TIME DOESN'T HEAL ALL WOUNDS- 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' review

Elizabeth Olsen as Martha in 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
Some time ago my partner showed me a song. It was 'Marcy's song' by John Hawkes (originally sung by Jackson C. Frank in 1965) - a theme from a thriller drama called 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'. John's voice was so magnifying that I couldn't get it out of my head for many months. I have listened to 'Marcy's song' thousands times but haven't had time to watch the movie until very recently.


'Martha Marcy May Marlene' is a story of a young girl trying to re-adjust to a normal life after escaping from an abusive cult. She lives with her sister and brother-in-law in their beautiful lake house in Connecticut. 
Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) is an emotionally damaged and lost girl. She thinks that the guru Patrick (John Hawkes) and his people are coming to get her. Even though she seems to be safe at the lake house with her family, the longer she lives there, the more paranoid she gets. Sometimes we see that she connects with her old self (prior living with the cult), but these are only moments which disappear in a blink of an eye. She is withdrawn and petrified. It seems that she forgot how the 'normal' world looks like. 
Her family, not aware of where she really was for the past two years, doesn't understand her strange behaviour. And things just get worse, and worse. Elizabeth Olsen gives a phenomenal debut performance in this movie. She is charismatic but natural and unshowy. 
I have got to mention John Hawkes (Patrick) as his remarkable performance adds a lot to the film. It was his intriguing voice that made me fall in love with 'Marcy's song' and made me watch 'Martha Marcy May Marlene.' Patrick created a cult and surrounded himself with young girls and boys. He is like a new father to them, who gives his kids new names, new lives and re-shapes them mentally and physically. Cruel and unpredictable leader, drugs and rapes his new 'daughters.' Patrick rules their world without even raising his voice. He is both creepy, and magnifying. 


Elizabeth Olsen as Martha in 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

This film is visually breathtaking. 
The beautiful cinematography and natural lighting create an intimacy with the leading character. Jody Lee Lipes couldn't do it any more appealing. Chapeau bas! 

The storytelling of 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' is phenomenal. Even though the scenes are long and sometimes slow, the story is so gripping, that it doesn't allow you to blink in some moments. Very absorbing and thought-provokingWe don't know if the cult is really trying to get Martha, or not. The movie never tells you that.  Her past blurs with her present. We seem to have the same hallucinations as the leading character. The movie is thrilling, even though there is no much action in it. The director doesn't judge the characters, he just follows them. He allows the viewers to have their own opinions.  I must say, that next to 'Mustang' directed by Denis Gamze Erguven, 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' is my another favourite debut film.

I love when one person both directs and writes the movie. This gives a chance for an artistic vision to be executed in the most beautiful way.  There is some kind of poetic, nostalgic harmony to this movie. All its scenes create a stunning but very haunting and dark picture. Hats off to Sean Durkin for creating a masterpiece.



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MY FAVOURITE DRUGSTORE & CRUELTY-FREE RED LIPSTICKS!


Hi there!  So, this is a time for my favourite red lipsticks! There are only two I want to tell you about. I guess the number of my favourites clearly speaks for itself😀- I am not a big red lip wearer.  However, these two products stole my heart.



COLLECTION LASTING COLOUR LIPSTICK IN 'PINK DIVA'

The first one is actually one of the best lipsticks I have discovered throughout my life-  it is the stunning Collection Lasting Colour Lipstick in the shade Pink Fusion. Don't let the name fool you - this is a cool-toned red lipstick with the slightest hint of pink to it. 

It brightens my face and instantly adds glam to my look. It looks very expensive on the lips. 
The finish of this lipstick is just stunning. It is a true matte, which looks like velvet. 
You may think that it would be hard to apply- not at all! The well-conceived formula guarantees a smooth application.
This lipstick is very comfortable on the lips, so light that is almost impalpable. It doesn't transfer much, which means it won't bleed all over your face. And the little fingers won't smudge it everywhere🙂 It lasts on my lips for 5 hours, and it wears off really nicely. There are no cons to this lipstick in my opinion. Did I mention that it retails for less than £3?
I like its packaging, it is simple and very sturdy. I can't recommend it highly enough! I hope Collection comes up with more colours in this formulation, as they only have a few available at the moment.





