Thrifty Tips & Trips Mum | Chase Media & Social

Where It All Began

@thriftytipsandtripsmum was born in July 2023! As a fenland girl with a passion for social media, thrifty living and family adventures, my social media pages were initially created as a hobby and maintained in my free time whilst I worked as a part time marketing manager for a local salon and spa. Since then and with little time to spare these days, I’ve grown my social following to almost 14k organic followers, by sharing budgeting tips, thrifty living hacks and reviews of kid friendly trips and activities - all while balancing mum life and my work, something I'm very proud of. I've also used the platform to raise awareness around unique parenting journeys, by inviting fellow mums to share their stories on my page in a mini series called 'Diary of a Mum', as well as highlighting our own journey with our son's speech delay (which, luckily for us, has since improved greatly and for that we are so grateful). In that time, I’ve created multiple viral reels for both myself and clients, several with over 1 million views (one, even hit 2 million)!

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You might have noticed I’ve been a little quiet on here over the last month…I mean you might not, who really gives a crap about how much I’m on here anyway, right 😂

But if you are interested, it was partly intentional, partly not. What was meant to be a short break somehow turned into like a month…and honestly? I’ve just been fed up with social media. Controversial coming from a social media manager, I know. But my creativity for my own page disappeared. I felt stuck in my own head, what to share, what not to share and I completely lost my spark with it. My engagement dropped (which is never fun when you’ve gone viral a few times) and I just fell out of the habit.

So this is me being real and posting what the hell I like. You may even see a name change in the new year. I want this space to be more about my general life, my business journey, and who I am as a mum running that business. There’ll still be family moments, thrifty bits and the chaos of everyday life obvs, but it won’t be the sole focus anymore. And if that means losing followers or dipping below 10k (after working so hard to reach it) then so be it. I’d rather build something that feels authentic, aligned and enjoyable with who I am now than chasing numbers.

Life is full-on right now. I’m a business owner, mum to a five-year-old and also launching a second business (a co-working content studio opening in the new year with my friend). This little “day in the life” shows a small glimpse of what juggling motherhood and my work sometimes looks like: not forgetting the million things I forgot to record because… life.

And before you think I’m tucked up in bed by 8:45pm — absolutely not. Most nights I’m still working, planning, editing or catching up on everything I didn’t manage earlier. Currently I’m navigating growth, creativity, burnout and new beginnings and doing it all in a dressing gown whenever I get the bloody chance 😂 Here’s to the next chapter ❤️💫

If you’ve got a dinosaur mad child, ROARR! is absolutely worth a visit. We’ve been a few times now, but this time we went for their Halloween experience and it was such a fun and cute twist on the usual day out there!!

We’ve done a lot of dinosaur activities over the years (including one in London that cost over £100 for just 90 minutes a few weeks back 😩) but this really is such better value for money.

For around £60 approx, we spent pretty much the whole day there and it’s great in all weathers too with a nice mix of outdoor, under cover and indoor activities to enjoy!

In summer, there’s the splash pad, multiple outdoor play areas and the ride on cars to really enjoy! On cooler and wetter days, you’ve still got soft play, fossil digging and multiple shows/meet and greets to get stuck into! And that’s not even half of it 😍

This Halloween, they added themed extras, like little “school-style” classes (think Harry Potter vibes) where kids collect stamps in a booklet for each lesson they attend and get a free gift at the end 🧙‍♂️ There was also a Halloween maze, a themed Halloween film in the dinosaur theatre and spooky touches/photo opps throughout the park.

The ‘Valley of the Dinosaurs’ walk is still as impressive as ever, it’s always the highlight for us. I think our son’s just about coming to the end of his peak dino phase now, but honestly, this has always been one of our favourites for a full day out, especially if your child is dino obsessed like our son has been since he was just 17 months old 🩵

If you’re in Norfolk and have a little dinosaur lover in your life, ROARR! is 100% worth the trip and good value for money when compared with other park prices/dinosaur themed activities we’ve done over the years! 🦖💚 @roarr_dinosauradventure

I’d say from the age of finishing university, early 20s through to my 30s, I more or less lived paycheck to paycheck…and even that wasn’t always enough. I was often overdrawn, had credit card debt and at one point I was even driving around uninsured because I didn’t realise my partner (at the time) had stopped making the payments! True story.

