We know how much you love a genuine, personal recommendation - and what better recommendation is there than someone spending their own, hard-earned cash on that something special?

Each month we look back on our bank statements to see what nice things we’ve bought ourselves and enjoyed. Like these below!

Meadows cotton dress, about $170 (on sale)

Omicron finally caught up with me last month, and I tried to follow the advice and rest as hard as I could. That meant hours lying in bed scrolling TikTok, perusing Etsy and Ebay for the perfect 1970s vintage ceramic cat statue (I didn’t find it), and doing an embarrassing amount of online shopping. In those digital travels I came across the brand Meadows, described succinctly as “a romantic clothing line”. It’s British, it’s twee, it’s very me, so I bought this vintage-inspired dress and I love it. - Zoe Walker Ahwa

Clinique Almost Lipstick in ‘Black Honey’, $47

TikTok made me buy this. It’s one of those ‘viral’ beauty products that pops up on your feed, with people raving about how it is universally appealing for all, applies like a dream, will change your life, pay off all your debts and deliver you eternal happiness. Apparently! It’s often sold out, so when I saw it was back in stock, I quickly hit ‘add to bag’. Is it as good as everyone says it is? I mean sure, it is nice, and I like that it provides a hint of colour with the feel of a lip gloss or balm. As someone who has a fear of lipstick, yet has somehow managed to accumulate many at the bottom of my tiny handbag, this one is like a beginner’s step. - ZW

Sexy But Psycho by Dr Jessica Taylor, $38

I’ve been so disturbed by the Amber Heard / Johnny Depp trial that I bought this book to help me understand what the patriarchal systems are that have led to the majority of society being #TeamDepp. Sexy But Psycho examines how women are pathologised and medicalised for not conforming to social stereotypes. It also, most pertinent to this current trial, explores why women who report violence are often diagnosed with personality disorders. I’m part way through it and sadly no less depressed. But knowledge is power, right? - Rebecca Wadey

Acne scarf, $420, from Zambesi

This was a big step for me, one because I have never spent this much money on a scarf, and two because most of my ‘investment pieces’ end up on the sticky floor of some bar, never to be seen again. I love wrapping up in my blanket-size scarf on chilly mornings, the moss green tartan goes with everything in my wardrobe. Hopefully it stays with me for years! - Lara Daly

A Bit Dressy soup, from $22 each 

My new life hack is going to the Grey Lynn Market on a Sunday morning and getting a delicious jar of soup to keep in the fridge at work for the week ahead. I feel like I’m both supporting local *and* not blowing the budget eating in Ponsonby each day. Win win. - RW

Itchy Knit vest, $380, from Crushes

I set an alarm so I could buy this Itchy Knits vest the instant it went online. Allie Buckley, the knitter behind the brand, sources her secondhand wool from a lady she met on Trademe who now sells her mohair wool that is leftover when she crochets blankets, hence the incredible colour combinations. The one I nabbed is called Rainbow Paddlepop, which is just so good. 

I recently saw someone on Tiktok talk about a jumper they wear when "they need a hug, but don't want to be touched", that's me most of the time and now I have the perfect item to match my mood. - Tyson Beckett

Toothbrush holder, $79, from Klay

The slimy, communal toothbrush cup has been the bane of my flatting existence. These cute shelves from Klay are a genius solution! I got the long version in bright red, which fits three brushes and your toothpaste. Even better, they are locally made in Whanganui. - LD

Vic cargo pants, $150, from Trainers SB

Okay I didn’t buy these for myself, I bought them for my son. But honestly I can’t praise the staff at this store, on Auckland's High Street, enough: they consistently make shopping with a 14-year-old an enjoyable experience. I have extensive experience working in retail (I also started my career in High St!) and no tolerance for spending money in places where people don’t want to help. These jeans are from a local denim brand I didn’t even know existed (proving my son’s point I’m not as cool as I think I am). - RW