WET N WILD MEGA LAST MATTE  LIP COVER IN 'CHERRY PICKING'

It is a stunning cool-toned red. It looks amazing on! It glides on the lips, and it is very comfortable to wear. It is not drying at all. It is not as matte as Pink Diva by Collection, therefore is not kiss-proof. It will transfer onto your glass or cutlery. But it is not the type of lipstick that would bleed all over your face. The formula of it is great. And the colour is so rich and opaque! 
I am sure that you have heard that before- the packaging of this lipstick is very weak. The lid comes off easily and breaks. It is not the kind of lipstick you want to throw into your handbag without securing it with a bit of a tape.
I know that many people love the shape of the lipstick, and they believe that it makes it easy to apply a product straight onto the lips. I prefer lipsticks with a pointed end, but again, this is only my personal preference.
It usually stays on my lips for a good 3-4h, it wears off beautifully, leaving a stain of colour behind (I love it! It makes me look like I have just eaten fresh, ripe cherries!). This shade is so rich that it almost looks juicy!

Overall, the quality of this lipstick is wonderful! The shade selection is wide, but Cherry Picking is definitely my favourite!





What is your favourite red lipstick? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading x



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THREE-INGREDIENTS EASY VEGAN PANCAKES. PERFECT FOR BLW!


If anybody told me a year ago, that I would be enjoying sweet breakfasts, I would have never believed it. I am not much of a sweet tooth, a bowl of pasta always wins over a pudding for me. OK, I could bear a slice vegan cake in the afternoon 🙂 but who would like to start the day off eating something sweet? Well, I kind of get it now. I have changed my mind since I tried eating porridge for my breakfast and I absolutely fell in love with it. And then, gradually, other non-savoury breakfasts followed. Today I want to share with you my current favourite recipe. These amazing three-ingredient vegan pancakes are delicious on their own, or served with maple/ dates syrup or fresh fruits. They are easy to make, affordable and delicious! My son loves them, too! They are fluffy, soft and easy to eat for kids. A perfect BLW breakfast idea.




INGREDIENTS:

- 1 glass of semolina,
- 1 glass of almond milk (you can swap it with any other vegan milk or water),
- coconut oil for frying (optional)




DIRECTIONS:

STEP 1: In a bowl, combine semolina and almond milk. Leave it for 20 minutes and let your semolina thicken.

STEP 2: Add two mashed bananas  to your batter and mix it all together.

STEP 3: Heat an non stick frying pan over a full heat and add a tiny bit of coconut oil. You can also fry it on a dry frying pan, over on a medium heat. Use a spoon to pour the batter. Cook the pancakes until golden (I usually do 2 min on each side).

STEP 4: You can serve them with a drizzle of maple syrup, your favourite fruits, peanut butter or walnuts. Enjoy!

You'll get about 16 small pancakes (double the amount shown in the photo). It is enough for and adult and a baby🙂




Let me know if you tried this recipe out, and if you liked it. What is your favourite vegan pancakes recipe? Thanks for reading! x



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5 BIGGEST LIES ABOUT MOTHERHOOD


My son is my biggest love, best friend, and biggest inspiration. I can not express how grateful I am for having him in my life, and I wouldn't change a thing about him. As dreamy as motherhood sounds, it is a lot of hard work. I have prepared myself well for this role, and I have learned a lot throughout my pregnancy, but I have still believed in these 5 common lies that I wish I have never heard. 



