Romanian Mum Blog

Five Local Dishes to Try During Your Krakow City Break

Otilia — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:04:20 +0000

Few things shape a city break quite like the food. Krakow is a place where hearty traditions, family recipes and a growing modern food scene sit side by side, and exploring it one plate at a time is one of the best ways to get to know the city.

The post Five Local Dishes to Try During Your Krakow City Break appeared first on Romanian Mum Blog.

Where Is My Life Right Now?

Otilia — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 17:26:01 +0000

Every now and then, I find myself asking: *Where is my life right now?* Not where I thought I would be. Not where I planned to be years ago. Just where I am, after all the changes, choices and ordinary days that brought me here. I left the UK more than 13 years ago… Since then, life has unfolded in Romania: building a home, growing a family, and finding my place in a community. Thirteen years is a long time. Long enough for a place to become part of your everyday life, and for you to change in ways you only notice when you look back. When I started Romanian Mum, back when I was living in London, I wanted to share pieces of my life — family stories, food, travel, motherhood and the things I was learning along the way. The blog has changed over the years, just as I have. My family is changing, too. Kara is almost 18, and Anastasia is almost 14. Both are preparing for important school exams, and I’m watching them move towards new chapters of their own. Motherhood looks different now. The girls are growing up, becoming more independent and facing big milestones. I’m still here to support them, though the way I do that keeps changing. There’s pride in seeing how far they’ve come, and a little disbelief at how quickly the years have passed. There are other important parts of my life today. I run my own business, **Beefunky.ro**, and I’m the president of **AFAD — Asociația Femeilor Antreprenor Dobrogea**. I’m also a member of **Rotary Club Farul Genovez**. Building a business and supporting a community of women entrepreneurs have become meaningful parts of this chapter of my life. Being a mum, running a business, leading AFAD and taking part in Rotary all ask different things of me. Some days I move between these roles without a pause. Other days, I wonder how I’ll fit everything in. But each role brings its own purpose, challenges, and opportunities to grow. I’m in a very different stage of life than I was when I started this blog in London. I’m closer to 50 than to the beginning of my thirties, and the shape of my days has changed. My daughters are growing up, my work has evolved, and I’m learning to make room for the person I am now, alongside all the roles I hold. I don’t have every next step figured out. Life is still unfolding, and perhaps that’s part of what makes it interesting. I can look back and see how much has changed, while also appreciating what’s here today: my family, the home we’ve built in Romania, my business, and the communities I’m part of. Maybe life doesn’t always need a big answer. Sometimes it’s enough to pause and notice where we are — the people beside us, the work we care about, and the person we’ve become along the way. This is where I am right now: in Romania, in a new stage of life, supporting my daughters as they grow, building my business, and contributing to my community. I’m still discovering what comes next, and I’m learning to embrace this chapter as it unfolds.

The post Where Is My Life Right Now? appeared first on Romanian Mum Blog.

Why Coastal Living Is More Attractive Than Ever in the UK

Otilia — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:05:02 +0000

When we consider destinations for our summer holidays, we tend to gravitate to the seaside. So, why not live near the sea on a more permanent basis? Coastal life is something that appeals to ever-larger numbers of people, thanks to a combination of lifestyle factors, and changing weather patterns. So, what are the trends that are making a life beside the water more difficult than ever to resist? A Shift Towards Slower, Outdoor Living After the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us began to reassess our priorities when it came to the way that we spent our leisure time. After so many hours confined to our homes, the idea of living a more remote life, with more easy access to nature, began to appeal. If you find yourself wanting to enjoy more meaningful experiences, even if that comes at the expense of convenience, then it might be that a life beside the sea appeals to you. Why the Coast Is Becoming More Appealing in Warmer UK Summers As recent heatwaves have demonstrated, the climate in the UK is shifting. With more temperature records likely to arrive, wouldn’t you rather spend those days beside the sea, rather than in the concrete heat-trap that so many cities and built-up areas have become? Coastal areas also tend to be able to cope with extremes in temperature, because the sea itself acts like a heatsink. That stifling heat is easier to cope with when there’s a sea breeze blowing in. New homes for sale in popular seaside locations reflect this widespread need to seek out the seaside as the climate changes. The good news is that the UK is an island nation, and a suitable destination is probably within easy reach. Wellbeing, Space and a Change of Pace For most of human history, we’ve lived and thrived near to water. Something deep in our subconscious yearns for the sound of surf and the smell of salty air, because these things correlate with natural abundance. On top of this, there are often myriad opportunities to stay active beside the sea. That might mean going for a coastal hike, or engaging in watersports. All of this adds up to an environment that’s fantastic for your physical and mental health. If you’re looking for a long-term antidote to the stresses and strains that come with living inland, then venturing to a seaside town might be exactly what’s required.

