The Real Life RD

helping you find peace with food and your natural body size

  • the RD & NP
  • Online Courses
  • Women’s Wellness
  • Speaking
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Life

Things I Couldn’t Live Without If I Didn’t Have To

June 13, 2016 By Robyn 18 Comments

I wanted to name this post, “Things I Just Couldn’t Live Without” and then I thought that was really dramatic….because lezbereal, oxygen and H2O are not on this list. So instead, let’s call it “Things I Would Never Want To Live Without If I Didn’t Have To.” You get the point. It’s the every day things. These five things are part of my every day life and I lovveeeeee them. I always love hearing what people use everyday to make their life simpler or more fun or whatever, so I hope you guys enjoy! Also, just an fyi, there are zero affiliate links in this post and none of these brands even know I exist – these are just things I purchase with my own dollar and think they’re worth every penny!

Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara

things i couldn't live without

I use to never see the point in spending more than $7 on mascara and so up until a couple years ago, I never invested in my makeup. Why does it matter, right? So for all of college I would wash what felt like tar off my eyes every night. But then I was introduced to Lancome’s Hypnose by a friend and realized there is a huge difference between $7 and $30 mascara. I rarely wear makeup during the week, but if I am going to wear something to clinical or class it’s always mascara — it makes such a difference with minimal effort and thick eyelashes just make me feel pretty. You get a thick last in a few swipes without clumps and it washes off so easily – love it!

This Budget App

things i couldn't live withoutI was raised by a single momma with four brothers. And my amazing momma was a teacher, so while we never went without, I also knew money didn’t grow on trees. So when I started to make money and be a real adult after college I would feel guilty about any money I spent even if it was say, on gas or groceries. And I wanted to be responsible with my money, but wasn’t great at sticking to budgets. I don’t like Mint because the transactions are never sorted correctly and wanted something simple. Enter this app. It’s like electronic envelopes. So you can create different categories and then create a budget for each individual category — things like groceries, restaurants, coffee shops, etc etc. After I buy something I just enter it into my phone so then I’m aware of what I’m spending which alleviates any guilt. As long as I’m within budget I know it’s okay. My biggest advice is to make your budget reasonable so you have boundaries, but it’s not stressful to stick to the budget. I’ve been doing this for over 2 years now and have saved money and avoided so much stress. I feel for the most part, financially responsible and that feels pretty good.

My Google Calendar

things i couldn't live without

I get asked a lot about how I juggle everything going on and honestly, I only have it slightly together because of Google calendar. If it doesn’t get on my calendar, I’m not going to remember. Everything from dinners with Nick to quick 10 minute phone calls I need to make — anything and everything goes on my Google calendar. I also add in any tasks that are due on the day when they’re due. From school assignments to just email check ins that I need to send to clients or blog posts or freelance articles I need to write or paying Cody…everything goes on the calendar. Which makes life feel doable because I don’t need to clog up my mind with remembering, I just write it down instead. Plus I love all the color coding, email reminders that get sent and I can share my calendar with other people. It’s the BEST.

My Lululemon bag

things i couldn't live without

I bought this bag last fall and was iffy on whether or not to purchase it because it was pricey, Nick thought I was crazy – but I cannot tell you what a great investment this was! I love all things Lululemon (it’s a big weak area) and needed a bag I could pack gym clothes in, wash when it got dirty, lug around to school and then to work and clinical and a bag that had lots of pockets. This has everything. And it’s huge! I can put gym clothes, my computer, any notebooks and my lunchbox all in this one bag which makes traveling around the city so simple. Plus I love the tweed-like fabric and the black and grey combo. They don’t sell this style anymore, but here’s one that’s similar. Considering I wear this literally every day and it’s undergone the wear and tear of NYC for almost a year, I’d say it’s totally worth the $120 price tag. And just the other day, Nick commented on how he’s surprised how much I ended up using the bag and thinks it was worth it too. #winning

My Warby Parkers

things i couldn't live without

Nick got me these glasses for Christmas and it’s definitely my favorite present from him. And so practical! I have contacts but they irritate my eyes so I rarely (aka never) wear them. But I also can’t see far away without my glasses or contacts. So instead I wear these glasses basically everyday. The frames are SO light and I love the classic, yet funky little style. Plus I love that one, they’re totally affordable (like less than $100 including your lenses) and Warby donates a pair of glasses for every pair purchased. Love love love that. I actually just went and bought another pair of frames last week because I wear them so much and wanted to change it up a bit. And don’t worry, if you don’t live in NYC, you can try on glasses for free – just choose 5 frames and Warby will ship you a box!

