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Tash | UK Home and Family Lifestyle Creator

@chasing_mermaids

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Single mum of 4 🫶🏻 Making a beautiful home on a budget | Family adventures & real life in Cornwall 🌊
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Today’s free find was the perfect addition to my back yard especially for the heatwave we’ve been having!

I did spend some money on this one, just to add the rug and matching cushions from @onlinehomeshopuk but they only cost me around £14 in total so it was definitely worth it!
Check out the link on my bio for their outdoor range, so many things are on sale right now too 🫶🏻 by @chasing_mermaids

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4 months ago

If you’ve got a curly-haired kid, you’ll know that wash day can be A LOT 😂

After 11 years of having three curly-haired girls, I can’t believe I’ve only just discovered a diffuser made specifically with kids in mind!

I’ve been using the @airheadshair hairdryer on Quinn and Arya and I’m SO impressed. The silicone diffuser is so soft against their scalps, it’s much quieter than a normal hairdryer and the smoothing attachment is brilliant for creating a sleeker finish too.

And the biggest thing for me? Their hair usually takes HOURS to air dry, so being able to dry and style it properly without waiting around all day has been a total game changer.

And those curls?! 😍

Airheads has just launched and you can find it at John Lewis ✨ by @chasing_mermaids

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19 days ago

This year has been one of the most difficult that I’ve ever been through.
From ending a relationship with the person I thought I would grow old with, to having to start life over in my mid 30s with almost nothing.. it’s been a YEAR to say the least!

But at the same time, I’ve found so much peace and happiness in this new little life that I’ve built for myself and my children.. I’m living on my own terms and I’m creating the life that I want for us 🩷

I’m finally almost at the end of the journey of furnishing my home for £0 - I can’t wait to show you all the last few bits that I’ve been able to get!

Thank you to each and every one of you for being along for this journey, for sharing in the highs and for being there for me during the lows. I’ve met so many amazing people through building this little community on here and there’s been so many people giving me advice and just being there for me in my inbox whenever I’ve needed an ear 🫶🏻

I can’t wait to see what life will look like in the next 6 months because it can only get better from here 🩷 by @chasing_mermaids

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a month ago

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5 hours ago

Some days, I’m running on empty. Some days, I have no idea how I’m going to figure everything out. And some days, I have to remind myself that it’s okay not to have it all together❤️

But then I look at my children, and I remember why I keep going. Not because I’m always strong, not because I never feel like giving up, but because four little people are watching me navigate life, and I want them to know that even when life knocks you down, you can find a way to get back up again.

I want them to grow up knowing that starting over isn’t failure, that hard times don’t last forever, and that you can rebuild a life you’re proud of, even when you have to start from scratch.

I’m not just doing this for me anymore. I’m doing it for them, and for the version of me they deserve to see on the other side of all of this 🥹❤️

To every mum who is quietly fighting battles nobody knows about, who is exhausted but still showing up, who is trying to hold everything together while figuring it all out

Please remember that you matter, too. You don’t have to be strong every second of every day. Rest if you need to. Cry if you need to. Take a breath. But please don’t give up on yourself.

One day, you’ll look back and realise just how much you survived. And your children will have watched you do it 🫶🏻

#Motherhood #MumLife #SingleMumLife #KeepGoing #StartingOver by @chasing_mermaids

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2 days ago

A bits and bobs shop because I can’t just go to the supermarket with a plan like a normal person 😂🛒

I don’t do meal plans or shopping lists, just vibes and hoping for the best! Although my freezer is currently bursting at the seams, so I’m trying to use up what we’ve already got and stick to fridge bits and the kids’ never-ending supply of after-school snacks🫠

Tell me I’m not the only one who shops like this?! 🥴

#ComeShoppingWithMe #MumLifeUK #FoodShopping #RealLifeMotherhood #FamilyLife by @chasing_mermaids

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3 days ago

This list could have gone on and on 😂

Give me your list too 😂👇🏻 by @chasing_mermaids

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5 days ago

Time to drive back home to Cornwall ✨ by @chasing_mermaids

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6 days ago

🐉✨ Imagine having your very own pet dragon!

Meet Skye 💙 Yara was kindly gifted this gorgeous dragon and she is showing you how to look after your very own dragon, from feeding it and rubbing its head to tucking it in for a nap and every time you care for Skye, you can collect magical gems! 💎

It’s such a fun, interactive toy for little dragon lovers, and I think it would make the CUTEST gift for any child who loves a little bit of magic! 🐉✨

But the real question is, would your little one choose a dragon as their pet?

@comerounduk @moosetoys @smythstoys

#LittleLivePets #MyMagicalDragon #BringJoyHome by @chasing_mermaids

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7 days ago

This is only the beginning 🥹🥹 by @chasing_mermaids

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8 days ago

Last year when we came back from travelling in our camper van, we were staying by my mom up in County Durham so I registered my kids with dentists there.

My two oldest children were referred for braces and Arya had hers fitted 3 months ago which has meant every few months, since I moved back to Cornwall, I’ve made this 8 hour journey for the orthodontist appointments.

I’ve managed to find an orthodontist near us that will allow us to transfer Arya’s treatment down to Cornwall so that I won’t have to keep driving across the county for her anymore!

Now I’m just waiting on Gabe’s last 3 or 4 appointments until his braces can finally be fitted and then I can get his treatment transferred down south too 🤞🏻🤞🏻

It’s such a long day of driving, but honestly I’m just grateful that they’re getting the braces they need!
and when they’re older I’ll be reminding them how many times I had to drive up and down to make sure they have perfect smiles 😂 so they better buy me nice presents when they’re working one day 😂😂 by @chasing_mermaids

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9 days ago

FREE HOME FIND SERIES | MY BEDROOM 🛏️✨

Slowly but surely, it’s starting to feel like home.

This room has come together pretty much entirely through free finds a little bit of patience, and a vision of what I want it to become.

So far I’ve managed to find:
🤍 King-size bed frame (which I upcycled!)
🤍 IKEA chest of drawers
🤍 Mirror
🤍 Two wardrobes
🤍 KALLAX unit (now home to Quinn’s toys because apparently my bedroom is also part playroom 😂)

There are still a few things I’d love to change. I’m thinking of using some wood-effect sticky vinyl on the wardrobes to make them look more cohesive, and I’m still undecided whether to sand and re-stain the mirror or go bold and paint it a fun colour.
What would you do?

My next project is these bedside tables, and I already have a vision for them. I’m thinking a gorgeous pop of colour to brighten up the room and make them a real feature🎨

I’ve been eyeing up @rustoleumuk paints for this project because they have so many beautiful colours, so fingers crossed I can finally decide on the perfect shade 🤞🏻

One thing this challenge has taught me is that a home doesn’t have to be finished to be beautiful. Every little project gets us one step closer, and I honestly love seeing each room slowly come to life.

What colour would you paint the bedside tables?
Bright blue? Sage green? Mustard? Terracotta? Something completely different?

If you’re enjoying following my mission to furnish and transform our family home for £0, make sure you’re following because there are still plenty more rooms (and upcycling projects!) to come🫶🏻 by @chasing_mermaids

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10 days ago