It's the season of sales and shopping, with all those Christmas gift guides and Black Friday deals. It can all feel a bit overwhelming, if we're honest (and yes, we know we're part of that with our guides...).

It's that feeling that informs this month's round-up of things that we spent our own hard-earned cash on - nothing #gifted -  from drinks purchased while out creating memories to thoughtful books, personal art, and much-considered fashion buys.

Moana Fresh T-shirt, $55

I would happily buy all of my Christmas presents from Moana Fresh, the small Avondale store and space that sells items from Pacific and Māori artists - from ceramics to artworks, bucket hats to scrunchies. This T-shirt, new merch from the store with its signature gothic lettering and conch shell, was for myself (and to share with my husband). I was tempted by the pink, but ended up buying it in grey. Was I influenced by artist Sione Tuívailala Monū and musician David Feauai-Afaese aka Leao ‘modelling’ the tees? Yes. (Hard pivot but if you need an instant mood booster, go listen to/watch their performance of the classic track Musika Malie). - Zoe Walker Ahwa

Cosmopolita, $20, from Lilian

This was definitely the best 20 bucks I spent this month. I’ve lived in Auckland four years now and Grey Lynn’s Lilian has been on my restaurant hit list the entire time, but whenever I’ve tried to go there’s been no tables, and I end up waiting across the road at bar Friedas (which also does a great cocktail) and only emerge hours later drunk as a skunk, unable to stomach a burrata. Finally we made it in on a sunny Saturday afternoon, and I ordered a Cosmopolita – vodka, apple, elderflower, chilli, basil. It tastes like a tangy apple! And it matched the pizza, kind of. My new favourite drink. - Lara Daly

Gucci Westman Super Loaded Tinted highlight ‘Peau de Peche’’, $128, from Mecca

I’m lucky to work with an amazing makeup artist, Lara Daly, and unlucky to work very close to Mecca. I avoid going in there as much as I can as I always spend more than I need! But I was desperate for a pick me up treat one rainy day and Lara recommended this. Every time I wear it, people comment on my skin. - Rebecca Wadey

Marle ‘Molly’ dress, $280

Marle say this square necked dress is “ the perfect summer piece to carry you through the warmer months.” and that’s fully how I intended to wear it, on near constant rotation. I joked in the office that I only bought it so that I’d have something worthy of contributing to this article, but the truth is that I’d been eyeing it up for a good while and I wanted to make my one purchase for November a quality one with longevity in mind before the flood of shouty Black Friday sale emails got a chance to turn my head. - Tyson Beckett

‍Kate Sylvester ‘Birdie’ dress, $569

I bought a dress similar to this from Kate Sylvester years ago and still get compliments every time I wear it. It’s such an effortless, easy shape to wear and I’m really into purple at the moment. I just watched The Menu (absolutely the best film I’ve seen all year) and now I’ve decided that if I squint really hard, I’m practically wearing the purple slip dress Anya Taylor-Joy wears throughout it. - RW

Whale Song, line drawing by Roimata Taimana, $1600

We’ve been saving for the past few years for an art work by Roimata (Te Kawarau ā Maki, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Huarere, Ngāti Hei) and fell in love with this one at an exhibition earlier in the month. He happens to be my brother-in-law and has this amazing connection to, and affinity for, the moana that shines through in his work. He has patiently spent many hours with my children, both fishing and drawing, and this piece serves as a wonderful visual representation of both these activities. - RW

The World Is On Fire But We’re Still Buying Shoes, by Alec Leach, $26 

I can see the blatant hypocrisy in including this book in a list of things that we bought. I like to think that everything we include in this ‘nice things we spent our own money on’ series is a well-considered purchase, and shows our personal support of local designers and retail. 

But it’s still all consumerism. Can fashion ever truly be sustainable? How do we enjoy fashion and design without constantly feeling guilty about it? Can you tell I’m having a bit of an existential crisis about all of this?

This little black book (140 pages but with big type and lots of infographics) by Alec Leach, a former editor at Highsnobiety and founder of @future__dust, explores all of that in a realistic, non-judgemental way – with chapters on hype, how our “souls yearn to shop”, “sustainability™",and the future. I haven’t had the chance to read it properly yet, but am looking forward to giving it the attention and time it deserves over summer break. – ZWA