1.BABIES ONLY SLEEP AND EAT


Yes, some of them do. While some others want to breastfeed all day long. I remember planning on doing thousands of things for myself when my baby arrives. I collected plenty of books that I wanted to read. I thought I would be able to start learning Russian again. I even planned some DIYs, and art projects ( yes, my imagination took me even there). None of them happened. When my hands were free for a few seconds, I had to take a shower and eat quickly before my son wanted to eat again. Obviously, as babies get older, they become more independent. If you're pregnant or planning to, I suggest you read about the '4th trimester' of pregnancy. This will help you a lot!




2. YOU CAN/SHOULD SLEEP WHEN THE BABY SLEEPS

As I explained in the 1st point, sometimes when your hands get free, there are thousands of things you want/need to do. Some people are OK with living in a messy house and eating ready meals. I couldn't bear it. And I needed some time only for myself, so instead of sleeping I was either organizing the flat or doing my makeup/ reading/ writing. Watching some Netflix. Just so I could remind myself that I am not only a mother.




3.YOU'LL HAVE NO MILK

Yes, you will have a milk. You will have a milk. Oh yes, you will. It is one of the cruellest lies one mother can tell another- you'll have no milk.
Breastfeeding can be very difficult at the beginning (it can, but it doesn't mean that it will), so if you want to breastfeed your baby, do a proper research during your pregnancyI heard that from way too many women when I was pregnant, that I will not have milk because "my boobs didn't grow much".There was a moment when I started to believe in this.I would hear thousands of stories of how some women are not 'born' to breastfeed.  ✱bullshit✱
         
Luckily, I woke up early enough. And there was one midwife, very kind and patient, who helped me a lot. She not only reminded me that yes- I can breastfeed but also showed me what I was doing wrong and how to correct it.
You will have the milk. It may come a few days after your baby is born, but it will come. Just do not give up.



4. YOU'LL KNOW WHAT TO DO AS SOON AS YOU SEE HIM/ IT COMES NATURALLY

Everybody told me that. Men and women who have kids, and those, who don't. But I didn't know what to do. I didn't know all the answers (despite being quite well ready for a baby). I didn't know if I was holding him right, I didn't know if he is too cold, or too warm. Even though I am an aunt to many nephews and nieces, I was never a mother before. 



5. ALL BABIES SUFFER FROM COLIC 

Thank God, not every baby suffers from colic! My son never had one, and I am very grateful for that. But I wanted to mention it here, because when I have had this colic anxiety thing for the first 3-4 months of my son's life. I truly believe that few things helped us to prevent colics.First of all- breastfeeding (regular feeds, and no over-feeding). Secondly, I have never used the 'cry it out' method. Here you can read more about why you should avoid this cruel sleeping training. Thirdly, I  wasn't feeding my son with anything apart of milk. Water, juices, camomile tea, fennel tea- they are not suitable for babies under 6 months old. Younger babies cannot try/ lick solids, or 'sip' a tea. And lastly, I wasn't overstimulating my son Obviously, we were lucky, too. I know that some parents are doing everything to prevent it, but their baby gets colics anyway ðŸ˜¢

Let me know what your thoughts are! Did you hear any of these lies yourself? Thanks for reading x


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5 MUST-WATCH SERIES ON NETFLIX



Netflix holds all the cards in the series section these days. They not only stream the best tv shows (like Prison Break or Breaking Bad) but also create the outstanding 'originals'. If you want some recommendations on which shows to watch on Netflix, keep on reading. I chose some of my favourites for today's post



Billy Bob Thornton as Lorne Malvo in 'Fargo'.  Photo credit: FX

'FARGO'

A spin on the Coen brothers' film from 1996 (also titled 'Fargo'). An award-winning black comedy drama. A psychotic villain  Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton) randomly meets a lame duck Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) in a hospital. Lester broke his nose when he ran into his childhood bully, Hess. Lorne suggests killing Hess. The Death settles in the cities of Duluth and Bemidji,  Minnesota. Police officer Gus (Colin Hanks) and deputy Molly (Allison Tolman) have their hands full for a while. 
The second season takes us 27 years back, but I won't tell you more about it because I don't want to spoil it. All I can say is that it is as bleak and as funny as the first season!




