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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Jul 25

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jk we didn’t take a Jet2 holiday. I planned it myself in my typical type b, winging-it style, but we still managed to have lots of fun, soak up some sun, see some sights and enjoy a few delicious meals. We started in Madrid, saw some famous art, then headed south to see the stunning Mezquita in Cordoba, next we learned all about Picasso in Malaga, and then a short stop in Barcelona before heading home. I wasn’t planning on going back to Barcelona again, but that’s where the best point redemption was, so who am I to argue 🤷‍♀️ Besides, I was thrilled to finally take the tower tour at @basilicasagradafamilia.

What’s your favorite city in Spain? Where is at the top of your want-to-go list?

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 if you’re a mom craving less stuff, less stress, and more space for family connection and family adventures your kids will remember more than any toy, follow along.

jk we didn’t take a Jet2 holiday. I planned it myself in my typical type b, winging-it style, but we still managed to have lots of fun, soak up some sun, see some sights and enjoy a few delicious meals. We started in Madrid, saw some famous art, then headed south to see the stunning Mezquita in Cordoba, next we learned all about Picasso in Malaga, and then a short stop in Barcelona before heading home. I wasn’t planning on going back to Barcelona again, but that’s where the best point redemption was, so who am I to argue 🤷‍♀️ Besides, I was thrilled to finally take the tower tour at @basilicasagradafamilia.

What’s your favorite city in Spain? Where is at the top of your want-to-go list?

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 if you’re a mom craving less stuff, less stress, and more space for family connection and family adventures your kids will remember more than any toy, follow along. ...

7 0

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Jul 24

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We walked past the Espai Bombers (Firefighter) museum on the way to our hotel, and my son begged to go.

He’s always loved fire trucks and seeing the vintage trucks up close had him jumping for joy. In addition to the horse drawn and steam powered trucks, there are hundreds of old helmets, gears, pumps, safety equipment and more that show the evolution of fire prevention.

What’s the one place your kid won’t stop talking about?

Save this for your next trip to Spain and send it to a friend whose kid loves fire trucks as much as mine does.

Cost: free for kids, €2.50 for adults
📍 Carrer de Lleida, 30, Sants-Montjuïc

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 if you’re a mom craving less stuff, less stress, and more space for family connection and family adventures your kids will remember more than any toy, follow along.

#familytravel #spainwithkids #designingalifefantastic

We walked past the Espai Bombers (Firefighter) museum on the way to our hotel, and my son begged to go.

He’s always loved fire trucks and seeing the vintage trucks up close had him jumping for joy. In addition to the horse drawn and steam powered trucks, there are hundreds of old helmets, gears, pumps, safety equipment and more that show the evolution of fire prevention.

What’s the one place your kid won’t stop talking about?

Save this for your next trip to Spain and send it to a friend whose kid loves fire trucks as much as mine does.

Cost: free for kids, €2.50 for adults
📍 Carrer de Lleida, 30, Sants-Montjuïc

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 if you’re a mom craving less stuff, less stress, and more space for family connection and family adventures your kids will remember more than any toy, follow along.

#familytravel #spainwithkids #designingalifefantastic ...

5 0

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Jul 24

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In Barcelona, we stumbled upon the Espai Bombers (Firefighter) museum on the way to our hotel, and my son begged to go. Relentlessly. I couldn’t say no.

He’s always loved fire trucks and seeing the vintage trucks up close had him jumping for joy. In addition to the horse drawn and steam powered trucks, there are hundreds of old helmets, gears, pumps, safety equipment and more that show the evolution of fire prevention.

What’s the one place your kid won’t stop talking about?

Save this for your next trip to Spain and send it to a friend whose kid loves fire trucks as much as mine does.

Cost: free for kids, €2.50 for adults
📍 Carrer de Lleida, 30, Sants-Montjuïc

#familytravel #spainwithkids #designingalifefantastic

In Barcelona, we stumbled upon the Espai Bombers (Firefighter) museum on the way to our hotel, and my son begged to go. Relentlessly. I couldn’t say no.

He’s always loved fire trucks and seeing the vintage trucks up close had him jumping for joy. In addition to the horse drawn and steam powered trucks, there are hundreds of old helmets, gears, pumps, safety equipment and more that show the evolution of fire prevention.

What’s the one place your kid won’t stop talking about?

Save this for your next trip to Spain and send it to a friend whose kid loves fire trucks as much as mine does.

Cost: free for kids, €2.50 for adults
📍 Carrer de Lleida, 30, Sants-Montjuïc

#familytravel #spainwithkids #designingalifefantastic ...

6 0

View Instagram post by thejoyfulrobin

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 ...

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