About Me & faq
My name is Amanda Johnson, and I'm just an easy going 20-somethin' girl trying to live the rich life I always wanted. And by rich, I mean full of friends, laughter, creativity, and love. I'm quite pleased with life in my home of Canton, Ohio, and love sharing my adventures with my friends in the online world.
This blog started three years ago as a way for me to share my crafting endeavors and scrapbook projects with the online community. Since its inception, I now cover a variety of topics, including vintage fashion, home decor, DIY projects, classic cinema, real life adventures, and even food! Basically, Here's Looking at Me, Kid is a lifestyle blog that has helped me reach out and keep in touch with kindred spirits who share the same passions as me.
When I'm not hanging out at the coffee shop, crafting it up, or working on various freelance graphic design jobs, I can usually be found scouring thrift stores for great vintage clothing or traipsing about local antique haunts searching for another hat to add to my collection.
One of the best parts of my life is getting to share it with a handsome, motivated, adoring, and godly man. Phil and I have been married since June 2007, and I couldn't imagine living life with anyone else by my side.
In July of 2010, I moved from my brother's home, where my husband and I lived for two years, into a gorgeous 1920s Tudor Revival apartment close to the heart of downtown Canton. I share a lot of the inspiration and progress with you as I fill our home with treasures I've found.
I love living so close to downtown, as I can ride the 1950's bicycle that my father and I restored in the summer of 2010 (before and after). I just got a bike basket for Christmas, so now I can make trips to the grocery store and library.
Since moving back to Canton after college, I've been able to reconnect with old friends, and make lots of new friends. It's a small city, so you easily run into the same people- which is a good thing, because from my experience, Canton people are good people! I love my friends and think that because of them, my life is quite wonderful.
Q: What camera do you use?
A: Up until mid-December 2010, I used a Canon Rebel xTi. It's a low level digital SLR, which means you can use interchangeable lenses, giving you flexibility with image quality, but without the professional (and desired) features of a more expensive camera. My camera died, forcing me to unexpectedly purchase a new one. Now I have a Canon Rebel T2i, which is a step up and still compatible with all of my old lenses.
Q: What lenses do you use?
A: I primarily shoot with a Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens that works well in low light and give a nice depth of field (blurry background) in most circumstances. I also really love my 85mm f/1.8 lens, but it's not very useful unless I'm shooting photo-journalistically at a wedding or something. My next lens purchase will be a 28mm f/1.8 lens to replace the one I tragically lost this year.
Q: How do you get your photos to look vintage?
A: I use Photoshop as editing software, and created a set of actions which do the editing for me. They are available for purchase here.
Q: How do you get the borders around your photos?
A: The borders seen in this post come in the set of actions I wrote about above. I don't use borders so much these days, but you can look through some older posts to see examples.
Q: Do you take pictures of yourself, or do you have someone take them for you?
A: Most of the time when I take outfit photos, it's just me, the tripod, and the camera remote. Also, sometimes if Phil is around, available, and it's not dark outside, he's pretty willing to taking photos for me. It saves me so much time and I feel like those photos are always my favorite!
Q: What do you do for a living?
A: I like to think I'm a Jill of all trades. Well, lots of trades at least! I graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in interior design. I then worked for Joann Fabrics & Crafts corporate headquarters in Hudson, Ohio doing store planning for all of their stores nationwide. I decided that the cubicle life wasn't for me, and when my husband got a full time job teaching, I was able to stay at home and work on what I pleased. Now I shoot weddings part time, design blogs at Freckled Nest, sell vintage clothing at local events and online at Fine & Dandy, and keep this blog busy every week. In 2010-2011, I also wrote a bit for Apartment Therapy (see my posts here).
Q: How did you get into design?
A: My degree covers a bit of graphic design in addition to interior design, but a lot of what I know in the graphic design department comes from the tutelage of my graphic designer brother, and also just spending lots of time practicing. I have been able to get jobs because of people finding me from this blog, or networking with people I meet.
Q: How did you get on scrapbooking design teams?
A: I used to scrapbook for Hambly Screen Prints and Jenni Bowlin Studios, but have since stepped down to spend my energies on other areas. From my experience, it helps to have a current blog that is updated with new projects. The projects need to be photographed or scanned at a very good quality (this is probably the most important part) and shared on scrapbooking sites like Two Peas in a Bucket or Scrapbook.com. A lot of times scrapbook manufacturers or kit clubs will announce that they are having a search for a new design team, but sometimes companies contact you first, if your work is high quality.
Q: Do you plan on designing another scrapbook line soon?
