Genuine, personal recommendations are always the best. This month we looked back on our bank statements to remind ourselves what nice things we spent our hard-earned cash on.
Our fashion and beauty buys usually make the cut, but sometimes, the nicest things are geeky, cheugy and deeply unsexy. Like these below!
Lula Fortune custom embroidered bag, $200 (POA)
I’ve been desperately hunting for an everyday leather tote bag, but it’s been impossible to find something I like that doesn’t cost a month’s salary. Last month I met Kylie AKA @lulaafortune on a photoshoot and discovered she makes the coolest embroidered cushions (next on my list) and bags under her label, Dear Prudence. I chose a black leather tote embroidered with a silver, gold and green dragon and I just love how original it is. - Lara Daly
Breathe Right Nasal Strips, $11
These are deeply unsexy: a small strip that you stick on your nose, which pulls your nasal passages open so you can breathe clearly. It’s good for those who snore (aka my husband), and/or those with a deviated septum.
I became obsessed with trying them after seeing someone on TikTok rave about how they made them realise that they hadn’t been breathing properly - that person became obsessed after AOC shared her own rave review. And that's what you call three (now four) degrees of influence/consumerism... - Zoe Walker Ahwa
Kevin Murphy Un Tangled Leave In Conditioner, $59
I’ve gotten into a terrible cycle where I wash and blowdry my hair every single day. I am well aware I need to quit but I really love that squeaky clean feel and don’t have the inner resolve to wean my thin oily hair off the daily suds. Until I summon the strength to deal with the situation I’ve been using this leave-in conditioner liberally to try and spritz some life back into these dead locks. It smells very nice, in a fancy way. - Tyson Beckett
WaveLu Air Fryer Silicone Pot, about $35
Call me basic, call me cheugy, but I love my air fryer and I was influenced to buy this - from Amazon, ugh - after seeing it recommended on Eva Chen’s Instagram Stories (clearly, I am easily influenced by social media). It’s reusable, unlike baking paper, and reduces the pain of having to clean all that grease and mess up afterwards. - ZWA
I use a face oil morning and night; I’m not sure I could ever go back to regular moisturiser. I’m not particularly loyal to what brand I use, I like to use a different one each time (I’ve reviewed several of them here). This is the second time I’ve brought this F Miller one which must be a good sign. Or laziness. - Rebecca Wadey
I must be getting older and wiser because for the first time ever I've sorted out a winter coat before the cold blasts have really set in. This JHo one is a lovely mid weight, plenty warm enough on its own but I can easily layer it over jumpers without looking all bundled up.
The product description says it's a "shorter style coat" but at 5 foot 3, it comes down to my knees and I had 11 cm taken off the sleeves via their complimentary tailoring service. They make a long-line version too for the less vertically challenged. - TB
We aren’t allowed cats at our new house, so my boyfriend and I decided to get the most geeky pet: a fish. When I was a kid I had a boring goldfish, who I loved dearly, but I was never allowed the cool tropical ones I wanted.
Now that I’m a grown woman, you best believe I took myself down to the local pet store and spent my hard-earned cash on a full tropical set up - and the most flamboyant Betta fish, Jorge. I got my darling Jorge everything his heart desires: pebbles, greenery, coral ornaments. He seems very happy, swishing his dramatic blue coat tails around his tank. - LD
I’m obsessed with snuggly oversized knits. Cosiness is about the only good thing about winter! I agonised for ages about whether to get the green or grey in this sweater. Getting a random colour instead of a neutral has been my trademark over the years, I think it’s because I always worked retail so got discounts that allowed me to take more risks!
But I have no regrets, this colour is amazing and I can wear the sweater with ‘nothing’ underneath and feel very elegant, as easily as I can throw it on over a dress to be practical. - RW