When I say I didn’t have money to live the life I was living (on the outside), I really didn’t. And it wasn’t even that lavish a life! But 10 years on, life looks very different and I’m lucky to have a lot more financial stability 🙏🏼

But those years taught me so much. How to shop smart, stretch a food shop, make meals go further, lessons that have stuck with me ever since. And even though I don’t have to live like that now, I often still choose to. Because I know how to make my money stretch and I’d rather spend those pennies I’ve saved on something that matters more to me.

There was a time when people would come round for dinner and I’d be panicking about how to feed them. I couldn’t afford all the ingredients for something as simple as a spaghetti bolognese! So I had to get scrappy and that’s really where I learned how to make the most out of what I had.

Now, I still love doing that. Making meals out of leftovers, finding creative ways to use what’s in the cupboard, it’s a mindset that’s stuck with me. And honestly, I think it’s a great thing for kids to see too.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not perfect at it, I wouldn’t have the time to do this for every meal. But when I do, this is how I do it….and this is how you could do it too 👌🏼

If you’re looking for a fun, budget-friendly half term idea, Tyrrell’s Farm in Cowbit, Lincs is one of our favourites for pumpkin picking! 🎃 @tyrrellsfarm

We’ve been every year since our son was born and it never disappoints. It’s completely free to get in, you only pay for the pumpkins you pick (plus food and drinks if you want) and there are loads of free photo spots and plenty of space for the kids to run around.

This year we spent £26 altogether and that got us our carving pumpkins plus loads of smaller ones for our front door display. We’re big into Halloween decor in our household!!! There’s a lovely coffee stand on the weekends and last weekend there was even ‘The Cheesy’ Pig, serving pork-based comfort food like loaded fries, honestly UNREAL 😍 @the.cheesypig

What I love most is that you can make it as thrifty as you like, grab just a couple of pumpkins and spend less than a fiver, or make it a full family outing for an hour or two without paying any entry fees!!

We’ve been to other pumpkin patches and Halloween events over the years (and we love those too), but Tyrrell’s Farm is such a great option for a simple, affordable, traditional and local day out. Thumbs up from me 👍🏻

Save this post for your half term plans and follow @thriftytipsandtripsmum for more affordable family trips, days out, random money saving tips and my Monday mornings recs on BBC Radio Lincolnshire each week 😍👌🏼

We were heading to London recently when our train ended up running late. Frustrating, right? 😩😩😩 But then I discovered Delay Repay!

Here’s how it works:

• If your train arrives at your destination 30 minutes or more late, you’re eligible for a refund

• The exact amount depends on how late you are and which train company you travelled with

• Claiming is simple: just go to the train company’s website, fill out a short form with your journey and ticket details, and they’ll even estimate your refund for you. I did a quick google and it took me straight through to the relevant delay relay page

• Some companies will pay directly into your bank account, while others may offer vouchers, depending on your preference

• Most refunds appear within a few days to a few weeks, depending on the provider

On the way home, I filled out the form (literally a 5 minute process) and a few days later, the money landed straight in my bank! 💷✨

So next time your train’s delayed - claim for that inconvenience! Just search “Delay Repay” with your train provider and fill in the quick form! No complaint emails needed 👏🏼 Easy peasy 👌🏼

On the eve of my son’s fifth birthday, I heard this audio and wanted to share 💭

Raising a boy has truly felt like what I was meant to do. I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy…super sensitive but also quite bold, loud, and always ready to get stuck in….and I think that’s made me very suited to being a boy mum, amongst many of my other traits! 🤪 We never found out the gender of our baby but I knew in my gut he was a boy from the very beginning.

Motherhood has taught me so much, but raising a boy especially feels like such an important role. I’m so conscious of raising him to be a good man, as well as a good boy. Each birthday, I can’t help but reflect, not just on the year gone by, but on the whole journey so far. It honestly feels like only yesterday he was born.

