We all have our addictions. Drinking, smoking, reality TV, whatever it is-we all struggle with something. Truth be told, I'm really more of of a social drinker and I'm not sure how to inhale on a cigarette. I do love reality TV but these days the channel always seems to be on Spongebob Squarepants. So what am I addicted to? Shopping.

This isn't the first time I've come to you guys about this. Last year, I was forcibly put on a cash budget by the hubs to curb my habits. And it worked, for the most part, until I fell off the wagon while shopping for the kids and wrote about it here.

But I vowed to do better. And I did-although the fact I started a new job that kept me incredibly busy was the real reason I wasn't shopping-I simply didn't have time to spend in my favorite stores! I just couldn't find a minute in the day to peruse the lovely aisles of that crackpipe called The Container Store. Oh, and Loehmann's. And Nordstrom. And Cost Plus. Basically, I tried not to step foot anywhere that had anything I might want.

But with two kids under age seven, one of my all-time fave places, Target, is unavoidable. We've had birthday party invites coming out of our ass lately, and it feels like we spend more time stalking those toy aisles than we do at home. And believe it or not, I had mastered the art of only buying what we came there for. That means no Missoni, no dragonfly statues for the garden and NO BOOKS. And I'm not gonna lie, I felt pretty smug about my ability to put on blinders while there. There were even times we exited the store spending LESS THAN $100. A miracle, as many of you know.

So when the hubs gave me a free pass to run over to Loehmann's and do some shopping for my upcoming birthday, I thought I had things figured out. I wasn't going to fall off the wagon AGAIN, was I?

Oh yes I was. Bigtime.

My arms ached as I carried the ridiculously large pile of clothes around the store, adding on sweaters and dresses and belts. How would my life be complete without that adorable striped sweatshirt to wear to the kid's soccer practice? And how could I go on living without that Calvin Klein dress? And why had I never owned one of those really cool huge ass belts? NO WAY was I too old for it!

I shopped. And then I shopped and shopped some more. I made three trips into that communal dressing room, my addiction on display for the world to see. (Dear Loehmann's dressing room attendant, I saw your judging head shake! Or maybe you were just wondering why I was trying to rock that belt?!?)

And after I finished there, I remembered that we are taking Christmas photos next week. Panic set in. WTF would we wear?! I made it my mission to find the outfits that would make the world believe my life was a perfect as the black and white carefree snapshot I send them each year.(LOL!) Something that would look fabulous as we skipped along the beach holding hands and fake laughing in between me screaming at the kids not to get their clothes dirty. And two hours later, I found them. Oh, and I also found an additional two pairs of shoes, a purse the size of a suitcase and a questionable hat.

And the hangover was already starting to settle in. Why had I bought a turtleneck? Did I wear ANY other color than grey and black? Did I really need another one of those sweaters that hangs down to your knees? Did that hat make my face look like a bowling ball? (Um, yes it does.)

So I'm making the dreaded trip back for some returns today. Not everything, but a few things that I picked up while foaming at the mouth. Things I really don't need and probably won't wear. Like that freakin' belt. And the humungous purse which now makes me cringe each time I walk past it.

The good news? I'm getting better. Yes, I went slightly insane this weekend, but I recovered quickly and feel good about what I'm returning, something I never would have done in the past. So it's baby steps, people. Or at least that's what I tell my husband!

What are you addicted to?

xoxo, Liz