I’ve become addicted to Instagram.  I’m not sure there’s much of a point to it, it’s just a visual collection of random moments. I’m following several hundred people who I’ve never met or spoken to before, but who curate or photograph beautiful images. And scrolling through strangers’ pictures and descriptions is mesmerising.

I seem to have found my tribe there: post-40-somethings who encourage each other with emoji kisses and kind words.

I recently dug out my favourite photograph from the garage, where it’s been languishing on a shelf amongst broken garden toys and unused lightbulbs. I took it during the summer of 2000, when 35mm film was still a thing. There were no second chances to take this one if it didn’t work out, it was a once in a lifetime shot.

We were in a small town in Cuba called Trinidad. After a morning of sightseeing, we stopped for a quick Mojito as you do, and met the man on the cover of our guidebook. He was as surprised as we were, having never actually seen the cover photo before. I love his straight face and the fact that he’s wearing the same hat as the original shot – plus that iconic cigar.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This one is priceless to me.

A photo posted by Vicki Marinker 🇬🇧 London, UK (@lifestylemavens) on Dec 6, 2015 at 10:51am PST

Being on Instagram has also made me more mindful of my environment. I’m always on the look out for the next great photo opportunity. It also allows me to document some of my obsessions, not all of which are obvious from my blog posts. Here is a selection:

London and the London Underground:

I could have posted a photo of the London Eye but liked this grubby sign more. #waterloo #southbanklondon #southbank #london #tube #londonunderground #londonrocks #lblogger #lbloggers

A photo posted by Vicki Marinker 🇬🇧 London, UK (@lifestylemavens) on Sep 23, 2015 at 4:04am PDT

My favourite building in London – Alexandra Palace. Just been to the Om Yoga Show. More pics to follow. #allypally #alexandrapalace #London #londonlife #londontown #londonrocks #yoga #theyogashow #omyogashowlondon #omyogashow #omyogashow2015 #architecture #buildings

A photo posted by Vicki Marinker 🇬🇧 London, UK (@lifestylemavens) on Oct 25, 2015 at 4:48am PDT

London, you looked stunning today. #southbank #london #londonlife #londonrocks #lblogger #lbloggers #travel #tbloggers #travelblogger #travelbloggers

A photo posted by Vicki Marinker 🇬🇧 London, UK (@lifestylemavens) on Oct 28, 2015 at 12:09pm PDT

I managed to capture this shot just as the train was pulling into the station. #travel #tblogger #londonrocks #lovelondon #londontube #photosoftheunderground #photosontheunderground #london #londonlife #londontube #lblogger #lbloggers

A photo posted by Vicki Marinker 🇬🇧 London, UK (@lifestylemavens) on Nov 8, 2015 at 5:26am PST

Hope, our ancient cat:

Hope and I are enjoying a quiet night. Hubster is out, kids are in bed. QI on the telly. #cats #catstagram #catstagram #catsofinstagram #instacat #catlover #lblogger #lbloggers

A photo posted by Vicki Marinker 🇬🇧 London, UK (@lifestylemavens) on Nov 3, 2015 at 1:21pm PST

Hope smells fish #cat #cats #catlover #catwoman #catoftheday #instacats

A photo posted by Vicki Marinker 🇬🇧 London, UK (@lifestylemavens) on Nov 30, 2015 at 12:11pm PST

Handbags:

So chuffed with my beautiful new handbag from @yoshibags . This is the Meriel in Mushroom and the leather is like butter. Gorgeous! #handbag #handbags #bag #bags #handbaglover #handbagaddict #fashion #fashionblogger #fashionbloggers #fblogger #fbloggers #accessories #fallfashion #autumnfashion

A photo posted by Vicki Marinker 🇬🇧 London, UK (@lifestylemavens) on Oct 3, 2015 at 8:28am PDT

I don’t want to come across all obsessive – but @dune_london – did your handbag designer make this just for me? 😜👜 #objectsofdesire #handbag #handbags #bags #40plusblogger #40plusstyle #over40blogger #over40style #over40fashion #fblogger #fbloggers #instabag #dunelondon

A photo posted by Vicki Marinker 🇬🇧 London, UK (@lifestylemavens) on Oct 1, 2015 at 7:48am PDT

The sky:

Beautiful sunrise over Muswell Hill this morning. #skyporn #sunrise #photography #nature #nofilter

A photo posted by Vicki Marinker 🇬🇧 London, UK (@lifestylemavens) on Dec 16, 2015 at 11:48pm PST

I had no idea my camera was this good! #bluemoon #photography #nofilter #nature #lblogger #lbloggers #London

A photo posted by Vicki Marinker 🇬🇧 London, UK (@lifestylemavens) on Jul 30, 2015 at 2:32pm PDT

And food:

Home made fish pie. Because it’s cold outside and this is the favourite dish of 3 out of 4 of the inhabitants in this house. The fourth had a sandwich! #lazycooking #cooking #recipes #cooking #food #foodie #foodporn #instafood #fdblogger #fdbloggers #fdbloggersuk #nomnom

A photo posted by Vicki Marinker 🇬🇧 London, UK (@lifestylemavens) on Dec 12, 2015 at 11:06am PST

Chilli beef salad and Thai calamari. So good. @busabaeathai #food #asianfood #foodie #foodporn #foodblogger #fdblogger #fdbloggers #fdbloggersuk #instafood

A photo posted by Vicki Marinker 🇬🇧 London, UK (@lifestylemavens) on Dec 24, 2015 at 4:43am PST

Please join in the Instagram fun and tag me with your favourite photograph. Vx

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