I want to raise a man who’s proud to be a ‘manly’ man, strong, dependable, a good provider, a good husband, but also one who’s sensitive, open and knows he can come to me about anything ❤️

I hope as he grows older, we stay close and connected, even as he builds his own life and follows his own path 💙 Proud to be a boy mum 🥹 Proud to be HIS mum 🥹

The best meals for me usually start with “I’ve no idea what I’m making but sod it, let’s see what happens…”😂😂😂

This creamy tomato and mushroom pasta was made entirely from yellow sticker bits and fridge leftovers…and it turned out bloody delicious!

🛒 Less than £1 a portion
🧀 All made with random odds and ends
😅 0 perfection but 100% bloody lovely 😂🙏🏼

I’m all about realistic cooking….cheap, easy and good for feeding a family without stress.

👉 Save this for random and real dinner inspo and follow for more random recipes, budget hacks and realistic mum life! ❤️

Jurassic World: The Experience, London. My honest review!!! @jurassicworldexperience

We booked this for our son’s fifth birthday ‘day out’ because he’s honestly just been dinosaur obsessed since he was about 18 months old 🦕

That obsession is just starting to slowly fade now (we can feel the shift ever so slightly 😅) so we wanted to make the most of it, probably the last year he’d truly be blown away by something like this!!

The pros? The set up is really clever: you “board a ferry” to Jurassic Park, walk through labs, touch dinosaur poo (of course 😂) and come face to face with incredible animatronics, the best we’ve ever seen (and we’ve seen a lot)!!!

The ending, with the giant T-Rex, is genuinely impressive (and maybe a bit scary for younger ones, so just bear that in mind).

The cons? It’s advertised as a 90 minute experience, but honestly? You could get through it in 15–20 if you weren’t being held in groups (they long out the time in each room to give the illusion of value for money). And it does get crowded in some of the smaller rooms especially. For the price, especially if you’ve got more than one child, it’s definitely on the expensive side, particularly if you factor in food and travel for the day!

Still…we absolutely made a full London day of it and knew it would be costly but our son would love it! We tied in brunch with my brother and his girlfriend as they live there, so that worked out well…and we came home with one happy, albeit tired little boy 💙

💬 My rating: 6.5–7/10

Would I recommend it? Yes, if you’ve got a dinosaur mad child and you’re treating them to a birthday or Christmas day out! But go in knowing it’s short and pricey for what it is.

👩‍👦 I’m Chelsea, a working boy mum sharing real, candid reviews of family days out, plus money saving tips and honest experiences 👌🏼

➡️ Follow for more days out and random, real life, mum-life content!

I just did an M&S outlet end of summer haul and most of the pieces were more than 50% of guys‼️‼️WTF 🤯 @springfields_outlet @marksandspencer

The best bit? Most are timeless staples, some of which will see me through autumn before the cold really kicks in and I’ll pull them back out again for spring next year. Affordable, good quality and no major effort required 🙏🏼

Because let’s be real….at this stage in my life, I don’t have the time, money or patience for clothes that don’t last or cost too much 😬😂 This way of shopping just makes complete sense to me 😍😍😍

Ps - The trousers were part of this haul but the jeans I already had and they’re @boohoo

The fact that we were just 15 when these two were in the jungle together is wiiiiiiiiiiild 🤯🤯

YouTube re-runs whilst getting ready of a morning won’t be the same again 😂 Guilty Pleasure ✅🙏🏼❤️

*gifted tickets

@pboronewtheatre @katieandkerrytour @katieprice @kerrykatona7 @daisy1987reed

One for the blue eyed gals 🩵🩵

ps - much harder to film in one take than you’d think, it’s the camera angles 😂 I also couldn’t decide whether to smile whilst filming or not, so in parts I look like bloody evil eyes 😂😂

pps - fully aware this relates to neither of my pages but when life gets hectic (and Instagram deletes all of your drafts 😭 sometimes I hate social media) aaaaand the algorithm needs a post, you can always rely on a good ol’ trend to carry you through 🤪

Yes, I will buy on a whim and sometimes even pay full price…but I’m also a big fan of saving where I can! 💸

For kids’ stuff, I do think the supermarkets are great, Peacocks is also a fave (it’s local to me), and our outlet Springfields @springfields_outlet is amazing for high street brands at a fraction of the price, especially during their sales 😍

I also love/d vinted for nursery clothes or shoes that were going to be trashed anyway. Now that he’s started school and is wearing a uniform 5 days a week, I don’t need as many bits, but I still can’t resist a good M&S or Next sale! 🛍️

My own haul from M&S at Springfields will be coming soon!!!!

