Subscription Box Review: Jan. 2014 Little Black Bag Review

Today I got my first shipment from Little Black Bag, so I wanted to share my very first experience and my first impressions in a subscription box review.

How It Works:

Little Black Bag is not like a lot of other subscription box services. Registration is free. When you sign up, you answer some very brief style questions and then they immediately give you a selection of accessories that you might like. That's an indication that no human stylist is picking out things for you, but I must say their computer algorithm did a great job selecting for me. I had a selection of shoes, purses and jewelry to choose from, but I could shop the entire site if I wanted. Apparently there are also cosmetics and home decor items in the collection but none showed up for me.

The way Little Black Bag works is that you pay $39.95 each month to be in the club. You can skip a month if you choose to. When the month starts, the take your $39.95 and put it into an account so that when you shop you have it available. As a member, all of the prices of the items on the site are discounted.

When you select an item from your gallery that their computer puts together for you, you have two options. You can buy it for the price listed or buy it as a set. When you choose a set, the price becomes $39.95 and then you are given two additional accessories that go with the item you purchased--in theory. So basically, every month you'll get one thing that you selected to buy and two accessories. You can buy more if you want as well.

After you are given your accessories, you're taken into a sort of chat room area where you can trade the two accessories that you were given with other women who want to trade. You don't have to talk to anyone. You just get offers and make your choice. If you love what you have, you can just checkout and be finished.

My Experience:

As  I said, I really liked the items they had selected for me. After debating for a short while I opted for these shoes:

I decided to go for the package deal. When I got into the chat room, I had a purple leather bracelet that they are now sold out of.  I also had these earrings:

I liked the earrings a lot and I think they're a pretty decent look to go with the shoes. They have them priced at $10. The purple leather bracelet was nice but I wanted to try out trading so I decided to go ahead and trade it. I had about 10 offers immediately. I ended up with a beaded necklace that is also now sold out on the site. I checked out and that was that.



The Products:

It took about 5 days for my package to arrive. This is the can't-miss-it box.

When I opened it and lifted up the paper, this is what I had waiting for me:

I dug right in and grabbed the earrings first. Here they are:

I am really surprised by how light they were. I thought they were going to be glass but they are plastic. They probably aren't worth $10, but considering that the accessories are pretty much free when you buy the bag, I'm glad to have these. They have a nice rubber stopper on the fish hooks, and they're big but since they're so light they won't pull down my ears or be annoying when they swing.


I actually investigated the shoes next because the pretty box had me so intrigued. I figured if the box that was nice, the shoes were going to be AMAAAAZING...

And they are.

These shoes from Poetic License have a red velvet fabric, peep toes, orange trim and an orange satin bow applique. The heels are 3 inches high, and they have black and purple gemstone brooches on the bows. I love these and I can see myself wearing them to add pop to a little black dress. These are definitely worth the $40 that I paid for the bag. I basically consider the other pieces in the set to be bonuses or freebies.

Then I turned to the necklace:

The necklace is multi-stranded with plastic beads in a nice range of colors. It's probably worth about $5 to $10. I like the colors a lot, and this is definitely something I'd wear, too. I probably would not have bought a piece like this on its own, so it's a fun addition to my jewelry box.

The Takeaway: My Little Black Box is fun if you like to shop. I would recommend it to anyone who would like to buy a new pair of shoes or a handbag every month. They have some really great brands in a range of tastes--Ivanka Trump, BCBG, LAMB, Badgley Mischka, Steve Madden, Chinese Laundry, Seychelles, Big Buddha, Olivia + Joy to name a few. Getting a piece from these brands for the price you get with the membership is a pretty sweet deal. My impressions of the bonus pieces are still out. They are definitely worth owning, but at this point, I'd say the real value comes from the item that you pick yourself.

 If you're pressed for time and you don't want to bother with trading or want a human to actually pick looks for you, this isn't the right subscription box.

Want to try Little Black Bag? If you register here, you'll get 25% off your first month. You can cancel any time you want, so if you're curious, do it with the discount and see what you think!

Not sure if the next post will be tomorrow or Thursday! So stay tuned!

Thank You, Pep Talk and This Week's Obsessions

THANK YOU


First of all--THANK YOU to everyone who read my first post, sent me encouragement and made comments, etc. It means so much to me. And sometimes I really need to hear it.

Honestly, sometimes it doesn't feel like an accomplishment to lose weight. Yes, it was hard work, but with all the pressures in society, sometimes it feels more like--an obligation. In other words, sometimes I just feel like "well, I shouldn't have let myself get that way. So I don't deserve to feel good about this."

That's negative self-talk, and I think we women do that a lot. And I don't just mean overweight women. I mean ALL women. We're taught somehow that we should be humble and not bask in praise. That we should somehow downplay it.

I don't think men do that. At least not like we do. Can you imagine saying to your SO/husband type person, "Hey Tiger/Honey/Baby/SexyBriefs/Whatever, you look great." And him being like "Yeah, but my ankles are fat."

No, he's like "Hell yeah! I look GOOD. I am Eros, god of love!" And all day long he struts it like a male model at a Versace show.

But we women just aren't like that, are we? Isn't it easy when someone gives you a compliment to go outwardly or inwardly. "Yes, BUT."

Ever do this?

Other person: "You did great with your presentation in the meeting today."

The Negative Voice Inside: "Yes, but I said redunDANT instead of redunDUNT. Who says that? redunDUNT. I sounded like an idiot for that 15 seconds. I blew the whole thing."

Or...

Other person: "Wow. The renovation you did on the house is amazing. You designed all that yourself?!?"

