And just like that, October is over and we're getting scarily close to Christmas... which means now is the time to buy nice things for yourself, before you have to start thinking about gifts for others. 

It’s been an eventful month to say the least - in between our successful election eve bingo night and Halloween festivities, we managed to embrace our inner green thumb, influence a Belgian influencer, co-sign on a hyped up sunscreen and buy ourselves socks for the first time. 

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

‍Aloha ballet flats, $316

Ask me to describe my personal style and “Belgian influencer” are not two words that I would have pulled. But I bought these Aloha ballet flats (they’re maybe more of a mary jane?) after seeing Antwerp-based content creator Josefien Weyns wearing them at Copenhagen Fashion Week, and just now when I went to link to her account, I saw she also owns the Lagaam dress that I wore to the Ensemble bingo night earlier this month. That’s the internet algorithm for you, I guess. - Tyson Beckett

Febreze fabric freshener extra strength, $6.29

A lesson learned from the last time ballet flats were in vogue – I’ve been dutifully spraying this into my Alohas in the hopes of preventing them smelling like kombucha. - TB

Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camellia SPF50+, $29

No matter how much a sunscreen insists on being 'dry touch’ I always find them too greasy for my skin in the summer, and end up not wanting to put them on my face, which is bad. This sunblock stick had a lot of good reviews on Hikoco so I decided to give it a go. It truly feels like nothing is on my skin even after I swipe it all over, it just feels matte and silky. Like magic! Or just a really nice pore-blurring primer. - Lara Daly 

Mi Piaci Buttercup flats, $260

Clearly seeing Tyson's shiny new shoes arrive did something to me - I haven't owned a pair of ballet flats since I was probably 13 but I simply couldn't go pass these bootleg Miu Miu's when I saw them in the window at Mi Piaci. Every time I wear them I think of Avril Lavigne's Sk8r Boi. - LD

Sybs X candle, $30 

Queer owned and operated in Tāmaki Makaurau, Sybs was started by Cam with a desire to create candles for friends that were “hot and cheap”, an ethos I can get behind. X is their holiday scent, with notes of bergamot, balsam and pine but as a clean scent aficionado I can see myself burning it year round. Cam is at Central Flea market most Sundays if you want to give it a whiff IRL. - TB

adidas Gazelle, $220, and Spezial sneakers, $190

Remember when I said, only a few months ago, that I rarely wear sneakers? Karma really came to bite me in the collapsed arch because since then, I’ve been in a lot of pain, finally booked an appointment with a podiatrist and ended up having to get custom orthotics. So I’m trying to embrace being a sneaker person, which has been a bit of an awkward adjustment – I wear a lot of dresses, and pairing with sneakers gives me Lily Allen prom dress era flashbacks. Buying these two simple black options was a first step in my new sensible sneaker life (please note: they’re not Sambas, but I did want gum soles). I bought both from the adidas online store, but Karen Walker has the black and ‘almost yellow’ Gazelles in store right now. - Zoe Walker Ahwa

Sorrel seed, $3

It’s not that I’m stocking up for the end of the world or anything… But I am suddenly more focussed on getting my vegetable garden thriving than I’ve ever been before. Along with getting my tomatoes in for Labour Weekend (am I turning into my mother?) I used the trip to the garden shop to buy seeds for my absolutely favourite leafy green, sorrel. Sorrel is impossible to buy (Kelmarna Garden is the only place I’ve ever found it) but the main ingredient in my favourite sorrel pesto rice bowl from LA’s Sqirl so it’s essential I have easy access to it. - Rebecca Wadey

Sokken black socks, $22, from Widdess, and Le Bon Shoppe black socks, $30, from Good as Gold

I don’t think I’ve ever bought socks for myself? Blame years of wearing mules, sandals and loafers, and also receiving lots of socks in goodie bags over the years (they were once the tote bag of PR gifts). I know I sound delusional and spoilt, but my new sneaker life has made me realise how hard it is to find a slim, plain, black, non-novelty NORMAL crew sock that is just the right height and doesn’t get destroyed in a week. These both seem expensive for socks (?), but they are good. - ZWA

Singlet from Bizarre Bazaar, $120

I was in my hometown Wellington earlier this month and couldn’t wait to visit Bizarre Bazaar for the first time (after a Roti Chanai and a visit to Moore Wilson’s for orange juice). I met the lovely owner Jess Scott, who curates an amazing range of pre-loved designer pieces, fun vintage from Japan, and local independent makers like Geo, Sleeping Profit, Elsie Gore, Flora Bird, and more. This top reminded me of an early Rose Murdoch photographic print, which I’ve always loved. Unfortunately it’s vintage so you can’t buy it, but you should check out their store and Instagram page - my friend got the coolest clown print bikini top by Astro Princess while we were there, the neon pink star one is on my wishlist. - LD