, however society’s opinion varies on all sides. Personally speaking, I wasn’t always so fond of animal print on my clothing and other everyday things. That being said, I love it now, in fact leopard print is my absolute favorite. Just like everything else in fashion, animal print has also circled back in style.

Trust me, there are ways to include leopard print in your lifestyle and do it in a cool way. In this article I am determined to show you that animal print everyday objects and clothing can be very fun to have. 

Here are my TOP 10 leopard print objects I love!

1. Fun pajamas

Pajamas is the first example where I am willing to mention the fun leopard print. First of all, this is the safest way for you to really check if you love the print or not. Because nobody else will see you – you’re sleeping in pajamas, duuh! 

I have some very soft and cozy pajamas with a low key leopard print. And I must say they are my favorite piece of clothing. In fact, that is where your obsession with the amazing leopard print might start too. You’ve been warned.

2. A leopard mug

Keeping it on the same subject of sleeping, in the mornings I can not imagine not having a cup of coffee. In fact, more than just one. So it’s good to have your favorite mug. I have written all about it in my article Cool mugs to use everyday. Check it out!

Why not have a leopard or cheetah print mug? Or maybe your favorite is another kind of animal print, leopard just so happens to be the one I like the most. Maybe yours will be snakeskin print or maybe zebra. Love seeing those! It is just such a fun way to brighten up your morning before heading outside.

3. Leopard print swimsuit

This next object you will be getting a link for because I own this beautiful piece and I want to share where I got it from. This fun leopard print swimsuit is my go to vacation outfit when I am by the sea or the ocean.

You might argue that the best part about this set are the high waisted bottoms. Usually I would agree however I must admit that the leopard print looks stunning. Especially when you have got a beautiful tan from lying around the beach. This print really brings out your tan and makes you look amazing.

Leopard print swimsuit

4. A leopard print scrunchie

Another one of my favorite ways to include leopard print into my lifestyle is through makeup products and such. An example I want to give you is totally small and very doable – a scrunchie. Similar to leopard print, they have come right back into style again after being very popular back in the 90s. 

I have dark brown hair and some fun leopard scrunchies really make my ponytails look fun. If you have lighter hair, then you might want to get a lighter version of a leopard or cheetah print. Similar to what I will show you with my leopard blanket in the following few items in this article.

5. Animal printed sunglasses

Sunglasses are an amazing summer accessory. If you are lucky enough to live in a warm climate all year round, then you might be using sunglasses a lot more than me. That is an especially amazing reason to spice it up and bring some more fun into it.

Leopard or, again – any type of animal print works, sunglasses are so fun. You can get the most basic sunnies out there but imagine if they have leopard printed temples. Such a fun little way of making your whole outfit pop. 

6. Leopard everyday wallet

A wallet is another piece of accessory you could make more fun. Since we use our wallets every day or almost every day, you might as well get one that you truly love. I have a few wallets since you never know what outfit you will be wearing. Sometimes my wallet is the only thing I take with me so it better be matching.

And if you are anything like me, I do enjoy some basic and simple outfit choices. That is why I love choosing fun accessories to make my outfit stand out. A leopard everyday wallet is one of those ways.

7. Fun leopard socks

Socks are another example of how to make your life fun. Now is not the time we hide our socks in the shoes or make sure our pants cover them just enough. Socks are a full on outfit choice and a great accessory nowadays. That is why I always choose colorful and bright socks.

You might know that one of my favorite websites to shop socks from is Zee Socks. To my liking, they also have some cool Leopard spot socks. Very bright and unordinary – just the way I like it.

More on their socks, check out my article Why wearing colorful socks is a trend you should follow.

8. Soft leopard blanket

Here is the promised lighter version of the leopard printed objects. This amazing leopard blanket is one of my home staples that I use almost every night watching movies on the couch. It is not only cool looking but also amazingly soft. That I can guarantee since I have another object linked for you here.

If there is anything I think you cannot possibly have too many off, that’s these kinds of soft blankets. Trust me, your guests will love it too, when they are staying over or just cuddling you while watching  a movie together. 

Leopard print blanket

9. Leopard print pens

There is nothing I love more than stationary. Even though school is long gone and finished for me, I still enjoy buying some fun work pens and pencils, sticky notes and notebooks. All the good stuff. And you better believe I chose some fun ones.

Leopard printed pens are amazing. Yet again, if you often choose very basic and neutral things to surround yourself with, bring in some pop of color. Cheetah and leopard print is a fun way to brighten your office or room up. Even if it’s just with the help of a few pens. 

10. Leopard print wallpaper

A grand finale indeed. If you dare, I challenge you to paint your wall in cheetah or leopard print, or choose a fun wallpaper for it. While you think I might be joking, let me convince you why I am not.

The main purpose is to not overdo it. You can have some fun wallpaper accents in your room in leopard print. There are ways to make it not look tacky and crazy. Maybe don’t paint your whole bedroom in leopard printed designs. Other than that, it sounds like a fun room makeover idea.

Have I convinced you just a little bit? Are you going to try out some more fun and daring prints in your life?

Let me know!

aladdin travel mug

Everyday coffee travel mug – Aladdin Java Thermavac

A ood travel mug can be your day saver. Having your favorite beverage on the way to work or school is a very nice way to start your day. But it can all be ruined if you have a travel mug that isn’t the best for your routine or is bad quality. 

For some time I have been using Aladdin Java Thermavac Leak-Lock travel mug. It has made my mornings much nicer. So I wanted to share my experience and reasons why I bring my Aladdin Java Thermavac Leak-Lock mug everywhere.

More about the travel mug

Aladdin is a brand that values sustainability, quality and innovation. They have a wide range of products such as water bottles, travel mugs, vacuum bottles and more. And their products have nice designs for every occasion and every need. 

Aladdin Java Thermavac Leak-Lock travel mugs are made from high quality stainless steel. It has a plastic flip lid which is BPA free. The lid also has a locking slider, so it’s leakproof.

These travel mugs have double wall and vacuum insulation, which means that they can hold the beverage temperature for a longer time. 

Aladdin Java Thermavac Leak-Lock travel mugs have handy and beautiful designs, colorful and simpler styles. 

Best features 

Aladdin Java Thermavac Leak-Lock travel mugs have many features that I appreciate very much. I have highlighted some of the reasons why I choose to use an Aladdin coffee mug every day. 

