Looking back on our bank statements at the end of every month can be a painfully confronting task, but we do it for you - because who can trust social media for genuine recommendations these days? There's nothing #gifted to see here, just some purchases we made with our own hard-earned cash that were 100% worth it.

‍Hibiscus flower necklace, $70, from Our Little Market NZ

I came across Our Little Market NZ when they had a pop up store in Ponsonby, and I bought a couple of great accessories that they stocked by local makers. I like their simple ethos – "We're here to champion small business, and help curious customers find wee treasures" – and their eye for cool things from small and Pasifika-owned businesses. I don't wear much jewellery, but this sweet sterling silver hibiscus flower necklace caught my eye when they shared it on Instagram and I happily added to cart. - Zoe Walker Ahwa

All Bird sugar slides, $80 

My sister got married in the bush in the Coromandel last weekend. She had a rule of no one buying anything new to wear to the wedding but I broke it by buying these slides. Which didn’t arrive in time anyway (in their defence, I left it until the last minute). So in the end, I wore bare feet (as did the groom!) and my favourite Kate Sylvester dress. I love these slides though. They are easily the comfiest on the planet, and the perfect thing to wear to my annual pedicure. - Rebecca Wadey

Ganni sweater, US$248, from the OutNet

I’m never proud of myself when I buy things from overseas, but I am feeling very pleased with myself for this somewhat impulse purchase that arrived and was even better than I’d imagined. I do, however, worry I am slowly morphing into Zoe, between my hair bows and this big ass collar... am I a dog starting to look like its owner? - RW

Ganni clogs, $213, from Ssense

Rebecca isn’t the only Ganni girl on Team Ensemble. After months of price comparing, adding to and removing from cart and general umming / aahing, I finally committed to these Ganni sandals, just in time for autumn to roll in.

Some level of cultural cringe is getting in the way of me getting fully on board with the nostalgia fuelled espadrille revival, but these felt like a nice middle ground. They are surprisingly comfortable too, thanks I think to the built up platform heel and the super-soft leather straps. - Tyson Beckett

Gelous builder gel nail polish and shimmer top coat, $22 each

I've written before about how much I hate going to the nail salon, so this month I finally dusted off my UV gel-curing lamp (a lockdown purchase, obviously) and ordered a few bottles of my go-to manicure order: sheer pink builder gel (it's harder than normal gel) with an opal top coat.

Buying a UV lamp is an investment, one I kinda regretted before I finally learnt how to safely remove a gel manicure at home. Patience is key, people! I gave myself a very professional looking manicure from the comfort of my couch and it was meditative, satisfying, and dare I say, empowering? - Lara Daly

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum 60ml, $147 

My skin’s been a real spotty brat lately, so when I was walking through duty free earlier this month, it didn’t take much to convince me to pick up a bottle of Caudalie’s brightening serum. Made with the sap from grapevines, this milky liquid has also done a bang up job of helping fade my acne scars and little spots of pigmentation that crop up after summer. I think this 60ml version might be a duty free exclusive, but the range is sold locally at Sephora. - TB

New Balance Rainier trail shoes, $250, from Knowear

This was a birthday gift for my boyfriend, but I'm including it here because men can be so hard to buy for! I can highly recommend Knowear on Ponsonby Road for your trendy brothers/boyfriends/dads/selves - the owner is super helpful (in a chill way) and they stock all the cool colourways that you don't always see at chain stores, like these beef 'n' broccoli New Balances, inspired by 80s hiking boots. - LD

Buccal facial, $280, at Skinography

I’ve been meaning to try one of these since Skinography opened a few years back, but it wasn’t until a friend in LA recently raved about it to me that I remembered to book. I have a lot of massage but sometimes facials annoy me. All that putting goo on and off. Enter the buccal facial. The actual buccal part (where they stick their fingers in your mouth) was only a short part of it, but that’s okay as I was conscious of dribbling.

The rest of the treatment was the most wonderful, powerful massage. It felt like the whole thing only lasted 10 minutes. I was devastated when it was over. The owner Kate is about to go on mat leave and was always hard to get into. I booked with Mio and adored her. At that price, it’s certainly a special treat rather than a regular fixture... but I do love a treat! - RW