We’re back! No trend chasing. No affiliate circus. Just the things that are actually earning space in real life.
These are the accounts we stop scrolling for, the products that survive the bathroom purge, the food that gets requested again by the people who live here, and the books that don’t collect dust on the nightstand.
Nothing aspirational. Nothing sponsored. Just what’s holding up.
People We’re Following
Lacy Counts (@lacycounts) – Everyday chaos, zero polish, all truth.
Why we’re following: Lacy’s feed feels like someone finally turned the camera on real life instead of the curated version. Working mom energy, survival-mode humor, tiny wins that deserve confetti… she captures the in-between moments that most of us live in but rarely document. It’s not aspirational. It’s recognizable.
And yes, there’s one reel of hers (I’ll link it here because you need it) that I’ve watched an embarrassing number of times (ie. way more than thrice). At this point it’s less “content” and more emotional validation on demand. It made me laugh, then pause, then send it to an unsettling number of friends with “this.” Which, frankly, is the highest compliment.
Erin Wesley Jones @erinjoneswesley – Pop culture, daily life, and media feels all in one place.
Why we’re following: Erin’s IG is equal parts pop culture commentary, personal moments, and thoughtful takes on entertainment. She effortlessly blends film & TV enthusiasm with everyday snapshots, whether it’s a meaningful life moment or a fun observation about the things she loves. She’s the kind of creator who makes her hot takes (I’m obsessed with her Bravo ones) feel smart and relatable, and whose content you enjoy because it’s thoughtful, not overly curated.
Products We’re Loving
Michaels of Brooklyn Pasta Sauce – The vodka sauce took the crown.
Why we love it: I hosted an Italian family dinner night recently and the Michaels of Brooklyn vodka sauce won without debate. Rich, balanced, no strange sweetness, no “this came from a jar” aftertaste and a simple list of ingredients you can actually name and pronounce. It tasted like someone’s actual Nonna (or Noni like my great grandmas were named by us kids) was in the kitchen eyeing our plating and insisting we needed to “mangia.”It’s earned a permanent shelf spot.
Doich Foods – Clean, delish, and apparently teenage-approved.
Why we love it: I bought Doich (follow them here on the ‘gram) thinking it would be mine. Healthy, satisfying, not pretending to be dessert while secretly being cardboard. Instead, my 15-year-old claimed it immediately. I genuinely could not keep it out of his hands. And if a teenage boy voluntarily chooses the better-for-you option? That’s a five-star review.
My favorite flavor is Basic B#tch… which is deeply ironic because I assure you, I am anything but.
Also love that the brand gives back… every purchase supports organizations like Best Buddies and HelpCure HD. Snacks that do some good in the world are always welcome in my pantry.
Beauty Staples Saving the Day
Omnilux Red Light Mask – Low drama, high payoff.
Why we love it: The Omnilux mask is technically very flashy: glowing red like something out of a sci-fi movie and mildly terrifying if you walk into a room wearing it unannounced. But beneath the drama, it’s actually the opposite of gimmicky. It’s consistent. It’s science-backed. The kind of skincare that quietly does its job if you keep showing up for it. My man got me the Contour Face… and then surprised me with the bonus neck-and-chest version — and I’m not being dramatic when I say both are elite. Skin looks calmer, more even, less “life is happening and it’s all showing up on my face.” It’s subtle, steady, and quietly doing the work… which honestly feels like the most attractive quality in a device… and a partner.
REFY Face Primer – Smooth without suffocating.
Why we love it: REFY Face Primer is the skincare-meets-makeup hybrid that understands texture is different now. It hydrates, smooths, and gives that subtle glassy finish without pilling, sliding, or settling into places that didn’t exist in 2003. It makes skin look quietly refined — not filtered, not frozen, just… pulled together. The kind of base that says, “Yes, I slept,” even if you were up reorganizing your life at 1:17 a.m.
What We’re Reading & Listening To
It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica - Psychological tension without theatrics.
Why we’re reading: Mary Kubica doesn’t rely on cheap twists or shock value. She builds tension the slow, intelligent way through character, doubt, and the creeping sense that something is off but you can’t yet prove it. It’s Not Her pulls you in quietly and then tightens its grip chapter by chapter. It’s the kind of book where you tell yourself you’ll stop at a “natural break” and suddenly it’s midnight and you’re suspicious of everyone, including fictional neighbors. Smart, unsettling, and deeply readable.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg – Behavior, decoded.
Why we’re reading: This isn’t motivational fluff. It’s behavioral wiring. Duhigg breaks down the cue-routine-reward loop in a way that makes you realize most of your day is running on autopilot… and that’s not a personality flaw, it’s design. The book walks through how habits form, how they stick, and more importantly, how they shift. It’s less about willpower and more about systems - which feels especially relevant in midlife when you’re re-examining what you carry, what you repeat, and what you’re finally ready to interrupt. Practical, grounded, and oddly empowering once you see the pattern.
Cake for Dinner Podcast with Keesha Scott on YouTube (because I love a good video pod…and the Apple pod link) – No filters. No performing.
Why we’re watching and listening: Keesha brings real-life conversations to the mic — motherhood, marriage, sobriety, mental health, identity — without polishing them into inspiration porn. She’s a mom of three and a certified parenting coach, but this isn’t expert-on-a-pedestal energy. It’s raw, layered, grown-woman dialogue about burnout, resentment, partnership, and rebuilding after hard seasons. The kind of conversation that lingers — thoughtful, grounded, and real enough to make you exhale. And follow her on IG too. You won’t regret it!
BONUS: I’ve mentioned author Liz Alterman and her fantastic books here before, but her blog is just as entertaining. She recently featured me (!!) as a guest, which was such a fun surprise. Her writing is witty, funny, and refreshingly honest… very much our vibe here at Real Girls Guide. Definitely worth subscribing if you like smart humor and relatable life commentary.
That’s Part 5. No hype. No “must-have before it sells out.” Just the accounts, books, and products that are actually earning their keep in real life.
If something has taken over your group chats, your bathroom counter, your dinner table, or your 10:42 p.m. scroll sesh, send it. We’re not curating perfection… we’re curating what holds up.
The full, growing Real Girls Obsessions archive lives here.
We’ll keep paying attention. Keeping what works. Letting the rest fall away without apology.
Because at this stage? If it doesn’t earn its place, it doesn’t stay.
#RealGirlsGuidetoMidlife, #RealGirlsObsessions #MidlifeMustHaves #Influenced #MidlifePodcast #MidlifeWriter #MidlifeFun #RGG
We’ve earned every wrinkle. Might as well make more laugh lines together.
Let’s connect: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website | Book
And if you’ve read the book and loved it, a quick review on Amazon helps keep it moving.
How did I miss this?!? Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me! I've had so many friends and readers reach out and say they cannot wait to read your book! xo