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So, it might be time to fess up to another one of my quirks. I have a moderate obsession with art and design.

I don't care what kind. Furniture, film, visual art, textiles, you name it, I love it all. Antiques Roadshow is in pretty regular rotation in my home, and I’m usually close to the insurance estimate the historians give. I squeal with girlish delight every so often when I open the mailbox and see a catalog from DWR. I can spot contemporary furniture a mile away, often to the irritation of my tolerant boyfriend. "Look baby, that's a Saarinen side table, I need to figure out how we can get one and where we can put it." When “Desperate Housewives” first began, I had to explain the history of one of my favorite paintings featured in the credits, The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan Van Eyck. I'm forever finding some random story about a record-breaking art sale or some new controversial contemporary exhibit and educating my family and friends on my new, fun fact. Luckily, they are also tolerant and humor me with feigned interest. Just the other night, in a tourettes-like outburst, I yelled "Cameron Diaz has on Christian Louboutin shoes, in case you were wondering," in the middle of her interview on Jay Leno. It's a weird thing, but I can't help it. At least that art degree is good for something.

It's that same art degree that has helped hone my skills to become the super-picky collector I am today. By collecting, I mean surrounding myself with things I love with the possibility of stumbling upon a good investment. I'm not the girl that buys something I don't like just because it matches my décor, or it’s the work of a popular artist. My collection is minimal. But there is one way to fix that. This week is the perfect time to get some deals on very good collection-building pieces. There is a little of everything, and you can shop safe in the knowledge I won’t be your customer competitor thanks to that student loan payment that keeps going up every month.

But I will be attending the sales, if only to get a look at what the up-and-coming creative class is working on. It feeds the fix, even if it's just a snack. Check these sales out.

LSU's School of Art sale - November 30 to December 2

The LSU art department has some of the best exhibits in town, giving us an idea of what to expect from tomorrow’s working artists. I've found a bunch of amazing art in their shows, plus it’s a nice rest from anything Louisiana-themed. This exhibit is the most affordable of the year, and the pieces sell faster than you would believe. Professors even have some work in the sale, giving anyone a chance to have an Edward Pramuk or Michael Crespo without the hefty price tag.

Ceramics sale - Now through December 1

Every semester, LSU’s ceramics department has a sale to benefit their student organization. I personally have a ton of stuff from these sales, including the bowl on my desk filled with candy that my sugar-obsessed coworkers empty regularly. But it's not all bowls and vases, so be on the lookout for some unusual things, like creepy little figurines or envelope-pushing sculptures (envelope-pushing for Baton Rouge, not envelope-pushing like Damien Hirst). They even did a drawing last year for one of Michaelene Walsh's pieces, that I have been wanting for years but did not win. Maybe this year, though; I can swing some raffle tickets.

Arts market - December 2, 9 and 16

The arts market is hosted by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge on the first Saturday of every month, but is being held three times in December. There's nothing like an open-air market where you can buy directly from the artisans. You can find one-of-a-kind jewelry, pottery, photographs, ceramics, pretty much anything. My personal favorites are the exquisite minimalist jewelry by Rachael Adamiak and the hand-carved wooden spoons and bowls. Plus, you can grab some veggies and support the local farmers at the market while you're at it.