Some of my current favourite things (that also look fabulous on Instagram)

The coffee at Infamous, Manchester is definitely Instagram worthy!

Instagram is a brilliant social media account to have. It comes without the dramas of Facebook and it's gives you instant gratification- you get to look at pretty pictures or make you own in minutes.  As a photography lover, it's pretty easy to be smitten with Instagram and spend some time each day scrolling through what others have seen through their own camera lens.  There are definitely some things that are more Instagramable than others, but these are some of my favourites- not only because they create a pretty picture, but because they are fabulous too! You can find me as @thegirlwiththelilytattoo on there if you want to give me a follow and say hi!

1.  Cocktails
I got the Sex and the City complete box-set for Christmas and have been totally embracing my inner Carrie Bradshaw. This, along with a local new cocktail bar, means I have been sampling (and photographing) quite a few of them. The mojito was from the bar in Manchester House; the others from The Lock right here in our little humble town of Leigh.

Cosmopolitan- Instagram style!

A Manchester house Mojito

The Lock's Pornstar Martini and Flaming Zombie

2. Coffee.
You can' beat that first coffee of the day.  I've rediscoverd my love for my Dolce Gusto machine and also the simple pleasure of sitting somewhere for a coffee. There is nothing nicer than having a half hour alone to watch the world go by. Last week, my haunt was the Oxford Road branch of Java. I started going there as a student back in 1998. The coffee is still as good and the prices are still so cheap. The £2 americano was better than any offerings from Costa and Starbucks.

Java, Manchester

3.  The 1950s and Lindy Bop
I love the 1950s and am pleased to report that I am waaaayyyyyyyyy more an Audrey Hepburn than a Kardashian.  I love the Hollywood stars of the time and most of all the fashion.  I recently bought all of my bridesmaid dresses from Lindy Bop (check out the dresses here). Not only are they something Marilyn of Audrey would wear, they are only £35 a piece!  The quality is fabulous and I'll definitely be ordering some more for myself.

Once I've stocked up on some new 1950s style clothing, I'll be rocking it in a new place I discovered in Manchester yesterday: Infamous Diner (link here) in the Northern Quarter is THE most authentic American style diner I've been in. It was just a quick stop for coffee (see item 3) but I'll be heading back there again very soon!

4. Impressively stocked bars
Yeah, I just think they look pretty cool, I'm not too bothered about drinking all of it though (so long as there's some prosecco in there).

The Alchemist, Spinningfields Manchester

Infamous Diner- Northern Quarter Manchester

5. Lighter evenings
It's definitely getting brighter on the journey home.  And with sunrises like this, I can't wait for the brighter mornings too,

Manchester, you beaut!