Apr 26, 2012
Blogwatch: Jane Reaction
Blog: Jane Reaction
Girl Behind the Blog: Jane! – Erin is my real name, all my friends call me Jane. Everyone is confused. All the time.
Occupation: Freelance Graphic Designer / Full time mom
Where are you from and where do you currently reside?
I was born in Washington (state) I grew up up in Texas, went to high school across the river from Portland Or (in Wa) and moved to Hawaii as soon as I left home. I did go back “home” to the Northwest for a couple of years to finish my Graphic Design degree but Hawaii has been my home for most of my adult life.
What can Everygirls expect to find when they visit your blog?
I really just love three things in this world – food, great design and my family! So, my blog is mostly about those three things. I am also pretty smitten with fashion and surfing – so you will also see those things pop up on my blog from time to time. I like to share my design projects, tips about working freelance and doing graphic design and I can’t stop making mood boards.
What are your 3 favorite blog posts that you have ever written?
I tend to shy away from getting too personal on my blog but, there are a couple of posts that I have written where I actually really open up about my personal life – like how I met my husband and couldn’t wait to meet my baby boy (here). Or this one about how I am terrified of sharks and am totally embarrassed by it. Lately, my favorite posts have been my Need, Read, Greed series where I invite other bloggers to share what they really need, want to read and ultimately greed. I love knowing what other people have in their shopping carts. I’m super nosey like that.
What influences and inspires you in your blogging?
I really love design blogs. I could look at them all day long. I love to see how creative people can get with images and type. It is definitely a skill to be able to make the two live harmoniously together in one layout. My blog is really just me practicing that skill over and over and over again. And of course I love to take pictures of my baby Henry and document his life.
How did you decide to start blogging? What advice to you have for Everygirls looking to start a new blog?
I started Jane Reaction in 2008 during a really down period in my life. The first few posts were rather dramatic and depressing. It was a great outlet. As I got further and further into my graphic design program I became genuinely happier and I found that it was a way to show off my work and practice my design skills. I continue to blog because it is fun and good practice and helps me remember things that make me feel good or worth while. For anyone looking to start blogging my first bit of advice is to just start already! I hear a lot of people say they want to start but they need to decide exactly what they want to blog about first. The best way to figure that out is by jumping in and starting. The second bit of advice I have is to keep blogging fun! The minute blogging becomes a chore or a task take a break and come back to it when it is fun again. I hate to see girls live life for there blog instead of blogging about real life.
What kind of camera do you use?
I used to work for a photographer and my husband is the director of photography for the university’s magazine here at the school he attends – so we are always using and experimenting with different cameras and lenses. I personally own a little rebel xti that has treated me quite well. I am also a huge fan of instant film. I own several vintage polaroid cameras in working condition back on the mainland that I can’t wait to get back to someday and I often carry my Fuji Instax camera around the island. To be honest though, I am totally in love with Instagram and think it is the most convenient thing on the planet.
How has being a mother changed your blogging? Your overall outlook on life?
After bringing Henry home from the hospital for the first time I had a little bit of a mourning period where I mourned the loss of the girl I once was. That girl did whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted to. That often meant sitting in front of the computer for hours on end and then running off to the beach to surf. I was really sad to see her go but, in her place I became a new person. I am more patient, I work smarter and more efficiently and I love more than I ever thought I could. I thought for sure my blog would suffer because I would not be able to devote as much time to it as I did in the past, but I can honestly say that since Henry was born it has only gotten better. My time is so much more precious now so I can’t waste any of it second-guessing myself or comparing my work to others.
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