Blame nostalgia, and the looming end of an era, but this month we reverted to type with our purchases, from a new release from a beloved beauty brand to a few fun things adorned with very Ensemble bows. We are who we are!

As always, this is a #gifted free zone – everything below was purchased with our own hard-earned money. We’re also making this final edition of Nice Things free for all – and have enlisted the shopping expertise of three treasured members of the Ensemble ensemble: former staff writers Tyson Beckett, Lara Daly and Georgie Wright.

Violette_FR Plume Lip in En Feu, $61

Once again, Violette’s digital marketing content sucked me in: I saw this TikTok video and immediately went to Mecca to see if they had it. The French makeup artist describes it as “your assisted red lipstick” for those who are scared of using red lipstick, aka me. It’s well-recorded that I love her Bisou Balm, but this new product is way more intense (but still blurred), with a wand applicator. I was scared at first use, not going to lie! But honestly at this point, I think Violette needs to make Rebecca and I ambassadors. – Zoe Walker Ahwa, co-founder

Sandy Liang socks, NZ$80

One of my ongoing Nice Things is my subscription to New York which includes receiving the magazine in print, and recently I was surprised to also get a copy of its special edition of The Cut in the post. I loved the shoes and socks editorial in it so much; the shoes are definitely out of my price range no matter how I try to justify it, so I settled for these socks. I’ve always wanted to own some Sandy Liang and this is the perfect entry level to do so. – Rebecca Wadey, co-founder

2kg of Otago cherries, $60, from Freeway Orchards

Those tissue papery blossom flowers I've been fawning over aren't just photograph fodder – they're a prelude to the arrival of my favourite festive fruit. Thrillingly, an email came through just as the Sunday scaries were setting in last week, subject line: Christmas cherries available for pre-order now! 🍒

And just like that... brighter days felt within grasp. Each December I get a 2kg box of cherries and the extent of my plans over the break begin and end with toting it, my togs, and a book out into the sunshine each morning. I clicked order, climbed out of bed, and packed away my hot water bottle then and there – see you next year SAD! – Tyson Beckett, Ensemble writer 2021-2024

A haircut at Colleen, $120

I’ve experimented with a few salons around Tāmaki and still haven’t found The One, but on the recommendation of Zoe and Rebecca, I gave Colleen a spin. Thank god I did! My head feels so much lighter (dense, fine hair club rise) – the lovely Camila understood the assignment (hate that phrase but accurate here) and got me feeling brand new in time for the weekend! – Sophie Albornett, intern

Hello Kitty Shinkansen ticket

Like half the people on my Instagram feed, I, too, am about to go to Japan. So I haven’t bought that much this month (besides hotel bookings) in preparation to bankrupt myself there. But since it'll be both the first time I’ve gone there, and the first Big Trip I’ve been on in a while, I’ve spent cumulative days sifting through the internet for good recommendations. And obviously I booked the Hello Kitty Shinkansen as soon as I saw it.

For starters, trains are objectively the best way to travel, and it’s a travesty we don’t have many good ones in Aotearoa (I’ll die on this hill). Secondly, could there be a more fitting entry into Ensemble’s swansong Nice Things? I’ll miss Ensemble dearly, but they’ll be in my heart when I’m being projected through the Japanese countryside at 320 km/h surrounded by pink bows. – Georgie Wright, contributor since 2020; Ensemble writer 2024

Vintage Versace dress, Lucinda Babi mesh top, about $184, and a croque-en-bouche tower

If buying two purple items of clothing and a cream puff tower in the space of a week doesn’t tell you I’m having Ensemble withdrawals, I don’t know what will. First up on the docket, this Versace purple dress I got from PDA Shop (a vintage store) here in Melbourne, the minute I put it on I felt myself mentally shift into summer. I took this photo at the Hotel Windsor suite, looking like a slutty grape at my sister's baby shower. The second was my first piece by Lucinda Babi, a local designer whose love of bows, pearls and kitschy prints feels very Ensemble-coded... Lucinda whipped me up a purple mesh long-sleeve top printed with lilies (my dairy flower of choice) to wear to the Student Collections show at Melbourne Fashion Week.

The last nice thing I spent too much money on this month was throwing the aforementioned baby shower, which was the best excuse to splash out on all the treats: a croque-en-bouche tower, a brûléed lemon tart and a peaches and cream cake, frothy enough to rival any Ensemble birthday party. — Lara Daly, Ensemble writer 2022-2024

Penny Sage taffeta bow bag sample, $90

I’d wanted this for ages, and finally got one in the Penny Sage moving sale (they’ve moved next door to Floret’s; what a block!). It’s deeply impractical but whimsy personified. And I love taffeta. – ZWA

The Beauty Chef Body Electric water, $65, from Adore Beauty

Firstly, the reason I didn’t buy this from a local retailer is because it’s not available here (yet), and secondly, why did I buy this?! It seems like a bit of a gimmicky product, and I’m not really one for those – but I do trust The Beauty Chef brand so I’m excited to try it out. It’s very much appealing to my age demographic and the constant fear we have of not having enough meals in the day to consume all the protein we are supposed to, and needing creatine to maintain muscle mass. I’ll give it a whirl and let you know if it lives up to the hype. – RW

Dulesé refillable natural deodorant, $35

After Rebecca’s nice things purchase and recommendation last month, I was inspired to try and buy this myself. And that is called influence! I’ve struggled to settle on a natural deodorant that, y’know, actually works; this one is, so far, so good. – ZWA

Dasique Juicy Dewy Glow tint, $23, from Hikoco

I start every morning reading Lainey Gossip, one of my all-time favourite writers (the intelligence she brings to gossip is what I’ve always aspired Ensemble to do for fashion and women). This week she mentioned her absolute favourite lip gloss is from Korean brand Dasique; I went straight to the Hikoco site to see if it’s available locally and yay it is. Now that is influence. – RW