Much has been said about the fundamental differences between the two types of designer bag lady out there - the real versus the fake.

If you are a fake shopper you can get a two week holiday to Asia and the latest Chloe all for the cost of a real one with a massage everyday thrown in for free.

Real shoppers have the satisfaction of knowing they own something that remains a dream for many people. That if purchased well they will never have to choose another style for years to come as theirs is a classic style that will never date.

Its often difficult to tell between the real and fake especially when the copies are so good. There are websites devoted to selling Marc Jacobs and Gucci and everything in between. But when the “brass” padlocks start scratching on the fake Paddington’s, its time to trade yours in for another It bag.

Not content with mere designer bags, my dream bag is the Hermes Birkin in tan leather. I decided I wanted one as the ultimate baby bag. And after hearing Gwyneth telling New York magazine that the absolute last word in luxury is using a vintage Birkin for dirty nappies, that sealed the deal - I had to have one.

I had been recommended to a few sites, one in particular that lets you customise your Birkin with leather choices, colour and size. At a price of about $250 all this would be sent to my door in a Hermes box and dust bag. And, I thought if I don’t like it aren’t there plenty of people passing them off on Ebay?

When the time came to choose one I just couldn’t do it.

The delusional thing about me is that I actually believe that one day I will own a $30,000 Birkin bag. That my husband will magically see the baby, gaze down at me adoringly and say “of course darling, after that how can I say no” and I won’t have to sacrifice the diamond ring I chose as my baby present either. So I hold off in hope.

I guess I just live in a material world…………..