Designing A Life Fantastic -

Detailed view of the iconic Statue of Liberty in New York City under a clear blue sky.

Climbing to the Crown of the Statue of Liberty: What to Know Before You Go

We rarely do the touristy things here in New York. When you live in…

easter eggs

How to Build a Low-Waste Easter Basket Your Kids Will Love

Easter is one of those holidays that sneaks up on you. One minute it’s…

lots of hearts

Classroom Valentine’s Day Ideas That Are Fun, Affordable and Low-Waste

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is still very much a classroom tradition.…

Plitvice Lakes Croatia

Two Days at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Croatia had been on my travel wish list for a while, and when we…

Welcome!

I'm Robin; traveler and lifestyle blogger.

I'm on a mission to bring more joy into my life. Follow along as I share travel tips, life hacks, easy sustainability swaps, design inspiration and more.

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Detailed view of the iconic Statue of Liberty in New York City under a clear blue sky.

Climbing to the Crown of the Statue of Liberty: What to Know Before You Go

July 11, 2026July 11, 2026

We rarely do the touristy things here in New York. When you live in the city, there's this unspoken rule that Times Square and the double-decker buses are for visitors,…

easter eggs

How to Build a Low-Waste Easter Basket Your Kids Will Love

March 23, 2026March 24, 2026

Easter is one of those holidays that sneaks up on you. One minute it’s February, and the next you’re throwing stuff in a basket. Here’s the thing: Easter baskets don’t…

lots of hearts

Classroom Valentine’s Day Ideas That Are Fun, Affordable and Low-Waste

February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is still very much a classroom tradition. We did them once, in Kindergarten, and making 50 valentines was more stress than fun, and…

Plitvice Lakes Croatia

Two Days at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

Croatia had been on my travel wish list for a while, and when we finally made it happen, there was one place I knew we had to see: Plitvice Lakes…

Woman with wallet not spending money

Why You Should Try a No-Spend Day—or Month

November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

How It Started I started doing no-spend days before I had kids — mostly as a fun little challenge to help me jump-start my savings. I wasn’t always consistent back…

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thejoyfulrobin

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Raising kids & trying not to burn the planet down ✨
Living proof you don’t need more stuff to have a great life
No perfect vibes, just what works ⬇️

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Jul 22

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We walked into for a glass of wine before dinner and ended up stepping into a piece of Málaga history.

This tavern was founded 1840, making it the oldest wine tavern still operating in Málaga. More than 180 years later, it feels like not much has changed (maybe that they accept credit cards). The back wall is lined with enormous wooden barrels, the bartenders pour Málaga wines directly from the casks, and your bar tab is written in chalk on the bar.

And for proof that most places in Spain are kid friendly, the bartenders gave the kids their own chalk to draw on the bar.

This bar is standing room only and it attracts a crowd. But don’t worry, people stay for a glass or two and before you know it, you’ll get a spot at the bar. Fair warning: the wines are sweet, rich and stronger than they taste. I asked for a drier wine, and the bartender mixed two to create his own blend.

It’s busy, a little chaotic and not remotely polished, which is exactly why we loved it.

Save this for your Málaga itinerary and share it with someone building their Spain itinerary.

📍 Antigua Casa de Guardia

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 I believe in buying less, buying better, and prioritizing experiences over stuff. And probably eating out more than my bank account would like 😆 If you love thrift stores, plane tickets and living your dreams, let’s be friends. Follow along as I figure out what it means to design a fantastic life

#malagaspain #designingalifefantastic #familytravel

We walked into for a glass of wine before dinner and ended up stepping into a piece of Málaga history.

This tavern was founded 1840, making it the oldest wine tavern still operating in Málaga. More than 180 years later, it feels like not much has changed (maybe that they accept credit cards). The back wall is lined with enormous wooden barrels, the bartenders pour Málaga wines directly from the casks, and your bar tab is written in chalk on the bar.

And for proof that most places in Spain are kid friendly, the bartenders gave the kids their own chalk to draw on the bar.

