Real Girls Obsessions Part 3
Just our real favorites… no gatekeeping, no sponsorships!
If Part 1 was about discovering the things that make us feel good, and Part 2 was about swapping what actually works… then Part 3 is where it all starts to round out a little.
We’re highlighting people we follow, products we love and books worth dog-earing.
This isn’t about trends or polished sponsorships. It’s the stuff that fits into real life… the little things we use, love, and keep coming back to.
Got something we should add to the list? Hit reply or email me at realgirlsguide55@gmail.com. This list has always been built together, babes.
People We’re Following
@dunnewithmenopause (Dunne With Menopause) - Menopause myth-busting with clarity, compassion & a dash of irreverence.
Why we love her: Because Dr. Dunne doesn’t sugarcoat it — she tackles the hard real talk about hormones, aging, and what’s really happening in our bodies. She explains the science, debunks the nonsense, and always reminds us: you’re not broken, you’re evolving.
@midlifers_ - Unfiltered midlife stories, served straight up.
Why we love them: Because this feed is like a group chat with all of your closest ride-or-dies. Real talk. Real aging. No filter… literally or metaphorically. It’s the kind of scroll that makes you laugh, nod, and shout “same” without even thinking!
@the.vag.doc (The Vag Doc) - Smart, straight, and scientifically backed.
Why we love her: Because vaginas deserve more than myths and silence. She breaks down the awkward stuff with ease, mixes humor with real medical insight, and makes talking about your bits feel as normal as ordering coffee.
Products We’re Obsessed With
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG - Your under-eye “I actually slept” serum.
Why we love it: Because some mornings, the bags under our eyes deserve their own frequent flyer miles. This lightweight serum packs caffeine and EGCG (a powerful antioxidant from green tea) to help de-puff, brighten, and make those dark circles a little less loud. It sinks in fast, plays nice with makeup, and costs less than your daily latte. A solid little bottle of “I’ve got this,” even when you don’t feel like you do.
Summer Fridays Lip Products - Hydration, but make it hot.
Why we love them: Because midlife lips get thirsty too. These balms are smooth, non-sticky, and deliver that “put together but effortless” vibe. Think: the grown-up version of Lip Smackers… minus the glitter.
Rosy Rings Candles - A little flicker, a lot of calm.
Why we love them: Because some days, the only thing we can fix is the mood. Rosy Rings candles are hand-poured with real botanicals suspended in the wax—equal parts art and aromatherapy. They burn slow, look beautiful on a countertop, and somehow make even a Tuesday feel like a ritual. My personal favorite right now? Spicy Apple. It smells like warm light, crisp leaves, and that first deep exhale when the day finally slows down.
Books We Can’t Put Down
A Widow’s Fire: An Intimate Memoir of Heartbreak, Survival, and Moving On by Diane Pike Heiler - Grief, guts, and the unexpected spark that follows loss.
Why we love it: Because widowhood isn’t just sadness, it’s shock, rage, silence, and the slow, steady climb back to yourself. Diane Pike Heiler doesn’t tidy up her pain; she lays it bare. A Widow’s Fire is a brave, beautifully written look at what happens when the life you knew disappears overnight, and how you rebuild, one small act of courage at a time. It’s a story about heartbreak, yes. But it’s also about survival, awakening, and what it really means to rise from the ashes when you never asked to burn.
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed - More than a decade old… and somehow more relevant than ever.
Why we love it: Because some books don’t fade; they deepen. Tiny Beautiful Things first landed over ten years ago, yet Cheryl Strayed’s words still hit like truth we didn’t know we needed. Her Dear Sugar essays are raw, funny, and heartbreakingly human, the kind you dog-ear, underline, and return to when life gets loud. And now, with the Hulu series breathing new life into it, Tiny Beautiful Things reminds us that honesty never expires, it just keeps finding new readers who need it.
You Shouldn’t Have Done That by Liz Alterman - Wickedly sharp. Addictive. Your next guilty pleasure.
Why we love it: Because Liz writes like the friend who leans across the table and whispers, “You’re not gonna believe this…” It’s suspense with a wink… perfect for curling up with a glass of wine and ignoring your text messages.
BONUS: If you’re an audiobook fan? Dive into her latest read - A Different Kind of Poison - I’m into it right now and hooked!
Your turn. I’ve spilled mine…now I want yours. The best stuff always comes from each other, and this list is no exception. We don’t gatekeep around here. What’s lighting you up lately? DM me, drop a comment, or pass this along to your ride-or-die with a “you need this” note.
And get the Full Real Girls List of what we love here.
We’ve earned every wrinkle. Might as well make more laugh lines together.
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#RGGList #RealGirlsGuide #MenopauseBeauty #MidlifeGlow #HormoneFriendly #SelfCare #Skincareover50 #BeautyAtEveryStage
Angela,
You asked one time about my thoughts on a second book. I recently had a daughter question a large check I had written. No, she did not ask me about it. She called the vendor I had written it to.
Since my husband died 2 1/2 years ago, I have not received a “big” Christmas gift in three years. Al always let me pick out my gifts since he was not good at it and I was always generous with myself.
So, I decided this was the year I would pick out a generous gift from him to me at my favorite jewelry store. And I must say, I was most generous!
I blew a gasket when the jeweler called to tell me that my daughter had called to ask him about the check.
When I addressed my daughter about it I told her that in no uncertain terms was she allowed to check on my spending until I was certified “bat shit crazy”!
Second book: “how children reduce their parents to imbeciles when they reach a certain age and/or have lost their partner.”
Is it the child who deems themselves an invalid or is it the parent! Really!!!! A topic to be expounded.
As Always,
Diane
Angela,
How exciting that you put my book under “Books you can’t put Down”.
What a boost you gave my heart!