'Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall — Who's The Wealthiest Of Them All?'

Dolls, unless you live under a fashion rock, you'll know that this week was the annual Met Gala Ball. It runs on luxury and drives in wealthy, allowing for only the biggest celebrities to strut their red carpet in Gucci, Versace and Prada. The sad reality of being a Shopaholic, Dolls, is that not all pretty Shopaholics have Kardashian parents to pay for our wardrobes but that certainly doesn't mean we're not going to dress for our ticket to the Met! I'm going to delve into every adjustment you must make to truly look like The Wealthiest Of Them All...

---

The Subranch Of A Very Big Tree

Shopaholics, every expenditure, every divine item for sale and every designer outfit starts in 'B' and ends in 'K'. If the bank is where the magic begins, we Shopaholics must keep it efficient using the two principles: saving your money and organising your money. I must confess to you a pretty girl's best secret: saving money fuels your inner fire. Watching your savings grow makes you feel in control of your life as your resilience against troubling times under any foreseeable circumstances grows stronger. When I first opened my bank account, my mother took me to the bank and we opened an account under my name. It's separated into two branches. The first is called 'EVERYDAY OPTIONS' dedicated to daily expenditures and the second is called 'EVERYDAY OPTIONS SUB' which is a special subbranch that I can't easily access and it's dedicated to savings. If I went about saving my money by keeping a mental note of my weekly allowance, it would be easier for me to give in to temptations. Instead, if I want to access my savings, I am forced to look at my subbranch separately from my everyday allowance. Usually, when I see my savings efforts laid before my eyes, I decide that my impulses aren't worth it. I promise you, Dolls, that creating a subbranch will attract a bigger tree than you could've dreamed of.

---

Research, Research, Research!

If you want to look the part, you have to know where to look. Except sometimes looking isn't enough. You must know how to look... in places you hadn't thought of, under rocks you've never lifted and asking directions from the strangest of strangers. I began foraging the internet for pre-loved designer products and my success from simply lifting my little finger more purposefully seemed rather incredulous. Just the other day, I found an identical pink corset laced with black thread being sold by two different sellers with a $10 price difference and a $10 shipping difference. How many times have you thought Google was listening to you? That's because it is. You can curate your 'suggested items' by being meticulous with your browsing- only searching for items in your size, clicking 'like' on items that are exactly what you want and ruling out originally priced or overpriced pieces. Finally, you must be consistent, looking at the new stock, new websites and new sellers daily so that Google knows you're a serious Shopaholic and dangles the delectable T-Bone steak for you to bite. My closet began to be filled with Chanel and Dior. I've confessed to you before that I often fake it 'till I make it and Dolls, there are plenty of replica luxury clothes in mint condition sold at well-known stores for fractions of the price. Compare thread counts, fabrics and colours from the original store and the knock-off store to find your most suitable contender.

---

Manifesting A Rich Girl's Mindset

If you start acting and thinking like a rich girl, I promise you that the rich girl lifestyle will open its arms to you. To manifest a rich girl's mindset, we have to know what a rich girl's mindset is and luckily, I have her confessions...

• Pretty over a price tag

• Quality matters

• If I want it, I got it

Manifesting is about creating possibilities for yourself, even when reality tells you it's impossible. To start thinking with your newly established mentality, the key is to bend the rules and not overthink. Walk into Prada stores and act as though you are there to buy every item in the store, subscribe to Chanel mailing lists as if you'll be the first to get your hands on the latest releases, and let your heart and eyes guide your love for items, not the price tag. Once you trick the universe into thinking cash is the air you breathe, the prospect of expensive opportunities surrounds you... grand discounts for one day only on your first visit to that particular store, astray $50 notes on sidewalks and items collecting cobwebs on your 'dream clothes' list for years appearing at your local thrift store. Don't believe me, Dolls? What do you have to lose?

---

Time To Buy

I've given you all the tools, and now it's time to wrap your gift box with a big, pink, sequin bow, Dolls! To put your newfound skills into play, Depop & Etsy are the metaverses of true vintage and designer clothes, shoes and accessories. For those of you who adore an in-store experience, thrift stores will tickle your fancy. Don't expect fast results with thrift stores, Dolls, because while one store may have everything you've ever wanted, you'll wonder how the next could bear to call what they sell 'clothes'. Another mentionable store that isn't designer but sells designer looking items is Zara.

---

I think I've been overly generous with confessions this week, Dolls, and I need to be more restrained because soon, I'm going to have nothing left to confess! I love you, Shopaholics!

COS x