On the theme of inspiration, I wanted to talk about where I generally get mine from when it comes to my fashion choices. As an avid reader of glossy magazines such as Elle and Vogue I find myself poring over their pages each month, waiting for them to provide me with an idea for my next fashion fix.

I was more than a little excited about the prospect of a weekend in the “big smoke� (just ask anyone in the office – I was practically bouncing off the walls!) and it more than lived up to my expectations, especially when it came to the shops.

Seeing as we were so close, it would have been rude not to go to Harrods first. I knew I was safe in there as pretty much everything was out of my price range! I wandered around, taking in the exquisite surroundings and all the clothes, shoes, bags and accessories and wishing I had more than £20 in my purse. A girl can dream...

I hit the shops this weekend in the hope of finding some new clothes to help my transition from winter woolies to spring brights, but came away pretty much empty handed (bar a couple of pairs of shoes, more of which later.)

Of course, most of us don’t have the £5, 490 Kate splashed out on her Chanel birthday outfit but, as always, the high street has come up trumps with their own versions of the trend. One of my personal favourites (and a recent addition to my wardrobe) is a little black chiffon dress with white stars on from New Look. At £25, it’s definitely within the price range of us mere mortals! Dorothy Perkins also have a lovely cream blouse with bow detail and metallic star print at £28.

A couple of years ago my Dad came up with a gem of an idea for a present for Mum at Christmas – pennies to spend on pretty things and someone to help her do it. As with most Mums, every time mine went shopping to get something for herself, she’d inevitably come back with everything but. This was the perfect present to ensure that every penny spent was on her.

Stepping into the hotel we instinctively knew to follow our noses to find the clothes, as the foyer was filled with the musty smell of vintage fashion. The first room we went into was the smaller of the two, but was an eclectic mix of sparkling jewellery, bags, clothes and other pieces dating from the 1920s up until the 1980s. However, the first thing that caught my eye was to be one of the most exciting purchases I’d ever made.

A shopping spree was long overdue and much needed, so the first Saturday I had free I headed into Newcastle to spend, spend, spend!

I was fully expecting to come back with nothing considering that’s what usually happens when I actually have money. It’s always the way – I’m penniless and I find loads of things I want. I have money and I see nothing!

Thankfully the shopping gods were working in my favour that day...

As soon as I was able to, I’d be buying as many magazines as I could afford, pouring over the pages and taking in how the outfits were put together from the hairstyle and make-up to the shoes and everything else in between.

I had found my passion in life and it just keeps on growing stronger the older I get.