Sometimes there are evident themes for our monthly spending column, where we look back at our bank statements to see what we spent our hard-earned money on. Some months we’re extremely practical, others are a lot more extravagant… In June, it was a perfectly Ensemble mix of the two: books, beauty, bras, charity and… chic pegs.

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

Goldi Knitwear handknit Palestine pin, $15

I discovered the incredible Goldi Knitwear when we featured the designer Kat Aucamp last year, as a co-founder of Rogue fashion. I’ve been wanting to own a piece ever since, and scrolling Instagram and seeing this adorable knitted Palestine pin, with all proceeds going to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, I purchased immediately. Now I’m saving for one of the vests. (The pins are sold out but you can donate directly to the PCRF here) - Rebecca Wadey

Kacey Musgraves Heart of the Woods T-shirt, about $80

Merch is over, apparently, and I already have too much Kacey Musgraves merch, but I couldn’t help myself when it came to this mushroom/cute cartoon animal/tie dye tee. My favourite song on Kacey’s slept-on new album, with its heartwarming lyrics that make me feel less cynical for just a moment: “It's in our nature, to look out for each other, In the heart of the woods”. - Zoe Walker Ahwa

Stainless steel pegs, $8, from Mitre 10

I’m not fully behind the Scandinavian tradition (TikTok trend?) of airing your duvets outside even in arctic conditions, but I am a fresh air freak. I sleep with my window open year round and, save for bouts of laziness, I much prefer hanging my washing outside over the dryer – it smells cleaner. However, I live six floors up and am sacrificing socks and undies off the deck to Tāwhirimātea at a rate of knots so I’ve upgraded my pegs to these sturdy marine grade steel beauties. - Tyson Beckett

‍The Review of Beauty by Jessica DeFino, $9 per month on Substack

Jessica DeFino is an award-winning beauty journalist whose point of difference is that she can actually critique the beauty industry (i.e. her work is reader funded so she doesn’t care to be in the PR good-books for cosmetics companies). She has been a guest on some of my favourite vocal-fried beauty podcasts and always has smart, unexpected takes on trends that go deep on beauty culture, like how glazed donut skin might represent a sublimated desire to eat a donut in the age of Ozempic. Her weekly newsletter, The Review of Beauty, is full of hot takes. But don't take my word. “DeFino’s [work] is a reminder to question our relationship with beauty. Why do we do what we do? Is it being defined by society or driven by our authentic self?” - Dua Lipa. - Lara Daly

All Fours by Miranda July, $37

It feels like everyone I know (mainly women, like me, in their 40s, but also the odd younger person and some boys too!) is devouring this book by writer, filmmaker and performance artist Miranda July. It’s startlingly good, provoking, uneasy and quite honestly the most helpful book about menopause I’ve ever read. We have a story on the best winter reads coming in the next few weeks; I will write a more comprehensive ‘review’ once I’ve gathered my thoughts. - RW

Vans Mary Janes, $110

I’ve been obsessed with these ever since Lisa Says Gah brought back the 90s style for their Vans collaboration (I think, 2022?). I love Vans, and I love Mary Janes; a perfect dorky pairing. I’d been eyeing up the red and white and all-black, but when I saw this adorable style in ‘ballet chintz rose’ shade, I finally decided to buy (online, when they had a long weekend sale so they were cheaper than this). And YES, I know that I accidentally already bought another pair of Mary Jane sneakers, but these have already had much more wear. - ZWA‍

Wellington Apothecary Spearmint Tea, $19

I had an amazing massage at Wellington Apothecary recently and this was what they served me afterwards. They choose your essential oils for the massage and the tea based on how you feel, and I said I was feeling like a stressed hormonal bitch. Supposedly spearmint tea is meant to be good for balancing your hormones, and I’ve heard people say it helps clear up hormonal acne too. While I can't attest to that, it does taste really fresh and sweet. It makes peppermint tea taste like old swamp water. - LD

AWWA X Reemi Period Products for Gaza, $33

A $33 donation to Aotearoa-based NGO Reemi’s partnership with Oxfam will distribute four pairs of reusable period underwear to women and girls in Gaza, a tiny gesture. - TB

Violette_FR Yeux Paint liquid shadow and liner in Violette Sauvage and Cuivre de l’Aube, $58 each

Lara suggested I try this Ensemble purple eye colour after I mentioned I wanted something new in my very subdued beauty repertoire. Of course, for someone whose routine consists solely of foundation, blush, brow pencil and mascara, purple eyeshadow is the natural next step. Mecca is a stone's throw from Ensemble HQ, and when I popped down on payday I was taken, like a magpie or basic bitch, by all the pretty sparkly colours so I got a second one also. They are surprisingly easy to apply and I don’t look too deranged in it. I am obsessed with Violette who I look nothing like but will buy anything she sells in the hopes I transform into a brown-eyed French woman. - RW

Videris ‘Angela’ bra, $95 (but bought while on sale)

While almost everyone else in my life has been raving about Videris’ bras for years I’ve held off buying one because I have something akin to mammary Stockholm syndrome – convinced I love and need the support of underwire. A recent 50% off sale, and this sweet embroidered pattern were too good to pass up. Now I too can confirm they stand up to the job and are equally cute and comfortable. I wouldn’t wear it everyday, but it’ll be my go-to for lazy weekend wearing. - TB 

Duck Island x Coffee Supreme Coffee Chocolate Rubble ice cream, $14

Call us predictable, but there are certain things that regularly pop up in this column and Duck Island ice cream is one of them. Last month Rebecca loved their feijoa apple crumble collab with Everyday Eats, and this month I was all about this intense, rich and delicious coffee collab. - ZWA

Mode Studio 3 for 1 pass, $30

I googled something related to fitness once and suddenly my Instagram ads were overrun with introductory offers from all manner of gyms, fitness studios and bootcamps, and workout communities / cults. Anyway, this was a very good deal from a new locally owned and operated business and I think it’s still on sale until June 30th. - TB