Some people like to claim that they are born to shop, but Mandi Norwood really means it. Norwood is the founding editor of the American magazine of SHOP Etc., which is devoted entirely to shopping. A style maven in her own right, Norwood counts Jean Shrimpton as her style icon but can't resist the occasional snowglobe or high street bargain from Miss Selfridge or Oasis.

Norwood is no stranger to the world of publishing. She was the editor-in-chief of Mademoiselle from 2000-2001 and, before that, editor of British Cosmopolitan from 1995-2000. In 1993, she was named Women's Magazine Editor of the Year by the British Society of Magazine Editors and she also has a book under her belt, Sex and the Married Girl (St. Martin's Press), which was released in spring 2003.

What is the last place you visited, and where is the next place you're going?

The last place I visited was Southampton for Memorial Day weekend and spent two days shopping and relaxing on the beach with my family. We stayed at the Southampton Inn, in one of their new rooms and had such a good night's sleep on a Tempurpedic bed, we came home and immediately ordered one!

 When you need to relax and get away from it all, where do you go?
We just love the Hamptons, but it's not really getting away from it all. I tend to see more people I know there than when I'm in the city, so I always feel the need to look presentable ”“ make-up, hair, matching flip-flops! To really get away from it all, the Berkshires ”“ around Lenox, Lee and Stockbridge -- is a reasonable drive from NYC for a decompressing weekend. Lake Placid is another breathtakingly beautiful favourite.

What are some of your favourite cities for shopping and why?
It's hard to beat New York for shopping, but London is fabulous! Over the past ten years, it's just gotten better and better. There's nothing to beat what they call their ”˜high street' stores”¦such as Top Shop, Oasis, Miss Selfridge, Kookai, Russell & Bromley. They deliver sizzling hot fashion at really good prices. Their department stores (Selfridges, Harvey Nichols) are also excellent and so much more modern and easier to navigate than here in the U.S. And I have to mention Marks & Spencer ”“ there's still nowhere like M&S for quality and value in everything from cashmere T-shirts to sausage rolls.

What do you like to shop for when travelling?
I'm a sucker for gift shops. Show me a snow globe and I'll show you the inside of my wallet within three seconds flat. The truth is, I just love to shop, so wherever we go, I have to visit every store, however grand, however trashy.

What is your favourite item that you've bought while travelling?
A painting in LA, by Amanda Dern, the step-mother of actress Laura Dern (not that her celebrity connection had anything to do with my decision). Apparently, she only paints roses ”“ which I love. And this particularly painting is of three gigantic, dewy blooms. I confess I know very little about art, but I just believe that if something moves you, it has to be good.

And what item do you regret buying?
Oh, all sorts of bowls, vases, boxes”¦ if I just can't find anything to buy that I really love, I figure you can't really go wrong with a bowl. Trouble is, you end up with tons of mismatched bowls all over the house. Every couple of years, I have a clear out”¦and start all over again.

Describe your personal style.
Imagine Prada-meets-J.Crew-meets-HenriBendel”¦ my style depends so much on my mood. One day, I look crisp and tailored, the next day, I'm crazy for ruffles.

Who or what is your style icon?
There's no particular person with a style that all-out inspires me. But my favourite style decade is the sixties. If I had to name names, Jean Shrimpton embodies the sexy simplicity I love.

What is the last great shop you discovered?
LF in Southampton, a tiny boutique, stuffed to the gills with cooler-than-cool tops, pants, shoes, accessories, footless tights”¦many small European labels. The buyers clearly know what they're doing. I recently went in there with my two daughters who thought they'd landed in paradise. I had to physically restrain them from taking a million things into the fitting room”¦otherwise, how was I going to cram my own million things into the fitting room?! In the end, feeling very generous, I told them they could each buy two pieces, then when we got in line to pay, we were behind a girl whose father bought her $2,700 worth of stuff!  

Are you bargain hunter or an impulse buyer?
I'm definitely an impulse buyer”¦I have to be as I'm so busy. On the rare occasions I've taken time to consider a purchase, I've gone back to the store only to find the item has gone! If I can make an impulse purchase from the sale rack, even better!

What is your favourite spot in NYC for a post-shopping break?
Fred's at Barney's. Shopping fuel doesn't get more delicious than their Belgian fries.

Click here for Mandi Norwood's address book.