501 reasons why Instagram has captured my social media heart

December 8, 2011

I was posting a new photo to Instagram today and I realised it was number 501. Wow. That’s a lot of photos of shoes, bags, food, tea, my hair, my nails … yes, you name it, I’ve Instagram-ed it.

At first I was seduced by the way you could turn a pretty dodgy iPhone photo into something vaguely acceptable but now Instagram has become one of my favourite social media networks. It’s somewhere to hang out that is not only visually appealing but also not as “cluttered”.

I love seeing everyone’s day through photos … as it happens. And I love “hearting” stuff.

To celebrate my 500th Instagram photo, I thought I’d share some of my faves.

Havaianas thong challenge Australia Day Mooloolaba Beach

Havaianas thong challenge, Australia Day 2011, Mooloolaba Beach

Who said body art is just for kids?

Some good reading ...

PeepToe heels and Leona Edmiston tights for my Profile Mag cover shoot

Uberkate Living Circles ... LOVE

Just another day of beauty blogging ...

Me and Mr Styling You on a cold winter's night

The cushion Madam Bipolar (aka Sawhole) sent me after my Sydney Writers' Centre Best Australian Blog win. Love that girl.

Me and one of my blogging besties, Mrs Woog, after a Barney Martin blow dry

Oh Sodashi Samadara moisturiser ... you changed my life this year

Don't you just love big hair?

I collect hearts ... these I found at Mamma's Market on the Sunshine Coast

There's an awful lot of champagne in my Instagram feed. Sponsors welcome.

Orange has taken over black in my wardrobe. Who knew?

Nothing like a cup of tea with my bloggie neighbour Veggie Mama. Nothing.

Warning: geek alert

I use the Instagram app for my iPhone and iPad. On my desktop, I’ve got InstaDesk installed, which makes tracking, “hearting” and commenting on everyone’s photos so much easier. And on my blog I have the Instapress plug-in that publishes my latest Instagram uploads straight to my blog.

If you’re on Instagram too, you can follow me here. And leave a comment below if I’m not following you so I can return the favour! What do you love about Instagram?

http://cookingconsal.wordpress.com/ Vanessa

Hi Nikki! I actually made my way over to your site via the socialfresh blog post about your blogging tips and this post caught my eye. It’s so funny that I’m in the biz and am a late bloomer when it comes to Instagram. I think I downloaded it exactly a week ago (shameful!) and seriously am obsessed. I can’t get enough. How I was so late to the game is beyond me. Pinterest is another one that has me addicted. So many networks, so little time
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  Hi Vanessa … and thanks for coming over. I know … Instagram and Pinterest are pretty easy to get obsessed by. I originally started with Instgram as a fun thing for my phone photos but it’s become a great micro-blogging tool.
Brenneth

I love instagram! I can upload my pictures anywhere I am. By the way, I love the Havaianas event.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  Was so much fun – it’s on again this year so might check it out again.
http://www.maidinaustralia.com Maid In Australia

I’ve uploaded/download instagram, but still haven’t worked out how to actually use it! Must remedy that I think! Loved your photos!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  Take your photos on your phone then upload them through instagram – it still keeps the original but you can add a filter and share and save on the new one. Good luck!
http://www.seanasmith.com Seana Smith

Ispired to get started, I have really enjoyed looking at the pix of others and I’ve had the app on my iPhone for years but never got cracking. Hmmm… iPhone old and slow, another reason to upgrade. Must resist!!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  Resistance is futile LOL.
http://bunbunmakeuptips.com Bun Bun Makeup Tips

OH I’m only getting started on Instagram! Right after I got my iPhone 4s! Yays!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  You’ll love it!
Anna

Very pretty design on cup and plates. I would be too afraid of using them, as I am a bit clumsy… but surely it looks classy.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  Me too usually – they belong to a friend so I was extra careful!
http://www.directionstech.com.au April Neylan

I love the last shot of those beautiful cups and saucers! So pretty
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  Would love them for Christmas
http://planningwithkids.com/ PlanningQueen

