Lifestyle // What I've bought :Budget haul

Although I've never been a big spender, I'm trying to shift my focus towards buying things that will help me me practice self care and still put a little back in savings.As you know,I love browsing budget stores and buying second hand bits,and it's made a huge difference to how far I can stretch my budget It's easier said than done sometimes,but I'm really happy with what I've bought so I thought I'd share them with you all!

As much as I love Yankee candle jars (vanilla cupcake is a personal favourite),I don't like how they often burn down the middle,leaving loads of wax behind.That's where this wonderful Glade Peppermint Crush candle comes in.Although this fragrance is meant for the Christmas season,it's perfect for anytime of year.I burn this pretty much everyday,and there's still plenty left.It also burns evenly and leave the room basked in a cosy glow (perfect for an after work nap!) The scents smell very realistic,and the mix of sweet vanilla and fresh peppermint really help to clear my mind and leave my bedroom smelling gorgeous.I can't believe I bought it for only 99p from the 99p store! 

I'd been wanting to buy this book for a while,as I'd heard such great reviews about it.With books and most things though,if you leave it a while they really drop down in price.I managed to pick this up from this seller on Amazon for £7.48,and I'm so glad I did. I've been reading the story of how Jack Monroe,a struggling single Mum living in poverty,had to stretch her £10 a week food budget to feed herself and little boy.She started sharing her budget recipes on her blog, and that's where it all began! I'm really looking forward to trying her recipes because they're not intimidating or too fancy,just good honest food.I think the first thing I'm going to try is the Carrot,Cumin and Kidney bean burgers.

I'd been looking for some artificial flowers to jazz up the background of my photos for a while, so I headed to the 99p store to see what I could find.I would love to use fresh ones,but my allergies,and the fact I'm an awful plant babysitter means that that would be a bad idea! They had so many pretty colours to choose from,but I chose these beautiful vibrant red and crisp white ones,so that I can switch it up the mood depending on what I'm writing.They're really easy to move around and style too,I think I'm going to have to get some for my ever changing bedroom.

I know that I haven't bought much,but I guess that's the point of trying to stick to a budget! It's really nice to treat yourself with the little things sometimes,and I think these are going to become a regular feature in my life and blog posts,so why not save some money at the same time?

Are you trying to budget? I'd love to hear any tips you have.

                                         

Blogging // The New WhimsicalMrsW schedule

via Weheartit

Hello guys! I hope you're all having a lovely day.I've been spending the morning creating posts and reading blogging tutorials in order to make WhimsicalMrsW what I want it to be.I've decided that I'm going to try to make this blog appear more organised and put together than the thoughts in my head! Also,I enjoy reading blogs that publish content at similar times each week,so why wouldn't I want that for my blog? I've decided on an every other day rota,so that I have enough time to get ideas together and give you the best writing I've got.It also fits really well around my work life too,so it's a win win!

New schedule for WhimsicalMrsW

Monday

Wednesday

Friday

Sunday

I haven't got to the stage where I post particular subjects on certain days (let's not run before I can walk) and I might not ever decide on that,but I already feel like this will help me get some kind of system going.

Do you have a schedule or are you more of a "blog as you go" blogger?

*If you enjoy connecting with me and reading my posts,I would really appreciate any nominations for "Best Newcomer" in the Cosmo Blog Awards with Next *

Lifestyle // Mr Nutcase phone review *

Twitter is an excellent way to communicate with different businesses who might offer products that you've never heard of before! That's why I was very happy to get the opportunity to review a phone case for the lovely people at Mr Nutcase.

I found their website very easy to use and I was really impressed by the worldwide shipping and fast delivery,nothing is worse than paying money and then waiting forever it to arrive! You have the option to upload your own photos and create a personalised case,or you can choose from different designs that have been created by various artists.My phone is an Xperia Miro which they don't do cases for at the moment,but I'd love to see them expand their range.If you're looking to buy a phone case,you can see what phones styles they cover on the Mr Nutcase brands page.

I chose the Girl on Girl Bike in London case which I think will make a really lovely present for someone. Having a phone case that stands out is also a good way to prevent family phone mix ups! There are so many beautiful designs to choose from like polka dots through to inspiration quotes and abstract art.I spoke to them on Wednesday the 30th and it arrived yesterday,I don't know how they do it but that's incredibly fast delivery.Not only that but every time I spoke with them,they responded within the day and nothing was ever too much trouble ,what more could you want from a company? 

They've just recently created a live chat feature on their site so that they can respond to customer queries and offer a more efficient customer service,I think that's a great idea as more people are buying online now.Also,I'm always after new budget products (as you well know) and all of the phone cases are under £20,so if you're looking for a practical gift for the technology lover in your family (or you!) then I'd really recommend them.

If you want to know more about Mr Nutcase,then you can tweet them @MrNutCase or email them at info@mrnutcase.com 

Is your phone wearing anything at the moment?

Internet // Why I hate Guru Gossip

I love joining in with Twitter chats,there's always so much interesting conversation and wonderful people to talk to! Yesterday's fashion bloggers (#fbloggers) chat was about Internet etiquette,and lots of people spoke about how they are supportive of each others efforts and take steps to avoid "trolls".Trolls are the lowest form of internet life,and take great delight in demeaning,belittling and insulting people online for fun and to get a reaction.We were talking about different platforms that exist for people to spout negativity,and someone mentioned a site called "Guru Gossip" where people go to "trash" bloggers and act like a group of teenage bullies.I thought I'd check it out but what I saw left me feeling really angry and upset.Just like anything though,there is always the small minority who ruin it for others.

Don't let the pretty logo and eye pleasing layout fool you,I only spent a short time browsing through the message boards and I was really dissapointed with how personal some of the comments were.It's fine to not like someone or their blog,and it's OK to give someone constructive and non offensive criticism,but it is not acceptable to make derogatory comments about weight,appearance and upbringing whilst photo shopping and sharing photos and videos of bloggers. Admittedly,there are areas of this site where people can talk about bloggers they do like in the "adored bloggers" section,and people who disagree with the website can say so over at the "Gurus Against Guru Gossip" board,but for every 1% of positivity and kindness it seems like the other 99% is pure bullying.

I just don't like the idea of a "gossip" site.It conjures up images of mean girls from school who sit around the table and discuss who they're hating today,except that most people on here seem to be adults and should definitely know better,although of course bullying isn't acceptable at any age.There are some people who would say "I can say what I want,it's a free country" or "it's not bullying",well to the first statement I'd say that although you can't censor the Internet or what people say,that doesn't mean that people should be posting inflammatory comments and using degrading language.Just because you can doesn't mean you should!

According to Stopbullying.gov bullying is;

Unwanted aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.The behavior is repeated or has the potential to be repeated over time".

That definitely goes on at Guru Gossip.Whether you say something online or in person,it still has the power to greatly affect that person's self esteem and mood,and people should hold themselves accountable for what they say.People start up blogs for all kinds of reasons,and the variety is what keeps the community alive and interesting,who are the people over at Guru Gossip to say what people should do with their time,money and bodies?

If you've managed to get through this then you're a star,I just really needed to get this off my chest.Everyone who I've met online through blogging has been awesome and writing has really enriched my life and helped me gain more confidence! People need to remember that you don't have to bring someone else down to build yourself up.

/ end rant

Have you ever had a look at some of these "gossip" sites? Did it surprise you?

*If you enjoy connecting with me and reading my posts,I would really appreciate any nominations for "Best Newcomer" in the Cosmo Blog Awards with Next *