For most women shopping is fun. Looking for that perfect pair of shoes you really need for that outfit, a new purse, or just browsing the sales racks and snagging a great bargain is satisfying. The high from making a purchase can be so uplifting! For some, however, shopping can become addictive and have devastating emotional and financial consequences. Unfortunately, I know that first hand. When making a purchase, initially I get a rush—a high—and right after, I feel extremely remorseful and often depressed. I don’t have to answer to anyone regarding my spending. I don’t share a bank account with my husband and I don’t overspend to the point of owing any money either. However, I know it’s a problem because I feel guilty after a needless purchase and remorseful about the money and time I wasted on something I might wear only once or not at all. In recent years, I have amassed more shoes than I can store comfortably in my ample closet. Read Related: Shopping as Cardio: Genius Ways to Fit in a Holiday Workout
THE SYMPTOMS OF COMPULSIVE SHOPPING I shop for emotional reasons disguised as material needs. I do most of my shopping alone, as if hiding while stuffing my face, binging on cookies à la Bridget Jones. Shopping fills the emptiness and loneliness from which I often suffer. the rush and the guilt, numb me for a while, but no amount of shopping satisfies me. The high I experience from the spree wears off almost immediately and I am back to square one—unsure of what void I’m trying to fill, or why. Every time I give in to my impulse, I promise myself this will be my last purchase, just as a junkie would with the last fix. I also tell myself I won’t use my credit card (which by the way I also use, with the justification that it racks up frequent flyer miles). Yet, without a clear plan I easily forget and once again succumb to the addiction. While I haven’t gone off the deep end, I know it’s time to stop, think, and do something about this before it’s too late.
WHY DO SOME OF US BECOME SHOPAHOLICS? WebMD suggests that about 10-15% of us are genetically predisposed to addictive behavior possibly triggered in part by environmental causes, such as childhood trauma. Shopping may cause a high because, like drugs and alcohol, it triggers the production of endorphins and dopamine, which are naturally occurring opiate receptor sites in the brain. The result is that the shopper feels good. Those with addictive personalities, however are likely to repeat the purchasing behavior in order to replicate the positive feeling. This is what an addiction looks like, and it’s harmful, whether it’s shopping, drug abuse or alcoholism. 10 WAYS TO DEAL WITH A SHOPPING ADDICTION 1. Go to therapy if your behavior is dramatically affecting your finances and personal life. 2. Don’t window shop or set foot in a store; 3. Freeze your credit cards. Literally, in a container filled with water, in the freezer. Accessing the credit cards won’t be so easy and fast.
4. Opt out of all retail store emails. 5. Pay cash only. 6. If you shop, arm yourself with a list and go with a friend who knows of your addiction. 7. Use a program like Quicken to keep tabs on your daily spending. Keep all receipts and record them. 8. Set goals for the money you plan to save. It will be your reward afterwards. Perhaps there’s a dream vacation in your future! 9. Do reward yourself once in a while, but plan ahead. Shop once a month and set a limit, say $50 for one new garment or accessory. 10. Spend money on activities and experiences with friends or on life-enriching things like a gym membership or a yoga class. Find things you enjoy and that are good for you, and that fill the emotional void without going out on a shopping spree. Above all, when dealing with your own addiction or supporting a loved one through his or her healing, remember that you are not alone. We’re a consumption-driven society and it’s easy to succumb to a shopping addiction.
That said, there are many things you can do to enjoy life without handing over that credit card. You can do without many things, which probably only add clutter and make your life so much more complicated. If you think you might have a shopping addiction, try these tips. With commitment, focus, and accountability, they work. It won’t be easy but you’ll be free and trust me, no bargain feels as good as being free!Pastel Trousers – BUDGET, BUY NOW and BLOW OUT… BUDGET - Miss Guided pink silk look trim trousers, £19.99 - BUY NOW - Topshop nude cigarette trousers, £35 - BLOW OUT - Mother of Pearl blue cropped trousers, £375 - VIDEO: The Met Gala 2014… Red carpet arrivals and moreFloral Bomber – BUDGET, BUY NOW and BLOW OUT… BUDGET - F&F at Tesco scuba bomber, £28 - BUY NOW - Topshop floral print bomber, £50 - BLOW OUT - French Connection embellished jacket, £220 - Blogger Style File: Smock To FrockBlogger Style File: The feature where we introduce you to the hottest new bloggers around, and give them a bit of a grilling about their style!
This week, meet Beki of Smock to Frock... Street style, fashion blogs and Pinterest Zara, Missguided, H&M, Vero Moda and Ebay! Last item I bought? A tote bag from Accessorize Something I would never wear? Leggings with short tops... River Island jacket (BUY HERE!), Zara t-shirt, Miss Selfridge necklace, Missguided skirt, (BUY HERE!), Zara bag ASOS body, Matalan necklace (BUY HERE!), Ebay bag, Dorothy Perkins bracelet (BUY HERE!), Warehouse skirt Warehouse jumper, Miss Selfridge necklace, Market stall bracelet, Warehouse skirt, Marc Jacobs watch Republic necklace, French Connection jumper, H&M hat (BUY HERE!), Market stall bag, Warehouse skirt, Matalan ring F&F jumper, H&M necklace, Matalan bag, H&M hat (BUY HERE!), Topshop skirt (BUY HERE!) Beki's bang on trend with her use of monochrome, but we particularly LOVE her use of accessorising! Adding statement pieces such as necklaces and oversized bags is such a perfect and simple way to add oomph to an outfit...
