Scrolling back through our bank statements at the end of each month can be confronting, but we love to share the nice, non-essential items we bought with you.

Aside from one expensive accident, in April - our 'Money' themed month - we ticked a lot of practical things off our lists. Rebecca got the perfect nightie for a hospital stay, Lara finally bought proper running shoes, and Tyson discovered a $6 condiment that drastically improves all her meals.

As always, this is a strictly #gifted free zone – we bought everything here with our own hard-earned cash, and genuinely think you might like them too.

The Moonflowers ‘Juniper’ nightie, $110

I’m having major surgery in a couple of weeks (before anyone panics and calls me, I should hasten to say it’s a hysterectomy. When you have a history of cancer you can’t be obtuse about such things). I decided a nightie would make everything better but couldn’t find anything I liked, so dropped a message in the Ensemble group chat and Zoe suggested The Moonflowers. I’m obsessed with this nightie, and am looking forward to putting it on and  taking to my bed like a woman from Victorian times. By which I mean, with lots of lovely prescription meds. - Rebecca Wadey

Salomon x Marie-Jeanne RX sneakers, $270 

I’m going to be real with you: these are ugly, and I accidentally bought them. I’d seen these Mary Jane sneakers on cool girls on TikTok and signed up to a sneaker draw from an Australian store, without really realising what that meant (it’s not a ‘I might buy this’ wish list: you’re being charged if you’re successful and you can’t return them… an expensive woops!). They’re very much part of the current trend for ‘ballet sneakers’, and are giving Marni, 00s Skechers and aqua/reef shoes, all at once. But they're now the most comfortable shoes I own. – Zoe Walker Ahwa

Fan Sao Guang spicy enoki mushrooms, $6, from Lim Chhour (or most Asian supermarkets)

I’ve been using this spicy, chewy in a good way delight in the same way you might kimchi – stirred into noodle soups, through stir fries and spooned on top of rice. I fried an egg in the oil the other day and that was very delicious, but I’ve mostly been stealing forkfuls straight from the jar everytime I open the fridge. It’s got all the good stuff: star anise, fennel, garlic, chilli, msg and enough salt to cure an egg yolk. – Tyson Beckett

Kaitaia Fire Waha Wera Kiwifruit & Habanero sauce, $8

A graphic designer friend with incredibly good taste thinks that Kaitaia Fire's branding is perfect and should never be altered; I concur. I was reminded of that when I saw this at the counter of Daily Bread when I was buying my morning coffee, so picked up a bottle to try and was not disappointed. Another delicious spicy condiment to add to my stash. - ZWA

Shadow Damage by Nicole Brannen, $80

Nicole Brannen (@babybrannen) is incredibly talented behind the camera - if you live in New Zealand and you like fashion, you will have come across her photography, either on Ensemble or for brands like Kate Sylvester, Wixii and Georgia Jay. I was gutted to miss her exhibition last month, so I made sure to buy a copy of her first ever book - a collection of nostalgic photos captured in Aotearoa and beyond with her signature warmth. I’m moving to Australia in a couple months, and I’ll be opening this up any time I’m feeling homesick. - Lara Daly

Nami record bar Pét Nat Pinot Noir Syrah, $35

I’ve been pretty emo about the various closures recently – Omni hit me hard (though I’m excited about their new project…) – so seeing this new hospo spot opening was the positive tonic that I needed.

Paulee and the team from Auckland’s Ockhee and Swings have taken over the spot previously occupied by the iconic Conch for 26 (!) years, with a record bar called nami — which is also right by our Ensemble office, yay. They’ve released some merch with profits going into making the space “even better for everyone to hang out, sip tasty drinks and enjoy the soulful tunes” which sounds delightful; I immediately hit ‘buy’ on this wine made for them by Dan Gillet from Selection Massale. But I couldn’t tell you if it’s a ‘nice thing’ as it hasn’t arrived yet. - ZWA

Nami record bar Pét Nat Pinot Noir Syrah and ‘where records revolve the culture evolves’ T-shirt bundle, $80

I didn’t even talk to Zoe about this, it’s a complete coincidence. But after celebrating how a record-spinning, dance conducive, local snack serving outlet from one of our favourite hospo operators is opening a block from HQ, the very next thing I saw on Instagram was a post explaining how we could support them before they open. Being incredibly selfless I bought the wine and the t-shirt. The t-shirt is potentially a birthday gift for my husband (this is a test to see if he reads Ensemble….) or if it’s too small for him I’ll give it to one of my teen boys. Everyone’s a winner. But, mainly me for having this bar move in right next to the office. - RW

Striped ruffle pillow, about $80

My interior style is the opposite of minimalist; I’m a fan of colour, pastels, Laura Ashley florals, Martha Stewart vibes, knick-knacks, 1980s chintz and a ruffle (in moderation). I’ve searched Etsy and other vintage online stores for ruffle cushions for a while, and finally bought a new, homemade version this month. If there ever was a sign that I’m turning 40 this year, surely it’s buying a kitschy scatter cushion… - ZWA

Adidas AdiZero Boston 11 running shoes, $100 (on sale down from $290)

I hesitated to put these in here - I wouldn’t describe them as a “nice thing” (they’re hideous) - but when you have been running in a dilapidated pair of Nike Cortez for as long as I have, it’s worth writing about. I copped these on sale at Dress Smart Onehunga and my god, they are life-changing. Catch me boosting around Western Springs park - you can try!! - LD