Take Notes: What I've Learned from Fashion Blogs

I've been blogging for almost a year and a half now.  I started my blog because I'd been reading fashion blogs for a while and one of the things that struck me one day was the evolution I would see in my favorite bloggers.  Change is often not visible to those who are undergoing it and those watching it on a daily basis.  However, for someone who doesn't know us, the change can be stark just by reading an early entry and a current one.  I saw that blogging really pushed my favorite reads to be more creative in their closet and as a result, their style became much more developed and easy to see.  So I decided to jump in and hit that publish button and hoped for the best.

I love blogging.  I am very thankful that I don't make my living from this blog because I don't think it would be nearly as fun if it was something I had to do, instead of something that I enjoy and find to be a stress reliever.  One of my favorite things about blogging is the unbelievable friendships I've made with women I don't even know, yet really feel like I know! The sheer amount of knowledge out in the blogosphere just blows my mind.  I decided to share with you some of the best tricks, tips and lessons I've learned from my favorite bloggers in the last year and a half.

FIT & CLOSET CHOICES

Image from Alterations Needed

Tailor, Tailor, Tailor Everything.  This post from Kelly at Alterations Needed changed my life.  Before I read this, I was often frustrated that I could see a celebrity with a cute shirt and it never looked the same on me even if I was the same size or shape!  Celebrities tailor everything from camisoles and tees to red carpet wear.  I still don't tailor tees and camis, but I've learned to tailor blouses, pants, coats and the items that I absolutely love.

Image from Extra Petite

DIY Can Really Elevate Your Look. Jean at Extra Petite is the queen of DIY solutions to common styling problems.  Her DIY Bra-Converter is a game changer because you will never shell out $80 for a fancy bra when you can use $5 to modify the ones in your closet! She also transforms thrift store finds, and off-the-rack clothes become one of a kind with small adjustments.  See this dress, coat (professionally tailored, but her idea), and skirt.

Image from Wardrobe Oxygen

Buy Clothes That Multi-Task. I LOVE the Capsule Wardrobe Posts by Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen. I first saw one before the holidays last year and I referenced it when packing for our Thanksgiving holiday. Recently, I bookmarked both her Stay At Home Mom Capsule because I'm home much more now and her Cruise Capsule because my husband and I booked a cruise for this summer last month.  

TIPS & TRICKS

Image from Franish

How to Layer a Button Down Under a Sweater & Turn a Tee Into a Scarf.  I always just used very thin and fitted shirts under my sweaters.  Franziska blogs at Franish and has an absolutely genius idea to create the perfect layered look in this post. She also teaches you to turn your favorite tee into a stylish scarf here.

Image from Wendy's Lookbook

25 Ways to Tie a Scarf.  This short video by Wendy of Wendy's Lookbook has changed the way I look at scarves.  I still struggle to do anything other than just drape mine, but I try to change it up from time to time and this tutorial makes it really easy to change the look every once in a while.

Image from Kendi Everyday

How to Respond to Backhanded Compliments At Work. I love Kendi of Kendi Everyday, she was one of my first fashion reads and I still lurk over there alot. As someone who has been known to wear sweater dusters to work, I've often been on the receiving end of a backhanded compliment ("I didn't know you liked Stevie Nicks!" "I love that you take fashion risks, it's so boring when everyone just looks good." etc.) I was thrilled to read this post about her sunshine tights and I decided to make my co-workers (and family!) commit to the insult.

Image from Blue Paper Lanterns

How to Make a Sock Bun. I learned to make a sock bun through this post on Blue Paper Lanterns and because I posted about it when I first started blogging, I figured no one would ever read it and also stole the title of Kimmie's post.  Such a rookie screw up.  I promise I know better now...or do I?

Image from I Am Style-Ish

How to Pack a Carry-On.  I was asked by a couple of readers to do a packing post after a couple of trips last year and in both cases I refered them to this post on Packing Tips by Tiffany of I Am Style-Ish (I even have those packing cubes!) and 3-4 Days in a Tote Bag by Jean of Extra Petite because I have absolutely nothing new to add and I just follow these tips to ensure that I never have to check a bag or leave a crucial item behind!

These are just some of my favorite tips & tricks that I've picked up along the way.  There are so many more and I am thinking of highlighting all the ideas I want to copy try to recreate in an upcoming post.

What are your favorite tips & tricks? I'd love to take a peek!