Remember that song Sk8er Boi by Avril Lavigne?  From 2002?!?!  I used to jam out HARD to that song and I’m not ashamed to admit that. I dreamed of being able to skateboard as a kid. I even had this giant camo backpack that had a special strap to put your skateboard in (I was pretty hardcore). Unfortunately my severe case of ganglitis held me back from pursuing that dream (aka my poor coordination + my long ass limbs = a short skateboarding career).

Anyways, back to the song. The only connection to that song and these photos is that my Canadian stud of a bud, Dustin Milligan, is skateboarding in these pics. Therefore he is a sk8ter boi. Lame connection, but I’m not going to lie, as I looked through these photos I sang that song. And I think it’s only fair for you to do the same thing. I made it easy for you and put the song below. You’re welcome.

Before you get to the pictures, I also felt it would be helpful to give you 3 interesting facts about Dustin Milligan, to get to know him a little bit better.

1.) He has an insane addiction to gummy candy. If you want to see a grown man turn into an 8 year old boy (examples: lit-up eyes, giddiness, spontaneous dancing, jumping up and down), give this one a bag of gummy bears.

2.) He grew up in Yellowknife. Where? Exactly! Yellowknife is way up in northern Canada (near Alaska) where it’s FREEZING and dark for 20 hours each day in the winter.

3.) Don’t let his strong jawline fool you. He’s pretty funny, so you should probably follow him on twitter @dustinwmilligan (that wasn’t that interesting but it is a FACT!)

**All photos taken by me, except for the last one (photo cred: Mr Milligan), on a Nikon 35mm F3

Big shout out to everyone sending me your high-fives re: some of the latest posts of photos.  I read all your emails/comments and truly appreciate them!

I have the first round of my latest roll of B&W film for you. Some of these pictures are from a Crafts & Cocktails party that my best friend Amber and I went to hosted by ZOOEY magazine.  Such a dream party!   A perfect combo of my favorite things — Crafts & Cocktails (pretty self explanatory).  The other pics are from a hang sesh on a friend’s rooftop a few weekends back.  

I feel like I’m finally *starting* to get the hang of my 35mm.  Still tons to learn, but a lot less duds in the roll.  

Stay tuned for part two of my B&W pictures.  HINT:  It involves a skateboard + a dude.  

Yet another reason why I love film.  While cleaning my office last week,  I found my old 35mm Canon camera (another film camera I own that I kind of forgot about… oops!) . I realized that there was an old roll of film in it still and immediately took it to get developed.  

When I went to pick them up, the woman who runs the shop seemed worried (again).  Because the film was so old there were a lot of light leaks and again, I was PUMPED!  

These pictures are about 3 years old.  It’s pretty fun to relive the memories through an old roll of film.

PS I’m digging this track hard:  

Remember that post where I was all, “I’m in love with my film camera and peace out digital”?  Yeah well, I quickly got off that bandwagon.  Not because I didn’t love my film camera, but because it’s very charm is what discouraged me.  Film teaches you patience.  You don’t get the instant gratification of seeing the picture that you just took.  That’s why film is so fun.  Because when you get your film developed, you get to see 36 memories that you kind of forgot about. How did they turn out?  Did I choose the right settings?  Did I capture those moments?  It’s really exciting! But it tests you.  In a world that is very fast paced and immediate result based, film goes against all of our new age tendencies  - which is why I love it. 

And here’s the truth.  I totally slipped.  I got tired of waiting.    I was uninspired.  I was lazy.  I picked up my DSLR (also my iPhone) and let that gorgeous Nikon collect some dust. 

The other week I was going to a friends party and I decided to get back in touch with my patient roots.  I asked forced my friend to walk the 2 miles to the party so I would feel playful again & brought my 35 mm camera.  And the camera hasn’t left my hands since.  I’ve been challenging myself to bring it out with me more often.  I mean I’ll always have digital (hello iPhone), so why not bring the film.  

Best part of the story, I was obviously pumped to get my film developed but when I got to the shop, the kind woman who runs the store alerted me to the fact that my film was actually projector film.  BUZZ KILL!  (Thank you Ed for the massive stack of expired film ;-) )  

After recovering from my tomato-faced embarrassment over my rookie move, I asked her what my options were.  The only way she could develop the pictures would be by doing a cross-process finish on them.  She looked incredibly worried for me.  I was PUMPED!  Cross-process means it messes with the colors and will have unpredictable results.  My FAVORITE!

Here’s the unedited, raw results.  And some tuneage!

 

Up & Down from acespace on 8tracks Radio.

 

 

I’ve been secretly obsessing over floral crowns lately.  I’m not much of a “girly girl” but I will jump at any chance to escape to a world that is whimsical and ethereal.  The problem with these floral crowns is that they look so cool in photos but they don’t have much of a place in your everyday life.  (*Sidenote* This is a similar beef I have with the clothes at Free People - bad ass fairy tale, but doesn’t really fit into the whole running errands vibe).  

Anyways, I was tired of drooling over photos of these stunning crowns and decided to join the ranks and make my own.  

My friend Mary and I headed to Michaels, bought a stash of fake flowers  (and maybe some Champagne) and jammed out to a GIRLS inspired playlist and made some floral crowns.  

Seriously, these things are so easy to make.  We followed this tutorial here from the Deer Circus blog which was super easy.  (Side note: this blog is really awesome so you should check it out while you are at it).

I highly recommend turning on some tuneage and making one of these bad boys.  And then put it on and dance around your house.

Family of the Year — Hero

Father John Misty — Hollywood Forever Cemetry Sings

Stood Me Up — DWNTWN

The Doves — There Goes the Fear

The M Machine — Faces

Angus and Julia Stone — For You

Beach Fossils —Daydream

Macklemore X Ryan Lewis —Same Love ft. Mary Lambert

Guster — Backyard

Emiliana Torrini — Sunny Road

One of my most treasured gifts I received this Christmas was my very first Creuset.  Creu-what? Creuset yo! 

They are the most gorgeous enamelled cast iron cookware made in France since 1925.  Top of the line dishes in almost every color.

I love my Holga camera but developing the film can start racking up a pretty pricey bill.  Especially when half your photos turn out black.  Fail.  

Cue this discovery:  a holga lens for DSLR cameras!  Obviously I bought it.

Armed with my new Holga lens, I went to a nearby forest and played around with it.  I love the unpredictable results.  Magic.

You can find the Holga lens HERE on the Photojojo website.  I was not paid, bribed or forced to talk about this lens by Photojojo … I just really effing love this lens.  

Happy Year of 2013!  I hope all y’all had a sauce-tastic holiday.  

I went up to Canuck town aka Canada to spend some time with my fam jam and friends.  It was filled with way too much food, booze, presents, a bit of snow and not enough time.  I miss it already but it also feels good to be back in Cali.

In groundbreaking news… I’ve joined the year 2013… as well as Twitter.  You can follow me @AmandaCCrew.  

Spread the word because right now I have less followers than my nephew.

Oh and my instagram is now amanda_crew.

If you were already following me it will automatically follow the new name so no frets!  

Cheers to an amazing year!