Leakproof

One of the biggest pros in Aladdin travel mag is lid locking slider. It can be very useful if you carry your coffee mug in a bag. Sometimes when putting something in a bag or moving it, you can open a travel mug lid by accident. With Aladdin Java Thermavac Leak-Lock travel mug accidents like these don’t happen if you lock the lid.

aladdin thermavac travel mug

Holds the temperature

Aladdin Java Thermavac Leak-Lock travel mug can hold your morning coffee or tea for up to 4 hours. And usually we’re all done with our drinks at that time. For me, the last sips of the coffee was a bit cold, but before that it holded my coffee warm till I was ready to drink it. 

But this mug, like any other thermo travel mugs, is also good and useful for cold drinks. In summer when we want a cold coffee or just water, we can also use thermo travel mugs. And Aladdin Java Thermavac Leak-Lock travel mug can hold cold beverages for 6 hours.

Different sizes

From Aladdin travel mugs you can choose any size you want. They have very small ones (250 ml) and also bigger ones that are 720 ml and more. So if you like a small cup of coffee in the morning, you can have a little, handy mug that you can put in every pocket. 

I use an Aladdin travel mug which is 470 ml. It’s medium size and fits well in my bags. And also I can have a bigger cup of coffee or tea in the morning. 

Design

Besides the large size range Aladdin offers, they also have different kinds of designs and colors for travel mugs. If you want to stand out and have a colorful mug, the Aladdin Java Thermavac Leak-Lock has bright yellow, blue, red, navy and also more simpler colors like white and black. And different models also have different styles, colors and materials. So it all depends on what your taste is.

I like this design, because it’s easy to hold the travel mug in and the outside material is nice. It doesn’t scratch easily or have any bumps.

Sustainable

As all the others travel mugs, Aladdin Java Thermavac Leak-Lock travel mug is sustainable. Using reusable coffee mugs can make a big difference. It’s better for the environment, because you can use one coffee mug, not only for the day, but for many years, instead of using disposable coffee mugs in cafes or from stores. 

It’s also cheaper, because you can make your own coffee at home. And if you want a coffee to go from a cafe, you can always use your own coffee mug, in that way you will save the environment and your coffee will be warm for a longer time. 

Aladdin Java Thermavac Leak-Lock travel mug is a useful and great thing to have every morning and day. You can have your favorite beverage with you whenever you want. 

Using a good quality and suitable travel mug won’t cause any inconvenience, but on the contrary, it can help to cope with the early mornings.

cool mugs

Cool mugs to use everyday

There is joy in the little everyday things all around us. Mugs are the example I want to talk about today. If you are a huge coffee or tea lover, as am I, then you know that having a really cool mug is very special. You use it every day of your life, in fact multiple times per day. So cool mugs are more than just for your drinks – they’re made for your mood and beautiful home, too.

When it comes to choosing cool mugs for my everyday life, I pay attentio to what kind of mug I bring into my home. I want them to be fun and make my day better right from the start – my morning cup of hot coffee.

So if you’re looking for fun and cool mugs to add to your collection, in this article I found some cool options from Amazon. Check them out!

Octopus coffee mug with a coaster

octopus coffee mug

Why not start off strong – with this super fun octopus mug? It’s very cool, and if you’re looking for some cool mugs, then this is your best find for sure. It’s fun to remember about forgotten animas and cretures of the world and especially the deep blue ocean.

This will be an especially good mug to give somebody as a gift for birthdays or other celebrations. It is such a unique mug that I am certain your friends and loved ones do not already own a mug like this one. However maybe somebody is a huge fan of octopuses, then this gift makes even more sense. I love it!

Coffee mugs for true Star Wars fans

star wars mugs

These amazingly cool mugs representing Star Wars are made from ceramic. The designer that sells them has many more designs to choose from. If you love Star Wars or maybe even some other legendary movies and series, such as Marvel, you might find something truly unique in this bunch.

These Star Wars mugs are not only fun to have but they also look sleek and elegant. They will surely look great in your home also when not being used. I would almost love to get a few just to put out as a decor or maybe even a pot for my plants!

Cool cat ceramic mug

If you’re looking for a more simple mug but one that also has some sort of a twist, then I found this one for you. It’s a cute cat coffee or tea mug when you first look at it. However when you start drinking your drink, you will at one moment spot a little kitten figurine at the bottom of your mug.

This cat mug is very cute and will brighten up the day of any cat lover out there, who will get to have a drink from this wonderful mug. It will be super fun to hand your guests a arm drink and not tell them right away that there is a surprise awaiting them at the bottom of the mug.

Ceramic donut mug

Donuts are one of my favorite types of baked goods therefore no wonder I gravitated towards this amazing mug. It is made into a shape of a donut. The one you’re seeing in the photo – that is the back of the mug since I decided to leave the front as a surprise so you can check it out yourself. It has sprinkles on it!

This donut mug is an amazing gift to give somebody who loves donuts, of course. I can only imagine seeing somebody drinking their coffee from a donut mug while also munching on a tasty donut. What a fun life! You can pick the donut mug with either strawberry or chocolate glaze.

Starlight coffee mug in green

starlight coffee mug

While looking for cool mugs, I came acoss this green starlight mug. It comes in a truly unique shape which is what I liked the most. It would be the perfect gift for somebody who loves stargazing. This mug comes in a gift bag therefore it is already calling to be a perfect gift for somebody special to you.

I notice it also has a cover on it. It will be amazing to make your drink, tea or coffee, last hot even longer. Besides it’s espcially great if you love making your tea from natural herbs. Then the lid will make sure your tea is truly soaking up all the flavor and aroma from the herbs.

Coffee mug set with insulated lid

coffee mugs cool set

And finally I chose some less crazy mugs for those who love simple yet aesthetic and beautiful pieces for their everydya life. This coffee mug set is an amazing gift for a couple or your parents. For somebody who love drinking their hot cup of coffee or tea always together.

What’s special about these mugs is not only their looks but also their efficiency. Each of these mugs have an amazing lid that lets your drink stay hot for a long time. That means no more hurrying up to finoiish your coffee while it is still hot. These cool mugs are also made with a cork bottom, therefore no more burning your hands while holding your mug.

I hope you liked these cool mugs I found! Let me know if you find something I should add to the list!

Meanwhile check out my other gift ideas for yourself or loved ones – Why wearing colourful socks is a trend you should follow and Electric scooter – a gift for spending time outdoors.

educational wall decals

Educational wall decals

Educational wall decals are a type of vinyl sticker decorations that can be attached to a wall. If applied thoughtfully, they can really make your living space pop! They are also easy to maintain, remove and reuse, so you don’t have to worry about damaged walls.

There are different types of wall decals you can choose from. Some are purely decorative, some might contain a quote you like, and others can be used for educational purposes.