This bar is standing room only and it attracts a crowd. But don’t worry, people stay for a glass or two and before you know it, you’ll get a spot at the bar. Fair warning: the wines are sweet, rich and stronger than they taste. I asked for a drier wine, and the bartender mixed two to create his own blend.

It’s busy, a little chaotic and not remotely polished, which is exactly why we loved it.

Save this for your Málaga itinerary and share it with someone building their Spain itinerary.

📍 Antigua Casa de Guardia

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 I believe in buying less, buying better, and prioritizing experiences over stuff. And probably eating out more than my bank account would like 😆 If you love thrift stores, plane tickets and living your dreams, let’s be friends. Follow along as I figure out what it means to design a fantastic life

#malagaspain #designingalifefantastic #familytravel ...

38 2

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Jul 21

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I’d like to think I outgrew my picky eating. I haven’t. It’s just better hidden now. I’ll try new food if it’s close to something I already eat. But things outside my comfort zone still make me pause.

Here’s the thing: I want my kids to try new foods. So I have to lead by example. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. Just means I have to try it. Traveling is the perfect opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and try new food.

What do you say when you try something gross? Do you actually enjoy anchovies and sardines? And what’s the difference between the two?

LMK if you’d like a list of the food we tried in Spain and how wed rate them. Some were delish 😋

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 If you believe in buying less, buying better, and prioritizing experiences over stuff, let’s be friends.

I’d like to think I outgrew my picky eating. I haven’t. It’s just better hidden now. I’ll try new food if it’s close to something I already eat. But things outside my comfort zone still make me pause.

Here’s the thing: I want my kids to try new foods. So I have to lead by example. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. Just means I have to try it. Traveling is the perfect opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and try new food.

What do you say when you try something gross? Do you actually enjoy anchovies and sardines? And what’s the difference between the two?

LMK if you’d like a list of the food we tried in Spain and how wed rate them. Some were delish 😋

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 If you believe in buying less, buying better, and prioritizing experiences over stuff, let’s be friends. ...

38 9

View Instagram post by thejoyfulrobin

Jul 18

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Your bathroom trash can is quietly one of the biggest plastic problems in your home.

These are a few easy swaps you can make that reduce plastic, generate less trash, and end up saving you money. Many of these cost about the same amount of money to purchase as traditional products. When your current product runs out, consider one of these versions.

Comment BATH and I’ll send you curated list to help you shop.

Which one are you switching first — bar soap, shampoo bar or toothbrush? Or have you already made some of these swaps? Tell me below 👇

Save this for your next Target run, and follow @thejoyfulrobin for more plastic-free swaps that actually work

Your bathroom trash can is quietly one of the biggest plastic problems in your home.

These are a few easy swaps you can make that reduce plastic, generate less trash, and end up saving you money. Many of these cost about the same amount of money to purchase as traditional products. When your current product runs out, consider one of these versions.

Comment BATH and I’ll send you curated list to help you shop.

Which one are you switching first — bar soap, shampoo bar or toothbrush? Or have you already made some of these swaps? Tell me below 👇

Save this for your next Target run, and follow @thejoyfulrobin for more plastic-free swaps that actually work ...

22 0

View Instagram post by thejoyfulrobin

Jul 17

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I put together a few tips to have your best Euro summer. Follow along for part 2. What would you add to this list? Are you going Europe this summer?

Be sure to save this for your next trip and share it with a friend who is planning a trip to Europe.

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 I believe in prioritizing experiences over stuff. And probably eating out more than my bank account would like 😆 Follow along as I document the messy, imperfect journey of buying less, living more and designing a life that feels fantastic.

#designingalifefantastic #eurosummer #travelwithkids

I put together a few tips to have your best Euro summer. Follow along for part 2. What would you add to this list? Are you going Europe this summer?

Be sure to save this for your next trip and share it with a friend who is planning a trip to Europe.

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 I believe in prioritizing experiences over stuff. And probably eating out more than my bank account would like 😆 Follow along as I document the messy, imperfect journey of buying less, living more and designing a life that feels fantastic.

#designingalifefantastic #eurosummer #travelwithkids ...

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