I was thinking recently about where I’m happy to make cuts in life so I can have more of the things I really value 👀

I think it’s so important to work out what you value most, as a family or as an individual, and then make compromises in areas that don’t mean as much to you. For example, I love having nice looking nails, but I value holidays even more. So instead of spending regularly on gel or BIAB, I’ll find a cheaper alternative that still makes me happy (all hail the Essie Gel Couture 🙏🏼) and put that extra money towards a longer break, a nicer hotel, or even an extra holiday!!!! 🏖️

But here’s the key bit 👉 it’s important to figure out what matters to YOU, so you’re not spending money on stuff that only matters to others, or on things you feel you ‘should’ do to fit in. Instead, spend in a way that aligns with who you are. I think it’s one of those lessons you learn as you get older, blocking out the noise, not feeling pressured to live beyond your means and letting go of appearances.

It got me thinking: what else am I willing to sacrifice in order to enjoy more of the things that truly matter to me?

These are the areas where I’d personally make cuts if I wanted to save for a big holiday or treat. Are yours the same as mine, or is there no way you’re giving up booze and yours are completely different? 💭👇

In our primary school era 💙

Sending love to the parents who have sent a child to school for the first time this week, maybe you’ve done the ‘first day of school’ for the very last time, or if you’re like me…. experiencing both your firsts and your lasts all at once 🥹 It’s a toughie ❤️❤️❤️

TW: Morning after birth. I saw this ‘Top 5 Morning Trend’ and just had to jump on it ❤️ These are in no particular order, of course, I would never place a lazy morning, pre-kids above the birth of my son 😂💙

They’re simply random, relatable little snapshots, five kinds of mornings that give me that nostalgic, warm, comforting feeling in your body.

Which of these would make your top five? Or have I missed one you’d include in yours? 👀❤️

“The therapy paradox”… when you’ve done so much inner work that you can’t switch it off 🤪

Therapy teaches you self awareness, emotional insight and how to understand others more…but sometimes, that awareness can feel too much. Suddenly small talk feels empty, fakeness stands out a mile off and your brain won’t stop analysing people. If you have adhd then times that by ten! 😂

Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade the growth or swap the things I’ve learnt. But some days I do miss the peace of ignorance, when I wasn’t dissecting every behaviour, comment or look 😂🤪🤯

👉 Can anyone else relate? Has therapy ever made you feel too aware?

Here’s my honest (and maybe a little controversial 👀) review of Gulliver’s Land in Milton Keynes…

💸 £89 entry for 3 + food + ice creams = around £140 total for the day

✅ Pros: short queue times, fun extras like a roaming dino & Punch & Judy show, decent food quality.

❌ Cons: dated decor, very short attractions, pricey for what you actually get 🤨

Our son had a brilliant day, which is what matters most 💕 but personally, compared to Sundown Adventureland or Twin Lakes, I don’t think Gulliver’s offers the best value for money 😬

Would I go again? Maybe… but only for the dinosaur park/farm park, I wouldn’t rush back to the theme park itself.

👉 Have you been to Gulliver’s? What did you think? 👀

This weekend just gone, we had our very own ‘Tribe’ BBQ/fun day….a little celebration before all the kids head off to different schools.

We’ve made so many memories together over the years (days out, holidays, endless playdates) so I printed 100s of photos of our adventures to look back on it all. How often do we actually stop to reminisce on everything we’ve done? 😍

The kids were entertained for hours on the bouncy castle we all hired (£36 per couple for 7 hours play, what a flex) while we actually got to sit back, laugh and enjoy each other’s company!! 💛

It really was a perfect, memory filled day that we’ll treasure and remember forever 🤩

Lunch is on Prezzo! ✨ @prezzoitalian @prezzospalding

Be one of the first two tables of two seated at any Prezzo restaurant (Mon - Fri, before 4pm) and enjoy a complimentary lunch on the house!

