We celebrated our second birthday at Ensemble this month, so naturally we felt justified to buy ourselves a few treats.
These weren’t #gifted, we bought them with our own hard-earned cash and liked them so much we simply had to recommend them to you.
Benton The Label ‘Gulliver’ shirt, $289
You may already know about my historical love of collars, so of course I was interested in the various offerings from local label Benton. I’ve had my eye on the adorable sailor or square collared blouses for a while, but this bright red button-front option with a white square collar with satin ribbon detail was the one that truly spoke to my twee soul. - Zoe Walker Ahwa, Ensemble co-founder and editor
Flora Bird silver and enamel ‘Trypophobia’ ring, $200
Flora Magnolia Bird Reilly-Davis is an incredible jeweler and dear friend of mine, and yes that is her real name. I've been gifted many of her one-off creations over the years, some I've lost, because I’m the worst, and thinking about them still breaks my heart.
Flora is always dripping in stacks of her rings, at least five earrings and a couple of her handmade chains. Essentially she’s a walking jewelry shop who is dangerous to be around, especially when you’re a few wines deep. Last weekend I bought this amazing chunky, textured silver and green ring right off her finger and it’s one of the better drunken impulse decisions I’ve made. - Lara Daly, publishing co-ordinator
Dr Martens Myles Slide sandals, $270
I have quite particular taste and get easily paralysed by choice - it took me more than two years to buy a pair of loafers because I couldn't commit to a pair that didn't have exactly the right balance between heel height, toe roundness and minimal adornment.
The same fear of commitment meant I sweated through last summer in closed toe shoes, and the thought of suffering the same fate this year was enough to motivate me into finally following through on purchasing a pair of slides. As a shorty, I like that they've got a bit of a built up heel. I'll be wearing them the second the temperature reaches 20 degrees. - Tyson Beckett, Ensemble/Stuff style reporter
UGG classic ultra mini boot, $220 (on sale for $154)
A small part of me is embarrassed to admit that I bought these. Not because of the style - they’re comfortable and sturdy and cool - but because this was one of those rare times where I was influenced to purchase by celebrity paparazzi photos. I was very into Sienna Miller’s boho style in the noughties so of course I had a pair of the traditional taller Ugg boots (though mine were from Peter Alexander, lol), but these cropped versions feel easier and tidier to wear. - ZWA
Gloria green velvet scrunchie, $40
This isn’t the first time we’ve recommended an oversized scrunchie, and probably won’t be the last. My big scrunchie obsession started with a silk polka dot one by Emma Jing, which I have thrashed. I’ve been admiring all the clever hair accessories from Gloria (by Kristine Crabb) for a while now, and when I finally made it to her showroom, this caper green number immediately caught my eye. Having thick wavy hair with a mind of its own, this is perfect for throwing it up when I’m too lazy/busy to do anything else. - LD
Ingrid Starnes 'Herodias' dress, $479 (on sale from $599)
I’ve been searching a while for something playful and fun. The dress code for our Ensemble birthday festivities was ‘intelligence and whimsy’ but it feels like whimsy is a hard ask in the post-Covid retail climate. I was scrolling through Instagram two days before the party and saw this dress. It’s the perfect ‘me’ shape - a backless sack, with pockets (it can be worn both ways so the scoop is in the front rather than the back). I clicked through to buy it instantly. I adore Ingrid and the thoughtful, incredibly transparent business she founded with her husband Simon and felt like it was the perfect brand to represent at our party. - Rebecca Wadey, Ensemble co-founder and partnerships director
Gloria black silk 'Monica' bow, $90
Yes, every Ensemble team member with thick curly hair has purchased a Gloria hairpiece this month. I came across this hair comb when I was out picking up clothes to send to LA for our shoot with Melanie Lynskey. My hair is generally too thick for hair accessories but I loved how the bow sat, so I went back a couple of weeks later and bought it. Yay. - RW
Duck Island icecream cake, $75
This past week has been all about cake. So. Many. Cakes. And absolute incredible deliciousness supplied by our friends at Bluebells, The Caker and Zi Sweet for our birthday celebrations in Auckland, and Tomboy Cake and Baby Cakes in Wellington. The rules of engagement for this column however are that we must’ve spent our own money on it. And I was so caked out by the time my son’s 13th birthday rolled around that I bought an icecream cake from Duck Island. - RW