And there’s that. Five things I wouldn’t’ live without if I didn’t have to. Happy Monday!


YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

  • My Morning RoutineMy Morning Routine
  • Achieving A Better Work-Life BalanceAchieving A Better Work-Life Balance
  • Real Life RamblingsReal Life Ramblings
  • Life is MessyLife is Messy

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: favorite things, life, lululemon

« 20 Minute Enchilada Bowls & Daily Eats
5 Minute On The Go Breakfast [Daily Eats] »

Comments

  1. Katie says

    June 13, 2016 at 7:45 am

    love this! Thanks for sharing 🙂 I always enjoy your posts! Even if it’s something this simple!!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 23, 2016 at 10:03 pm

      so glad you enjoyed 🙂

      Reply
  2. Megan @ A Continual Feast says

    June 13, 2016 at 8:03 am

    Love this! Definitely going to check out that budgeting app 🙂

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 23, 2016 at 10:03 pm

      It has made finances so simple!

      Reply
  3. Marina @ A Dancer's Live-It says

    June 13, 2016 at 8:07 am

    Oh wow I need that budget app! Thank you for sharing this! I couldn’t live without my mascara either, and I love your glasses! 🙂 You’re adorable Robyn!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 23, 2016 at 10:04 pm

      LOVE my mascara! oh you are too sweet, you are too girl!

      Reply
  4. Kate says

    June 13, 2016 at 9:59 am

    Definitely need to try a budget app! I always figured it would work for me since I’m working hourly and it’s not always consistent pay, but it would be good to track how my money is spent.
    I am not a big spender on makeup but I do love my Mary Kay cc cream!

    Reply
  5. Hillary says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:47 am

    Love this post. I don’t know what I’d do without Google calendar. And that Lulu bag is sooo cute!! Worth the investment, fo sho. And Warby — I need new glasses, so I kind of want to give the “try 5 at home” thang — thanks!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 23, 2016 at 10:05 pm

      I think you would love the Warbys! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Caitlyn @SoDamnGood says

    June 13, 2016 at 9:24 pm

    I have those same wary parkers and I love ’em!! You look adorable.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 23, 2016 at 10:05 pm

      I LOVE THEM! I bet you look adorable 🙂

      Reply
  7. Claire B says

    June 14, 2016 at 7:46 am

    Thanks for sharing Robyn! I was raised by a single, supermama teacher as well ❤️ (And 6 siblings – so yeah, no stranger to budgeting, but nyc budgeting is throwing me for a loop. Mint hasn’t worked for me, so I will definitely check out that budgeting app!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 23, 2016 at 10:06 pm

      oh my goodness you have an amazing momma!!! the city is a whole new world with money but this app has made it easy 🙂

      Reply
  8. Lauren P says

    June 14, 2016 at 9:38 am

    OMG I love that bag! Thank goodness it isn’t available anymore or I would be ordering!!! So cute. Love these kind of posts!

    Reply
  9. Beth L. says

    June 14, 2016 at 1:57 pm

    I really need to invest in a good mascara. I still basically wash tar off of my eyes every night. Love that bag also! & I’ve been wanting to invest in some new Warby Parkers. Thanks for the reminder 😉

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 23, 2016 at 10:07 pm

      Hope you love all these things! The bag and mascara are investments but SO worth it! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Katy says

    June 19, 2016 at 6:47 pm

    Hi Robyn! How much do you typically spend on groceries each month? Eating out? Just curious since I spent the last year living at home to finish my DI and will be moving out in a few weeks and definitely want to get better about budgeting m Thanks!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 23, 2016 at 10:11 pm

      My budget is $320 for 1 person and I eat breakfast and lunch “from home” almost everyday – but eat out probably 2-3 times a week? but that is with nyc prices – I’m almost always under so I’d say anywhere from $60 to $80/week!

      Eating out depends from week to week and where I’m eating – brunch in the city could be $40ish but chipotle is $10 ha 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

A non-diet dietitian and nurse practitioner helping women find peace with food, accept their natural body size and heal from hormonal issues and period problems.