In this article I am taking a look at educational wall decors. These are perfect for very young children who are starting to learn more about the world. You know how it is with practicing – you have keep doing something consistently to become really good at it. It is the same with seeing the same piece of information every day – it will help to cement this information into your memory. And children will quite easily learn from images that are visually attractive to them.

Types of educational wall decals

educational wall decals

Stickerinos.com offers a range of different educational wall decals for you to choose from. With affordable prices, they can teach your child numbers, letters, animal world map and more. These images are designed to help learning through association. Each number, letter or place on the map is represented by a cute illustration.

Learn numbers

Help your child learn numbers through cute illustrations. These come as a collection from numbers 1 to 9. Children can learn which number comes after the other and have a fun way of keeping track of their birthdays!

Learn letters

Teach your child the English alphabet with these wall decals. Each letter is represented by a cute animal that’s name starts with the letter it represents. This way, children can easily learn to associate a letter with its sound.

Learn world map

If you would like your child to learn more about the different parts of the world, you can start with this cute animal world map. The children can learn the names of different animals around the world. See what types of animals live in your area, and how different the animals are in other places. Eventually, your child will memorize not only the animals but will also get an idea of the world map itself.

Therefore you can make the perfect choice for your child by taking into consideration their age and personal interests.

To learn more, take a look at Educational wall decals from Stickerinos to choose the perfect wall decoration for your kids!

While we are still on the subjects of kids, I have more tips that you could fin useful in articles like How to make your water taste better. But for wall decorations it would be useful to also read the article on Flower wall decals by Beepail.com.

pasta salad

Easy dinner in 20 minutes: pasta salad

On work day evenings, especially if it’s hot outside, it would be a sin to stay in the kitchen for too long of a time, preparing dinner. So a good and fast solution for a yummy dinner is a pasta salad.

Pasta is a pretty universal food when it comes to making something tasty and on a low time schedule. Since it requires only a few minutes to boil, your dinner can be served in less than 20 minutes. Warm foods can cause a bit more stress since they have to be eaten warm. Pasta is great because if it’s cold – you just make it into a salad. Therefore you can still take it everywhere with you and enjoy it cold.

More on pasta recipes check out our article Types of pasta sauce.

What kind of pasta to choose?

The best pasta for salads is the shorter one. You definitely don’t want any long noodles in your salad since it won’t mix that good with other ingredients. As long as the pasta is short, dish will be a success! Of course it is not the end of the world if the pasta you have at home is not too short.

Whatever kind of pasta is found at home, they’ll all fit for salad, even the big snail shapes in which you can fill the finer sliced vegetables. 

There are many kinds of pasta. You can see for yourself in our article Types of pasta noodles.

tasty pasta recipe

Pick your ingredients

Those 10 minutes while pasta boils, get right to the process of preparing the other ingredients. Those can be chosen completely to your own taste.

Chop the chicken fillet, cut into finer pieces the ham, chop off the canned tuna or toss in some yummy mushrooms of your choice. Don’t forgetto add some fresh vegetables to give your meal some nutritions. It can be some tomatoes, cucumbers, paprika, corn etc. Anything you want really!

If you want something more interesting, there is also an option to mix in fruit for pasta salad, such as melon or pineapple, especially if it is planned to add chicken.

In addition to make the meal more tasty think about the choice of cheese. Both mozzarella cheese and soft cheese balls will suit well here, and the blue or bran pieces will taste very sweet. When it comes to salad sauces, use what is available to you at home. Or allow your imagination do the trick – mix some oil with herbs, add yogurt with fresh greens or cover the salad generously with pesto.

Some additional tips for preparing pasta

pasta salad

Here are some more tips on how to make sure you know exactly what to do when it comes to cooking pasta. Enjoy!

How to know pasta is cooked?

One of the best ways to check if the pasta is prepared – with a fork to remove some pasta from the pot and taste it. The Italians even recommend putting it in their hands for it to cool down more quickly.

One of the old methods of testing if the pasta is done is throwing it against the wall. If the buttered pasta sticks to the wall, it’s ready. If the pasta falls on the floor, it’s not ready yet.

Use a lot of water and make it salty

A lot of water is used to boil pasta. On 450 grams of pasta, nearly five liters of water and a 10-liter saucepan are needed. The pasta, like the tango dancers, needs room for free movement. If the pot is not large enough, it is necessary to boil the pasta two seperate times.

Salt water matters a lot – not only to amplify pasta but also to help it soak up added flavor. Two teaspoons of salt will be enough for five liters of water.

Do not rinse your pasta

Pasta is not washed in cold water! They are simply punctuated, so that the starch in the pasta is not lost and they retain their taste.

Boil one type of pasta at a time

In one saucepan don’t boil two different forms of pasta! Each has its own cooking duration, so if you don’t want half the pasta dissolved, and the other half “al dente,” stick to one shape.

The ideal portion for one person is simple. If pasta is intended as an additive, 60 grams of pasta (weight before boiling) will be sufficient for one person. But if pasta is a basic dish, then double that number.

Bon appetit!

Tips to remind myself to drink water

Tips to remind myself to drink water

It’s important for a human to be hydrated throughout the day. Drinking at least 2 litres of water for a grown up is a must, although it’s not always so easily achieved. That’s why it’s useful to learn some tips on how to remind yourself to drink water more often.

I’ve never had any problems with drinking water, but even I tend to forget or get lost in my work. Only then hours later I realise I’ve been dehydrated for a while.

For that not to happen to you, I’ve created some tips on how to remember to drink water. These friendly tips are compiled in the article down below. Hope you find them helpful!

Set a daily goal for yourself

It’s good to start with a plan. It always helps with motivation if you know what you’re working towards and what’s your goal. For example, if you have to drink 2 litres of water per day, make it your mission. Get a measuring system – it won’t always be 8 glasses but maybe it’s a good start.

You might say that 2 litres of water is a lot, and for many people it truly is. Your water intake is greatly measured by your everyday lifestyle – what you eat, if you exercise, are feeling nervous etc. 

On how much water you should drink, check out my article How much water should I drink a day and find out European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) set recommendations.

Read more on how much water you should be drinking in the article How much water should I drink a day.

Drink before every meal

One trick that I’ve found is setting a specific time or way to remember to hydrate. For example, drink a glass of water every time you’re cooking your next meal. Or just thinking about doing so. That way you will make a routine for yourself and soon you will for sure get used to it. 

Another reason this tip is great, is because hunger can be tricky. Most of the time hunger is actually thirst in disguise. You’re not hungry – just thirsty. So drinking a glass of water before every meal can help you stay on track with your meals as well.

