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…

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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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Aug 10

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We’ve (the collective we, that is) spent years making overconsumption look aspirational. Having money isn’t about looking rich. It’s about buying yourself options, peace of mind and the freedom to say yes to the things that actually matter. Turns out, that’s pretty chic.

What would you add to the list?

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 I’m sharing the messy, imperfect journey of buying less, living more and designing a life that feels fantastic. If that sounds like you, follow along.

#designingalifefantastic #moneymatters

We’ve (the collective we, that is) spent years making overconsumption look aspirational. Having money isn’t about looking rich. It’s about buying yourself options, peace of mind and the freedom to say yes to the things that actually matter. Turns out, that’s pretty chic.

What would you add to the list?

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 I’m sharing the messy, imperfect journey of buying less, living more and designing a life that feels fantastic. If that sounds like you, follow along.

#designingalifefantastic #moneymatters ...

3 0

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Aug 5

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Just because it’s secondhand doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Filling up your cart at the thrift store is still a “haul.” I get it. I’ve been there. I’ve caught myself saying:
 👉🏻 “It’s only a few dollars.” 👉🏻 “I might need this someday.” 👉🏻 “This is too good to leave behind.” 👉🏻 “I’ll figure out where to put it later.”

But those thoughts still lead to clutter and overconsumption.

Now I shop at the thrift store the same way I shop anywhere else:
👉🏻 Do I actually love it? 👉🏻 Will I use it often? 👉🏻 Does it fit my style and my life right now? 👉🏻 Do I have a place for it in my home?

The goal isn’t to only buy more sustainably. It’s also to buy less, to buy what you need.

What’s the hardest thing for you to leave behind at the thrift store? You know the one, the things you have too many of already, but you still feel drawn to them….

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 I believe owning less gives you more room for what matters. If you’re into low-consumption living, decluttering and creating a joyful life without buying more, you’re in the right place

Just because it’s secondhand doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Filling up your cart at the thrift store is still a “haul.” I get it. I’ve been there. I’ve caught myself saying:
 👉🏻 “It’s only a few dollars.” 👉🏻 “I might need this someday.” 👉🏻 “This is too good to leave behind.” 👉🏻 “I’ll figure out where to put it later.”

But those thoughts still lead to clutter and overconsumption.

Now I shop at the thrift store the same way I shop anywhere else:
👉🏻 Do I actually love it? 👉🏻 Will I use it often? 👉🏻 Does it fit my style and my life right now? 👉🏻 Do I have a place for it in my home?

The goal isn’t to only buy more sustainably. It’s also to buy less, to buy what you need.

What’s the hardest thing for you to leave behind at the thrift store? You know the one, the things you have too many of already, but you still feel drawn to them….

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 I believe owning less gives you more room for what matters. If you’re into low-consumption living, decluttering and creating a joyful life without buying more, you’re in the right place ...

1 0

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Aug 5

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Just because it’s secondhand doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Filling up your cart at the thrift store is still a “haul.” I get it. I’ve been there. I’ve caught myself saying:
 👉🏻 “It’s only a few dollars.” 👉🏻 “I might need this someday.” 👉🏻 “This is too good to leave behind.” 👉🏻 “I’ll figure out where to put it later.”

But those thoughts still lead to clutter and overconsumption.

Now I shop at the thrift store the same way I shop anywhere else:
👉🏻 Do I actually love it? 👉🏻 Will I use it often? 👉🏻 Does it fit my style and my life right now? 👉🏻 Do I have a place for it in my home?

The goal isn’t to only buy more sustainably. It’s also to buy less, to buy what you need.

What’s the hardest thing for you to leave behind at the thrift store? You know the one, the thing you have too many of already, but you still feel drawn to them….

Hi, I’m Robin 👋I believe owning less gives you more room for what matters. If you’re into low-consumption living, decluttering and creating a joyful life without buying more, you’re in the right place.

Just because it’s secondhand doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Filling up your cart at the thrift store is still a “haul.” I get it. I’ve been there. I’ve caught myself saying:
 👉🏻 “It’s only a few dollars.” 👉🏻 “I might need this someday.” 👉🏻 “This is too good to leave behind.” 👉🏻 “I’ll figure out where to put it later.”

But those thoughts still lead to clutter and overconsumption.

Now I shop at the thrift store the same way I shop anywhere else:
👉🏻 Do I actually love it? 👉🏻 Will I use it often? 👉🏻 Does it fit my style and my life right now? 👉🏻 Do I have a place for it in my home?

The goal isn’t to only buy more sustainably. It’s also to buy less, to buy what you need.

What’s the hardest thing for you to leave behind at the thrift store? You know the one, the thing you have too many of already, but you still feel drawn to them….

Hi, I’m Robin 👋I believe owning less gives you more room for what matters. If you’re into low-consumption living, decluttering and creating a joyful life without buying more, you’re in the right place. ...

5 0

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Aug 5

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What’s on your August list? I can’t believe summer is half over. It went by too fast 🫶

#designingalifefantastic #summergoals

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