Lily Tomlin as Frankie and Jane Fonda as Grace in 'Grace and Frankie'. Photo credit: Netflix


'Grace and Frankie'

The most funny and uplifiting series ever. Wonderfully acted. It is a story about two couples in their 70s facing the hurricane of their lifetimes! And it all starts with an announcement- the men decide to leave their wives and start a new life together. This could be a plot for an Oscar-winning drama/tearjerker. But it is an uplifting comedy starring phenomenal actors such as Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, Sam Waterston. I can not wait for the 4th season (Dear Spring 2018, please come soon!). You can read my full review here.




Wentworth Miller as Michael Scofield in 'Prison Break'. Photo credit: Fox TV

'Prison Break'

One of the best series ever made. Written to perfection gripping TV drama. A story about lawlessness, brotherhood, hope and courage. I promise that you won't turn off your laptop until you finish watching at least the first season! The story begins when a genius engineer Michael (Wentworth Miller) commits crime and gets sentenced to the Fox River penitentiary. This is where his brother, Lincoln (Dominic Purcell) awaits his execution for killing a brother of Vice President of United States. Michael is planning an escape. 
Prison Break is full of twists and surprises, great action and fantastic characters. A must on your 'what to watch' list! Seasons 1-4 are available on Netflix



AmyBeth McNulty as Anne in 'Anne with an e'. Photo credit: Netflix

'Anne with an e'

The most sublime version of 'Anne of Green Gables'. Everybody knows the story of a red-haired orphan, and everybody needs to watch this series. 'Anne with an e' is beautifully made. You'll enjoy watching it from the opening (perfectly done!) to the closing.  Amybeth McNulty is phenomenal as a pride and garrulous Anne. If you're interested to read more about it, my full review is here.




Nadia de Santiago as Marga, Maggie Civantos as Angeles, Ana Fernandez as Carlota, Blanca Suarez as Alba in 'Cable Girls'. Photo credit: Netlix



'Cable Girls'

A story about women working at the telephone company, set in 1928 Madrid. The series talks about feminism and gender equality. And about all that women are able to do to become free. 

You get it all in here- drama, love, love-drama, murder, abuse, gunshots, friendships, beauty, motherhood. And fantastic costumes! I fell in love with Blanca Suarez after watching the 'Cable Girls'! A must watch it if women empowerment is close to your heart. 








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The Ultimate Unique Gift Guides with Uncommon Goods




I love buying gifts for my friends and family. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a smile on their face and surprise in their eyes after they opened a present from me. I am always looking for something unique and quirky, something uncommon! 

I have themed up with UncommonGoods and created the Ultimate Unique Gift Guides: for babies, for kids, Christmast gift guide for men, Christmas gift guide for women and the Ultimate Personalized Gift Guide. I hope you find them helpful when shopping for gifts for your loved ones! 


                                 
I love UncommonGoods for several reasons. First of all, they offer a wide range of products, all of which are beautiful and unique. Many of them are handmade and contain recycled components. As a vegan, I truly appreciate that they care not only about people (offering excellent service to their customers and fair pay to their workers) but also about animals. They do not sell products containing feathers, leather or fur. How amazing is that?!



THE ULTIMATE UNIQUE GIFT GUIDE: CHRISTMAS





Buying gifts for women seem to be easy. But if you want something more long-lasting than a box of chocolates, and less predictable than a bottle of perfume, UncommonGoods has a solution for you!
If she likes statement jewellery, get her something as special as the Raw Emerald Flower Cuff.
Or the She Believed She Could Bangles if she likes more minimalistic pieces. The Ripple Earrings are my favourite. They are so classy and sophisticated. Green malachites are incredibly beautiful.
The Swan Mug is gorgeous. All women would love to receive it! It will look amazing held by an artist, sipping her green tea between the painting sessions. Aesthetically pleasing, will be appreciated by a chic woman, as well as brave girl-boss. A teenage girl will say that this is the coolest mug ever! And it will, filled to the top with coffee, help her get through a tough exam periodEmerald green is one of my favourite colours, so when I saw this gorgeous Tidal Shift Print in Emerald Green, I immediately fell in love with it. This piece will look incredible in a minimalistic interiorFor a woman, who likes to spice up her outift with cool jewellery, I would go for Cat & Dog Mismatched Earrings, or the Bronze Cactus Earrings. Both pairs are very unique, and affordable too!




