Some of you may be unaware that Toronto Beauty Reviews is actually the 2nd blog I started. I had another blog called Curls and Pearls but I merged the two this past spring.
I haven’t really paid attention to when I started blogging but it’s been definitely over a year since I started Curls and Pearls as I recall it being in the beginning of Summer. It got me thinking about what made me start blogging.
But first, let me start with an outfit and then I’ll take you through the story.
Necklace and bracelet: Avon
When I would shop for clothes I used to think “if it doesn’t fall off, it fits!” Then I discovered style blogs geared towards petites such as Alterations Needed and Extra Petite which showed me that fit was very important for all woman, especially petites since clothes were not necessarily made for the proportions of shorter women. I became OBSESSED with blog reading and then the Alterations Needed forum was born and that’s when the community interaction began. I started to “get to know” many of the ladies and felt more comfortable posting comments and questions.
I was contemplating starting my own blog but I was still really apprehensive. Then I saw a picture of myself wearing this same skirt at a friend’s birthday dinner:
Avon Bohemian Princess Bracelet (here and here)
The beads are somehow attached to the closure by crochet I think?
So, you have this skirt to thank or blame for my blogging 
My fellow bloggers – what made you start blogging?
Ah I love hearing your story! Our bodies are ever changing and I think it’s so important to feel good in your clothes, that’s awesome that blogging and taking pictures is helping out with seeing what works. And good for you for altering stuff, I wish I were that talented!
I started blogging after I had my 2nd child. I found that my clothes don’t fit me like they used to and I became frustrated that my body had changed. Blogging and taking outfit pictures helped me cue in to the problems I faced. I realized that those pictures let me see potential in certain tops, pants etc and to economize I didn’t have to go buy something new. I just had to alter it. =)
I didn’t start the blog…Cat did!
But I really wished I started blogging when I was living in US..I had so much more time and access to online shopping, definitely not much time now with school. I agreed to doing the blog because I wanted to practice my writing (on non-techy engineering topics), and I used to have a blog on boring aspects of my personal life. I definitely don’t think I’m a fashion guru or anything, but its been fun doing it so far..especially meeting you girls!!!
Plus now I feel so “in” b/c I know how to tweet and I understand what a web domain is 
I like your “after” outfit…plus love the Avon jewelry!
Lor
Well, you have definitely learned to dress your petite self!! You look fabulous in that skirt and top!
I started blogging because I needed motivation to put some effort into dressing my post-baby body! =)
haha love that edited photo, Elaine! I started blogging because after a while of following blogs, I wanted to join in the fun! I enjoy taking outfit pics and sharing my inspiration with other stylish ladies from around the world.
Very interesting! I started blogging for similar reasons. I had been reading Curls and Pearls, Extra Petite, and Alterations Needed for a while and really appreciated that they provided tips for fitting a petite figure. I have always had trouble fitting into clothes since I was a kid and wanted to share my tips with other people. Also, I love fashion and beauty and writing about them is a lot of fun! By the way your purple top looks great, the color really pops and looks great on you.
Definitely a big change with the belt – it looks great now!!
You know that stylish girl at work or school you’ve always admired? That’s what the blogging world is for me – I can get advice / feedback for my body type and get awesome ideas from all the fashionistas out there. I also wanted an outlet for showcasing my DIY stuff to hopefully share and reapply ideas with fellow crafters
I love that top and skirt, really cute outfit.
That is a great story behind your blog Elaine. It is amazing how blogging has helped or inspired each of us in one way or another. To me, it is like a little sanctuary far away from busy life. I get to write and express my thoughts, am inspired to dress better and etc.
Thanks for sharing
I was loving looking at style blogs, and wanted to join in on the fun haha
Lol! I love that you ran back inside because of the neighbors! :p
I started blogging to join up with the other petites that were reviewing the fit of items. I love helping other girls in my predicament find clothing that fits…hopefully some do not need to make a trip to the mall…they can just order offline based off of the feedback given on my blog and by the petite community.
Love the story! And the skirt looks a million times better with the belt holding it on your natural waist!