Choose from:
🥖 Soup & Panini Meal
🍝 2-Course Lunch (starter + main or main + dessert)

✅ How to claim:

1. Arrive early (doors open at 11.30am)
2. Say “We’re here for the free lunch offer”
3. Enjoy your meal, completely free!

⏰ Available daily, Monday – Friday (excluding bank holidays). First come, first served. Ts & Cs apply ie. Can’t be used in conjunction with other offers

Tag and send to you your lunch buddy 👯‍♀️….because I’ve used this deal multiple times now and it could be your tastiest and easiest freebie of the week!

Some of you might recognise this blanket from my last car boot post 👀 If not, here’s the story…

I’m on a mission to kit out my NEW OFFICE with as much second hand stuff as I can (with a few new treats sprinkled in too obvs)!! While browsing, I spotted this gorgeous blanket and we played a little game of ‘The Price is Right,’ I set my max price and I wasn’t budging a penny over it.

Halfway through? We found out it was actually a Laura Ashley blanket and when I looked it up online once we got home, it originally retailed for over £50 😲 So…wait until you see what I actually paid for it!

Second hand shopping wins like this are exactly why I love the hunt and the thrill of the bargain find!!! 🩵🩷🧡

Gifted Tickets | Always feels crazy to say that whenever we are lucky enough to be invited somewhere….but especially surreal for an awesome day out like this in the capital!! 🤯🥹 We were kindly invited to the Paddington Bear Experience while in London for the day and I’m honestly so grateful that we had the chance to go! Massive thanks to @aboutgracepr @paddingtonbearexperience ❤️

It’s a 90-minute immersive adventure: you ‘board’ a clever ‘train’ and explore Paddington’s interactive home, follow the story with brilliant actors and end with photos, games and of course, you get to meet Paddington himself🍊

📍 Location: Next to the London Eye, Sea Life Aquarium & Shrek’s Adventure. Ideal for families 🙏🏼

💷 Prices: Under 2s free • Kids (2–15) ~ Approx £29 • Adults from ~ £39 (up to £49+ peak) Prices vary by day/time/advance booking and these are estimates based on the website.

💡 Verdict: If you’re already in London for several days or completely Paddington-mad, it’s absolutely well worth it. We were very impressed by how well done it was, it’s great for kids of all ages and it goes without saying, to be gifted this kind of experience, is always incredible!! But, you do have to factor in that it wouldn’t be the cheapest day out or activity you could do. For a family of 4 you could easily be looking at £150, which for 90 minutes is pretty heavy! So, with that in mind, I wouldn’t necessarily travel to London specifically for it given how short the experience is, but I would definitely include it as part of a longer trip, as it’s a brilliant memory maker, particularly if your kids adore Paddington and like the books and tv series 🤩

Our son LOVED it (theme song now on repeat and has been ever since we visited)!! Thanks again for a fantastic experience! 🫶🏻

Saw a viral reel of a mum letting her young toddler go wild on a canvas to make abstract art, so I thought I’d try it for my office “guest book.” Especially as I had everything to do it already in my house 💪🏼

Only problem? 🤪 My son’s in a Moomin (new obsession, who remembers them???) and three year long dinosaur phase. So instead of abstract splodges, I got a Moomin with a dinosaur tail and a giant hand three times the size of his real one 😂

Added some splatters to save the “artsy” vibe and honestly, whilst it’s not quite what I had in mind 😂😂 I’m hopeful the picture will become a funny little focal point. As it fills up with visitors’ signatures, it’ll be a quirky keepsake I’ll treasure forever 🙏🏼🤩 and the best bit? It cost me absolutely nothing!!!

I saw someone mention this in a reel the other day….how “you don’t even realise you’re in the good old days until they’re gone.”

And it really stuck with me.
Because maybe this is it.

The part of life we’ll look back on one day, when we’re 70, maybe….and say, “Those were the good old days.”

Even though right now, it can feel full on. Whether you’ve got one child or three, whether you’re juggling work, routines, or just the daily overwhelm, I think this stage of life can feel very intense. I for one am certainly feeling very overwhelmed right now anyway.

