fudge

Friday 15 January 2016

Bit Of A Brainwave (Or Maybe Just A Really Crap Idea)

As you know, I'm in the process of decorating my bathroom.

It's a slow old process mainly due to lack of funds.  This isn't a high income household and I can't just go out and buy everything I need or pay for someone to come and do it for me but that's ok.

I like the challenge of giving things a go.  The fact that I have to budget makes me think very carefully before making purchases.  It means that sometime I have to be imaginative or think outside the box for solutions to problems.

It means that everything I have is as a result of my own hard graft (and of course SD's as he is an invaluable help with the practical stuff and he has TOOLS and stuff!).

To be honest, it's not just my bathroom that needs some attention, there isn't really a room in my house that couldn't do with a makeover from carpets, to paint to even furniture there is very little that isn't just a little tired looking or even downright shabby.

I DO have some nice tings, of course I do (I showed you some of them recently) and in many ways I know that I'm better off than many but I'd love a home I could be proud of, something that really reflects me and what I'm about and eventually I'm sure I will get there.

But this morning I was thinking, maybe there IS a way to speed that process up a little without winning the lottery being my only fall back plan.

Maybe I could ask for help!

I don't want something for nothing and I don't have grand plans.  I DO want to be able to get on with things without having to constantly worry about how and if I can afford them.  I don't mind doing the work and I am happy to give something back for any help offered.

I'm talking about asking companies if they would like me to review products.

Now this is alien territory for me.  I've come across plenty of sponsored blogs over the years and this isn't what I'm looking for.  I want Fudge to stay mine and to stay pretty much the way it is.  I don't want it to become a blog about renovating my home.  I want it to remain a blog about those 'things' that I do or that happen to me but a part of that has always been about my home.

I'm also not thinking on a grand scale.  I'd love someone to offer to replace my roof in return for a review because quite frankly, I can't see how I'm EVER going to be able to afford to have THAT done but that's not what I'm thinking.

I'm thinking help towards those products that I would be using anyway.  For instance.  I told you about the paint I was using in the bathroom a couple of posts back.  I didn't tell you for any financial gain, I told you because I was really pleased with it (and I still am) but I wonder, would Wilko be interested in letting me have a tin of paint in return for a more in depth review as part of a blog post?  I'd be quite happy to tell you that I love the fact that although it isn't sold as a non drip paint it really doesn't drip at all (and that's a first for me!).  I'd be happy to tell you that it's great value for money, it covers really well, it dries to almost the exact colour on the tin (also in my experience a rarity) and it's soft sheen makes it perfect for a bathroom as it's wipe clean and isn't harmed by a little condensation.

I'm happy to tell you ALL of that without Wilko sending me anything at all because it's true.

But just maybe Wilko WOULD like me to review it  (and maybe other products) on a more formal level ...

I don't know, what do YOU think?

I'm thinking that maybe I could have a series of posts on renovating my house.  Maybe one post a month that was sponsored (assuming anyone WANTED to sponsor me) but does that alienate readers?

Do you hate sponsored posts and would it put you off reading Fudge'

I don't want to take anything away from my blog, it's very important to me but I would love to be able to move on with my house a little more easily.

This could be a way but I wanted to get your view on it before I take it any further.

6 comments:

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

I don't think there's anything wrong with being paid for an honest review. And you would write those really well. No one will be interested if you're obviously only paid to say nice things - though the reaction I get on my site when I say something is crap does amuse me, as if people don't want to hear anything unpleasant. Anyway - go for it! BTW - if I didn't wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year I'm really sorry: hold on to one for next time (not long now) and keep the other handy. I was busy decorating the dining room.

joeh said...

Everything Mike just said.

Val said...

If you write it, we will read.

Sarah said...

Thanks Mike, if (and it's a big IF) anyone is interested then any review I wrote would be based on the facts as I see them good and/or bad so we shall see.

Happy New Year to you as well, I hope it's filled with lots of interesting posts from places you have visited (don;t forget Corfe Castle is still on your list!).

Thanks Joe and Val - watch this space :-)

Holly said...

I have done paid reviews before, I have found it really helpful to do them and have had a few great products doing this (although I have recently discovered I need to start declaring everything for tax reasons, which is a bummer). But I would love to read all about your home renovations and products that you are using!

Sarah said...

I remember you had those really cool dresses Holly! My review career isn't going so well just yet (see latest post ...) but I'll keep trying :-)