I am sure that I am not the only person who always struggles to find something unique for men! If you have no clue what to get your husband/ boyfriend/ dad/ brother, definitely check out the whole range of products for men offered by Uncommon Goods.

Record Clock- it is a perfect present for a music fan! And you know what is best about it? Everyone loves music! The clock is handmade by an artist, and you can choose from the pre-selected Rock, Soul, Jazz or 80s albums.

Phone Charging Water Bottle and Stand- because staying hydrated and having the phone charged is important!

If he likes to ride a bike, and you can splurge a little, get him a Bike Boot Bicycle Storage.

Fruit Keg Tapping Kit- very practical and reasonably priced! Does it remind you of that scene from 'Grace and Frankie', when Grace was making the watermelon vodka?

And if you are looking for a cool, but affordable option, check out the Shark Socks :)




These were my favourite Christmas finds from the UncommonGoods website. You can see all Christmas gift ideas on this page 🙂


 THE ULTIMATE UNIQUE GIFT GUIDE:  KIDS




Buying gifts for babies may seem to be the easiest. But sometimes it is very difficult to find uncommon toys and clothes between tonnes of plastic. You have got to check out all the beautiful products that uncommongoods.com offers. My favourites are:
Forest Friends Stroller Toys- the squirrel and skunk duo is cute and soft. Perfect little friends for your little human!
Little Adventurer Socks- set of six pairs of slip-resistant socks. They're cute, comfy and unisex.
Personalized Wooden Baby Bunting- perfect not only for birthday parties but also as your baby's bedroom decoration.
Organic Cotton Teethers Veggie Crate-  teething is not a fun time neither for baby nor for the parents. But these gorgeous Veggie Teethers will help you to get through this difficult time smoothly.
Farm Animal Blocks- I do not know a baby who doesn't like farm animals. These cute blocks will help to boost your baby's imagination and develop their motor skills.
Little Animal Lover Closet DividersA perfect gift for new parents! It will help them to organise baby's wardrobe. And trust me- organisation is the key when the baby arrives!






It was so much fun choosing the gifts for kids! Here are my favourites:
Personalized Book About Space- an obvious choice for me! Every child (and almost every adult) will be excited to go on a galactic tour!
Swan Slippers- beautifully designed and perfectly executed, swan slippers will be a perfect choice for every little girl!
Garden Plate & Utensils- a great dining set,  which will make eating meals much more fun!
Make Your Own Kaleidoscope- I used to love kaleidoscopes when I was a child! They're so unique and out of this world. How fun would be to build it up from scratch?!
Jetpack Backpack- this unique backpack will be a great reminder for your kid that imagination can take him everywhere!
Build Your Own Robot Set- yet another creativity- boosting toy! Or- toys, as this set contains parts which will allow your kid to build 3 robots, or whatever else he imagines!
Magical Unicorn Cape- unicorns are fascinating, but unicorn-themed stuff can sometimes be a little tacky. But not this one! This cape is absolutely gorgeous.


Bonus! Something very special. A beautiful letterbook, which comes with a set of 40 cards for grandparents and their grandchildren to send to each other. A phenomenal gift idea!



THE ULTIMATE UNIQUE GIFT GUIDE: PERSONALIZED GIFTS 



Birthstone Wishing Balls- these unique wishing balls are hand-blown. The are available in 12 colours, and each of them comes with 52 slips of paper. You can write your wishes on them, favourite quotes or memories, and tuck them into the ball. I would personally use them for practicing gratitude. They are breathtaking!
Personalized Constellation of Love- what is the day that you want to remember forever? The computer will plot the star charts, and the artist will illustrate that night's sky. I don't know if a gift can get any more romantic than this!

