Happy Friday!
Isn’t this lemon skirt the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?! *all the heart eyes!*
Anyway, I have been getting an abundance of questions lately regarding this blog. I have so much to share that I couldn’t possibly cover everything in one post so I’ll be sharing little tidbits every now and then and will hopefully make it a regular series, if you guys like it! Today, I’m starting from the beginning….one of my most asked questions.
Whats the story of how I started my blog?
I’ve mentioned bits and pieces of my story on here already, but I’ve never covered the whole thing. Lets begin…
Why I Started My Blog, Lizzie in Lace
Why I Started My Blog
Childhood & High School
For as long as I can remember, I have loved to draw. I loved drawing anything and everything, but mostly people. I have also always loved fashion. I vividly remember dressing up in my mom’s heels and great-grandmother’s fur coat and attempting to put on the brightest lipstick I could find. I was always creating outfits for myself, dressing up my dolls and picking out clothes for my friends. I learned how to hand sew when I was around 10 and created clothing for my dolls and for myself. Wearing something that I created made me feel so proud and accomplished. Fashion design was my passion and I knew even before this moment that it was the only thing I wanted to do.
Fast forward to high school. We did not have a lot of money to go school shopping, so I would babysit frequently and use the money that I made to buy clothing. At the time, I bought nearly everything off the clearance rack from discount stores. I was always very good with money and knew how to find great deals on items within my limited budget. I got compliments on my outfits daily and was constantly asked where I had purchased something or if I could style someone. I wasn’t wearing the “trendy” clothing at that time so I definitely stood out. I was wearing items that were “different”…things that I loved…and for this, it was hard to fit in at times.
Getting Scammed by a College (IADT)
Before college and throughout, I was ALWAYS drawing and designing….on newspapers, on napkins, on receipts, anything I could find. After graduating with my AA, I decided to go to fashion school. I applied to many different schools and ultimately decided on one that was five hours away because I had family there and didn’t want to be in a new city by myself. This ended up being the most heartbreaking and worst decision of my life. I
had taken a summer job to save up for my move and ended up having to use all of this money to live on. The recession hit during this time and I was unable to find a job. I had barely enough money to eat, but I wanted this so bad. There were so many bad signs leading up to this move but I forced it to happen anyway. Long story short, I was taken advantage of and scammed out of a lot of money from this school.
After thorough investigation, I found out that they were not accredited, did not have qualified professors, accepted any student that would pay, and would not allow classes to transfer to any other college (not even one of their other campuses). There is so much more to this story, but in short, I lost all of my money and had to pay back my very expensive loans for this private art school that I did not even get anything out of. The school was going through protected form of bankruptcy so I could not even file a lawsuit. I worked so hard to save up money for this and it was gone for nothing.
Creating my Own College Major
I ended up moving back home, but I wasn’t ready to give up my dream. I started applying to schools again and was accepted to three of the most prestigious art schools on the West Coast. I qualified for financial aid and had a few scholarships, but unfortunately had to turn down my acceptance to all three schools because I couldn’t afford the additional costs that weren’t covered by my aid. I was absolutely devastated and it was at this time, that I reached the lowest point in my life personally.
I ended up going to the local university to finish up my BA in art and marketing. I took as many figure drawing classes I could and found a new love for my sculpture class. People are just not interested in fashion where I live and that reflects in the school as well. There were no possible classes for me take that were even close to what I wanted to do. I ended up essentially creating my own course through my sculpture class where I would create dresses out of everyday materials for my projects. Being short on cash, I used any household item I could find to create wearable works of art: newspaper, toilet paper, foil, metal screen, wire, etc. and built these dresses on my dressform (ensuring they were my size, of course). I was known as “the girl that made paper dresses.”
After I graduated, I STILL wanted to get some kind of education in fashion. I started looking into Master’s programs only to find out that I could not use financial aid for a Master’s degree. At this time, I was still paying back my loans from the school that scammed me. I was also living on my own, working three jobs and saving up for a wedding. Paying for another degree was going to be absolutely impossible. You don’t know how much this hurt me. At this point, I was heartbroken. I felt that I had the talent, skill and ambition, but obstacle after obstacle was getting in my way and keeping me from the only thing that I ever wanted. I had no other choice than to settle.
