Confessions of a Shopoholic

Hi. My name is Rachael and I am a shopoholic.

Flicking through magazines I'll see a top that I absolutely have to have or I'll die. I contact the stockist, put it on hold and wait anxiously until I can get into the shop and leave with the sweet rush that comes with making a purchase. I love nothing more than coming home with my crisp, glossy shopping bag, pulling out the lovingly tissue wrapped treasure, removing the tag and hanging it in the wardrobe.

On holiday in another state, I whipped myself into a designer shopping frenzy. Tiffany's, Chanel, Versace and Gucci were not left unscathed. I must confess the reason I made (cheapest possible) purchases in those shops was so I could have the shopping bags. I wanted to frame them a la Andy Warhol. They're now in a dusty pile under my bed, except for the Gucci bag, which is blue tacked to my bedroom wall - much to the amusement of friends and family.

Every so often waves of guilt grip me when I open my cupboards and see 55 lipsticks, 30 eye shadows, 50 handbags and 75 pairs of shoes. There have been many a weekend when I've been all dressed up with nowhere to go because I spent all my spare cash on a new bag. In my defence, I must say that bag does look fantastic nestled amongst the rest of my collection!

My Mother (who fancies herself as a comedian) came up with a fabulous idea. When the urge to shop hits, I should remove the Gucci bag from the wall, put something from my wardrobe in the Gucci bag, get in my car, drive around the block, come home and go inside with the Gucci bag so I feel like I've bought something. Very funny - not!

Some would say I need treatment for my addiction - shopoholicism, but I prefer to think of shopping as one of life's simplest and most satisfying pleasures. I'm not fussy; I can get a lift buying a carton of milk.

The moment I enter a Mecca-like shopping centre, a strange calm washes over me. The symphony of cash registers ringing is like music to my ears. I was born to shop! Did somebody say SALE?

- Rachael