At the end of each month, we look back on our bank statements to remember the nice things we bought that made us smile. This month was particularly fruitful - we invested in rainy day activities, happier hair days, practical storage solutions and so much more.

As always, there's nothing #gifted to see here - everything on this list was purchased with our own hard-earned cash, and comes genuinely recommended from us to you.

Kacey Musgraves hoodie, about $80

Not to be a huge emo, but Kacey Musgraves’ song Happy & Sad speaks to my soul, and her happy tears face symbol does too. The musician recently released new merch to celebrate five years since she released her incredible album Golden Hour, and I bought this hoodie immediately. I also got a crying smiley sticker and phone case because they were on sale, and regret not getting the Happy & Sad grinder. - Zoe Walker Ahwa

Carrier Company backpack, $241

I had a dear friend with exceptional taste come and stay recently. She carried this bag everywhere and I loved it so much I looked up the company and bought the exact same one. Perks of friends with good taste who live in different countries! 

It fits a ridiculous amount of things inside it, thus eliminating the need for the four tote bags I was leaving the house with, spilling clothes, laptop, smoothies and lunch as I ran for the car each morning. Plus it’s waterproof and super comfortable to wear on your back. - Rebecca Wadey

“The Masters” artist’s soap from Takapuna Art Supplies, $15

I'm also a makeup artist, and washing piles of makeup brushes after every job is the bane of my existence. So I bought this old-timey soap bar for motivation, and it makes me feel like I'm a master at work. It is designed to condition brushes while it removes things like oil paint, so foundation and eyeshadow pigments don’t stand a chance – all my babies smell like peppermint and look sparkling new, even after this colourful beauty shoot. - Lara Daly

Seed Heritage leather A-line skirt, $270 

The absolute last thing my wardrobe needs is another item that requires specialist dry-cleaning. However I recently realised I didn't actually own a single skirt so bought this leather mini on a semi whim from Seed one lunchtime (they have a store opposite our office). I have been wearing it a lot and don’t see that letting up over winter. Do I wish I'd walked an extra couple of blocks and discovered this longer version at Kate Sylvester? Maybe. - Tyson Beckett

Ouai Finishing Creme, $49, from Sephora

I visited Sephora IRL at Sylvia Park recently and was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the service, store design and mix of brands they stocked (JVN! Burberry Beauty! Pat McGrath! Fenty! I was interested to see most people congregating around the Rare Beauty stand). If I wasn't totally stressed out by the swarms of people shopping I probably would've spent longer there and bought more, but I did grab this hair cream in an attempt to combat the frizz. - ZWA

Ganni studded clogs, $400 (on sale)

I copied Tyson (who bought a brown leather pair last month), and have the blisters to prove it. - LD

Paul Maseyk finger cup, $60

I freaking love a gift shop, and purchased this from the exceptional Driving Creek Store after doing the railway tour over Easter. In the dream world I live in, where my home is like Kim Kardashian’s bathroom, every tumbler, mug, plate and bowl I own is perfectly imperfectly pottery. The reality is I live in a home where we can barely be trusted to keep Kmart homewares alive. Perhaps this purchase is my flicking the finger to that life I dream of. Regardless, this ‘cup’ is living on a windowsill, up high, away from dogs, cats, children and butter fingered husbands. - RW

Cottagecore puzzle, $30, from Whitcoulls

I’m a puzzle girlie now, thanks to Rebecca’s years of encouragement. It has been the best and most effective way to get off my phone/TikTok, and it appeals greatly to my type-A, solution-driven personality. If anything it’s proven that if I take on something, I will do it obsessively… Since being converted I’ve borrowed some from Rebecca, completed our Ensemble x Lettuce cake and cat puzzles, and brought a few others – including an illustrated twee cottage scene, very similar to this one. I wouldn’t say these Whitcoulls ones are the best, but they’ll do. - ZWA

Milka Zaleska ceramic vase, $200

I met Polish ceramicist Milka Zaleska in Vanuatu over the summer, shortly after she moved to Aotearoa. I’ve been looking forward to acquiring one of her works since and I’m so thrilled with this brilliant blue piece. As mentioned, in an ideal world I would have lots of beautiful matching sets of pottery, but I’m a realist and have come to be comfortable with one-off luxe pieces that can be set away from the household melee. This vase is a great example of that: a brilliant colour that can either hold its own or be styled for special occasions. - RW

The Gentlewoman with Greta Gerwig on the cover, $50

I haven’t bought a print magazine in a while, because often I feel like I’m simply reading the internet on a few pieces of paper. If they are to survive in our digital age, I think magazines now need to really offer something meaty and different to our social feeds, with long reads and beautiful design. And that’s coming from someone who used to visit MagNation pretty much every Sunday for a new issue!

Last month I did buy the latest issue of Metro (that cover is brilliant), and this month, the Greta Gerwig issue of The Gentlewoman. My favourite magazine, with the director of the upcoming Barbie film on the cover (and with a 14-page profile inside), and the most perfect shade of lilac: swoon. - ZWA

Bread Wash-Day Essentials kit, $85 (bought on sale) 

I bought this in an attempt to get back on the curly-girl bandwagon that I should never have hopped off. I’ve been over-washing my hair with cheap supermarket shampoo, heat styling, and brushing my curls in an act of self-sabotage. My hair looks and feels angry with me – a big frizzy mess. 

“This kit is made to make curls happy,” the Sephora salesperson reassured me. It certainly makes my nostrils happy – the shampoo smells like marshmallows, the jumbo-sized deep conditioner smells like vanilla cake frosting and the hair oil smells like grape-flavoured lollies. Now I look forward to showering and my curls are slowly returning to their former glory. - LD

Subscription to E-Tangata ($5/month) and The Audacity (US$5/month)

I’m a firm believer in paying for the kind of media you want to consume, should you be in a position to do so. These are two of the half dozen paid subscriptions I currently hold. To be honest they are more about supporting the kaupapa than consuming the content – much as I like to think I spend more time reading Roxane Gay than the Daily Mail, that would be incorrect – but it soothes my brain to know I am making this tiny step for a better world. Also, this is a great reminder that we also have an Ensemble Members program! - RW

Storage King Wardrobe Carton, $20

I'm moving house next weekend and because I apparently get off on obsessive organising, I've splashed out on a fancy cardboard box in an attempt to make it a joy rather than an ordeal. It's tall and has a metal pole across the top so you can hang your wardrobe in one box, better living everybody! 

Before you start, I know it is absolute madness to spend $20 on a literal cardboard box, but this will be the 21st time this Aucklander has moved houses in her 32-years. Give a Virgo renter a break. - TB