A: For those of you who don't know, in the summer of 2009 I designed and produced my own scrapbook paper designs. They are still available for purchase here. Designing and producing my own scrapbook paper was a huge learning experience for me. I made a lot of mistakes involving production, and probably won't undertake such a huge project myself again any time soon. However, I love designing paper and would love to work with a scrapbook company if they were interested in me!
Q: Can you tell me more details regarding sponsoring your blog?
A: Sure! Check out this post for details.
Q: Could you send me detailed images of your tattoo so I can get one like it?
A: I really appreciate the admiration of my tattoo design, but I don't like the idea of someone walking into a tattoo parlour and asking for the exact (if not very similar) tattoo as the one I worked hard to design and implement on my body. It's a very personal thing for me and something that many people don't understand until they are actually tattooed themselves. In any case, no, I don't send out high quality images of my tattoos. Sorry, but I hope that someday you will understand.
Q: Where do you find all of the movies that you share with us for Movie Mondays?
A: From a very young age, my parents highly influenced my taste in movies. Fortunately, they have great taste- at least, I think so! A lot of the movies I share have been favorites of mine for quite a while. When I used to have a television, I watched Turner Classic Movies a lot, and learned so much about what is out there, and the history behind the people and productions. All of the movies I share with you have been viewed via Netflix DVDs or instant view. So, if you see a movie featured on this blog that you are interested in, you can probably find it there! (Also, I get no kick-backs from Netflix for saying that.) :)
Q: Where do you get the images you use for Movie Mondays?
A: I take screen shots of movies while they play on my computer. You see, I don't have a television, so whenever I watch movies, it is on my computer. This works out just fine with movies on Netflix instant view, but I discovered Apple DVD player does not allow screen captures. So I had to purchase and instal special software for that.
Side note: I always credit images if I did not personally take the photo or capture the image from a movie (and the movie is always credited, of course). If I want to use an image on my blog but don't know where it came from, I simply don't use it. So if you see an image without credit, it was taken by me.
Q: Woah, you dyed your hair! Did you do it yourself?
A: I am a natural brunette, but at the beginning of 2011 decided I would like to try strawberry blonde. Being short on funds, I decided to go to Sally Beauty Supply and ask the ladies there what I needed. So, when I got home, I spent hours bleaching my hair to lighten it, and then I applied a nice coppery red color that evened out the bleached tones and gave me the color I wanted. It wasn't that scary doing it myself, but I kind of like to do everything myself. :) Maybe I'm a control freak? These days, My hair is dark again, but as the base has been bleached, the color fades quickly. So you might notice that my hair is sometimes randomly dark again- when I've redyed it.
Q: Are you vegan?
A: At the beginning of 2009, I decided to become a dietary vegan, mostly for health reasons. This might sound a bit hypocritical, if you know of some of my other horribly unhealthy life decisions, but anyways, I was super healthy for about three month. I juiced a ton and really made sure my diet was balanced. But then, I got burnt out on all of the work that went into being a strict dietary vegan. So now, I am a very strict vegetarian, and try to be as vegan as possible in my diet choices. I still will eat baked goods with eggs, and sometimes consume dairy, but usually only when dessert is being consumed and I know it's unhealthy anyways!
Q: So wait, you are a vegetarian, yet you wear fur?
A: Yep. I know it's controversial. But yes, I do wear vintage fur.
Question: where do you find the images you use for your movie Monday posts?
Posted by: Emily | January 25, 2011 at 02:14 PM
Hi Emily! The images I use for Movie Mondays are screen shots of my computer while I'm watching. You see, I don't have a television, so when I watch movies, it's on my computer. It works perfectly fine for instant view, but the Apple DVD player does not allow screen captures, so I bought and installed special software to do so.
Posted by: Mandi | January 25, 2011 at 02:22 PM
i was wondering if your actions work with Photoshop Elements?? cuz i super love them and just wanted to check first before i purchased. thanks!
Posted by: shaina | January 26, 2011 at 04:01 PM
Hi Shaina, I don't actually have Elements, so I have no idea. But I just checked it out and found this article that should be helpful to you!
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pselements/qt/actions.htm
Posted by: Mandi | February 01, 2011 at 09:45 PM
Love your new blog design! It's so pretty and charming! :-) And all of the texture is really fun, too.
Posted by: Katie | February 04, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Hey! My first time here! Very, very nice looking blog! Good work!
;) vibeke
Posted by: Vibeke | February 05, 2011 at 03:45 PM
Hey there, sent an email on freckled nest about a blog makeover with you! Not sure if my email got lost in the shuffle but haven't heard back?? Did I do something wrong? I need blog help! =)
Posted by: Vivi | April 27, 2011 at 08:20 PM
The first thing I thought when I saw you are from Canton is the song "Hoopes I Did It Again" by Relient K.
