Usually this column has one very strict rule: we have to have bought every item with our own hard-earned money, at full price. No PR gifting, no fashion industry discounts; just good old fashioned capitalism.
But we’re subverting the usual rules because, 2024, and we're now unemployed, having taken back Ensemble under our independent ownership. So the below is a mix of things we did actually buy, and a few that we wish we could have but didn’t. We promise in the new year ‘Nice Things’ will be back to regular programming (when we get jobs; cross your fingers for us!). For now, enjoy this end-of-year shopping and wish list…
Allpress Olive Groves Picual olive oil, $39, and Herb Spread, $19
I had a weekend on Waiheke with my mum, nana, sister and aunty earlier this month, with lots of laughter, eating and drinking. Except, I wasn’t drinking which meant winery visits were not as fun as they usually are… So I was very into visiting the Allpress tasting room to do a very wholesome olive oil tasting ($10 per person). We tried six of their olive oils, olives and tasty herb spread, all of which we ended up buying. Who needs booze when you have olive oil! – Zoe Walker Ahwa
Wish list buy: Harris Tapper ‘Amory’ dress, $899
I popped into the Harris Tapper workroom recently which was a big mistake. I love what this brand does so much: timeless pieces that fit your body so perfectly and make you feel (and look) amazing. I’ve spoken before about my dream of being incredibly wealthy, donating all my wardrobe to charity and only having a capsule wardrobe from The Row. I could also fulfill this fantasy with Harris Tapper’s classic timeless pieces (hilariously, anyone who knows me knows in reality I am more likely to be found wearing clashing prints and bright colours).
Anyway while I was at Harris Tapper I tried on this dress and it looked so great on me. I think that’s because it would look so great on anyone but I am choosing to take it as a personal triumph. I really really want this and I am extremely mad at myself for being so disciplined (read, broke) that I haven’t caved and bought it. – Rebecca Wadey
Wish list buy: Twenty-seven Names ‘House of TSN’ silk dress, $860
I wore this dress for our ‘we’re taking back Ensemble’ photo, and I admit, it was borrowed. I do own and wear a lot of Twenty-seven Names but hadn’t ordered this, which I regret! It felt fantastic to wear, photographed beautifully and I received so many comments and compliments about it. I also love that it’s available in sizes six to 20. Sadly it is now out of my budget so is very much a wish list buy, but if you’re happily (or not happily) employed and have the means to support a local brand that cares about New Zealand made production, I wholeheartedly encourage you to go out buy one, for me. – ZWA
Wish list buy: Author Ceramics ‘Boring Platter’, $329
If you read our story on hosting parties you’ll know that I love entertaining, but own no nice things to serve people with. Cheese is likely to be served on an old, chipped Crown Lynn plate or Kmart serving platter. It’s good in that it makes life relaxing, I have no attachment to anything getting lost or broken, but it’s bad in that it makes me feel less of a grown up. I’ve been seeing this platter from Author Ceramics appear on my Instagram for a while now and had decided it was time to grow up and have a nice serving vessel. Alas, I left my run for adulthood too late; this summer it will be Maggi French Onion dip in a shitty old bowl as usual. – RW
Tamariki Yoga: Children's Yoga book, $20
Another Waiheke purchase, from a store called Lily and Lotus. How cute?! I bought it as a present for a kid in the family, but made a joke that I could use it myself; pretty much a yoga novice, still. It has English and te reo Māori instructions, and adorable and very simple photos. – ZWA
Wish list buy: The Awl: The Book, edited by Carrie Frye, about $76 (without shipping)
The Awl was a website published from 2009 to 2018 that, to be honest, passed me by at the time. I discovered it years later, and quickly devoured its archive: the weather reviews (lol), colour reports (brilliantly niche), the famous Negroni Season essay, very early Jia Tolentino and one of my all-time favourite stories on the internet, the history of the style pages perfectly headlined ‘Bonfire of the Inanities’. So I was extremely excited to see, somewhere in my online travels, that there was a book being published featuring the site’s “top-shelf” pieces alongside new commentary and original essays. The book is part of a fundraising campaign to help preserve The Awl’s digital archives (as well as The Hairpin, their very funny and sharp ‘women’s interest’ site). Sadly, they’re only shipping the books to the US. – ZWA