We're defo going to be stealing Beki's style by market shopping to find some unique bits and pieces... Which is your fav look?! 4 of the best playsuits on the high street… 1. Warehouse spot top playsuit, £55 - 2. Miss Selfridge front drape playsuit, £45 - 3. Topshop Unique spotted jumpsuit, £95 - 4. Topshop life wrap playsuit, £58 - This Week’s Must Read Blog Musings… 10 Bad-Decision Beauty Fixes - DIY: Festival encrusted denim jacket - Rita Ora in Marni - Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty comes home to roost - Marc Jacobs temporary tattoos - Lorde collaborates with MAC - Could you survive with only 8 pairs of shoes? Culottes – BUDGET, BUY NOW and BLOW OUT… BUDGET - Boohoo dogtooth wide leg culottes, £15 - BUY NOW - Topshop tropical print culottes, £40 - BUY NOW - Roksanda Ilincic crepe and cotton culottes, £870 - Blogger Style File: Article 21Blogger Style File: The feature where we introduce you to the hottest new bloggers around, and give them a bit of a grilling about their style!
This week, meet Sindy of I love the Olsen twins and Rachel Zoe - they always look effortlessly chic. I also get inspired by the everyday girl, fashion blogs, Lookbook and Tumblr. A pair of black high wedged creepers from Primark A denim mini skirt A Dominoes pizza (of course!) Heels... but I still love my hi-tops! Galaxy because it's so much creamier! Mum's Vintage jumper, Primark creepers Primark blazer, H&M shirt, New Look trousers, Zara bag, Matalan boots, Primark necklace Primark dress, Primark tights, Primark shoes, bag and sunglasses from Hong Kong New Look jacket, H&M trousers, Primark shoes, Zara bag, scarf from Hong Kong New Look jacket, Primark skirt, top and bag from Hong Kong We HAD to give The Muse TV heart to Sindy's vintage look... her amazinggg jumper is proof that you never know what gems your 'rents have got hidden at the back of their wardrobes! We're also big fans of how she glammed up her casual monochrome look with an oversized clutch - SO on trend.
Check out Sindy's blog ! This Week’s Must-Read Blog Musings… You've Been Vogued - Lupita Nyong'o names as new Lancome ambassador - Henry Holland helps Magnum celebrate their 25th birthday - Noah: Jennifer Connelly's gorgeous promo tour - Harry Potter studio tour - warning, spoiler photos! - The Vogue Festival 2014: Day Two Highlights…The Vogue Festival 2014: Day One Highlights…Our Favourite Celebrity Looks Of The Week… It's been a busy week for the uber stylish celeb pack this week, with lots of red carpet events that have showed off some amazing dresses. First up, Cameron Diaz proves that she has the most fabulous pair of legs in Hollywood in this gorgeous Victoria Beckham grey and white dress (we love the hidden pleat detail). Selena Gomez made this fierce Armani red trouser suit look young and fresh on Wednesday when making a speech at We Day California. Sex And The City's Kristin Davis showed us her structured side with this Roksanda Illincic dress at the Fatal Attraction press night, and Shailene Woodley was our favourite, in this bright tangerine column dress, also by Roksanda.
We hope there's some inspiration for you there Musers!This week’s must-see blog musings… A letter to Anna Wintour from Victoria Beckham - 5 killer playlists for 5 serious workouts - Emma Watson in Oscar de la Renta - Clean Up On Aisle 9 - Beauty Boost: The luxury products I'm currently loving - C 8 unexpected moments from Lady Gaga's latest 11 minute music video - Ever wondered how noisy the paparazzi are at a film premiere? Watch the Divergent LA one here…6 of the best skirts… 1. Boohoo midi pleat scuba skirt, £20 - 2. New Look polka dot wrap skort, £14.99 - 3. Topshop mint sequin pencil skirt, £65 - 4. Dolce & Gabbana printed skirt, £480 - 5. Oasis ditsy print paperbag skirt, £28 - 6. Miss Selfridge peach lace skirt, £25 - Muse Trend Flash – DUNGAREES! They say if you see something three times or more, it's a trend, which must mean that dungarees - although they do come in and out of fashion - are totally on trend right now!
We've spotted everyone from Fearne Cotton in her ripped short pair, to Gaga in her statement leather dungarees. Even Heidi Klum is rocking them for during the day. There's LOTS to chose from on the high street, and as usual we've trawled all the best shops to find some of the coolest pairs for you. And don't worry, these aren't bank-breaking prices! Milan Fashion Week: watch all the shows here…Watch: London Fashion Week live here…New York Fashion Week AW14: watch live here… Check out Bec Waters’ Top Five Coats… - what her top coats were for the season. Here's what she said... I know it's a tad late in the season, but come on, here in the UK we often have snow in March, so if you haven't found that perfect winter coat yet, you still have time. I was trawling through the high street at the end of last year looking for my new winter coat, as let's be honest, after you've brought the same one out year after year for a fair while, it starts to look a bit... drab, so this year it was time for me to upgrade.
I checked out my favourite high street store, and here are my top five winter duffle coats which are perfect for this season. And of course my number ONE is the coat I own. And I love it. "The perfect casual day to day coat. It's navy blue which is a great colour for winter as it matches everything, plus it doesn't really show up dirt (always a plus). It reminds me of a Barbour Jacket too!" "Everyone needs a warm black coat and this one is stunning. It's mid length which will keep your bum warm (perfect if you end up perched on a wall or sitting on a cold bench while waiting for someone…or a bus!) It has a tie waist belt which accentuates your waist and has a funnel neck to keep you extra toasty." "Now this coat is my definition of cute and amazing. The soft faux fur, the colour, the cut, it's perfection and I love it. And it's a bargain at £60 from Tesco!! I couldn't believe it when I found this beauty. Need I say more?" "This coat was a contender for my winter warmer but I did end up passing it by and getting the next coat on the list.