More On Lady Hormones

How Birth Control Methods Affect Your Hormones, Period and Fertility

What Your Cervical Fluid Can Tell You About Your Reproductive Health

women's reproductive health

Women’s Reproductive Health 101

I have yet to experience postpartum myself, but I've had many clients and readers that have been through that season of life. Or perhaps you are currently living through the postpartum period. Every woman's body is different, therefore every woman's experience after giving birth will be different. What works for one woman, might not work for the next. While one woman might go through postpartum and adjust to newborn life quiet seamlessly, another woman might find it much more difficult. She might need the support of medication, therapy, extra help and many other things. One way is not better than the other - they are simply two different ways of navigating the postpartum period. I hope this post helps you better care for yourself, whatever that means for you. There's no right or wrong way to care for yourself as a mom or your new baby.

Postpartum Hormones: what’s happening in your body and how to care for yourself

* indicates required

Categories

Get in Touch!

Follow Me!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

I talk a lot about moving, eating, and living intuitively so you can be well hormonally and live a fulfilling life in line with your values

The Real Life RD on Pinterest

  • Instagram Find: Viktoria's Awe-Inspiring Kids Rooms Filled With Pretty Design - NordicDesign
  • 10 X DE MOOISTE KINDERKAMERS VAN INSTAGRAM OKTOBER
  • Wooden Rainbow Lamp Wooden night light Kids room decoration | Etsy
  • This cute little walk-in wardrobe for kids is too cute of an idea! Loving the white tones with a pop of teal drawers
Follow Me on Pinterest
We veered from our usual Friday night homemade piz We veered from our usual Friday night homemade pizza (minus the dough, we leave that to @albemarlebakingco) because we are eating pizza tomorrow with some friends - instead I called my mom and asked her how she makes her chicken fingers and we fried up a big ole batch of chicken nugs 🙌🏻🤤 along with a sheet pan full of sweet potato fries and a simple arugula salad dressed with parmesean, olive oil and s&p. Oh and my moms honey mustard recipe for dipping. It’s SO DANG GOOD.  Over the past 6ish months we’ve been practicing (and practicing and practicing bc it doesn’t come naturally) unplugging from technology and slowing down and resting and just being for one day a week. Some call it Shabbat. Some call it Sabbath. Maybe you call it something different. All I know is IT IS SO GOOD FOR MY WEARY SOUL and the day I look forward to ALL WEEK. Sundown on Friday to sundown Saturday. Nothing but rest. For us that means hiking (or something outside) and napping and reading and being with friends and eating really good food. And drinking some really good wine or craft beer. Sometimes whiskey. 😛  And because I know I’ll get asked about the chicken finger recipe and also because it’s too good not to share and Momma Coale said I could, here ya go:  Cut chicken breast into thin strips or small pieces (I prefer nug size bc the breading to chicken ratio is perfection). Salt and pepper those babies really well. Then dredge them in all purpose flour, then egg, then panko - just like you would bread anything else. Then fry them up in a light oil - I use avocado oil because that’s our everyday oil. You could also use canola or peanut oil. Just fill a pan with an inch or so of oil on medium high heat. They only take 2-3 minutes per side. You can always temp them to make sure they are at least 165 degrees F to really make sure they are done. Dunk in all the sauces and enjoy!  Happy weekend!
I am not a craft mom. My version of crafts is baki I am not a craft mom. My version of crafts is baking because 1) my toddler actually engages with it and 2) we have tasty things to eat in the end.  Wanna know how long crafts last in our house? Approximately 23 seconds. Maybe 51 on a good day. So we just stopped crafting a long time ago and instead started baking.  And when I need my toddler to stay in one place, I turn on the faucet. I am still utterly amazed at how long water can entertain a small human. And it’s FREE. 🙌🏻 well, mostly..  Send me all your favorite baking recipes because we are on a roll over here 👩🏻‍🍳
Just left my mom vacation. 💆🏻‍♀️ I do Just left my mom vacation. 💆🏻‍♀️  I don’t know what this says about me. Anybody else find the dentist weirdly relaxing? For the most part, I love being with my two tiny humans all day, but BLESS does it feel good to lay in a chair for 60 minutes with my eyes closed and do nothing except hold my mouth open.
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻 two babies are asleep at the same time in their beds (and not on me) for the FIRST TIME IN 7657 DAYS and dear lord I could cry tears of relief straight into this latte and bowl of chocolate chips bc I woke up this morning exhausted and weary and told Nick I didn’t want to parent today 🤣 Not even calling this self care. It’s sanity right now. And even if it lasts 5 minutes it will be 5 minutes of freaking glory. p.s. yes that brick is crooked bc v uneven floors are part of the charmed package of this old house