Tips to remind myself to drink water

Get yourself a nice bottle of water

Sustainable water bottles are becoming a trend which is very convenient both for our planet and for our health. A good water bottle will help you get rid of plastic waste and also track your water intake. 

I usually go for water bottles that are around 700ml to 1 litre big, that way I only have to refill my water bottle 2 to 3 times per day. In my eyes it makes it a lot easier to follow your goal. Many times I catch myself drinking even more water than I normally planned to.

If you will have your water bottle next to you at all times, it’s more likely you’ll use it. Check out cool and useful water bottles at 9 MUGS.

Give your water some flavor

Many people have a hard time drinking water because it simply doesn’t have a flavor. In times when grocery stores are filled with juices and lemonades with a variety of tens and hundreds of different flavors, it can be hard to come back to bland water. Especially if you must drink a whole 2 litres of it.

A simple hack for that is trying different ways to add flavor to your water. A still healthy but fun way to do so, is adding some cut berries or fruit. They can give a bit of flavor and a nice scent too. It’s also always great to add some peppermint leaves or lemon slices in your water. 

You will find some recipes in this article – How to make your water taste better.

Tips to remind myself to drink water

Try using a straw

As weird as it can sound at first – drinking water can be boring. Especially if you’re already struggling with getting it down. Then the whole day can get ruined by simply trying to drink some water. One way to make it more fun, is adding a straw.

I’d recommend getting a sustainable straw made from some sort of metal. There are so many cool straws in a variety of different colors – gold, silver, rose gold, even colorful metallic and rainbow.

It’s not uncommon that you drink your beverage with a straw and in one moment it’s all just gone. You simply don’t notice how fast your drink gets consumed. With water it could be a good thing.

Find a useful app that helps

And last but certainly not least, you can always reach for help in a modern way – through technology. There’s a bunch of apps that are specifically made to track your water intake. You can set notifications, desired times to hydrate etc.

Water intake in general is often found in many health and fitness apps. I’m sure you will be able to find a way to track your water intake in your favorite health or sports app too.

Get creative reminders on your wall

There are a bunch of creative ways to stay hydrated too. For example, I found this fun Happy Hydrate Water Glass tracker on Etsy. That platform is so cool because it’s filled with creative people who come up with amazing solutions for everyday problems.

If you struggle to hydrate, then maybe you should also get a fun reminder sticker or wall art like this one. You can track how many glasses of water you drink every day week. That way you will firstly see how many glasses you actually end up drinking. And then later it can help to motivate you reach your set goal.

Hope you found some great tips! Stay healthy!

Other ways to tell Happy birthday

Other ways to tell Happy birthday

Birthday is one of the most important days of everybody’s life. Every year it’s the one day that has to be happy. You’re in the center of attention, everybody is being extra nice to you. And the best part – you get well wishes and gifts. 

Only hearing ‘’Happy birthday!’’ all the time can get a bit old. It’s fun to switch it up a little and come up with new ways of saying happy birthday without actually using these words. So I decided to come up with a few ways of doing so.

In this article I’ve compiled a list of both sweet and funny ways to wish your loved ones happy birthday! 

Enjoy!

Sweet ways to wish happy birthday

Other ways to tell Happy birthday

Here are some sweet ways to wish your loved ones a happy birthday in real life, write in a card or a text.

May your birthday be filled with laughter and much joy!

🎉 

I wish you all the best on your special day. May all of your wishes come true!

🎉 

May you have a fantastic day and many more to come!

🎉 

A million magic wishes to you!

🎉 

I wish you never stop enjoying all the happy, little moments in your life.

🎉 

The more candles you blow, the merrier. Blow them all away and wish for the best!

🎉 

May your day be filled with sweet things and some yummy cake.

🎉 

It’s your birthday. Don’t think of anything else today but how great you are!

🎉 

You always make me happy, so today I want to make you as happy as possible!

🎉 

I’m the luckiest person in the world because I have you! Happy Birthday!

🎉 

I’m so proud of the person you are and are becoming every day! Happy Birthday!

🎉 

Hope you have an enjoyable birthday! You truly deserve it.

🎉 

Birthday hugs and kisses incoming!

🎉 

Let’s celebrate this epic day with an extravagant celebration.

🎉 

May each candle you blow today grant you a wish.

🎉 

The best things in life are yet to come for you.

🎉 

You always make me happy, so I plan to make you even more happy on today’s occasion.

🎉 

Hope today’s filled with all your favorite guilty pleasures!

🎉

So grateful that God put you on this earth and in my life.

🎉

Happy Birthday to a friend I couldn’t live without!

🎉

Funny ways to wish happy birthday

Other ways to tell Happy birthday

Here are some funny ways to wish your loved ones a happy birthday in real life, write in a card or a text.

Happy anniversary with life! 

🥳 

Happy Beerday! Time to celebrate!

🥳 

Happy birthday to you. Did you know that you’re one of the few people in the world that I can actually tolerate?

🥳 

Call me if you need help disposing of a body. Since it’s your birthday, the first one is free of charge.

🥳 

Can you believe it?! I remembered your birthday without Facebook reminding me about it. Happy birthday!

🥳 

Don’t mind the past for you can’t change it. Stop thinking about the future for you can’t anticipate it. Pay no heed about the present for I didn’t get you one.

🥳 

Here’s to aging and wrinkles.

🥳 

I know it’s your special day but please take it slow. Too many birthdays can kill you.

🥳 

I’m greeting you first so that I can feel superior to the rest of your well-wishers. Hence, happy birthday!

🥳 

May this special day of yours be absolutely terrific, and your hangover be compassionately negligible.

🥳 

Didn’t we just celebrate this like a year ago? Happy birthday again, I guess…

🥳 

Happy stuff your face with cake day!

🥳 

Congratulations on another year of skillful death evasion!

🥳 

May you be as fabulous as me on this special day of yours.

🥳 

Now, now, don’t get all weird about getting older, you hear me.

🥳 

Open your Facebook for this is the only day you’ll receive tons of heartfelt greetings from people you never talked to in ages.

🥳 

Remember that I will always be there to pick you up when you fall. But only after I stop laughing. Happy birthday, my friend!

🥳 

This is the perfect day to thank me for remembering your birthday.

🥳 

Today’s a great excuse for you to make some bad decisions. Let’s party!

🥳 

Wow, you made another 365-day revolution around the sun! I hope you always enjoy your trips.

🥳 

Let’s eat cake, drink booze, and party all day and night. After all, it’s your birthday!

🥳 

You’re a year closer to getting that senior citizen’s discount. Keep at it!

🥳 

Just because it’s your birthday today doesn’t mean you’re special. You see, you are always special no matter what day it is.