Love your feed on Instragram Nikki. My fave photo is of you and Mr Styling you – you guys look so happy!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  Thanks Nic … I started it as a fun way to filter photos but now love it for the social networking as well!
http://www.melbgirl.com.au melbgirl

What a fab read – thanks for sharing! I actually have instagram on my list to write a blog post too – but I am super excited you shared the desktop instagram reader! Off to download it right now! Hope it works with my Mac. xx (Ps. Funny how champagne seems to make a regular appearance across instagram! Cheers!)
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  I LOVE your Instagram feed – keep them coming!
Veronica @ Mixed Gems

I love beautiful images so I love IG. I was preparing a post on IG too! I follow mostly bloggers of the mummy variety plus a few others. I’ve also sourced some amazing photographers from a few others leads, one being an article on top IGers – those with 10s of thousands of followers – who do scenery, portraits, street scenes, travel, inspirational photography (http://mashable.com/2011/06/30/instagram-most-followed/). IG has inspired me to learn to take better photos. I’m mixedgems on IG.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  I love it for all those reasons!
http://www.fashionadjacent.com Omega

ANOTHER social network? really?? nuuuu…

Okay. You twisted my arm. I’m fashionadjacent
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  Yeh … You know you want to!
http://www.skinnyflatwhite.com.au Paula

I love Instagram, love it more than Twitter.

Love seeing places through other people’s eyes.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  I love seeing your beautiful beach photos from Perth x
http://www.edenriley.com edenland

I love your Instagram feed Nikki. Love seeing everybodys pics coming through, what they’re up to today. It feels like it hasn’t been tainted or anything yet … just a pure medium of people sharing their life in a simple photo. Genius.

X
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  I know … I think that’s the appeal for me. Plus there are some really clever instagrammers out there – having fun with this medium. I shouldn’t have blogged about it x
http://kellyexeter.com.au Kelly

PS My instagram username is swishdesign
http://kellyexeter.com.au Kelly

Ah thank you for this post Nikki! I have been trying to figure out how to follow people on Instagram and it’s been doing my head in!
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  Good luck! Going off to find you x
Mrs Woog

Love these photos Nikki, good memories x
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  Great memories … cannot believe how much fun the last 12 months has been (and how good Barney makes our hair!)
http://www.athomemum.com Bronwyn @ At Home Mum

I totally agree. I love Instagram. It would have to be one of my fav iPhone/iPad apps.

If you like to print them out one of my fav digiscrappers has created a free template. A great way to print & share the old fashion way. (https://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=27162&cat=287)

I have to have a look at InstaDesk. I was looking for a app that I could use on my computer for Instagram.
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  I haven’t printed out yet – thanks for the link – or got magnets made (saw that on Fat Mum Slim).
  
  And instadesk won’t let you convert photos on your desktop – you can see your feed more clearly though. I like having it open while I’m working!
  - http://www.athomemum.com Bronwyn @ At Home Mum
    
    Thanks for giving out the info on instadesk. This is perfect for what I wanted to do. I love just checking out the feed and seeing what people have loaded.
http://bookgrrl.wordpress.com Steph

I have an Android phone and I have Instagram envy I’m looking forward to when Instagram eventually released an Android version. BTW I love the geek alerts !
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  Thanks Steph! And yes, I’m surprised it hasn’t happened yet. Crazy.
http://cclarebear.com Clare @ cclarebear.com

I love Instagram! I’m on it all the time.

ps: have you seen this? http://pinterest.com/pin/239394536412078283/
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  Haha! And no I don’t think I’m a photographer – not by any stretch!
http://www.katrinaleechambers.com Katrina from The Block

Morning! I’ve only just decided to jump on the Instagram bandwagon! I was a bit slow off the mark with that one
- http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
  
  You’ll catch up! What’s your Instagram name?
  - http://www.katrinaleechambers.com Katrina from The Block
    
    katrinachambers
- http://lazybuthealthy.com lizza
  
  I am going to give this a go too, it seems easy enough to use.
  - http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson
    
    Enjoy – it is super easy!