Losing My Job & Finding Blogging
It was at this time that I lost my job that I had had for over three years. It was a month before our wedding and we had just put money down on an apartment. I applied for hundreds of jobs and went to so many interviews only to be told that I was “overqualified.” At this point, I just needed a job and didn’t care where it was but ironically enough, no one would give me a chance due to my education. I ended up being unemployed for over six months and it was during this time that I really delved into the world of blogging (something I had discovered a year prior). I would read posts everyday of these girls (all of which are wildly successful now) that would share their outfits for the world to see. I thought that they were so courageous for doing that and I loved that I could get to know these girls through their writing. It was such a lonely time for me and I felt that I could really connect with them and that finally, I had found my “tribe.”
I Finally Started My Blog (the secret one lol!)
I decided that I wanted to start a blog too. I kept it a secret and did not tell ANYONE. I took terrible mirror photos of my OOTD’s from my phone. I started to see that people were reading it and it freaked me out. My (now) husband ended up coming across it somehow and I was so embarrassed that I deleted the whole blog. I kept it in the back of my mind for the next few years, but there was always this pinging in my head to start it up again. I ignored it and moved on with my life.
Three years passed and I was feeling very unfulfilled with my job. There was no stimulation, no spark, no creativity, no passion. I lived my days like a robot, doing the same boring thing everyday. I was not happy and I knew this is not the path I wanted to go down. I still had this yearning to create a blog and honestly, after all the roadblocks with fashion design, I felt that it was my last chance to really go after my dreams. I figured that if it didn’t work out this time, then it was time to give up.
I Started My Blog & Changed My Life
I began researching every single waking moment for the next six months until I decided that I was finally ready to take that step. I was so nervous about going outside my comfort zone and sharing myself with others and most of all, I was worried about what other people would think. The moment I hit the publish button, my whole life changed and I had no idea how much more it would change. I consistently starting posting from day one and even though, no one was really seeing my outfits or visiting my blog, I kept going because I loved it so much.
It gave me a creative outlet and started to fill the missing pieces from my life. I decided that I didn’t care what people thought anymore so I shared what I was doing. Some were supportive and others were not, but it was okay because I was doing something for me. It was then that I started my Instagram account from 0 because I had previously thought Instagram was lame. It’s funny how things change haha! I did not go into this expecting to make money or to get free things or be “Insta-famous” or anything like that. It was really as simple as …I just really REALLY love fashion and want to share it with the world.
I’m two and a half years in and although my life has completely changed, my motive still has not. Fashion is literally my life. It is everything to me. I am a strong believer that things happen for a reason and while there were infinite situations preventing me from fashion school, nothing has prevented me from starting this blog. Blogging has not only blessed with me a creative outlet, but it has introduced me to so many people that I consider my best friends, has brought about more opportunities than I can even fathom that I deemed impossible just years ago and has given me purpose and direction when I felt so lost in my life. I have worked harder than I have ever worked for anything in my life, but through this I have found a passion that I never knew existed. I am still learning new things everyday and still have so much more to learn and even though I don’t see myself as “successful” in the tradition sense, I feel that I have successfully created a life for myself that brings so much joy and freedom. I only wish I would have started my blog sooner.
So that’s the story of how I started my blog! Thank you so much for being here!
10 Years of Lizzie in Lace
Hello! It’s Lizzie from the future 🙂 I’m still and so much has changed!! So grateful that I started my blog and loving every second of it (forever grateful to YOU!). Check out the video version below of why I started my blog (AND Youtube channel!!). Here are all of my annual anniversary posts too!
Outfit Details:
Top: Chicwish (on sale!) | Skirt: Morning Lavender c/o | Shoes: LC Lauren Conrad (similar here) | Handbag: Bronze Times (on sale for $32!) | Sunnies: Celine | Cuff: Brook & York | Jewelry
Shop the Post:
An interesting read Lizzie. I always love reading blog posts like this. Full of inspiration xx
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
I Loved your story…! I am so sorry you had to go all through that ….I have a BA from a non credited college, so I understand the struggle somewhat. I did not get scammed, but was young and naive and didn’t research all that and have had employment struggles because of it over the years. I am trying to make my way with my blog as well, it seems so extremely hard to turn it into a biz with income- I do love it though and all the wonderful friends I have made- and creative people I have connected with , including you! I hope I meet you in person someday, such an inspiring person! And…You are gorgeous in this outfit..that skirt is everything!!
xo
Valerie
Wow! What a great story! I loved reading every word. I feel the same in regards to blogging. I love all the friendships I’ve made. I too live in an area where no one cares about fashion, and blogging has helped me to make friends that have the same interests as I do.
