A funny thing happened on the way to the boutique. I ended up blowing my spring shopping budget at Ikea. I’m exaggerating of course because no one accidentally ends up at Ikea.

It’s just that I’m one of those women who would rather wear it than sit on it. And yet I found myself joining the bizarrely ordered march of young families and empty-nesters giggling at the names of the merchandise in over-stuffed room displays twice in one weekend.

That’s right, I made the long trek from Sydney’s inner-east to Homebush on consecutive days because the desired Expedit and Billy bookshelf systems had sold out by the time we reached the help-yourself warehouse first time. Naturally this involved spending about twice as much as I had planned to (smart people those Swedes). So now my boyfriend and I share our apartment with Helmer, Glana, Pruta, Hemnes, Lerberg, Svajs, Hedda, Koppla and Hemlis.

Currently in the grips of spring fever and destined to make my combined home office which doubles as a guest room fully functional, I’d been browsing homewares catalogues and websites with the same enthusiasm as the latest airfreight UK Vogue.

Never mind that I’ve simultaneously been drooling over the delicious purple patent leather Bayswater from Mulberry featured in that particular magazine. While trying to decide if the silver goatskin version isn’t actually a better investment at 100 pounds less. Even I know the white patent bag is probably a not a smart buy.

So why is it easier to justify several pieces of DIY-assembly furniture than one exquisitely made To Die For handbag?

I want both. Truly I do. So that’s not a case of need-versus-want, neither is essential to my survival. Nor is it the cost. Or the happy well-being both sprees represent (this is a fashion blog remember) since having a well-organised, attractive home is certainly up there with toting a gorgeous well-organised attractive bag.

Perhaps it’s because when money actually matters, it’s easier to believe utility rightfully champions luxury. What unashamedly decadent items have you forgone for supposedly sensible purchases?