But maybe that’s the thing….the noise, the mess, the cuddles, the chaos. Maybe it’s all part of the magic we’ll one day miss.

So this is just a little reminder, for me and maybe for you too….these are the good old days✨

First night in Milan and I wanted something that looked nice for dinner but still felt like me, comfy, casual and easy to wear after a longgggg travel day 💤

👗 Dress: George at Asda, this year, love how versatile this one is! You can wear the sleeves rolled up or down depending on the vibe, and it can go from ‘a bowl of pasta in the sun’ to ‘elegant dinner’ without needing to change. I live in casual pieces but this one feels like it gives options 🙌 @georgeatasda

🥿 Shoes: Deichmann (RIP 😅) Super comfy and always feel on trend, but they did give up on me this trip. Currently sorting an exchange because I definitely walked them into the ground 😬 @deichmann_uk

🧶 Bag: Crochet shoulder bag from Temu, only a few quid and ideal for holidays. Light, easy and still cute enough to wear out for dinner 🌸 @temu_uk

💍 Jewellery: Shell ring from Temu, under £1 (!!) @temu_uk Bracelet: No clue 😂 A calming crystal one my mum bought for me, not sure what she’s trying to tell me 🤪 Earrings, a birthday gift, also from my mum, I think from Peacocks, proper summer vibes! @peacocks_fashion

Without a doubt, this is probably the best spa I’ve EVER been to!!!

We visited QC Terme Milano and booked the 5-hour access….and honestly? It’s worth EVERY SINGLE cent (which isn’t much 👀)

You get access to:

🌿 Indoor & outdoor thermal pools
🔥 Saunas (including one in a vintage tram!)
💨 Steam rooms & showers
🌧️ A “storm room” with thunder & lightning
🛋️ Relaxation zones in beautiful spaces
🩴 Robe, towel & slipper hire included

There’s also a restaurant on site if you want to eat during your session and yes – you can book extra treatments… but 5 hours honestly flies by just exploring the spa itself. It’s a whole experience. Difficult to put into words really, it was that mind blowing 🤩🤪

This is part of a global chain of luxury (and well priced for the calibre) spas, each with a different vibe and the Milan location felt really peaceful, spacious, historical and genuinely beautiful. A place of calm right in the middle of a busy and vibrant city.

And the price? You’d easily pay double in the UK for this level of quality and variation. This was just €62 for five entire hours!!!! That’s just over £10 an hour 🤯👀

Don’t forget to save this post, send it to the friend you’d go with and check out their website for all the other QC Terme locations worldwide 🌎 Trust me….this spa absolutely needs to be on your bucket list 💫 @qcterme

Let’s talk about upcycling, charity shop finds and getting creative on a budget 💪🏼🙏🏼

It’s so easy to buy everything new these days and don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love a cheeky B&M browse or a Temu haul, but sometimes the quality just isn’t there and honestly, I think we all have a bit of a responsibility to reuse where we think we can!!!

I actually enjoy the challenge of repurposing and making something my own! It’s fun and it also saves me money. Right now, a year into business, my focus is on keeping costs down, not spending hundreds on trendy decor that eats into what I could be reinvesting into the work that matters!

This is about thinking outside the box when it comes to decorating, whether that’s your office, your home, or even a kid’s bedroom. I’ve done this for years with my son’s room. From Peter Pan to dinosaurs, all it took was clever accessories, paint and reusing what we already had, we transformed it all in one day! 💪🏼

If you’re into creating something that feels good, looks good and doesn’t break the bank, this is for you and proof that you can do it too 🩷🩵

Gifted pr day | Our annual day out in Skeg started off warm…but with rain on the way (classic British seaside) ☔️

So we made the most of it and hopped on the Mini port boats just before the heavens opened 🤪 grabbed some delicious food at the Boardwalk restaurant (right outside the aquarium, highly recommend) and then headed into Skegness Aquarium to stay dry and entertained @skegness_aquarium

Now, we were in there for two and a half hours, there’s loads to do! Interactive quizzes, soft play in the cafe and this brilliant digital activity where kids colour in their own fish and see them swim across a screen 🐠

But hands down, Chase’s favourite part? The Jurassic Falls dinosaur section 🦖 He’s obsessed and this area makes the whole place totally different to your usual aquarium. If you’ve got a dino lover (particularly if they’re a toddler) in your life, trust me, go just for that!

