This August we really said, ‘cheap and cheerful please’, with the month’s purchases including sardines, soap in bulk and cake in a tub. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of frivolity: including an Ensemble-endorsed toothbrush holder and a spoon rest.

It's back to our origin story this month: a Zoe and Rebecca special. Tough times in media, shrinking resource etc. But never fear, we do have someone new joining the Ensemble next month to provide fresh shopping perspectives!

As always, this is a strictly #gifted free zone – we paid for everything below, and think you might like them too.‍

Beyond Soap box of 10, $37

Many years ago I was all about the liquid soap (Dr Bronner's was a fave) and I have been consumed with guilt over the unnecessary use of plastics ever since. That said, soap is like toothpaste or toilet paper - it’s easy to run out when you least expect it and have to make do with something you don’t love from the local dairy. Especially with teens in the house, and especially during a muddy winter! A press release dropped in my inbox about Beyond Soap, locally made soaps made with minimal waste and papatūānuku at its core, and I immediately ordered a box of 10. I love them and will definitely sign up to receive them on subscription from now on. Next up I am finally going to subscribe to this toilet paper my sister raves about; watch this space. - Rebecca Wadey

Le Creuset spoon rest, $35

This was a birthday gift for my husband, who had seen it on TikTok. It’s kind of ridiculous – another kitchen thing – but has actually proven very practical and helpful. I went into the Westfield Newmarket store to buy it and honestly, something (I think it’s called consumerism…) came over me as soon as I walked in and I wanted to buy everything from an oil and vinegar set to a butter bell to a stoneware dog bowl (I don’t have a dog). But what I really want? Anything from the adorable heart collection that had me swooning. – Zoe Walker Ahwa

Clean Clean Clean Long Toothbrush Shelf, $79 (more colours available here for $95)

My favourite place in the world is our tiny bach in the Coromandel which has a hilariously tiny bathroom with a vanity narrower than my shoulders. This toothbrush holder is really going to change my life. – RW

Editor’s note: we’ve featured this in this column twice already, here and here – a genuine Ensemble recommendation! 

Resene test pot in ‘Perfume’, $5.50

I’m also planning on painting said bathroom a really girly colour, to make up for all the testosterone that engulfs my household. I’ve had my eye on this colour from Resene for ages, and finally got organised enough to get a testpot. Our sweet house needs a lot of work and we can’t afford to do any of the important stuff, so the cosmetic work it is. I’m excited to get away for a weekend soon so I can see how it looks. – RW

Neat Cakes cake tubs, from $13

Is it a Nice Things without cake? Sorry to be predictable once again, but I had to try these after being introduced to Neat Cakes last month (Tyson bought us an amazing Ensemble/brat cake as a farewell gift) and seeing their cute tubs jam packed with cake, buttercream and sauce. I got the Bruce chocolate layered cake, and the lemon raspberry, and both were divine but a couple of spoonfuls of Bruce slightly heated in the microwave with ice cream was one of the best things I've eaten this year. I like how they’re a ‘small’ amount of cake if you don’t want to order a full-sized one. – ZWA

Bluebells 20cm classic cake, $49

It was a big month for cake! I also bought this classic vanilla with sprinkles (I requested Ensemble purple icing), to take into the office for Ensemble’s fourth birthday. They’re part of Bluebells’ ‘ready now’ selection – I ordered it the night before, but you can also go into the store and they’ll have one ready to go. Convenient for unorganised, last minute people. – ZWA

‍Briosa Sardines from Good For, $7

I’m obsessed with the new Good For store in Richmond Road, Grey Lynn. It feels far too cool and special to succeed in Aotearoa in these ‘unprecedented times’ so please, head down to check it out, sample maple syrup on tap, mill your own flour and select your perfect bircher mix (don’t freak out about not having containers, they sort all that for you). 

I’ve been going through a phase of making my own salad sprinkles, so I visit for my sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, linseed and hemp seeds, which I toss in tamari and chilli oil before toasting in the dehydrator, but last time I was there these sardines also caught my eye. I like canned fish but I often like the packaging even more. These are too pretty to eat (but I will). – RW

Down the Drain by Julia Fox, $38

Zoe got this out of the library late last year or early this year (time; I don’t know her) and I’ve been wanting to read it ever since. All the ‘so Julia’ content clogging my feed has added to my anticipation, although from what Zoe says it can be pretty dark at times. I haven’t read it yet, the month of purchase happening to coincide with the short period every four years when I watch sport. – RW

Ouai Anti-Frizz Crème, $57

I wanted to buy the Finishing Creme but it was sold out, so I ended up with this. I have a tortured relationship with 'anti-frizz' products: frizz gives negative connotations of not fine/caucasian hair texture that must be ‘tamed’, and yet, I absolutely succumb to that marketing and beauty industry conditioning about straight/sleek (I was also a teenager during the peak 2000s hair straightener era). But this is not the place for a think piece, you just wanna know what I bought this month and yes, this is good… – ZWA

Kitsch satin sleep bonnet, $48

Anyone who knows me knows I am very hair vain. I very rarely wash it and for that reason I refuse to sweat (no hot yoga for me) or go out in the rain. I was recently very generously gifted the new ghd duet blow dry brush, which gives me hope I will now start washing (and drying) my hair at home; it creates the most amazing blow wave while drying your hair. My hairdresser, Lauren at Colleen, used it on my hair last time I had it coloured and it looks soooo good. Anyway, this column isn’t about the #gifted, but this convoluted story is the set up to me deciding that freshly blow waved hair is too nice to get tangled on the pillows. Hence, I purchased this satin cap which came highly recommended online by those with curly/textured hair (satin bonnets are commonly used by Black people). My hair tumbles out in the mornings like some kind of shampoo commercial. I love it.  – RW

Brat by Charli xcx and The Rise of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan CDs

It felt right to get these works of art in physical form. I don’t have a record player, so CDs it is (I still play them in my car). I think all the chatter about brat being over is missing the point; yes it’s reached critical mass and it did capture a specific moment, but the music is good and that means it will never be ‘over’. I did, however, enjoy this nerdy analysis of brat as an ideology (“to be brat is to be marketed to”). And Chappell, well, it too is an amazing album that I’ve played on repeat – I’m obsessed with her and think she has captured a shift to maximalism and unselfconscious fun that has been desperately needed after years of minimalist bores. Recession pop, we love it! – ZWA