Oniomania: Shall I fill a prescription?

As females, we're often being stereotyped as shopaholics. But how does one define a shopaholic? Is someone who frequently makes purchases at decent or discount prices a shopaholic? Or is one who makes outlandishly expensive purchases a shopaholic? Or could it be a mix of both?

Some definitions include, but aren't limited to:
A person who shops compulsively or very frequently.
A compulsive shopper; "shopaholics can never resist a bargain"

There was even a term invented for what is considered by some a disorder!
Oniomania: an uncontrollable desire to buy things.

Some people can't stop buying shoes. I've been a slave to that, but more so flip flops (I won't start on my flip flop collection!). For others it's dresses. Some people are known to accessorize. In Longbottom's case, she is a slave to underwear and bras (you can find her blog on that addiction here). For a lot of women out there, makeup is high on the priority list. I myself am known to spend ridiculous amounts of money at the makeup counter (okay, on accessories too!).

But what is it about material things that make us so crazy? Is it the way they makes us look? Is it the way they make us feel? Or maybe, is it just an appreciation for beautiful things? Or maybe, it's a desire to want to MATCH. I'm a very matchy-matchy person. But I can appreciate that you can match by matching shades of a color, and then matching completely different colors together.

For example, in Greece last year I was wearing a turquoise swimsuit with burnt orange earrings. Jods told me she'd never to think to put those colors together, but that they looked good together. See, subtle matching!


A big problem of mine is that I tend to find something I like and buy it in multiple colors. Whether that one thing is a cardigan, a t-shirt, a long sleeved shirt, a skirt. Or, on more occassions than I care to admit...pashminas.

There is a method to my madness though. Pashimas are very practical things to own! They can dress up a shirt, they can add a pop of color to a black wardrobe, they keep your neck warm. They can be used in all four seasons. You can use them as a shoulder wrap on cool summer evenings. You can wrap them around a suitcase handle. You could even use them as a sarong with your swimsuit! With so many uses for pashminas, why stop with just one?

I tell my friends all the time that I have a problem, and they agree with me most of the time. But at 2/$20 they're always telling me what a bargain they are for something I love so much. Or my favorite is "Yes, you do have a problem, but it would be nice to have a bright yellow one..." or "You do have a problem, but what stopped you [from buying them]...".

I'm not so sure that people know quite how serious this...addiction of mine is. So I decided to make a visual representation of it.

At 2/$20 I have 17 pashminas. Believe it or not, there are still colors out there that I don't have (and am looking for!).

First up, the pastels:

Pastels are great. They're perfect for summer. They look good with whites, darks, and patterns. My first pashminas were pastels. For my birthday last year, I received my first 4 pashminas, 2 from Krystyna and 2 from mom. Unfortunately they both had bought me one of the same color, so I returned it. The blue, purple, and pale orange were given to me as gifts. The pale pink (VERY similar to the pale orange) was recently given to me by Leah. The one that is drapped nearly across the others is one from my most recent pair. I walked into Suzy Sheir today and discovered I could get 2/$15 there!

Next up, the brights:

I've recently become fascinated with colors that pop. And what other way than to have a flash of bright color close to your face? The orange one was bought on Halloween, for that day specifically, but has become a favorite of mine. The zigzag one at the end was also bought today with the new one from above. Hanging against a shirt on a maniquien, it looked so good I couldn't resist!

Finally, some with jazz!

I bought these with Dawn back before Christmas. They're great for holidays or any occasion that you would like some sparkle! I keep talking myself out of a plain red one, because I HAVE a red one, even though it has red sparkly stripes down it!

The Whole Collection:

So yes, it's a problem for me. But imagine if I had the taste of Rebecca Bloomwood! Then I'd be in a lot more trouble. But I'm dealing with my problem. I'm recognizing it and I'm going to stop.

Once I find a lime green one ;)