Thanks so much Amy! Blogging has definitely brought some great friends 🙂
Hi Lizzie, thank you for sharing that moving story about yourself. I always feel that a person has to do something they are passionate about. Beleive me, I know about “robotic jobs!” It is wonderful that you have the blog now and it is a creative space for you to share. You look beautiful and I love the skirt and pretty top!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thanks so much Jess! I appreciate your support and encouragement!
So happy your started your blog!! I went to Fashion Design school to but unfortunately here in Chicago opportunities are very very limited so I started my blog because I refused to give up on my dreams! This post is comforting because our stories are a little similar. Keep blogging I really enjoy reading your blogpost.
http://www.autumlove.com
Thanks so much Autum! Same here. There are literally NO fashion opportunities where I’ve so I created my own haha! I’d love to hear your story some day.
SO interesting to hear your story! You go girl!
So inspiring and encouraging! I love that they called you “the girl who made paper dresses.” I think if I were Anne Shirley I would say it sounds positively romantic. I am so glad you kept going and pursued this dream. You definitely brightened up my life at a time it was very dark. <3
Mary
https://www.themarycurator.com/
Great post Lizzie! And thanks for hosting the link-up! xo – Trina http://www.petitestylestudio.com
Such a great story Lizzie! It’s awesome to see all of your hard work pay off – your blog is beautiful 🙂
what a powerful and moving story!!!
Loved reading more about your background – thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much Kimberly!
Loved reading your story, so cool that you followed your passion and have gotten where you are today!
Your story is very inspiring! This blog is so amazing and I love reading it. I really look up to you and I can’t even describe how encouraging this is–thank you for sharing. And of course you look incredible, as always! I LOVE this outfit. 🙂
Miles of smiles,
Grace
gracefulrags.com
Seriously one of my favorite outfits! That top is gorgeous and that bag is so cute!
xx,
Amanda || http://www.fortheloveofglitter.com
What a cute skirt!
xo Jules
Love this look! Isn’t it amazing how some of the biggest setbacks or dissapointments in life lead to some of the greatest things?!
i loved reading this and finding out more about you, Lizzie!
This lemon skirt is adorable! Love it so much on you! kimballandkedzie.com
This skirt is the cutest!
http://www.avecamber.blogspot.com
http://www.bloglovin.com/avecamber
I hope you are having a great week so far!
Amber
What a story! And do you design clothes for your selve? Or is that something you don t do anymore? I would love your Style story on my blog? Could you perhaps Read the Styled By Page on my blog to see if it is something for you?
That lemon print looks absolutely beautiful on you ,I love how you combined the whole outfit
http://www.kmeetsstyle.com
I loved reading your story — I had no idea you had gone through so much! 🙁 but I’m glad this all lead to you having a blog ♥
http://www.dangerouslyme.com/
What a story! You can be proud of your blog, you’re doing great and keep going the same way 🙂
http://violettedaily.com
Loved getting to know more about you and your story. Your blog is so cheery and girly – I love it <3
Loved this so much! TFS! XOXO
All your hard work and determination is paying off. You’ve overcome so many obstacles and I’m sure your blog will go from strength to strength. Success is a funny thing to measure – some people equate it with wealth but I think it’s about fulfillment and doing what you love. You certainly deserve every success! Love your pretty lace top and lemon skirt 🙂
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
So many trials and tribulations but it’s amazing how you persevered and have remained steadfast in achieving your dreams!
xo, Sara
It’s lovely to hear you’re so determined! I also love the featured outfit, you look amazing!
Have an awesome day!
xx Kris
https://dreamingofpink.wordpress.com
It is so nice to read your story Lizzie! I never knew you went through such a hard time. I admire your passion to succeed!
April | http://thebluehydrangeas.com
I’m in love with this bag so much! I cant wait to get it!
Neelofar | The Loveliest Lily
http://www.theloveliestlily.com
I loved this post, and of course, your outfit is beautiful as per usual!