🥳 

Happy birthday in different languages

Other ways to tell Happy birthday

For all your international friends and colleagues, here are some translations to surprise them for their birthday. They will surely appreciate the effort from you to wish them a happy birthday in their native language!

Happy Birthday!

Here are the different translations to wish Happy Birthday!

Spanish – ¡Feliz cumpleaños!

French – Joyeux Anniversaire !

Italian – Buon compleanno!

German – Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!

Portuguese – Feliz Aniversário!

Russian – С днём рождения!

Chinese – 生日快乐!

Japanese – お誕生日おめでとうございます

Polish – Wszystkiego najlepszego!

I wish you all the best on your special day!

Here are the different translations to wish all the best on their special day.

Spanish – Le deseo lo mejor en su día especial.

French – Je vous souhaite tout le succès possible pour cette journée spéciale !

Italian – Vi auguro tutto il meglio per il vostro giorno speciale!

German – Ich wünsche Ihnen alles Gute zu Ihrem besonderen Tag!

Portuguese – Desejo-vos tudo de bom no vosso dia especial!

Russia – Желаю тебе всего наилучшего в твой особенный день!

Chinese – 祝愿你们在特殊的日子里一切顺利!

Japanese – 特別な日を迎えられますように

Polish – Życzę Wam wszystkiego najlepszego w Waszym wyjątkowym dniu!

Hope you enjoyed this article!

If you’re not only looking for a birthday wish but a gift as well, check out our article Creative bday gifts ideas

Types of pasta sauce

Types of pasta sauce

If French cuisine has five basic sauces, which every chef must be able to prepare, then it is only significant that the Italians have their own. And it wouldn’t be Italy if the main task of the sauces was not to complement the delicious pasta meals.

So in this article I’ve collected the 5 best recipes for pasta sauces that everyone should know.

In my other article we’ve found out about all the Types of pasta noodles. Now it’s time to finally get prepared for the whole pasta dish.

Let’s get started with TOP 5 pasta sauces:

Alfredo sauce – makes pasta especially creamy

Types of pasta sauce

Italian cuisine has traditionally made pasta with cheese and butter sauces for a long time, but “Fettuccine Alfredo” became a popular dish thanks to an Italian chef only in the early 20th century. The principle for this meal is quite simple – egg noodles are mixed with butter and Parmesan cheese.

Needed ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp butter;
  • 200 ml sour cream;
  • Salt and pepper to taste;
  • Two handfuls of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

First, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat – it should be sunny yellow. Then add the cream kept at room temperature to the butter, add salt and pepper, and stir everything. Allow the cream and butter to begin to bubble slightly. Then allow the sauce to thicken. It usually takes about 3-5 minutes.

When the sauce base is prepared, remove the pan from the stove. While the ingredients are still hot, mix the grated Parmesan cheese into the cream. Vigorous bags of sauce with a wooden spoon so that the cheese melts evenly and does not lump.

Sauce is done and ready to be enjoyed!

Marinara sauce – classic Italian pasta sauce

Types of pasta sauce

The classic tomato sauce, richly served with pasta dishes, originated in Naples, Italy. However, the most interesting thing is that we know the marinara sauce itself thanks to the American Italians, who introduced it in traditional Italian cuisine. This sauce is quite rich in flavors for many pasta dishes, which is why it is worth preparing at home.

Needed ingredients:

  • 60 ml of olive oil;
  • 1 onion;
  • 7 cloves of garlic;
  • 800 g peeled or preserved tomatoes;
  • 1 bay leaf;
  • a pinch of salt;
  • a handful of fresh basil (separated and chopped leaves);
  • olives.

The principle is quite simple – boil tomato sauce at home in a large pan or pot. First place the tomatoes in a bowl and squeezed by hand, adding very little water to release the tomato juice. The squeezed tomatoes are set aside to stand.

Then heat the oil in a pot (do not use a deep one) over medium heat. Fry the crushed garlic cloves and onion in it. As soon as the garlic squeaks in oil and is still in its usual color, add the tomatoes with all the juice. Add bay leaf and fresh basil, as well as salt to taste and chopped olives. The sauce is soaked for 15-20 minutes, it should be orange, thickened and the oil should flow over it.

Before the sauce is almost ready, check how it tastes – if necessary add more salt, basil and oregano to enhance the taste. Then continue to simmer for the same amount of time. The finished sauce can be cooled and transferred to storage jars. Then you can use it for up to two weeks.

Basil pesto – the taste of summer

basic pesto

The easiest way to get the tempting green pesto sauce is to toss all the ingredients in the blender and blend. However this approach will not be the right one either, because the metal blades change the taste of the basil and in the end only a porridge, not a dark sauce, will be made. 

When preparing pesto with a pestle, the ingredients should be mixed step by step.

Ingredients

Lovers of classic values who want to make an authentic basil pesto must provide it with the basil  of Genoa, which has the pronounced aroma and taste that is recognized as the most suitable for pesto sauce. 

In addition to the real basil, it is important to procure garlic, high quality olive oil (extra virgin), hard cheese, a pinch of salt and, of course, cedar or pine nuts.

Step by step recipe

First, take basil leaves with a pinch of salt (if the cheese is not very salty) and rub the leaves with a stamp. You will not be able to assemble all the leaves at once, so chop them into parts until all the desired amount of basil is used.

When done, add the cleaned and halved garlic cloves and strain. Then there is a layer of nuts – pour into a pestle and chop together with the green porridge. 

The nuts are followed by chopping the cheese – add the sauce and stamp in smaller pieces. Only when all these ingredients are mixed can you slowly pour in the olive oil and squeeze the sauce to the desired thickness.

When using the pestle, be careful not to bother too much, but also keep larger nutcrackers if you want. Also, do not overdo it with the addition of olive oil. Better less than too much, otherwise in the end your pesto will look like oil with greens. Pesto should be thick, dark with noticeable pieces of nuts and a pronounced basil flavor, while also feeling the salty cheese.

Primavera sauce 

pasta recipe

According to the Italians themselves – pasta without sauce is not edible. It is not for nothing that we serve them in a variety of flavors with some of the classic sauces, such as pesto, “marinara”, “Alfredo” and others. One of them, created especially for pasta, is a “primavera” sauce, which is not native to Italy, but to Canada.

Over time, however, the recipe has changed and now there is almost a different version in each cookbook. “Primavera” is difficult to call a sauce, because it is mostly butter-soaked vegetables, but this does not mean that it is not worth learning.