Oh….and here’s the best bit: for just £20 per adult and just £17 per child (under 3s go free), you get UNLIMITED access for 12 whole months to both the aquarium and Jurassic Falls!!! That’s only a few quid more than a standard day ticket, so as long as you go more than once, it’s 100% worth it. Bloody brilliant value 💪🏼

We rounded off the day with some fun at the Tower Arcade and a film at the cute, retro-style Tower Cinema….affordable, relaxed and a great way to end the day.

Skeggy….still smashing it for family fun after all these years 🤩

It was one of my best friend’s little boy’s birthday recently and honestly… she blew my mind with what she pulled together! 🚂

She’s super creative and made all his Thomas the Tank Engine party decor from scratch….and for FREE. Yes, really. She found a full set of Thomas books (10 in total) on Facebook Marketplace for nothing!!!! Five became part of his gift 📚and the other five were turned into decorations.

She used an old frame from home to create a feature piece, laid out pages as a DIY placemat or photo backdrop and even made her own bunting by threading leftover pages together 🚂📖✂️

Not only was it budget friendly, but it became a lovely activity for her and her little boy to do together in the week leading up to the party. So thoughtful, personal and sustainable!!

I just had to share this….proof that you don’t need to spend big to make birthdays feel special 🥹💙

Kicking off a very inconsistent OOTD series – this will only happen when I (a) remember to record it and (b) can actually be bothered to 😂

This outfit was from about a month ago for the Chris Brown gig. I stumbled across the jumpsuit in Uniqlo London and it’s honestly one of those pieces I wish I dressed in all the time… comfy, cool and can go from casual to smart with no effort 🙌

Outfit Details:

👖 Jumpsuit – Uniqlo, £40 @uniqloeurope

🥿 Shoes – Deichmann (Queensgate, Peterborough), under £30 – comfy and cute but broke in Milan so perhaps not built for a lot of steps 😩 @deichmann_uk

📿 Necklace – Temu (perfect for cheap but pretty bits when you don’t need them to last forever)

👜 Bag – Temu, quilted style – trendy and roomy enough for mum life essentials @temu_uk

💇‍♀️ Hair – washed (!!) and actually down for once, had a rare morning off so I made an effort 👏

This jumpsuit is 100% my dream “IT girl but comfy” vibe. I always intend to build a capsule wardrobe but I’m far too into spontaneous cheap buys to commit… so when I do get it right, it feels worth sharing 😅

Comfortable with the mistakes and my journey, knowing it all led me to you 🩵🩵🩵

The day I chose to be fully myself, listening to my gut, my heart and what I was truly drawn to, especially in work, was the day everything shifted.

I stopped caring if people thought I was cringe, a try hard, rolled their eyes or didn’t support me.

I realised I wanted more for my life. Why were other people ‘allowed’ to live their dream life and have their ideal career but I’m not?

And since I stopped overthinking and worrying what people might say about my social media pages…I’ve genuinely been so much happier, my mental health has drastically improved and the quality of my day to day life has levelled up tenfold!

If you’re holding back because of fear or judgement, please know you don’t have to. You could feel lighter too 🙌🏻

If you know you know, the lays hit different in the hotel room 🏨🏖️�🙏🏼

Salt & Vinegar for me alllllll day long 👀😍

No clue why my clothes don’t fit atm 😜😂😂😂

There was a time not too long ago when buying a coffee out or grabbing lunch on the go meant I had to plan for it, literally budget for it. And if I’m honest, a lot of the time, I was using the bank’s money to do it! Remember guys, that’s what overdrafts and credit cards are 👀

We’re sold the idea on social media that buying food and drink out daily without a second thought is just… normal. But it’s not. Being able to do that, regularly, on a whim, without checking your bank balance….is actually a luxury.