Check out more personalized gift ideas 💛

Scratch Map Deluxe- a perfect gift for a globetrotter. It will allow him to scratch off the places he already been to, and get excited to travel more!
Custom Pet Illustration- I don't need to say much. Who wouln't want to have an illustration of their beloved pet hanging in the living room? Or just above the bed 💗
My Life Story- So Far- a very special journal that you can fill in with your memories and gift it to your child. 


Which item was your favourite? What would you order from Uncommon Goods? Let me know in the comments below 🙂 Thanks for reading! 
Gosia x 




Thank you, UncommonGoods, for sponsoring this post! It's been a pleasure working with you 🙂
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This is a Man's Man's Man's World

 Ilayda Akdogan, Ayberk Pekcan and Gunes Sensoy in 'Mustang'.

One of the most significant debuts of the decade! An emotional drama that stole the hearts of critics and audience. Why is 'Mustang' my favourite film of all times? 

Set in a dreamy Turkish village, where at first glance life seems to be idyllic. But there is more hell in this paradise, that you have thought.


The story begins with a terrible misunderstanding. An elderly, pious neighbour sees five young sisters having fun with boys in the sea. She not only questions their innocence but also puts them in the cage, where their old-fashioned grandma and a fickle uncle clip their wings progressively,  changing their house into a 'wife factory'.

We see bad things happen. We see emotional and physical abuse, molesting. And, finally, arranged marriages. Those girls are paying a high price not only for being beautiful but mainly for being women. 'Mustang' doesn't solely focus on a suffering and girls' response to that but also on a beauty of sisterhood and their unity. Unity of young women facing the outdated tradition and abuse, and fighting for their freedom.



Gunes Sensoy as Lale in 'Mustang'

Paraphrasing the James Brown song -this is a man's world, but it would be nothing without a woman or a girl... like Lale! The narrator of the movie and the youngest of five orphaned sisters. Brave, rebellious girl who is not afraid to speak her mind. She does not agree with the detrimental tradition and unfair treatment. She leads her sisters as she can't stand injustice. We get to see how a young feminist was  born. It is her attitude that adds an uplifting spirit to the film. GüneÅŸ Åžensoy is absolutly remarkable as Lale. 

The performances in 'Mustang' are excellent. Ayberk Pekcan is great as cruel and merciless Erol. But it is the amateur actors that made this movie exceptional. Their acting is very natural, which makes the story totally believable.


Gunes Sensoy, Ilayda Akdogan, Elit Iscan, Tugba Sunguroglu and Doga Doguslu in 'Mustang'


Deniz Gamze Ergüven debuted in a style! Her first film won many awards on the most prestigious film festivals in the world, including four César awards, and the Europa Cinemas Label Award at Cannes.

Expertly directed, 'Mustang'  has a perfect pace and balance between the tragic and the happy scenes. 
Even though this film is full of contrasts and twists,  it flows beautifully. On the one hand, there is a family that cares more about the tradition and opinion of society than about happiness of young girls. On the other hand, we see a strong, unbreakable bond between the sisters, and we know that they'll do everything for each other. We see that coming of age can be both beautiful, and difficult. Especially if freedom-wanting, independent young girls live in a cage with a monster.
Erguven showed us the darkest shades of Turkish tradition, as well as the beauty of it- music, dance, and food. 

'Mustang'  is full of powerful scenes, but the cruelest of them always take place off camera. The director invited us not only to girls' house but also to their hearts, showing their intimacy in the most delicate way.
Hats off to the cinematographers David Chizallet and Ersin Gok! 'Mustang' is visually breathtaking!