Needed ingredients:

  • 450 g asparagus;
  • 1 handful of frozen peas;
  • 1 tbsp butter;
  • 1 tbsp olive oil;
  • 120 g Crushed ham;
  • 2 small leeks;
  • 360 ml sour cream;
  • 1 handful of grated Parmesan cheese;
  • salt;
  • pepper.

First trim the asparagus and cut into small pieces. Ham is also cut into cubes, but the leeks are chopped. 

Boil water with salt in a small saucepan, as it is recommended to cook the asparagus pieces in it for at least three minutes. Once the asparagus has been cooked, remove them with a foam spoon and cook the peas in the same water for about 5-6 minutes. After cooking, it is also removed from the field and stored with the asparagus.

Then melt the butter in a large pan with the olive oil over medium heat. Then in a pan saber ham pieces and brown. When done, add the leeks and bake for about 4 minutes. The soft leeks are then poured with sour cream and puff for at least 8 minutes. 

At the end of the sauce add peas and asparagus, then stir in the cheese and add salt and pepper. Once the cheese has melted, pour the sauce over the pasta – it will suit “penne”, “rotini”, “fettuccine” and spaghetti.

Puttanesca sauce – filled with anchovies

Types of pasta sauce

“Puttanesca”, although considered a relative newcomer to the world of sauces, is a very special sauce. As it is rich in anchovies, its aroma and taste should not be confused with any other. 

Even if mostly the sauce is added to spaghetti or some other type of pasta, by skillfully learning how to prepare it, the sauce can even be spread on pizza.

Since “puttanesca” is served with spaghetti or some other type of pasta, it is recommended to cook the sauce a little faster – a moment before the pasta is almost ready. This is necessary so that the pasta does not serve, because they will need to be neatly mixed into the sauce.

Needed ingredients:

  • 1 onion;
  • a small can of anchovies;
  • a pinch of chili flakes;
  • salt;
  • pepper;
  • olive oil;
  • 4 cloves of garlic;
  • 1 can of canned plum tomatoes with whole juice;
  • 2tbsp capers;
  • a handful of chopped olives;
  • oregano;
  • parsley;
  • grated Parmesan cheese.

The sauce itself begins with frying the chopped onions in olive oil. Then also add anchovy pieces, chili flakes, salt and pepper to taste. Olive oil must be generously applied so that the onion absorbs it beautifully, but the anchovies mix with the other ingredients. 

When the anchovies have softened, cut them into smaller pieces in a pan with a spoon. Then add the garlic and cook for another minute.

Then add the canned tomatoes with all the juice to the sauce. Cut tomatoes into smaller pieces right in the pan when they have become softer and hot. Then add the capers and olives, reduce the flame slightly and heat the sauce for 8-10 minutes to allow the excess liquid to evaporate.

Stir in a handful of grated Parmesan cheese. And the sauce is ready to be served!

That’s about all you need to know on how to make TOP 5 pasta sauces!

Bon appetit!

How to make your water taste better

How to make your water taste better

Drinking enough water isn’t always the easiest task. I personally struggle with it for a very interesting reason – water simply isn’t fun enough for me to drink. I know and I fully acknowledge that it is the healthy thing to do yet I would rather choose something with a good taste instead of water.

So to fix my problem I’ve come up with a solution – infused water. Berries, fruits and even some veggies are great to put in water. After a while the water gets some taste from these added ingredients. And then it tastes great and is still healthy which is important.

So to help you out, if you’re struggling with the same problem, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite recipes. 

Enjoy!

Raspberries + lemon

raspberry infused water

Raspberries are one of my favorite berries so of course I had to use them in these recipes. A great way to make your water taste better is by adding some berries to it of your own choice. I prefer raspberries but you can also use strawberries, blackberries etc. 

I usually don’t measure much but I make a huge batch of water of around 2 litres. For that measurement I usually use around a whole cup of berries. 

To make this infused water taste even better, I add some lemon slices. That Can vary for everybody’s taste. Just keep in mind that lemon slices will make your water taste more fresh but also savory. The more lemon you will add, the more savory your drink will be. Healthwise – I love lemon, especially in the mornings. It helps me to wake up and start off my day great!

Apple + cinnamon

apple cinnamon

Apple and cinnamon is the combination you didn’t know you needed. It’s an amazing way to make your water taste like fall. Cinnamon has a way to make your whole house smell like Christmas. For people who love this holiday (like me), this drink will be a great reminder.

As I’ve mentioned before, I very much eyeball all the measurements but I do make around 2 litres of water. Everybody has their own amount of water to drink. To read more about that, read my article How much water should I drink a day.

Speaking of this recipe, I cut about a whole apple in slices and used 1 cinnamon stick. Cinnamon is the tricky part because you don’t want to overdo it. When it comes to choosing your apple – I suggest getting a very sweet one. That way the taste will transport to your water and you will get a yummy infused water!

Grapes + mint

grapes mint infused water

Grapes are another set of berries I love to snack on during the day. So I experimented with adding some of those to my daily water. At first not much happened, but probably because I didn’t leave the water to get infused for too long. It’s best to do so overnight or for a whole 24 hours even.

Then I looked up some recipes and many suggested adding mint to your grapes. Once I did that, there was no going back. Mint is such a great way to make your drink taste more fresh, cold and overall just better!

Pineapple + mint

pineapple water

So as you’ve noticed so far, mint is my new obsession when it comes to infusing water. To be honest with you, I do wonder how my first 2 recipes would taste with added mint. That is to be experimented with later!

For this recipe use some pineapple, I used about a fourth of a normal sized pineapple. Sliced it, added a few mint leaves and left the water overnight in the fridge. The end result tastes almost like a cocktail, only except the sticky and too sweet taste that is often found in drinks with pineapple.

This tastes like an exotic and healthy version of those cocktails.

For more tips check out my article Tips to remind myself to drink water.

I hope you will try these water recipes and find one that you love!

My favourite Christmas wishes

My favourite Christmas wishes

Christmas is my favourite holiday because it’s all about the love, magic and being together with all of your loved ones. It is truly the best time of the year. Often this is the time to tell your loved ones how much you appreciate and love them. To do so, use some Christmas wishes.

Christmas can be the time to tell your closest friends and family how much they mean to you. Not everyone is so good with words, though. So I am here to help you with some of my favourite Christmas wishes.

You can write them in a card or say them out loud! Merry Christmas!

Here’s the parts of the article:

Wonderful Christmas wishes

Here are some wholesome and full of love wishes for you to use in your Holiday cards.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

❆❆❆

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas, let your heart be light.

❆❆❆

May your holidays sparkle with joy and laughter!

❆❆❆

It’s easy to get lost in the flurry of activity during Christmas time. May you get a chance to take in the beauty and true meaning of the season and have a Merry Christmas!