"Cause they always say in Canton, you can't enjoy yourselfff"
haha ok sorry. You have a lovely blog xx
Posted by: Shelby | June 03, 2011 at 09:08 PM
Hi Mandi! I was wondering if you are still photographing weddings? My good friend is getting married in Cleveland on Jan of next year and is searching for a photographer. Would you have any links to past weddings that you've shot?
Thanks for your help :)
~Liz
Posted by: Liz | June 21, 2011 at 12:04 PM
hey,
just wanted to say that I am a fan of your blog.
I've been checking in and admiring your thrift scores/fabulous outfits and great photos for about a month now, and I'm hooked.
As a thrifty, vegan, photographer/creative gal myself, I am always looking for some inspiration and fun stuff to look at and it is easy to come by both on your site....
Thanks...
Posted by: Wren | June 27, 2011 at 12:52 PM
I stumbled on your blog this morning and I was quite surprised and very happy to learn you are from Canton, OH. That is my hometown as well so I love reading/seeing your adventures here...gives one a sense of connection despite being total strangers separated by space and time. I also very much appreciate how you've decorated your living space. It shows Cantonites are anything but lackluster!
Posted by: Katie | July 02, 2011 at 10:01 AM
Oh shoot! And you're in Ohio like me! :)
Posted by: Chaplinnn | July 18, 2011 at 08:24 AM
Hi! I came across your blog from another blog (posting about your bicycle http://onesheepishgirl.blogspot.com/2011/07/blush-list.html) and went to your main page. When I saw your post on Ohio I was curious if you were actually from Ohio. Hence the visit to your About/FAQ page and I discover that you live in Canton, Ohio which is my hometown. I live in East Sparta which is about 10 minutes south of Canton South. So strange to stumble across a blog with someone from Canton.......and Canton people are very good people ;)
Posted by: Angie | July 25, 2011 at 12:22 AM
I love your blog and was wondering if you have any tips for starting a blog. I am a graphic design student and would like to start a blog for that and various projects I do, but don't know how to copy right images I would post. I know you design your own background and graphics so hopefully you know what I mean about wanting to protect them :)
Can you recommend any books or sites that are helpful, it would be really appreciated. Thank you.
Posted by: Susan Salem | August 08, 2011 at 01:26 AM
you are so inspirational I love your blog and read it daily.. it makes me feel like i know someone in ohio, since i just moved to cinci and i am a costume designer. I was wondering if you know of any awesome vintage stores near cincinnati?
Posted by: amanda kai | September 29, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Thank you, Amanda! I've been meaning to visit Cincinnati for vintage shopping, but last time I went, it was Labor Day, and all the shops were closed. I've heard there are some great ones! I just Googled it and found an article about it. That's what I'd try. Good luck and thanks for saying hello!
Posted by: Mandi | September 29, 2011 at 08:54 PM
hi.
i just came across your blog, and i have been enjoying browsing around. your style is exquisite! very whimsical and charming. i just saw your comments about restoring your vintage bike. i bought a great old {looks like it is from about the 50s as well} bike for a dollar at a garage sale, and i have wanted to fix it up for quite a while, but i don't have any idea where to start... where to get parts.
i'm wondering if you could share how you did the restoration of your bike and give me some tips leads...
i would greatly appreciate it!
Posted by: georgia | November 03, 2011 at 03:34 AM
Georgia, thanks for commenting! The only parts I replaced on my bike were the pedals, chain, handlebar grips, and seat. I got the chain from a hardware store, and the other items on Amazon.com. Everything else we sandblasted and repainted, or for the steel parts we soaked them and rubbed out the rust and tarnish. If you are looking for spare parts, I know the local bike shops around here supply them. If you find a non-chain bike shop most likely they will have some vintage parts lying around, or will know how you can get them.
Hope that helps!
Posted by: Mandi | November 03, 2011 at 10:07 AM
Have you seen "Ball of Fire"? I found/watched it last week on my Netflix streaming account, and I thought it was hilarious and sharp. I thought it might make a great Movie Monday pick. (I mean, you can't go wrong with Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper.)
Posted by: Janine | November 10, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Janine, yes, I love Ball of Fire! I think Gary Cooper is even better at playing the shy, bumbling cutie than Jimmy Stewart. And that's saying a lot. :)
Posted by: Mandi | November 10, 2011 at 01:50 PM
Your blog is so vast, so many layers! I just listened to your playlist on the front page which I loveeee. Thanks for blogging, I enjoy reading.
smz
Posted by: shaunah | January 09, 2012 at 04:24 PM