Creative Fashion opens heart ... How I got hooked in fashion blogging

One day I stumbled upon blogger and the thought of putting up a fashion blog came up. I never knew about blogging before. All I had were profiles at Helium, Associated Content and Ezine where I published my articles, short stories and poetry. Blogger made things easy for a complete newbie. The name Creative Fashion quickly came into picture. I never had moments when I had to think and rethink about the name for my blog; it simply was given. I created an account, searched for some free layouts and published my first fashion blog ever. How fast time flies? It's already one year and a half ago, and here I am, still blogging.

 

photo credit: americanhoney

I was completely at loss when I was starting. Oftentimes I didn't know what to do. I visited other fashion blogs and when I saw their huge following and community of people commenting, I felt like engulfed by this overwhelming sea of fashion bloggers. I felt so tiny. I felt so insecure. "What am I doing here? Who am I to blog about fashion?" were the usual thoughts that haunted me.

Then I met a virtual friend who was blogging almost full-time by the time, but hers were personal blogs. When I met her, I already had abandoned Creative Fashion. I had stopped blogging for some time. She encouraged me to put up a personal blog where I can collectively publish my creative writings. I was convinced that a literary or personal blog would be more productive for me. Therefore I set up my personal blog A peek into my life and my thoughts ... and spent all my free time developing my blog and connecting with other non-fashion bloggers. I found that the other side of blogosphere was much more welcoming. I connected easily with a lot of bloggers and in a short time, my personal blog earned a pr 3.

After several months of religiously tending my personal blog, it reached a plateau. I was spending so much hours for it but it wasn't earning any revenue. It was then that I reconsidered my fashion blog. Immediately, Creative Fashion was revived. I challenged myself to learn every facets of fashion blogging. I made it a goal to increase my pagerank into 4. Then I read an article that says, you cannot succeed in blogging by being an island. You gotta go out and join the sea. Thus I started visiting and commenting on other blogs. I was slowly and painfully earning friends. But it was fulfilling. The hardest part that I faced was getting other bloggers exchange links with my blog. I felt that some bloggers who has got higher page ranks were snob when it comes to exchanging links. I felt upset at first but eventually learned to let it pass. Later, I realized that there are also plenty of wonderful bloggers out there that are willing to be friends and exchange links.  I wasn't posting a lot of My Outfit posts and my contents were not very striking. I then focused on improving my contents. I set goals after goals and before I knew it, I was hooked. I documented my learning as a list of tips on How to increase pagerank in the shortest possible time .

For how many times I was tempted to quit. But I'm thankful for the goals that I challenged myself to reach, they made me keep working on. This blog is bringing in some bucks but not that much to compensate the number of hours that I spend maintaining it. However, my blogs served as training grounds. I learned so many things about web publishing. I became exposed to so many opportunities. And because of this experience, new projects came to me that are just waiting for the perfect time to get launched. I'm extremely excited for 2011.

As I reflect upon these things tonight, I thought that perhaps it's about time to turn the limelight from myself unto my readers. This is the first time that I am doing this and I can't help but scold myself for waiting too long.

I ask you, my dear girls, to give me some feedback about my blog. Please take some moments to answer any of the questions below. I really would appreciate your thoughts. [You can stay anonymous if that feels more comfortable]

♥What are the things that you like about Creative Fashion?

♥What are the things that you feel are missing in this blog?

♥What are the topics that you suggest must be covered in this blog?

♥Is there any question that you wish to ask? [Either blogging ideas, fashion or personal but not too personal, I would be happy to answer them]

Have a wonderful day. Hugs. :)

Win the $100 gift card giveaway sponsored by Shopbop! Open for everyone, US and International readers. :)

Suggested Ways on Wearing Striped

A thirty something fashion guru with two kids was asked, "polka dots or stripes?" Without hesitation and second thoughts, "stripes!" was the reply. "And why? It's because polka dots isn't suited for you once you're over the age of six." Oh really?

Well yes, stripes is a lot less controvertial than polka dots. Many women are more confortable wearing it. A lot of them would undoubtedly go for striped dress, striped top, striped skirts, striped shorts/pants even striped bags and shoes more than polka dots apparels and accessories.