❆❆❆

I hope Santa is good to you this year because you only deserve the best. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

❆❆❆

Merry Christmas, and may your Christmas be white! 

❆❆❆

It’s people like you that make Christmas so special and meaningful. Thank you!

❆❆❆

Cheers to eggnog by the fire, warm holiday memories, and you.

❆❆❆

Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Christmas! May peace, love, prosperity follow you always.

❆❆❆

May this festive season sparkle and shine, may all of your wishes and dreams come true, and may you feel this happiness all year round. Merry Christmas!

❆❆❆

I wish happiness surrounds you all around on this happy occasion. I hope you’ll have a great time with your friends and family!

❆❆❆

 Merry Christmas! May your happiness be large and your bills small!

❆❆❆

Your friendship and your love is the best Christmas gift that I’ve ever received.

❆❆❆

Warmest greetings of this festive season and best wishes for Happiness in the New Year!

❆❆❆

May your heart and home be filled with all of the joys the festive season brings. Here is a toast to a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year!

❆❆❆

The gift of love. The gift of peace. The gift of happiness.  May all these be yours at Christmas!

❆❆❆

I hope this holy season brings abundant happiness in your life. Merry Christmas to someone so sweet!

❆❆❆

May this Christmas end the year on a cheerful note and make way for a fresh and bright New Year. Wishing you a magical and blissful holiday.

❆❆❆

christmas wishes

Funny Christmas wishes

Christmas is also about staying in a good mood. Some express their love best by some silly jokes and goofy wishes. Here are some.

🎅

Why did Santa quit smoking? Because it was bad for his elf.

🎅

Christmas is a very spiritual time – in your case vodka, gin and whisky.

🎅

You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.

🎅

Gin-gle bells,

Gin-gle bells,

Gin-gle all the way,

Oh what fun it is to drink,

On a festive holiday.

🎅

I hope Santa fills our socks with cash instead of gifts and toys. I know you hope for the same. Wish you a happy Christmas!

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Christmas is the season of magic and mystery. All your savings for the year will have vanished and you won’t even know it. How awesome!

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I don’t perceive why individuals prefer to say “Mary Christmas.” Isn’t it Jesus’ birthday? We must always say, “Jesus Christmas.”

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One sure sign that you’re getting older is how Santa seems to look younger each year. Cheers to another year of holiday fun!

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May your eggnog be spiked with plenty of rum to get you through this holiday season. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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“It’s all fun and games until Santa checks the naughty list.”
Let’s hope he wasn’t paying close attention to us this year! Thanks for being such a great friend, it’s been fun spending time with you over the year.

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Christmas (noun). The only time of the year in which one can sit in front of a dead tree and eat candy out of socks.

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I hope you love the present you told me to buy for you. Merry Christmas!

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That’s it for now! I hope you found at least one of these useful! Merry Holiday season!

If you’re looking for a gift, check out some cool ideas in my other article Secret Santa gift ideas.

Happy holidays!

How much water should I drink a day

How much water should I drink a day

Everybody knows that drinking an appropriate amount of water a day is very important. It significantly improves your health and overall feeling. The main question is not only why it’s so important to drink water but also how much?

There is no simple answer to the question about the amount of water necessary for daily intake, as scientists’ recommendations in this area have changed over the years. Also worth noting, that the amount of water needed for each person varies based on different factors.

In this article I’ll give you a brief conclusion on why you should hydrate regularly over the day and how much water you should drink based on your age, gender and other factors.

Regular hydration improves health

How much water should I drink a day

A human body of 60% is known to consist of water. Consequently, the wellbeing and physical survival of the body depends on regular water intake. You flush out all the bad things while sweating, crying and urinating. So it only makes sense you’d need to repair the lost water. 

Each body cell, tissues and organs are based on a sufficient amount of water to function properly.

The role of water in the functioning of the body is invaluable. 

Here are some indications of the importance of water for health:

  • Water helps with regulating body temperature;
  • It releases the body from harmful substances by flushing it through urination, sweating and intestinal function;
  • It protects sensitive tissues;
  • Moisturizes joints.

How much water should you drink per day

How much water should I drink a day

Insufficient intake of water leads the body to dehydration. This makes it difficult to function normally. Even a small dehydration is capable of significantly altering the physical performance of the body, which can be shown in a lack of energy, headaches and fatigue.

Every day, the human body loses water. In order for the body to function normally, the amount of water lost must be restored by taking a sufficient amount of water through the intake of drinks and water-containing meals.

In 2010, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an official water intake recommendation based on age and gender.

  • For infants it’s 680ml – 1000ml of water per day.
  • Kids aged from 9 to 13 – 1900ml for girls and 2100ml for boys.
  • For teenagers, grownups and elders –  2000ml for women and 2500ml for men.
  • For pregnant women – the usual 2000ml + 300ml extra.

Factors affecting water intake

How much water should I drink a day

Based on various factors and activities carried out during the day, the recommended amount of water intake may vary. Find out more about what affects it below.

Physical exercise

If physical activity (walks, swimming, exercising, playing etc) is carried out during the day, which results in sweating, the amount of water lost must be repaired. It is important to drink water during sports, before and after.

The climate

In the case of hot and moist weather, increased sweating may be possible, which requires additional water intake. The same applies to high height – if you are in the hills, for example, drink more water.

Condition of health

The body also loses water significantly during health problems – if there is fever, vomiting or diarrhoea especially. In this case, you should drink a lot of water and consult your doctor about the dehydration that has occurred. Other health problems, which include increased loss of water, include urinary infections and the formation of stones in the bladder.

Being pregnant or breastfeeding

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding need to increase water intake during the postnatal period.

Listen to your body and you will know how much water you need

How much water should I drink a day

Listen to your body and you will surely know when to drink water and how much of it. Before you start to calculate the needed daily water intake, remember to not stress your body out.

Here are some tips that might help you find out if you really need to hydrate more than you usually do.

You are most likely to drink enough water if:

  • You rarely feel thirsty;
  • Your urine is pale yellow or, at best, colourless;
  • A doctor has set up an individual plan for taking the amount of water that is exactly right for you.

To avoid dehydration, try to get yourself used to water drinking. It isn’t simple for everyone, yet try to make water your priority  and choice of drink and your body will be grateful to you.

Recommendations on how to effectively take care of water intake:

  • Drink one glass of water before and between each meal;
  • Drink water before, after and during training;
  • Drinking water if you are hungry – thirst often fools you by pretending to be hungry;
  • Always keep a bottle of water next to you so you always have something to drink.
  • Find the best water bottle for yourself so it’s comfortable and handy everyday.

