Chase your dreams has been always a romantic vision of life for us. A few years back I started my own business, a travel agency specializing in honeymoons. That had been my dream for a long time, but it took me a while before I had the guts to do it. And thinking back, it was the best thing that I ever did. I learned so much, met so many amazing people, and was able to do the thing I really loved. As a couple, James and I started a world trip with only our golf clubs, which also was a big dream of ours. And again: it took us a while to get out of our comfort zones and get enough courage to start exploring this wonderful world.

When we first saw the throw rugs from a company called Lets Get Lost, we immediately fell in love with the rugs, and we wanted to find out more about them. The colors and the designs were beautiful. The rugs were made from recycled materials. And behind it all, there was a woman. A woman from South Australia who chased her dreams and took the opportunity to do what she loves.

While “stalking” Taryn, the owner of Lets Get Lost, on social media, we read that it took her a few years to chase her dream of having her own company. Just like me. We also saw that she loves van life and traveling. Just like us. And that she believes in the good in people, as well as supporting locals. All these valuable characteristics are important to us as well. But we wanted to know more. More about the brave, down-to-earth woman who is creating such beautiful products. And more about how everything started. So, we asked her if she would be willing to tell us more about herself, her life, and her outstanding rugs. Luckily for us, she said yes!

Taryn, thank you so much for taking your time! We are extremely grateful for this interview and can’t wait to learn more about you!

Who is Taryn? What are your favorite things to do? Hobbies?

I love getting away in our van, taking the dogs and heading to our beautiful beaches, walking our rescue dogs, going out for lunches, visiting wineries, reading, drawing, watching home reno shows, coloring, going on adventures, and exploring.

We know that you have 2 super cute rescue dogs, Tilly and Lulu, and 3 rescue cats. Did you grow up around pets?

Yes! There is something so beautiful about animals. I just LOVE dogs & I also feed the wild birds here and my friendly magpies every morning and the possum every night as it costs nothing to be kind.

How is it that you decided to have “so many” pets? (We know, you can never have enough pets)

Oh, dear, I don’t know. I guess there are so many that need rescuing I can’t say no, or I find a home for others I’m asked about. All of ours are from rescue shelters except Bonkers who was a feral I brought home.

Is traveling with your pets possible?

I so admire people who do this. If a short trip of up to 4 days, they come with us. On longer trips, we have an abundance of friends who want to stay in our home and hang with them. The longest we have been away from them is 6 weeks. Oh boy, I missed them, but I message and FB message them and we get pics sent 🙂

How important is travel in your life?

Very! I love exploring and love to research the places I’m going to visit. We go to Bali every year for a month and have many friends there. And also, it’s so good to explore our own home State in our van now that overseas travel is not possible.

Have you always traveled?

Yes, my dad was in travel, so it’s always been in my blood. My parents were the best and I am so lucky.

What countries have you visited?

Bali every year, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Hong Kong, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Morocco, South Pacific and so many more. I’m very lucky.

How did you come to “van life”?

I don’t really know lol as I’ve never been a camping person, but I got this idea in my head a few years ago. We started looking & got a van we call “Van Damn”.  My hubby Paul built the bed, I’ve gone through 3 different layouts and now it’s just right and even if I take off for a day, I just love it.

Is traveling in a van your favorite way of traveling?

Oh, I love it and the sense of freedom! My life is crazy busy but if I go away, I can read, walk the dogs, drink wine & eat cheese, design, color, watch Netflix and just chill. And I always meet such lovely people.

What is the longest time you lived/traveled in your van?

About 2 weeks exploring Eyre Peninsula which was AMAZING. We also did another trip down the Limestone Coast. But when the weather is nice, I get away for 2 or 3 days every week down the coast to my happy place.

Your rugs are a must-have for van lifers. Was this your vision when you started your business?

I always set a scene, always fairy lights, blankets, lanterns, etc. Paul calls it my décor box even mothers would ask if they could take pics of their children on my set-ups 🙂

When did you first have the idea of creating throw rugs?

Probably 5 years ago, about a year after getting our van, I would draw and dream.

How long did it take you to go from dreaming to doing?

Oh, about 3 years I would think would I be good enough; would others think I was good enough and I am pretty shy and do self-doubt myself. I said to Paul one day maybe I should, and he said just do it. And then it took me almost a year to get things together i.e., website, trial, and error of people to make my designs. My aim was to sell one a month I didn’t let my expectations get too high, but it’s become so much more than that, more than I could ever imagine, and the connections with such beautiful souls who have become friends, some who I haven’t even met YET. The support and love I have got I’m beyond grateful.

It took me a few years before I had the courage to start my own business. What were your fears about starting your own business?

Oh, wow that’s so good I’m glad you got the courage too! My fear was no one would like my designs, and how would I even get my name out there? I don’t think some realize how hard it is and the amount of work that’s put in. I’m kind of like open 24 hours a day!

Why throw rugs?

From going away in our van and always making our surroundings look so magical, drawing designs thinking it was a dream, to one day thinking if I didn’t do it how would I know.

We love the name Lets Get Lost- where did the inspiration for the name come from?

From my love of adventures and exploring and just wanting to get lost in the moment, which is what it’s all about.

Where do you get your ideas for the designs?

When I’m in my van I draw. I get inspiration from things around me, that’s where all my designs are done and it’s usually at my fave beach spot. I have so many designs in my book, and I hand-draw them all as I am hopeless at techy computer things lol!

Are you designing yourself?

Yes, all my designs are by me. Hand drawn whilst away in our van as it’s the only time I can really relax and get creative.

Is design something you studied?

Oh no, I was hopeless at school, study, and exams, etc.

Your rugs are made of recycled cotton. In what way is that better for the environment?

So much better as it uses fabric that would instead be going into landfills, and I feel I’m doing a bit to help the environment even if in a small way.

How many different styles do you have in your product line?

 I have a few with possibly more coming, you never know, keep watching!

You also design bags (or a bag). Are there any other products you’re thinking about for the future?

I have been asked about cushion covers, but a beautiful client turned her bags into cushion covers for their caravan. Brilliant – just put a cushion in and can be taken out when want to use the bag so don’t need to. So not at this moment but never say never.

Do you ship internationally?

Almost all my orders are within Australia and New Zealand. I can ship overseas and have done it before, but the shipping fees are pretty crazy these days.

Anything else you would like to add?

A BIG thank you for reaching out to me I’m so appreciative. It’s what I love about this adventure. It’s about the connections and friends I make on this amazing journey. I would like to thank everyone for their follows, likes, comments, dm`s, purchases, friendship, and support and for believing in me! I am very grateful. Hope to catch up soon and I’m starting to do markets, so anyone stop by and says hi, I’m very friendly.

Love & hugs Taryn xoxo

Thank you

Due to our lockdown in Victoria, we were not able to meet Taryn to take our own pictures. Hopefully, we will be able to do so soon. Until then, we would like to say a huge thank you to Taryn from Lets Get Lost, Krystal from Sanbis Retreat, Zemira from The Little Brave, and Sabine from Sabine Verhack Photography for providing us with such beautiful dreamy photos.