My moment of epiphany clobbered me on the head during Mr & Mrs Smith.

Au contraire, it had nothing to do with the blindingly beautiful pairing of "Brangelina", but it did have everything to do with what Angelina Jolie wore. Warning bells started to go off when my internal radar zoned in immediately on her Christian Louboutin boots because of their distinctive blood-red soles (very appropriately coloured considering that walking in those stilettos makes you feel like you're paying a shoe homage on shattered glass bits). And her Anteprima Plastiq-like wire mesh bag that niftily unravels for use in an impromptu flying fox getaway scene. I was, and still am, a bag/shoe whore.

Welcome to my world. It's a world filled with 4-inch stilettos, kitten heels, stack-heels, wedges, slingbacks, round-toe mary janes, dainty ballet flats and pointy-toed heels that threaten to jab anyone within a 2 foot radius. Needless to say, it's also a world where impracticality is key; where the words "sturdy", "sensible", and "Dr. Scholls" have been declared sartorially illegal. Oh, and who can forget the bags: hobos, totes, clutches, wristlets, carry-alls, doctors, overnight, messengers, slings, bowling…..

Some call us crazy, we prefer to use the term Bag/Shoe Obsession Disorder. Even if you've never been accused of being an Imelda Marcos wannabe (3400 pairs of shoes is admittedly, seriously difficult to beat), we welcome you with opens arms and woefully empty bank accounts. Who knows, this article might just unleash your inner shoe diva and make a convert out of you.

Unlike your skin tight denims, which punish any extra poundage by nicking and constricting as you shimmy, slither and cajole in attempt to get that darn zipper up, shoes are never that vindictive. Bags never pull the guilt trip as you're scoffing down a pint of Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey, they don't gaze at you reproachfully with the pointed "are-you-sure-you-really-need-to-eat-that" look.

In the unforgiving world of fashion, where the golden ticket lies resides with the size 0s, shoes and bags are friends. Why else are women willing to risk bunions, claw toes, calluses, pinched nerves and plastic surgery (all the better to fit into them Manolos, dahling), for that delicately curved arch, the sensual hint of toe cleavage? What else, but a 70% markdown on bags/shoes sale can transform perfectly poised women into bona fide harpies from hell: squatting compromisingly on the floor, Louis Vuitton Joesphine bag flung to a corner, rummaging through the bargain bin for THAT shoe or bag. Even if no one, including herself, has any idea what said shoe/bag actually looks like.

Like that infamous credit card advertisement of late, the men don't get it. It's a phenomenon that bewilders them, the glazed look (a friend swears he saw a lightbulb illuminate and my eyes brighten as we happened to saunter by Nine West) like a Pavlovian response once words ranging from Xodus to On Pedder; Ricks to Balenciaga are mentioned. Then again, does it really matter even if they do? Men have their power tools, snazzy cars and Sport Illustrated swimsuit editions; women on the other hand, have bags and shoes. Plus a whole lotta other stuff, but we're so not venturing into those territories right now…. We all have our guilty pleasures, and it's a harmonious dichotomy that's best not tampered with.

Apart from the non fat-discriminatory nature of bags and shoes, any girl will verify that the right pair of shoes that fits just-so, whether it's flat or heeled, gives you that extra spring in your step, the all important self-confidence and feel-good factor. Same goes for bags. Wearing heels not only makes you look and feel taller (duh), it elongates the length of your leg, oomphs up your walk and personally, there's just something therapeutic about the rhythmic clicking sound of heel against pavement.

You know how the saying goes, "one can never be too rich…. Or own too many bags and shoes."

Below is a listing of Funkygrad's pick of kickass online stores retailing bags, accessories, shoes, clothes and general girliness:

1. Mellow (http://www.mellowonline.net)
Reminiscent of a whimsical Muji, Mellow makes all of us feel like little girls again with its range of simple, uncluttered designs. The bags themselves are made of canvas and therefore suitable for everyday use. Drawings are entirely original, endearing themselves to hordes of female tertiary students everywhere by being ultra quirky yet melancholic at the same time.

2. Rouge (http://www.rougeonline.com)
This is a veritable treasure trove for the online shopper junkie! Kudos to the extremely professional and polished website, with the added bonus of actually being tried and tested. We've had friends make purchases from this online store and come back gushing with rave reviews and giving it the thumbs up. The store also carries the LoopNYC range of bags, which can be hard to source in Singapore save for purchasing them online. The range is best known for gaining a cult following for its colourful, wacky bags that just scream cute like nobody's business. Need extra incentive? It's also got a range for guys.

3. Urban Nymph (http://www.urbannymph.com)
Again, another yummy find with items catalogued nicely for easy browsing. We're fond of this site for its drool-inducing descriptions, which makes it that much harder to make a decision and just that much easier to overspend! Very much for the girl-about-town who just needs that special something to complete her outfit for every occasion.

4. Swirl (http://www.ilovetoswirl.com)
This is the writer's personal favourite since it's ultra-girley with strong retro undertones. It's a little pricey, but hey every starving student has the right to ogle and dream of the day she can look every bit as fabulous as the girls in Sex and the City, of which the items on this site strongly remind us of. Very limited edition stock, but extremely worth it if you need that instant pick-me-up that can only come with looking like a million bucks.

5. Ruby Sky Shoes (http://www.rubyskyshoes.com)
Granted, this site doesn't actually sell shoes as much as it provides an online catalogue for its range which can be found in Fling (The Heeren), Retail Therapy (Wheelock Place) and Trixilini (Mandarin Gallery). However, for those tired of the usual drab footwear they stock at most shoe shops here, we guarantee you'll fast become a fan of their ultra-glamarous heels with an eye for detail and an emphasis on comfort and class. Enjoy!

(We figured there's probably a lack of online shoe stores because people are a little leery of purchasing footwear they can't actually see and try on until after payment! After all, the comfort level of your shoes does make or break your day.)