So if you can do that right now, take a second to appreciate it. And if you can’t, you’re not behind. You’re just living in a world where real life and online life don’t always match up!!!! 🤯🤯✌🏼

Ad | We tried out a new board game, Tour de Colligo @colligo.cc and really enjoyed playing it with our family, especially now that our son is nearly five and we’re getting into games together 🙏🏼

This game brings the fun and teamwork of cycling right into your living room! Developed over eight months (and with a little AI help!) it’s been tested by board game players and in game cafés, so you know it’s thoughtfully made 🙌🏻

Each game lasts about an hour and can be simplified or made challenging, so it’s great for all ages and skill levels. The high-quality playing pieces also add a special touch every time you open the box making it an awesome gift!

I also thought it would be the perfect ice breaker for parties or in the workplace when team building 💪🏼

If you want a screen-free way to bring everyone together, this is definitely worth checking out! 🚲
Follow @colligo.cc to find out more 💪🏼

#tourdecolligo #tdc #colligotdc #boardgame #cyclingpassion #cycling #cyclist #kickstarter

This time last week, dusk in Crete 🧡 @kianibeachresort

We won’t be there for every chapter of their story, but the pages we do get to be in? I want them to be the ones my son remembers the most 🙏🏼

When I look back on my own childhood, the memories that stand out the most aren’t the things I had, they’re the things we did.

Holidays, days out, playing dress up with my brother and putting on a show. Those moments felt special.

And now that I’m a parent, I think about that a lot. I know I won’t be able to be there for every chapter of my son’s life. But the ones I am here for? I want him to remember them, not for how much they cost but for how they made him feel.

That’s probably why I spend the way I do I think, not always on stuff, but on memories. It’s like it’s ingrained in me. Even if my bank balance increases, I always choose to spend on an experience over a thing. Or make a memory out of that random walk (that doesn’t cost anything by the way) that hopefully he’ll remember forever.

If you feel the same, you’ll feel right at home here ❤️

The Yard in Stamford is a soft play spot for under 5s (technically under 7s by their website, but realistically, I personally feel it’s more suited to a pre-primary school age group) that’s got a really nice, ‘Instagram friendly’ type look and feel. It’s well decorated, clean and has some thoughtful touches that make it a good choice for parents with multiple kids of different ages 🌈🩷🩵

It’s got a separate under 2s area with padded flooring/walls and sensory toys, plus a two-tier soft play with slides and climbing bits. There’s also multiple little reading areas, crayons and colouring sheets and even birdsong in the toilets (very nice touch!) 👌🏻

The food and drink are way better than your typical soft play café, think decent coffee and nice snacks. Some of the prices are a little higher than your average soft play, but it feels worth it for the quality, variety available and don’t forget, we’re in Stamford now folks!

Entry is £5 per person (under 1s free), with 90-minute slots that you can book online. They close at 2.45pm in the week and 4.45pm at the weekend. There are a few free parking spots at the back, but otherwise you’ll need to find parking nearby!

They also do private hire and birthday party packages that look like a good option, especially if you’re local.

I’ll be honest, for us, it’s a bit of a trek, 90 minutes of travel (inclusive both ways) for 90 minutes of play, which is why we’ve only been three times over the years. If it was closer, we’d definitely go more often! However, overall, it’s clean and welcoming, well thought out and a good place to let under 5s burn off some energy, while you grab a hot drink and can see them at all times! Winner winner👌🏻 @theyardstamford

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My content has been featured twice in the national press online, including 'The Daily Mirror' and 'The Sun' and I’m immensely proud to have a weekly slot on BBC Lincolnshire radio as well as a monthly column, in two local magazines, reaching 27,000 homes. Within a few months of growing my online accounts, I began receiving enquiries for help with social media growth, advice and strategy. This led me to start freelancing alongside my part-time job as a social media manager for a hair and beauty salon. After nine months of juggling both, the salon became a client and I made the leap to full-time self-employment and created Chase Media and Social.

Now, I run my social media management business while continuing to grow my Thrifty Tips and Trips page when there's a spare minute (basically never, because my clients always come first). It’s become my personal brand, fuelling my column, radio slot and my love for engaging with an amazing online community. To work together and utilise the audience I've built, please feel free to reach out, I would love to hear from you!

From the maker of @thriftytipsandtripsmum

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Where It All Began

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