I started blogging because my wardrobe was in a pretty awkward place – I had been almost two years out of college and still had a lot to improve on (like how to separate casual from business) and really enjoyed all the petite fashion blogs that I followed and decided to start my own to chronicle my own journey toward becoming a better dressed adult
I like this blog so much I hope you can check out mine.
http://paquetevistasbien.blogspot.com
Elaine – fantastic post and love your story
The skirt is very big on you and love that you shared it. I started blogging for several reasons 1) my sister 2) our jewelry line 3) my love of fashion and 4) and for most of life my friends asked me how I shopped and put stuff together and finally I’m at a time in my life that I had time to blog!
Elaine – you are the best supporter and I want to thank you. Your positive comments bring a smile to my face and I hope I do the same for you.
Have a fab week and keep up the awesome blogging.
http://www.redsolesandredwine.com
This is a great post Elaine and I am always interested in hearing why people started their blogs! All from 1 ill-fitting skirt huh? You always look great and I think of all the blog communities out there, the most tightly knit is the petite community. I see a lot of responses and support from each of you on to other blogs! I enjoy reading your clothing reviews as well as your cosmetic reviews! Looking at my photos, what I realized was make-up that looked good in person wasn’t the same in cameras and I’m planning to read through your posts this week to learn more about other products. And thank you again for the help that one time w/the lipstick issue! I did finally find a red shade that actually looked nice
Keep writing this fantastic posts because I look forward to reading them!
Aw, what a great story! I especially love that group photo (with the monkey and smiley faces and all covering up your friends). This used to happen all too often to me. You *think* an outfit looks great until you see photos and realize it’s wildly unflattering. You know what would bring this cute skirt up another notch? Actually getting the alterations on the waist, lol! It’s costly, but it may be worth not having a belt hold up the entire skirt several inches too big.
I started blogging b/c I enjoyed alterations needed too much. I would comment excitedly suggesting potential alterations, and share recent finds in her comments like a giddy child, and always check back to see if Kelly responded. Lol! I figured it was better just to get my thoughts out on my own blog than pester her in the comments.
LOVE this post! I’m sure your “bad outfit” is what I have on most of the time.
I started blogging after I joined Chick Advisor and found it fun to review products, and found that a lot of girls found it helpful when I shared my personal experiences. It just kind of snowballed from there, and there was no turning back for this girly girl.
Great post! I love hearing how other bloggers got started! I’ve been reading blogs FOR YEARS. I even blogged a little myself but it was more of an online diary for my family than anything. After a couple years of reading style blogs and having coworkers tell me I needed to start my own style blog, I did it. I’m a budget blogger for sure, no designer gear on my blog! It was on and off since last December, but I’ve finally found a good cadence in the last few months which has helped my blog grow tremendously. Funny what a little commitment will do, right?
And now I’m hooked!
And do I need mention the wonderful network of women I have connected with??? This is the best and most priceless reward to blogging!
@questforfashionsense.com LOL yes it will, I will probably NEVER get rid of it now!
@Michelle (LipstickRules) Thanks Michelle! And can I just say I’m sooo glad you started blogging. I just love reading your posts and of course you are one of my lipstick experts!
@Canadianpetite Yes they really are great to learn from – couldn’t agree more. It’s so interesting to see how real clothes look on real people. I’m tired of seeing stuff in ads or magazines only to realize they probably pinned and tucked and clipped the clothes on to the models!
@Alterations Needed Thank YOU Kelly for welcoming me to the little community
Yes frumpy is such a good word, that’s totally how I would describe that before shot of me – to think that was just over a year ago!
@Style Journey Heather and Kayla I’m so glad to have found your blog, I love seeing your remixes and how you can take your existing clothes and make them completely different each time!
@Louise @ cosmetic bee Louise, I love that your husband was the one that encouraged you! And don’t doubt that you have interesting things to say, you know I’m one of your biggest “fans” and I go straight to you for your expert advice
@Tinfoils TiarasYes, such a good point, so interesting to see how your style changes, even if it’s subtly! I enjoyed seeing all your different hairstyles in your recent post
@Make Mommy Chic Yeah you totally give me hope too – if I ever become a mom
And yes “meeting” amazing bloggers is certainly a reason to keep blogging!
@katattack2000 Ah yes Jen at From Head to Toe is another awesome blogger – she’s one that got me excited about beauty again too! Thanks for your comment, I love hearing feedback!
