Did I ever mention here that I hated Instagram for the longest time? As you may know, I’m very much in love with Hipstamatic. I never really gave Instagram much of a chance because I thought it was just an alternative to Hipstamatic. I guess I didn’t understand the photo sharing part of it. But I finally gave in and gave it a shot. And I’m hooked! If you’d like to follow me, my name is oolie.

Flowers from my yard. This pink cactus flower only makes an appearance once a year so it’s kind of a big deal! They’re so pretty, I wish they blossomed all the time.

I spent a day at the LA zoo! I’ll have to post more of those pictures later. I edited the meerkat pic using Labelbox & Line Camera.

I picked up several new colors of embroidery floss and designed my first pair of barefoot sandals! I’m so in love with them! What do you think? Embroidery floss isn’t as hard to work with as you might think and how awesome is it that it only costs $2.45 to make a pair?!

I’ve also spent a lot of time working on the new hat shop website! It’s coming together so nicely! The starfish pic is actually from a couple months ago but I just downloaded several new photo editing apps and was using this pic to test them. I’m gonna have to make a post about photo editing apps! They’re so fun and I’m obsessed right now!

It’s been a while since I’ve done a Hipstamatic post! I’m surprised I don’t have more to show you! I haven’t been too crazy for any of the newer lenses. Susie is good for a nice washed out look. I used the Matty ALN lens for the crazy green sunset at the bottom of this post. Kinda fun but don’t really know what I’d use it for.

Owl cupcakes! Chocolate cake & frosting + Oreos + Reese’s Pieces!

Since we’re on the topic of photography, I have to share my excitement with you! I recently got a Polaroid 320 land camera from my Grandma. It was my dad’s when he was a kid. I thought it was really cool looking but wouldn’t have gotten all that excited about it, except it still has film in it!!! I’m sure it’s really old and probably won’t work very well (if at all!) but regardless, I’m super excited to try it! I’m trying to decide what to use the photo for. It has to be something good! :)

Time for another iPhone photo dump and some more Hipstamatic love! I recently got some new films and lenses to play around with! Everything in this post was shot with the Watts lens, which I’m loving!  It’s another super contrasty lens. Previously, I was loving the Chunky lens for my contrasty photo needs but Watts might be my new fave. It also adds a pink vignette around the photo. I’m also really liking the Big Up film from the same pack. It’s different on every photo you take! The Kodot Xgrizzled film (on the flower pic below) is my new fave though and will for sure become my go to film!

Proof of my new love for stacking bracelets.

I’m noticing that I really like to take close up photos. Often of plants!

This is my little garden shack. Excuse the ugly white bucket. I use it for watering.

My dog gets so weirded out by the camera. She tries her hardest not to look at it.

I finally downloaded Instagram. I know A LOT of people use it but I just don’t see the appeal. I shoot all of my iPhone pics with Hipstamatic. It’s just more fun to me than applying effects afterwards. I do like that it allows you to browse your friends recently posted photos though. Maybe there’s something I’m missing. If you use Instagram, please fill me in on why it’s so awesome! :)

I love the Hipstamatic app on iPhone! It’s so fun to play around with that I use it way more than the regular camera. I’ve been using it so much that now, I always know exactly what lens I wanna use it what situation.  I definitely have my favorites. As far as lenses go…

Chunky is my favorite for anytime I want a really colorful, contrasty picture. I’ve taken a lot of my favorite pics with it.

Bettie XL is good at giving a rainbowy blast of color to a picture. It’s very random though and sometimes way more colorful than others, so it’s fun to mess with.

Roboto Glitter, I just like how it adds those lines around the edges of the picture. It draws attention to whatever is in the center and makes it look kinda glowy.

The two Ina’s films are my favorites. I should probably switch it up a little more! :P And I hardly ever mess with the flashes.

Do you use Hipstamatic? What are your favorite lenses/films/flashes?

It’s been a while since I’ve done a photo dump! Here’s a little glimpse at what I’ve been up to this week.

I crocheted a tiny football during the Super Bowl (I don’t understand football!). Celebrated Taco Tuesday with 2 for 1 margaritas!

Visited an arcade that I love because of all of the peculiar things in it. There are some very old games and rides. The walls are covered in tons of signs and posters collected from various businesses, some very old. The decor is just very random and peculiar, which I love. I was being particularly observant on this day and spotted two wooden prosthetic legs, a coffin, and this creepy witch pinata amongst the decor.

Went on a bike ride at the beach to see the seals again. I swear there are seals in that picture! Not that you would ever know if I hadn’t told you because they’re so small! :/

Went snowboarding for the first time in nearly two years! oh, how I’ve missed it!

Still working on a new pattern! :)