This is the best film I have seen in my life. I watched it seven (!) times in the past two years.
When I first watched it, I cried and I laughed. I couldn't stop thinking about it for a long time. Gemze touched my soul. I give it 11 out of 10. A truly great piece of filmmaking!





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Get To Know Me! :)


Hello, happy to see you here! Since my audience have recently grown a little, I thought I would tell you more about myself, so you can get to know me better. I chose some questions from the 'Get to know me TAG', and I am here today to share my answers with you! 



Do you have any pets? 

I do, indeed! I have a cat called Malus. She is 4 years old. Absolutely gorgeous, independant and brave. And fluffy!


Are you named after anyone? 
Yes, after my favourite aunt (my mum's sister). My older sister chose it for me. 


What is your favourite quote? 
"A ship in harbor is safe- but that is not what ships are built for."- John A. Shedd




  • Do you have a tattoo? 
  • I do not. Love them on others, but I can not imagince myself having a tattoo just yet.


  • How many languages do you speak?
  • I speak Polish and English fluently. I can communicate in Russian, German and Persian. 


  • What are your favourite books of all time?
  • I have read hundreds, if not thousands of books in my life. There are four, though, which really stood out for me. I read each of them at least of 5 times. And I am not done reading them yet!

  • 'Matilda' by Roald Dahl                        
  • I have fallen in love with this book 21 years ago! It was the first 'real' book that I have read in my life. I promise that I knew some major parts of it by heart. I loved Matilda and I could really identify with her. I was always acting older than my age. Matilda was bold and brave little feminist. A 4-year-old role model to a 4-year-old me. I have recently read it at loud for my son in English, and he really enjoyed listening to it. And I was so happy to be reunited with my hero Matilda.


  • 'Primeval and Other times' ('Prawiek i inne czasy') by Olga Tokarczuk 
  • Olga Tokarczuk is phenomenal Polish writer. The world that she creates in her books is just magical. I love her characters, they are multidimensional and interesting. If you have never read any of her books, start with 'Primeval and Other times.' You will fall in love with her writing from the first page!

  • 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' Milan Kundera
  • A classic. Lightness and heaviness, body and soul, love and sex. The only life that we have to live is so light, and the decisions we make, are so meaningless. This makes our existence unbearable. Not an easy and pleasing book to read, but a great one. 

  • 'Next to Heaven' / 'Next Stop–Paradise' -"Nastepny do raju' Marek Hlasko
  • Yet another Polish writer on my list. 'Next to Heaven' is a book about a group of van drivers, working in the mountains in Poland. In other words, it is a book about loneliness and apathy of young men facing the difficulties of living in a communist country. 
  • Marek Hlasko was a rebellious and unpredictable, but very gifted artist. His writing was very raw, bold and unashamed.
  • He died at 35, and the circumstances of his death remain unknown.
  •  


  • What is your favourite drink?
  • Water, freshly squeezed orange juice, black tea with lemon. I hardly ever drink coffee.

  • What is your favourite TV series of all time?
  • 'Grace and Frankie' - (Netflix), the most hilarious, uplifting and heart-warming series ever. You can read the full review here;    

  • 'Prison Break'- one of the best series ever made. Written to perfection gripping TV drama. A story about lawlessness, brotherhood, hope and courage.Well deserved international success. I can not wait for the 6th season!


  • What is your favourite food? 
  • Baked vegetables (potatoes and courgette are my favourite), millet pudding, vegan pastas and fresh fruits. 


  • Favourite memory from childhood? 
  • The time I got to spend with my maternal grandparents. They were the most caring, loving people I have ever known. 


  • What was the first concert you ever attended? When I was 5 we went to see the gig of Just 5. It was a polish boysband, very popular in the 90s. I was beyond obsessed with them, and I had a crushon one of the guys (like pretty much all polish girls back then haha). After the gig, we went to get the autographs. 
  • My dad spent a good minute introducing me to the guy, telling him how much I loved him. But I wasn't there to shake his hand- I escaped! I was too shy to look into his eyes!
  •                                                                   



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