Lately I’ve been up all hours of the night, sneaking looks at my laptop. I look while I’m at work, in the car, even while I’m waiting in line at the grocery store. My man knows that I do it, but lately it’s been happening so often that he’s starting to feel unloved. I’ve even started paying for it.

Yep, it’s official, I am addicted to online shopping. It’s porn for chicks.

I had a busy day today. I window shopped at Chanel, browsed around in Topshop for a couple of hours and tried on around 12 pairs of shoes at ASOS. And I did it all in Ugg boots from the comfort of my couch…in Australia.

Online shopping is nothing new. Pretty much everyone I know has bought something online. But I’ve started to realise that what was once an ‘every so often’ shopping style has become the only way that I shop.

And most of the time I’m not even buying stuff. I’m logging online to freaking window shop. The weird part is that even when I can just pop down the road to buy something, I’ll usually look at the online store first. It’s like research. My dirty little fashion secret.

Online shopping is amazing for a number of reasons. Firstly, you don’t have to deal with crowds. There’s no chick that’s going to snatch those half price stilettos from you at the last minute. Secondly, you don’t have to deal with awful sales assistants, who chat with their mates instead of serving you, look you up and down, and suggest HORRIBLE outfits that make you look like Shrek… on a fat day.

Thirdly, you can take as much time as you want. I don’t know about you guys, but stores are stressful. There’s loud music, they’re usually packed with people and it kind of makes me want to get out of there as quick as I can. It makes you buy stuff on impulse that you end up looking at later in disgust.

Some of the best stuff I’ve ever bought is online. You tend to get some great deals, and some amazing items that you can’t get in store. Being in Australia, I can order awesome stuff from the UK and US. Seriously, pretty much everything I get complimented on in my wardrobe is from the internet.

My favourite pieces include a stunning floor length Rachel Gilbert dress, an oversized grey hooded coat from ASOS and a gorgeous see-through blouse. Love.

When I was young and fancy free (e.g. with a high disposable income), I used to live on Net-A-Porter.com. This store is the Playboy Mansion of online fashion. I bought a couple of stunning Miu Miu patent leather bags on there that are to-freaking-die-for.

The best part about Net-a-Porter, like other online stores, is receiving your purchase in the post. I think the magic is in the delay. With a simple click you’ve purchased the clothes of your dreams. But when that package finally comes in the mail, it’s like heaven. Seriously, I feel like hugging the delivery guy when he arrives at the door. For moi?

Because they don’t have the overheads that come with bricks and mortar, these guys can spend a lot of money on packaging. Beautiful boxes, tissue paper, ribbons. Forget Brad Pitt, great packaging is what really gets me off.

There are downsides. I’ve bought a pair of jeans that were so short they were basically capris. A dress I bought in a size 10 may as well have been made for a midget (at least that’s what I’m telling myself). And let’s not even discuss the denim cut-offs disaster. What looks good on a 2D 6 ft tall blonde does not necessarily look good in the real world.

As for me, I’ve just gotten an email alert about an amazing sale at mycatwalk.com.au. If you need me, I’ll be knee deep in Sass & Bide. Just knock before you enter.