I actually have two bags to share with you today. I got a little out of hand between my birthday and Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket.
This first bag contains five items, all of which I hate. Was that too blunt? Don’t worry, I’m a lot nicer with the second bag.
Basically, with the items in the first bag, the quality was either lacking or the items just weren’t my style. That second part is clearly not anyone’s fault but my own. I opened this bag when I was getting things ready and organized for the holidays and I just didn’t have time to be online trading for the items that I did want. Also, I think everyone else was in the same boat because it seemed like NO trades were happening.
The first item was the most disappointing, because it was the reason I opened the bag and was the item I was most excited for. On the Little Black Bag site, the brand listed is Swarovski. In fact, that is NOT the brand, and it’s only designed with Swarovski elements. Whatever that means. Regardless of that fact, I still would have liked it… had the ring not been enormous. My hands ARE small… but this ring eats them alive.
The second item is from… I can’t remember and they were just thrown in a baggie and nothing is mentioned on the receipt. Anyway, not my style… I could probably go to Jo-Ann Fabrics and make them for 50 cents. I feel like I’m being really mean here, but I think it’s just because I used to be SO impressed with everything from Little Black Bag and now it’s feeling sub-par.
Edit – My order history says they are Rain Bead Dangle Earrings… so stay away from those.
Next are the T.R.U. Gold Flower Hoop Earrings. These actually aren’t too bad, they just aren’t anything I’d wear. I almost feel like it’s not age appropriate for me to have these on. I think I’d like them more if they came around full circle and closed in the back. I’m not a fan of the half circle earring deal.
Fourth is the By Philippe Shimmer Mesh Necklace. I almost feel like shimmer and mesh should never be used in the same sentence. There are a lot of necklaces and bracelets like this floating around the LBB site and they don’t trade well. This necklace is actually kind of cool to look at, but I don’t know how easy it would be for anyone to pull off.
Finally, the Robert Rose Flower & Stone Drop Earrings. These earrings aren’t ugly, but they do look cheap in person. The Robert Rose items also don’t seem to trade well on the site.
Time for the second bag! Of which I was MUCH, MUCH happier with!!! This bag also contained five items.
First is the Izzy & Ali Stitched Satchel in Black. I LOVE this bag. It’s a perfect size and the quality is awesome. The only downfall is it has that fake leather odor to it. Not as strong as the smell you get from Nila Anthony and Street Level, but it’s there. It goes away, not a deal breaker, but worth mentioning for those that have a sensitive sniffer.
Second, the Flea Market Girl Key Necklace. I actually over-traded for this lol For some reason I love key necklaces. This one was thrown into a baggie so I ended up spending about 20 minutes detangling the rather delicate chain. It hangs long, but not long enough to double wrap. You can double wrap, but it doesn’t look nice. Still, I do like it, and this particular brand seems to trade very well.
Third is the Swarovski Flower Cocktail Ring, this time in White. When this bag was open I wasn’t aware I wouldn’t like the first one I got. I do actually like the white better than the burgundy, but it’s still too large for my liking.
Fourth is the GREENE Greene + Gray Glitter iPhone 4 / 4S Case in Gold. I loveeeee this. It looks so much nicer in person. The rubber has a good heft and the lip goes over the edge, making it have decent protection for your iPhone.
The final item is the Spring Street Beaded Wish Bone Bracelet. I have a wishbone necklace so I needed this to match 😉 It’s also got a nice heft to it and will be really nice for layering.
How do you think I did this month? I have another bag open right now, and after that I’m taking a break for awhile. I want to wait until the brands I don’t like drop off a bit.
Also, isn’t it amazing how when you have TIME to trade you can get a much better bag. Note to self – do not open a bag during busy holidays! Normally I’m impressed with the quality of the items in person versus what they look like on the site, but some of these just had me shaking my head. For the most part, the pics on the site do not do ANY of the products justice. Unfortunately, in this case, they made some things look much better.
For information on Little Black Bag please refer to this post.
If you’re interested in opening your own Little Black Bag here is a referral link for you! You know you want to use it! haha
Disclaimer: I purchase my own LBB, but there is a referral link(s) in this post, which gives me credit once you open and bag and it ships. Every member of LBB gets the referral link option.
KS says
After receiving my 1st LBB, I immediately unsubscribed. I opened the bag with earrings which I kept…and were the only item that actually had good trade offers. Everything else was something that no one else wanted. While I managed to put together a decent bag, $35 is just not worth it for me. Especially since I go to TJMaxx or Ross and get more of the same for a lesser price.
Also, I definitely agree about the inconsistency in the quality of items that they present. I got the Michael Marcus eyeliner without being able to find many reviews about it. Really…I think the $1 brand eyeliners I’ve tested worked better than that “$30 value” poc.
Anyway, I get that it’s fun for some people but for me, it just seemed like a waste of money.
Ivy says
Hey you do know that you can return any items you hate and they’ll send you back an item of equal or greater value right? It’s in their policy just contact customer service
Brooke says
yup! They’ll give you a credit on your next bag for another item or your money back. They have excellent CS!
Claudia says
Love the iPhone case, the wishbone bracelet and the key necklace! I’d use all of those…but agreed. Those rings are too big! If the first one was smaller, like the size of a quarter instead of a half dollar it would look nice. Those rain bead earrings…um, for reals? Your right, I think you can make those by going to Joann’s. I’ve since stopped Mose sampling programs, EXCEPT NewBeauty’s Test Tube. It’s the only one I am consistently impressed with. Would love to try a fashion one like this again
Brooke says
I feel like someone needs to come out with a program that consistently has quality products, not just whomever they can get to sign on with them.