Krystin
http://www.girlinbetsey.com
This is such a great post! I love reading about why you blog and how your blog came to be!
I loved reading this post so much! You have such a serious “passion for fashion” – I always thought that phrase was cheesy, but you put it into action and it’s utterly inspiring! I only hope to keep pushing for my dreams the way you did. It might have taken a lot for you to get where you did, but … the point is you DID it!!
This is such a cute look!! I love the lemon print paired with that gorgeous top!
Head over heels I am for this look! This skirt is the cutest thing I’ve seen all day!
I love the lemon print!! What a great story 🙂
This skirt is the cutest! http://www.babyonlinedress.fr/c/robes-de-ceremonie-30.html
Thanks so much!
super love this skirt — it is quite the statement on its own, but I love that you added an interesting top too! Also – thanks for sharing you story!!
xoxo, Elena Michelle
http://www.anewyorkloveaffair.com
This look is SO you!! Absolutely gorgeous. I loved learning all this about you, hard work pays off, that’s for sure! You are killing it 🎉
This skirt is the cutest! I’m obsessed with anything lemon print!
And I love your story on starting blogging! That’s so awesome!
Xo, stephani
http://www.sassandsun.com
Thanks so much Steph! Isn’t is adorable?
loved reading this post! your past truly shapes you into who you are today and i’m so glad you overcame the early struggles and created this blog and get to live your passion everyday! love this look too girl, you’re so gorgeous!!
xoxo
Victoria
http://www.agallonofglitter.com
I agree! Aw thanks so much girlie! you too!
What an awesome post, it is always so cool to hear the reasons why people started!
Thanks so much Adaleta!
It’s so awesome to see how far you have come with your education, experience, passions, and ultimately your blog! I’m sorry about the school that scammed you, your job loss, and fears with blogging. It can be so hard to put yourself out there, especially when you’ve had major set backs. I think what you’ve created is amazing and I hope you’re able to enjoy fashion and creating content for many years to come!
-Kristin
countdowntofridayblog.com
It’s okay! We all learn from things that happen and if they wouldn’t have happened then we wouldn’t be where we are now 🙂 Than you so much for the support and encouragement!!
Thanks so much Jessica! I appreciate it!
Oh my gosh! We are SO similar! The same thing happened to me. I regretted getting a degree in something I loved because it wasn’t as practical as others. You are so right! So glad you started your blog because I love it!
Oh my goodness! We definitely have similar stories! I looked into architecture as well lol. Graduating during the recession was awful! Thank you so much for the support and encouragement! And congrats on chasing your dreams too!! <3
Thanks so much Steph!
Thanks so much Anna!
Thanks so much Emily!
Thanks so much Sierra! Bad things happen inevitably, but I think that they turn into good things down the road 🙂 Thank you for your support!
Aw Thanks so much Chanda! Blogging definitely has a deeper meaning to me than just “sharing outfits.” Its everything. I appreciate your support!
Thanks so much Cheryl! I agree!
HAHA! I wish I was Super Woman LOL! Thanks so much Jodie!
Thanks so much Mica! We all learn from our mistakes 🙂
Thanks so much Virginia! I believe that hardships bring good things in the future and are necessary for growth. And I definitely agree! I love learning more about people on a deeper level to feel more connected to them<3
You have such an amazing and inspirational story, Lizzie! I lovelovelove that you didn’t give up on your dreams! Your blog is always so beautiful and joyful, I love stopping by to see what you’re wearing and read what you have to say. As always, this outfit is 👌🏼!
Aww thank you so much! I really appreciate it. You are always so encouraging and supportive!
Damn girl,this outfit That handbag reminds me of some of the wicker Kate Spade bags! Also I can’t believe your story, that’s so crazy! Can I just tell you how frustrating school has been for me too. I can totally relate to the school thing and to the aspect of blogging providing a creative outlet of your job that you currently don’t have.Hoping to intertwine the 2 some day but if not, I continue blogging! Lol *thegoodthingscomin.wordpress.com
I LOVE this outfit!!!! So cute!
This outfit is a dream! and your story is so inspiring! Loved reading it! Hard works pays off! keep the amazing content coming!!
I love hearing about why bloggers started blogging! P.S. that lemon skirt is adorable!
Greta | http://www.gretahollar.com
Love hearing your reason for blogging and that you have kept at it. It’s awesome