Learning over and over again in this season that f Learning over and over again in this season that feels unsettled and chaotic and longgggggg that sometimes, you just need the viewpoint of a toddler to remind you that the seemingly insignificant things & moments really are....straight up magical. And that yes, these mundane days are packed full of goodness & beauty if I keep my eyes fixed on what actually matters.
Spent two hours at Lowe’s this morning and wow, Spent two hours at Lowe’s this morning and wow, wowww 🤯 Asked at least six people where to find something and their opinion on all the options bc holy decision fatigue. Nursed my newborn on the floor of the paint aisle. And BLESS my new contractor friend Matt I found in the lumber section that pushed my cart around and helped me avoid the mistake of buying exterior wood for some DIY bathroom shelves.
.
I’m giving all our bathrooms a DIY makeover and I couldn’t be more of a rookie. So shoutout to all my Lowe’s buddies and YouTube 😜 You’re making this happen.
We are now officially homeowners. WUT? We didn’t We are now officially homeowners. WUT? We didn’t plan to close on a house 10 weeks after having a baby, but here we are. And we are so, so grateful.  And I’m also terrified. We’ve moved three times and lived in three different states since we got married three years ago. After six years spent living in New York City and Boston, moving back to Charlottesville was really, really hard for me. I cried a lot those first six months because my heart ached for the northeast and for city life. I wanted to pack up and go back to Boston ASAP. It felt so different and so quiet here and at times, very lonely. Even though it felt like the next right step, I second guessed our decision A LOT.
.
But here we are 10 months later ready to continue investing in this neighborhood we’ve come to love. And this community of people that have become so dear. Ten months later and it feels so, so right. And although committing to settling down here for a good bit feels really scary to me, it also brings so much peace to know we aren’t moving again anytime soon. We are here to plant and grow. And raise our babies in this house as we make it a home. It’s also really fun to have one of your best friends be your realtor. We love you @kelli.teter.nesting 🤗
.
Now, to see if we make it out of this kitchen renovation all in one piece 🤪
my go-to breakfast these days is two fried eggs in my go-to breakfast these days is two fried eggs in ghee with sautéed spinach (also in ghee) and an english muffin with more ghee + some sort of jam on half for that sweet & savory combo. we discovered these local english muffins (from The Bread Basket) and they are doughy and delicious and we are obsessed.
.
I’ve found that I need a solid source of protein and lots of fat for breakfast to keep me full while breastfeeding this time around vs with Cal, I was so into big bowls of pb & chocolate chip banana oatmeal. just goes to show our bodies know what they need and change cravings accordingly. also, just a psa: go pick up the maple butter from @traderjoes bc it is bonkers 🤤 and lastly, shout out to my husband bc a lot of mornings he is making this bfast for me while I nurse & try to pull myself out of bed - don’t for a moment think I’ve got it together 🤪
I’ve had many thoughts rolling around in my brai I’ve had many thoughts rolling around in my brain of if/how to use this platform in a way that aligns with how I want to live my life. I’m finding it tricky to discern that when 90% of my use on this app is for professional purposes. But I’m not sure if even professionally, it makes sense for me. Because I feel more aligned with what matters to me when I’m not regularly present here.  I’m not really sure what things will look like moving forward, but for right now I’m here to share with you that I somehow found some spare minutes between newborn & toddler life to write a post with some semi-coherent thoughts on life lately. 🤪 You can head there by clicking the link in my profile.
I’ve been completely disconnected from social me I’ve been completely disconnected from social media and that’s been vital for me during this tender postpartum period of transitioning from a mama of 1 to 2. But today, I’m bopping on briefly to share how Teddy entered this wild world with you - if you’re into a lengthy, detailed birth story, the link in my profile will lead you to the blog post 💙
Theodore “Teddy” Lars Nohling joined our famil Theodore “Teddy” Lars Nohling joined our family at 12:48am on Wednesday after a quick and swift labor & birth at home 💙 Thank you Father for another healthy baby boy & your abundant, tender love for us. What an undeserved gift.
Very grateful to be carrying another baby past his Very grateful to be carrying another baby past his due date, but also....LET’S GO DUDE. Still over here eating dates (check out the @ebbirth article on the research showing dates can help ripen (aka soften) your cervix, reduce the need for medical intervention in labor and can overall, improve birth outcomes) drinking red raspberry leaf tea and sleeping as much as possible with a 19 month old running around. And also trying to survive July in VA without public pools or splash pads bc it is BLAZIN HERE (and I’m a wuss with the heat 🤪)

Copyright © 2021 · The Real RD· Blog Design by Little Blue Deer


Terms and Conditions | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy