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Alex | Real Life Mum | Council House Living

@irlwithalex

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2702

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Real life, real mess & our beige council house
🏡 Home transformations | Family life | Budgeting
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Garden transformation in under 60 seconds 🌿

We've spent pretty much the entire weekend out in the garden and honestly, I am KNACKERED 😂

The grass has been cut, the hedges have had a much-needed trim, we've pulled weeds out from around our wildflowers and finally got our little greenhouse built 🌱

The tomato plants are now settled into their grow bags and I'm just waiting for some larger pots to arrive before I move the cucumber plants in too 🍅🥒

We've still got loads we'd like to do:
🏡 Build a proper patio area
🎨 Paint the outside window surrounds
🏠 Sort out the summer house
💻 Turn it into my outdoor office

One thing I absolutely cannot stand though...

WEEDING 😭

I hate it with a passion. Usually I either make the kids do it or bribe them with money 😂💰

So tell me...

👇 What's your most hated garden job?

Love you, bye x

Council House Garden|Garden Transformation|Garden Makeover|UK Gardening|Family Garden|Greenhouse Setup|Growing Tomatoes|Growing Cucumbers|Garden Tidy Up|Wildflower Garden|Budget Gardening|Home Improvements|Council House Living|Garden Projects|Summer Garden

#GardenTransformation #UKGardening #CouncilHouseLiving #HomeImprovement #familygarden by @irlwithalex

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4 months ago

The internet usually only gives you 30-60 seconds to get to know someone... so here's a little bit more about me. 💛

I'm a mum of two, a wife, someone who's spent years in survival mode, and someone who's finally learning that it's okay not to have everything figured out.

I've made mistakes, struggled with the mental load of parenting, worried about money, questioned myself as a mum, and spent far too long putting everyone else before myself.

You'll mostly know me for talking about council housing, mutual exchanges, home renovations and challenging the stereotypes that come with them... but there's so much more to me than that.

The reason I share so much online is because I know how lonely life can feel when you think you're the only one going through something.

If even one of these slides made you think, "That's me too," then I'm really glad you're here. 🫶

So tell me...
❤️ Which slide did you relate to the most?
👇 And if you've followed me for a while, what made you hit the follow button in the first place?

Scottish mum | Council housing | Council house | Mutual exchange | Honest motherhood | Mental load | Parenting | ADHD parenting | Lifestyle creator | Home renovation | Social housing | Family life | Working mum | Real life | Home decor

#CouncilHousing #ScottishMum #Motherhood #RealLife #LifestyleCreator by @irlwithalex

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3 months ago

Confession time... 😂

I genuinely never thought I'd admit this on social media...

We've now lived in FIFTEEN different houses... and eleven of them have been council houses.

Some people collect shoes... apparently we collect house moves. 😂

Every house we've moved into has become a project. We decorate, paint, put flooring down, make it feel like home, and always leave it in a good condition.

At this point... are we officially council house flippers? 🤣 Or is this just becoming a very expensive hobby?

I'd love to know...

👇 How many houses have you lived in during your lifetime?

Love you, bye x

Council house | Council house living | Social housing | Mutual exchange | Housing association | Home renovation | Home makeover | UK homes | Family life | House move | Council tenants | Home improvements | Decorating | DIY | Working mum | UK creator | Before and after | Home inspiration | Affordable living | IRLwithAlex

#CouncilHouseLiving #CouncilHouse #HomeRenovation #MutualExchange #UKCreator by @irlwithalex

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3 months ago

OUR COUNCIL HOUSE LIVING ROOM TRANSFORMATION IS FINALLY HERE… AND I AM OBSESSED! 😍

I genuinely cannot believe this is the same living room we moved into in February 2025. From the tired décor, holes in the walls and old flooring to our cosy, neutral living room with a custom media wall and hidden storage… what a difference!

We knew we wanted something that fitted our style, worked with our bigger TV and gave us extra storage without compromising on how the room looked. And honestly, the finished result is even better than I imagined!

A massive thank you to @rox.developments for bringing our vision to life. If you’re local to Edinburgh, the Lothians or the surrounding areas and looking for a reliable team for work around your home, I highly, HIGHLY recommend them. We couldn’t be happier with the result, and we’ll definitely be using them again for a few more jobs we have planned around the house!

Now, I need your help with the finishing touches… 👀

Would you paint the inside of the media unit and the wall behind the TV black, or would you leave everything as it is? And please give me your best rug recommendations because I think a rug would finish the room off perfectly!

Love you, bye x

council house renovation | council house living room | living room transformation | media wall | media wall design | hidden storage ideas | neutral living room | beige home decor | modern living room | living room makeover | budget home renovation | home improvement UK | Scottish home renovation | Edinburgh home improvements | Lothians tradespeople | Rox Developments | cosy home ideas | living room inspiration | council house decor | home renovation journey

#CouncilHouseRenovation #LivingRoomMakeover #MediaWall #HomeTransformation #ScottishHomes by @irlwithalex

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a day ago

🚨 OPINION OF THE DAY 🚨

IS IT OKAY TO CUT YOUR BLOOD FAMILY OFF?

I genuinely believe that just because someone is family doesn’t automatically mean they deserve a place in your life.

We’re often told that blood is thicker than water and that family should always come first. But why should you have to tolerate toxic behaviour, disrespect or constant hurt simply because you share DNA?

I believe you’re allowed to walk away from relationships that damage your peace, even when they’re with your own family.

Sometimes, the family you choose will love, support and understand you more than the family you were born into ever did.

Family isn’t just who you’re born to. It’s who shows up for you.

I’ve had so many people reach out recently, sharing their experiences of being estranged from family. It can be incredibly lonely, even when walking away was the right decision.

You can grieve the family you wish you had while knowing that keeping your distance was necessary. You can love someone and still recognise that they aren’t healthy for you.

And you can build your own family, surrounded by people who make you feel safe, valued and loved.

So, do you think it’s okay to cut blood family off if they’re toxic, or should family relationships always be given another chance?

family estrangement | cutting family off | toxic family relationships | family boundaries | chosen family | blood family | toxic family members | going no contact | protecting your peace | family relationships | healing from family trauma | emotional wellbeing | healthy relationships | found family | family support | difficult family dynamics | setting boundaries with family | estrangement from parents | family is not everything | opinion of the day | council house living

#OpinionOfTheDay #FamilyEstrangement #ToxicFamily #ChosenFamily #ProtectYourPeace by @irlwithalex

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a day ago

I USED TO BE ASHAMED OF LIVING IN A COUNCIL HOUSE… BUT NOT ANYMORE. 🤎🏡

In February 2025, we moved into this house through a council mutual exchange, and although it needed a LOT of work, we could see the potential.

Since starting to document our renovations, I’ve realised just how much stigma still surrounds council housing.

I’ve been called a benefit scrounger, told I’m a third-class citizen, and had people assume I’m a burden on taxpayers.

The funny thing? I work full-time in a corporate 9–5 job, alongside creating content around our home and family life.

But why should any of that even matter?

A council house is our home. We’re allowed to be proud of it, decorate it, improve it and turn it into somewhere we absolutely love living.

I’m done feeling like I need to justify where I live or prove that I’m somehow deserving of a home.

We’re building our beige house of dreams, one project at a time, and we’re nowhere near finished yet!

Next up… our living room media wall, and I genuinely cannot wait to show you how it turns out. 🤎

If you’re new here, welcome! Follow along as we continue transforming our council house into our dream home.

Have you ever felt judged because of where you live? I’d love to hear your experiences.

Love you, bye x

council house renovation | council house living | social housing UK | council house transformation | council house stigma | council housing myths | mutual exchange council house | beige home decor | affordable home renovation | budget home makeover | UK home renovation | council tenant life | social housing stigma | home transformation journey | council house decorating ideas | real life mum | family life Scotland | working mum UK | affordable home decor | council house before and after

#CouncilHouse #CouncilHouseRenovation #SocialHousing #HomeTransformation #CouncilHouseLife by @irlwithalex

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2 days ago

PLEASE TELL ME I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN’T KEEP ON TOP OF THEIR HOUSE. 😭😂

Between working full-time, raising kids, doing the washing, emptying the dishwasher for the 47th time and trying to organise the never-ending doom piles… I feel like I’m constantly fighting a losing battle.

We’ve somehow managed to get our weekly food shop down from £300 to around £100, which is a HUGE win, but why does getting on top of one thing mean five other things fall apart?! 😂

I feel like social media is full of perfectly organised homes and people who seem to have their entire lives together, while I’m over here moving the same pile of clothes from my bed to my desk and back again.

And yes, I know my house looks lovely in some of my renovation videos, but that’s not what it looks like 24/7. Behind the pretty beige decor is a real family, real mess and a mum who’s sometimes one more load of washing away from a menty b!!

So I’m asking for your BEST advice.

How do you keep on top of housework when you work full-time and have kids? Do you have a routine, a cleaning schedule, or have you simply accepted that your house will never be completely tidy? 😂

Because right now, I’m seriously considering hiring a cleaner… and I actually LIKE cleaning!

Love you, bye x

keeping on top of housework | cleaning motivation | messy house | overwhelmed mum | working mum UK | full time working mum | family life UK | realistic motherhood | mum life Scotland | cleaning routine | housework tips | home organisation | decluttering tips | doom piles | family home | council house life | council house renovation | realistic home content | family budgeting | busy mum life

#CleaningMotivation #WorkingMum #RealisticMotherhood #CouncilHouseLife #HomeOrganisation by @irlwithalex

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3 days ago

🚨 OPINION OF THE DAY 🚨

DO YOU TRULY BELIEVE MEN AND WOMEN ARE EQUAL?

With everything happening recently, including the Cornell situation and the Jane Doe movement, I’ve been thinking about what equality between men and women really looks like.

Honestly, I struggle to believe we’re equal when so many women still have to plan their lives around the possibility of being harmed by men.

We share our locations, plan how we’re getting home, hold our keys between our fingers and think twice about walking alone. We’re taught to be cautious and protect ourselves from a young age.

But how often are men taught that it’s their responsibility to help create a world where women feel safe?

Of course, not all men are dangerous. This isn’t about blaming every man. It’s about asking why women still carry so much of the responsibility for protecting themselves.

Equality shouldn’t just exist on paper. It should mean being able to live our lives without constantly assessing the risks of simply being out alone.

So, genuinely, do you believe men and women are equal in today’s society? And if so, how do we explain the different realities so many women experience?

Please keep it respectful—we’re all coming from different situations.

men and women equality | gender equality UK | women’s safety | women’s rights | violence against women | gender inequality | equality in society | women protecting themselves | personal safety for women | women’s safety debate | male violence | women’s freedom | respect for women | social issues UK | modern feminism | equality discussion | Scottish women | women’s experiences | women supporting women | council house life

#OpinionOfTheDay #WomensSafety #GenderEquality #WomenSupportingWomen #CouncilHouseLife by @irlwithalex

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3 days ago

AD | NEED SOMETHING NEW TO DO WITH THE KIDS?! 🎨

If you’re looking for a family day out in Edinburgh that’s a little bit different, then you NEED to check out @splashandglowedinburgh at Ocean Terminal! 🤩

We were invited along for our first visit, and honestly, we had SO much fun!

Think neon paint, water guns, throwing paint at each other, making water balloons and getting as messy as you possibly can. 😂🎨

You get everything you need to create your own colourful masterpieces, and the best part is that you get to take your artwork home with you afterwards!

There’s even a little photo opportunity to capture the memories, Giant Connect 4 to play, and a wall where you can leave messages for other visitors.

It’s one of those activities where the adults have just as much fun as the kids, and we came away with some brilliant memories (and some very colourful artwork!). 💕

If you’re in or around Edinburgh and fancy trying something different with the family, this is definitely one to add to your list!

Thank you so much to Splash and Glow for having us along. We had a brilliant time and can’t wait to visit again soon ❤️

Have you ever visited Splash and Glow, or is this somewhere you’d love to try?

Love you, bye x

family days out Edinburgh | things to do in Edinburgh | Edinburgh with kids | family activities Scotland | kids activities Edinburgh | Splash and Glow | Ocean Terminal Edinburgh | Edinburgh attractions | rainy day activities Scotland | unique family days out | family fun Scotland | things to do with kids Scotland | Edinburgh family attractions | kids painting activities | neon paint experience | family weekend activities | Scottish family lifestyle | budget family days out | mum life UK | family adventures UK

#Ad #EdinburghWithKids #FamilyDaysOut #ThingsToDoInEdinburgh #scottishfamily by @irlwithalex

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5 days ago

How lucky to find your soul mate so early in life and get to go through every season together 🫶🏻

Happy 17 years Mr D .. I love love you more than words could ever express x

Forever & ever babe

🤍

17 year anniversary | 17 years together | relationship anniversary | anniversary post | high school sweethearts | soulmates | long term relationship | marriage and love | relationship goals | growing together | life together | family life | Scottish mum | family lifestyle | mum life UK | council house life | council house family | home and family | real life moments | UK lifestyle

#RelationshipGoals #AnniversaryPost #17YearsTogether #FamilyLife #CouncilHouseLife by @irlwithalex

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5 days ago

FROM £300 A WEEK TO JUST OVER £100… AND WE’RE STILL EATING WELL!

I genuinely cannot believe how much we’ve managed to bring our food shopping down over the last few weeks.

We were regularly spending £300 a week feeding our family of four, and I knew something had to change.

After taking so many of your suggestions on board, we’ve started doing our weekly shop online with @tesco , planning our meals together and checking what we’ve already got in the cupboards before buying anything else.

And the results have honestly surprised us.

I’ll admit, I used to think shopping at Tesco would automatically be more expensive than going to Aldi or other supermarkets.

But we’re genuinely shocked at how much we’re saving while still getting really good quality food.

This week’s shop came to just £111, and planning ahead means we’re wasting less and buying things we actually need.

We’ve even managed to include a few extra treats without blowing the budget.

Between the weekly food shops, family budgeting and renovating our council house, I’m determined to find ways to make our money go further without feeling like we’re constantly going without.

And the best bit? We’re not spending our Thursday evenings trailing around the supermarket anymore. Online shopping has been a game changer for us!

Thank you to everyone who’s shared tips with us so far. I genuinely appreciate them, and I’m hoping we can keep bringing that weekly bill down.

Now tell me… how much do you usually spend on your weekly food shop, and which supermarket do you find gives you the best value for money?

Love you, bye x

weekly food shop | Tesco food shop | family food budget | grocery shopping UK | food shopping tips | saving money on food | family of four | budget food shop | supermarket savings | Tesco delivery | online food shopping | meal planning | family budgeting | cost of living UK | affordable family meals | money saving tips | council house life | council house | Scottish mum | UK family life

#FoodShop #FamilyBudget #TescoFoodShop #MoneySavingTips #CouncilHouseLife by @irlwithalex

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6 days ago

🚨 OPINION OF THE DAY 🚨

WHY DO PEOPLE USE RELIGION AS A TOOL FOR HATRED?

This is a sensitive subject, but it’s something I’ve genuinely wanted to ask people.

Why do we sometimes use religion to decide whether someone is a good person, what they’re worth, or whether they deserve kindness and respect?

I don’t believe someone’s religion, or whether they follow a religion at all, automatically determines their character.

You can be religious and be a wonderful person. You can be religious and treat people terribly. You can be an atheist and have the kindest heart imaginable.

Surely, what matters is how we treat other people?

What confuses me is how something that brings comfort, hope and meaning to so many people can also become a reason to judge, exclude or hate others.

You don’t have to agree with someone’s religion, beliefs or way of life to treat them with basic human decency.

And you shouldn’t have to share somebody’s beliefs to deserve their respect.

I’m genuinely interested in hearing different perspectives, because I know religion means different things to different people.

Do you think someone’s religion should play a part in how we judge their character? And why do you think religion is sometimes used to justify hatred towards others?

Please keep it respectful. I’m opening up a conversation, not attacking anyone’s faith.

religion and society | religious beliefs | religious tolerance | religious discrimination | religious hatred | faith and kindness | judging others | respect for others | religious differences | freedom of religion | faith and morality | kindness and compassion | treating people equally | human decency | acceptance and tolerance | religion debate | social issues | respect different beliefs | prejudice and discrimination | opinion of the day

#OpinionOfTheDay #Religion #KindnessMatters #RespectEveryone #humanity by @irlwithalex

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6 days ago