The Negative Voice Inside: "Sure. It looks nice. But I could have done it 2 years ago when first I said I would. I never finish anything. If I had designed Mt. Rushmore, Teddy Roosevelt would be wearing a monocle because I STILL wouldn't have finished the second lens."

Actually, I'm pretty sure Teddy Roosevelt DID wear a monocle. Man, I should have known that. I suck at Presidential knowledge. I am a failure. I should stop writing this blog. Everyone will laugh at me...and--

STOP WITH THE NEGATIVE TALK.

That's my challenge to everyone who is reading this. Just stop doing it. You may not be able to get that voice that we've all been taught we should have to shut up right away. But the next time you do that...the next time you try to steal joy, an accomplishment, praise, pride away from yourself and that voice starts. Just say this:

You: Oh, it's you. Well, thank you for your input. But I deserve this moment. Now kindly, piss off.

Then take your moment!

The negative voice is part of what made me overeat. It might be what makes you quieter than you'd like to be with new people. It might be what makes you not try for that promotion. It might be what makes you do any number of other things that you wish you wouldn't do but you do anyway.

The negative voice is bull shit. It doesn't see reality, and you CAN learn to get it to shut its mouth. But it takes time. And it takes practice. The next time it says something nasty to you, ask yourself

Would I ever say this demeaning, hurtful, spiteful thing to another person?

If not, please don't say it to you. You're worth more than that. :)

Anyway--now that I've pep talked everyone....let's look at some pretty things, shall we?

This Week's Obsessions: 24 Jan. 2014 

This week brought snow and freezing cold temps. But it also brought a gorgeous sunrise with the snow glistening on the branches and the simple joy of watching my son do a dance of joy at the news the -10 degree windchill won him a 2-hour delay. I think my Faces of Eve feelings about the weather have led to a split personality with my obsessions this week, as they are either bold and bright or very dark. Ah well, takes all colors to make a wardrobe, eh? Without further ado, here are this week's obsessions:

1. Dress of the Week

 

Alberta Ferretti Lace Dress in Purple, StyleBop , $2675

If only. If only. IF ONLY. Way out of my price range, but WOW.

2. Top of the Week

Lace Affair Flirty, Frilly Top, Lace Affair $39.99
Peter Pan collars, how I love you! You could be my Peter Pan pixie dust thought to help me fly, perhaps.

3. Bottom of the Week

 Prep School Tulip Skirt, Jem Apparel, $35

I love tulip skirts. I think they're flattering for so many body shapes. And who can't do with another black skirt? Nobody. That's who.

 

4. Jacket of the Week

Shanghai Tang Cashmere Cardigan with Jade, Shanghai Tang, $765

This cardigan is just sublime. Real jade accents. Of course, that means a real big price tag, but that's why I add this drool-worthy number to the Pinterest boards and not the shopping cart.

 

5. Shoe of the Week

B. Brian Atwood Fontanne, HauteLook, Sold out :(

Dare you to wear pink and orange heels. Go on and try. Double dog dare you. You can't help but feel pretty when your feet are pink. Honest to blog.

 

6. Jewelry of the Week

John S. Branna Copper Lily Pad Earrings, John S. Branna Copper Jewelry, $65

These speak for themselves.

7. Bag of the Week

MeDusa Nina Clutch in Red, Boticca, $119

 I had a bag like this when I was about 9. It was made of plastic and it had plastic lipstick inside of it. That little purse made me feel like I was Tiffany (remember her?!?).  Anyway, this purse made me smile right away. How can you be reminded of the 80s and not smile?

8. Accessory of the Week

Blugirl Blumarine Belt, Yoox.com, $75

It's a belt. That is gorgeous midnight blue and black. Oh and by the way, it has feathers. My deepest regrets, Other Belts. This belt wins everything. 

 

8. Street Style Look of the Week

Oona via Hel Looks 

First off, Oona is adorable. Secondly, I love every bit of the outfit into little bits and then I love those into littler bits and so on until I have loved this outfit into nothing but atoms. Third off, I had no idea that as a redhead I could wear red lipstick and not look like Ronald McDonald. So this picture is not only a lovely outfit, but it's also educational. Expect a new red lipstick color to be on the list next week, Ladies.

9. Beauty Product of the Week

NUXE Reve de Miel Ultra Comfortable Body Cream, SkinStore.com, $29

This weather makes my skin dry. This cream makes it happy again. If you have eczema, you will love this stuff.

10. Makeup Product of the Week

Too Faced Better Than False Eyelashes, SkinStore.com, $35

Okay. See that little tube? I don't know WHAT is in it. It kind of looks like feathers from some strange mythological bird. But when you put it on your eyelashes and then put the mascara in the other tube on, oh my! It's like false eyelashes, except they won't fall off. I might be the only one that this happens to, but my false eyelashes never stay on. I swear. Every time I wear them, I'm like  Lucille Ball in Yours, Mine Ours. MOVIE CLIP TIME:

 

  Helen Loses Her Eyelash
Yours, Mine and Ours — MOVIECLIPS.com

 Anyway, when I use Better Than False, my eyelashes look lush, and they don't end up in anyone's Irish Coffee. And that's beauty success, right there.

SO....that's all for this post. Damn, it got long again! Thanks for sticking with me until the end. :)

Here's the TL; DR version: Thanks for being so awesome! You're awesome, too, so don't let that negative voice tell you otherwise. Teddy Roosevelt did, in fact, where a monocle. Pretty things are pretty. Eyelashes in Irish coffee are bad.

See you next time!