The post Why Coastal Living Is More Attractive Than Ever in the UK appeared first on Romanian Mum Blog.

Designing a Luxury Family Kitchen

Otilia — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:01:33 +0000

The kitchen is the beating heart of the home, so parents will always want to create a high-end look and feel without sacrificing practicality, durability, and day-to-day family functionality. This post will show you how to design a luxury family kitchen that can be balanced with the realities of busy family life. Creating a luxury kitchen can elevate your life at home and add value to your property. Read on to find out more. Plan a Layout That Works for the Whole Family First, you need to choose a layout that works for your family and home. There are various kitchen layouts to consider, such as island, L-shaped, U-shaped, and open-plan. This layout impacts cooking, dining, homework, and socialising, so consider thoughtful zoning to create a functional space that maintains an open, welcoming feel Choose Premium Materials That Can Handle Everyday Family Life Premium materials are key for handling the rigours of everyday family life. This means choosing durable luxury worktops, cabinetry finishes, flooring, and splashbacks that combine elegance with easy maintenance. Stain-resistant, hard-wearing, and low-maintenance materials are often the best choice for households with children, as these will last the test of time and be easy to keep clean. Incorporate Smart Storage & Family-Friendly Features Every parent knows the importance of having storage in the home. Storage allows you to keep key areas of the home neat, organised, and functional while still ensuring you have easy access to the items you need. In the kitchen, bespoke storage solutions, a larder, appliance garages, deep drawers, and hidden storage solutions can reduce clutter and keep family essentials organised. Make sure you consider child-friendly design with soft-close mechanisms, rounded edges, and locked lower drawers. Create a Luxury Entertaining & Social Space Luxury kitchens can become a key social hub for entertaining guests. Seating, lighting, and kitchen islands can transform the space and make it the beating heart of the home for dinner parties, family meals, and everyday family activities like homework or casual gatherings. Consider the space you have to work with and add seating that will allow people to relax and socialise while you cook up a storm in the kitchen. The advice in this post should help you transform your kitchen into a luxury space for the whole family. A few thoughtful design decisions can make this one of the main areas of the home where you can cook delicious meals, entertain guests, and enjoy quality family time together. Creating a high-end kitchen can transform your home and life and is also one of the best ways to add value to your property.

The post Designing a Luxury Family Kitchen appeared first on Romanian Mum Blog.

Heatwave Style Tips To Keep You Cool

Otilia — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:45:30 +0000

The UK’s hotting up again – and, if the climate crisis is anything to go by, will continue to be hotting up every summer for some years to come! Morbid humour aside, it’s old news now that the Great British Summer is anything but rain and drizzle. We’re accustomed to the sprints of deep warmth, intense humidity and unrelenting sun that crop up frequently through the warmer months; only, other aspects of our culture haven’t quite caught up to them. For one, our homes aren’t equipped with the same life-saving air conditioning that homes on other continents are – one of the many reasons that British summer is actually, literally less tolerable than tropical summers in the Americas. Fashion is another crucial area in which we are climate-challenged; there are stylish ways we can stay cool that haven’t quite become common knowledge yet. What are they? Choose Breathable Fabrics Naturally, any clothes you wear in warmer weather want to be breathable. When you sweat, you want that sweat to have somewhere to go; it’s designed to take heat with it, after all! This is why lightweight, breathable materials such as linen, cotton and certain moisture-wicking fabrics can feel more comfortable during very hot weather; when you wear them, you give your sweat somewhere to go. Heavy, synthetic fabrics, meanwhile, are far better at trapping heat and reducing airflow. Opt For Loose Silhouettes Airflow is a key consideration in other ways, too. Whatever the fabrics you’re plumping for, you also want the shapes of your outfits to encourage airflow. This means picking items with relaxed cuts and loose silhouettes. Oversized shirts, wide-leg trousers, and billowy women’s dresses are ideal for balancing style with heat-based practicality. Keep in mind, also, that you want any items you buy to be as full-coverage as possible – that is, long-sleeved and floor length. This is better for cooling you down, as your sweat evaporates all too quickly in direct sunlight. Colour And Styling Tricks Colour has a great deal of import when it comes to summer heatwave comfort, too – far beyond the style implications of certain palettes over others. Darker colours absorb more heat from the sun’s rays, meaning you get hotter quicker when you’re wearing dark blues or blacks. Keep things (quite literally) light, and your clothes will reflect much of that heat away, thus keeping you cooler for longer. Finish With Heatwave-Friendly Accessories Last but not least, accessories are the making of an outfit – and can also be the making of your heatwave comfort. Practical accessories like wide-brimmed hats keep you in the shade, while sunglasses keep your eyes safe from those pesky UV rays; breathable footwear is vital for keeping comfortable while on your feet for extended periods of time.

The post Heatwave Style Tips To Keep You Cool appeared first on Romanian Mum Blog.