@Olyvia I know, huge difference! And to think if I never found blogs I would STILL be wearing that skirt like that! LOL!
Great post – thanks for sharing!! You look great! You know, I noticed the exact same thing in many of my photos. Most of my skirts are too big and too long, and need to be taken in and/or shortened, and many of my tops are too baggy.
I started blogging because my husband encouraged me to do it. He thought that I had some interesting thoughts to share with people. Not sure about that, but it is fun and a nice outlet for me.
Great post! Glad the skirt made you start blogging! We started blogging as a way to shop our closets and learn to remix our wardrobes! We were also apprehensive, but so glad we took the plunge!
Heather & Kayla
LOL…I love your skirt story! And thank you so much for shout-out!
I started blogging because I knew I looked frumpy in my clothes and I was tired of it! I kept looking around everywhere I went and I saw all these other petite women looking the same way I did, and I thought, “there has to be something better than this!” AN was born a short time later.
Good save on the skirt! Blogs are good to learn from. I started blogging to see how much I can improve a year from now (if I can last that long) from all the lessons I learn from you and other petite bloggers.
Love the skirt! I started blogging for a few reasons, namely I loved to write, was curious about social media, and of course, loved lipstick!
I love stories! Thanks for sharing, Elaine. Hahaha, so a skirt started you on blogging…very cool. It will now live on in infamy! ;D
wow! what a difference that skirt is from pre-blog! I still can’t find the right placement of my skirts on me (and be comfortable at the same time). I do thank the petite blogging community too, since I think I’m improving in my style
I started blogging only just recently because I got inspired by petite bloggers such as Jean and Jen frmheadtotoe. I also wanted to use it as a creative outlet to post up any OOTD or anything that I wanted to post up – fashion or otherwise
It’s great to hear how other bloggers started up
Love the outfit too 
katattack2000@wordpress.com
HI, great post Elaine, and super cute outfit (I think that your neighboors probably thought so too!). I started blogging because I have a cousin who once said to me ‘wow, you give me hope- you’re a mom and you’re still stylish and cool’. I thought about it and decided to start a blog to show that you can be a mom and have tons of fun too! And, I get to meet a lot awesome bloggers (like you!)!
What a beautiful outfit- I love the colour of the top on you and the skirt looks great with a belt! I started blogging to document my daily outfits so that I could see the hits and misses and what works, what doesn’t! It’s so fun to see our style evolving with time!
@Really PetiteLOL Annie that’s awesome! I remember seeing all your outfit pictures on the AN forum when you took them all in front of your office clock
How far we’ve come!
@Cher
Cher I remember finding you to and I was sooo excited that you were originally from Toronto!!! And that we were about the same age LOL! Well I hope you never get bored with your blog b/c I would miss it!
@charlene-ann Thanks Charlene-Ann! Yay another Torontonian!!! Thanks for leaving a comment I really appreciate it
Yay! no more writers block! I’ve been having that lately too! LOL
And I started blogging because of Jean and Kelly- they inspired me and I LOVE to shop so I get a high off of sharing deals and clothes that I find
Just recently found you blog! I love it and I especially love that you’re from Toronto
love the outfit, the whole look! you look great 
Boredom. LOL. I go through phases of different hobbies (like many people do), but mine are almost always fashion-related. I’ve also “blogged” in the past, about my life rather than in relation to fashion. And just one day, I decided to start a style blog. I never even read fashion or style blogs at the time, so I wasn’t really inspired by anyone to start one, I simply just wanted to start a new blog. I was also starting to get into photography as well, so I thought I would just merge all my interests into one thing and see how long it lasted. LOL. I never even imagined that people would actually want to read my blog…it was just a creative outlet for my own purposes. And it still is. As much as I think it’s flattering that a few people read my blog, I do it for me. It’s just interesting to see myself evolve creatively over time and it’s a good distraction from all the other “regular” things in my life. And the fact that I do it for my own personal satisfaction and incorporating several of my different hobbies (even though it slows down on occasion) is probably why it’s lasted so long.
BTW, your feet are size 7?
@Jennifer That’s great Jennifer! I’m sure you are helping many, it’s so easy to get into bad financial situations yet so difficult to get out of them.
Being broke, constantly, made me want to blog about getting out of my bad financial situation. Whatever knowledge or experiences that I impart onto others is great.