For more tips, check out my other article Tips to remind myself to drink water.

I hope you enjoyed this article because I surely enjoyed looking up all this information! Hope it was helpful!

living space tips

Arrange your living space efficiently

To fill up a place so it’s both aesthetic and functional isn’t always the easiest task. Although there are a few interior design rules that can be useful while decorating your own apartment or house.

In this article I’ll share my knowledge on how to make your space bright, spacious, functional and cozy all together.

Hope you enjoy these tips!

Choose your carpet wisely

carpet

The era of all wooden floors has ended and carpets are definitely back. They just make the whole place that much more cozy. What’s interesting to know is that the size and placement of your carpet matters a lot. 

There are some basic rules interior designers swear by. For example, in the living room – the front of the couch has to be on carpet, however the back of the couch has to be partly on the floor. Carpet is an especially important part of the living space – it’s in the middle of everything. That’s why it’s smart to pick a cool carpet, one that you really love and that makes the whole room that much better.

Try thinking of the color scheme of your space. If your room has many colorful objects, it’s best to choose a neutral colored carpet. However if your room is lacking color, bring out the colorful carpet! Itcan be a breath of fresh air that will make you more happy in your every-day life!

Keep everything in balance

keep balance

Keeping a healthy balance is one of the most important tricks in interior design. While arranging your living space, there’s no need to put all the huge furniture on one side of the room and leave the other side empty. Try mixing it up, keeping a balance and have fun with it. 

Keep in mind that you can also play around with different shapes. Everything doesn’t have to be the same. For example, a classic square shaped couch will go together with a round coffee table. 

It’s also worth mentioning not to over decorate. That’s a common mistake – trying to fill up the space as much as you can with posters, books, souvenirs, notes etc. Let the space breathe!

Leave space for movement

spacious living room

Any room has to have space for movement, both for you and other people as well. Walking from one side of the room to the other shouldn’t be a complicated task.

Arrange your space efficiently and make sure you can freely move around. Make sure you will have enough space to walk around your room, do a little dance party or exercise. It’s important not to feel crushed at your home – less is more.

Lamps are essential

lamps bed

The thing that makes the room cozy and comfortable – lights, many of them! Of course, you don’t want to go overboard and live inside a Christmas tree. But it is important to make sure your living space will have enough light.

Use good main lighting and get some decorative lamps, too. Maybe some fairy lights around the bed or some shelves for a more atmospheric and cozy vibe. 

Find cool artwork for the walls

art work

The walls of your apartment or house are your canvas. Nobody likes a bland white wall. Choose to decorate it wisely, with paintings or posters or any other artwork that you love.

It is important to note the size of the paintings. If your room is spacious enough, do not choose a small sized painting. If you put up a small painting on the wall behind the couch, it will be hard to see it in its full glory and the wall will still be missing something. The main rule to follow is to choose a painting that’s about ⅔ of the size of a furniture it’s next to.

Get some plants

plants in room

The best decor for your living space is definitely plants. They have the ability to liven up the space in no time. Also it will greatly benefit your mood and health, air will be fresher.

There are so many different plants. For the sole purpose of decoration you can also choose fake plants. Especially if you’re often busy and can’t be sure you’ll be able to keep them alive. But then again – there are a lot of beautiful plants that are pretty hard to kill. Those are the ones I often go for! 🙂

Hopefully you got some good advice! Have a good day!

planner

Plan your day and be happy

As soon as the end of the year approaches, it is only natural to start thinking of the new year. It brings ideas of new goals and hope for what’s yet to come. What helps me with entering the new year with a fresh perspective is a brand new planner.

I’ve found it to be such a useful every-day gadget. A great planner can be very helpful in managing your daily life – to do lists, meetings, appointments, self motivation and just writing down your thoughts.

Even though there are so many ways to keep a planner digitally, it just doesn’t feel the same. There’s a different kind of feeling, almost stress relief, that you get from writing on real paper. Here’s why a good planner will help you feel happier.

Planner helps with managing time

The main purpose of any planner is to make your life easier by making sure you remember your daily tasks. For those who just don’t seem to have enough hours in one day, a planner is a must have. Constantly moving from point A to point B, it can get really frustrating having to remember it all.

Planners are especially good for correctly planning out your day. Sometimes things can get forgotten and you might even book 2 events around the same time. That can get really stressful and it makes sense for it to result in you always thinking you don’t have enough time for everything. I strongly suggest to always keep your planner around in order to never make that mistake again. When the next event comes, you will know exactly when you are able to book it. 

It gives a productivity boost both at work and home

It’s a commonly misjudged opinion that planners are only meant for busy people. I am here to tell you it’s not the case at all.

Planners are about helping you lead an organised life. They’re about collecting all of your thoughts and daily plans. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be a busy person who has a bunch of meetings and appointments every day of the week. If your every-day life revolves  around being active or staying healthy, or even having a positive outlook on life – planner can be a great help. 

It’s good to plan whatever you want. It can be your daily walks, your exercise, meeting friends and even tracking the amount of your daily water intake. Whatever makes you motivated to be productive is good. The most rewarding moment is when you can cross out an already done task. That’s what gives you the boost to keep going and be even more productive.

planner

Planning lowers your stress levels

At some moments we all experience stress. It can come out in a variety of forms but the stress we’re talking about right now, is the feeling of being overwhelmed. That can often happen when you’re not planning your time and day in general.

Of course, stress can be caused by a bunch of different reasons as well. In this case it is important to eliminate as many stress causes as possible. Getting a planner will surely make you feel more relieved and in control.

When you’ll have your day perfectly planned out, you will also notice feeling much calmer. You’ll know exactly what to expect from your day and that kind of reassurance can be truly calming.

Planner can help you track your general health

As mentioned before, you can track anything you’d like in your planner. That includes your health journey.

You can plan out activities, walks outdoors, doctor appointments and your general well being. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Most planners have blank pages that you can fill up to your liking. If it helps, you can even use your planner as a personal diary – write out all your feelings and thoughts. 

Some planners also have bed time trackers, bad habit trackers and stuff like that. You can always personalise your planner to your needs and decide what the best way to plan your day is for you.

Eventually you’ll have more free time

Planner gives you a chance to have a healthy daily routine. You will know your priorities and to-do lists. While doing so, you’ll eventually start getting to know yourself better. You’ll be able to figure out how much time every task takes you. Therefore, you will be able to manage your time.

When everything is planned and at the end of the day finished, you will feel rewarded to have all that free time. It will give you more time and will to take up a new hobby, do the things you love the most. 

Good luck with finding your perfect planner! I hope it will make your every-day life much happier!