Sunny Yellow Striped by Gleenn featuring Vivienne Westwood accessories

I did try to dispute her argument regarding the polka dots through my preceeding post "Suggested Ways on Wearing Polka Dots", however, it dawned on me that it would help if I as well find ways on how to create a pretty striped look.

♥I already knew what I wanted when I created this set. A black diagonal striped tube mini dress to go along a pair of black tights. Black and yellow bootie and yellow bag. The lovely gold choker is the highlight of this outfit.

Stripe me up when I'm in downtown by Gleenn featuring Alexander McQueen shoes

I'm glad that despite the ongoing petition of several so-called artists and/or businessmen to shut polyvore down, it still isn't. Many polyvore users are accused of stealing copyrighted images which allegedly hurt several business owners - apparently, due to cut and paste syndrome. I can wash my hands by saying that "all the materials I used to come up with these sets that suggest how to wear striped are through the courtesy of polyvore's sponsor brands."

♥What glory it is for downtown boys to see their favorite uptown girl in a lively pink and red proom dress wearing an oversized striped hat and striped strands high heels?

No longer subdued by Gleenn featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

I was amazed to find myself commenting for several times at an article posted by IFB "Who owns the contents you post online?" The article discussed how bloggers are stripped of their rights to profit from their hard work - carefully preparing for their outfits, taking photos of it and then editing - once they submit their photos to social networking sites such as chictopia, facebook, etc. [Have you heard of this recent Payless shoes and chictopia incedent?] But anyway, the article was supposed to talk about how bloggers could help each other in protecting their rights e.g personal photos from being used for advertising without them gaining a penny least a link? However, the tons of comments below the post was manuevered into a different direction by some business owners [with links to their website hidden] when they started bashing each bloggers that commented on the post accusing bloggers of stealing others' images just to be able to run their blogs [of course this isn't true to those who only use their own images especially for those "daily outfit" blogs].

Are these accusations true? Bloggers defend that if they blog about the product, they help to market it. They also provide link back to the image source. Yet image owners screamed out "foul". They do not acknowlege that a link or a mention of their site as the source would suffice for what they demand - permission!

♥I really love this look. This DayTrip Bias Striped Vest is perfect for a faded denim short shorts. It might be coincidencial when I found these striped booties that were meant to complete the outfit. The bag is neutral while the three pack wrist bands from Nike speaks of your rock N' roll side.

Stripe me with elegance by Gleenn featuring Yves Saint Laurent shoes

If using someone's photo for your blog and mainly linking back to the source is not enough, then who isn't guilty of thief?

♥This set is unarguably elegant. Should I speak more about how elegant is black? I'd love too unless you think it's dull. Look at those shoes ... and look at the dress ...

Lady in black striped by Gleenn featuring Prada bags

Should I steal just to be able to express what I think are great ways of wearing striped? Believe me, that's the last thing I had in mind when I started this blog. I did try to use public domain photos a lot, but I found out, that anything uploaded to blogger or other free domains are listed as public domain. And those that are real public domain aren't really always useful for my posts. huh?

♥Being too striped almost all over can be overwhelming. Therefore I decided to subdue a part of this Zoo Tess Striped dress with a cropped leather jacket. The boots are hilarious. I can die if somebody would give them to me as a birthday present [which would be next week?]. But let's face it, even if the boots are at 50% discount right now, they're still very expensive. The dress however is carzily on sale for 80% off. You girls must check it. I was challenged by Anya, a hat designer, to try wearing a beret and I might just fall in love with it. I found this Newsboy Cabbie Beret with Ribbon Bow running towards me.

My Heart Will Go On by Gleenn featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

Perhaps I should limit the use of photos for this blog if I were to go clean in blogging? That question is harder to ponder than "how would you like to go striped?"

♥My Hear Will Go On is my favorite love song. But I don't mean that you wear this set when you feel broken hearted or sad. No, I don't think that's the case. I love how the black ribbon gave an edgy look for the top. The stripes of the skirt aren't loud and I like it's cut. The shoes definitely match the mood.