September Little Black Bag

I had been doing so well resisting the temptation of Little Black Bag for the last two months but I saw a purse I liked and gave in. LBB had also teamed up with Benefit Cosmetics and there were bonus Benefit goodies to be had. Win Win. Over the course of my trading, I fell out of love with my purse and wound up trading it for a two item trade. I ended up with five items plus two Benefit samples.

• Spring Street - Snake Print Cosmetic Bag (Retail Value $25) This is a cute shiny snakeskin print makeup bag. I'm not exactly sure why I was drawn to it. Shiny? It's a good size but will still fit comfortably in purse. 
• 'ZAD - Cheveron Cut Out Cuff in Silver (Retail Value $26) If you've looked at my past LBB videos and posts, you know I love a good bracelet. This bracelet isn't really my usual style but the good thing about LBB is that it let's you try things you wouldn't normally try while minimizing the financial risk. I've actually worn this bracelet a few times since I got my bag and I love it!
• Kenneth Cole New York - Beaded Y Necklace (Retail Value $42)  This wound up being the most expensive single item in my bag and I wouldn't have paid $42 for it on it's own. I like that's not a symmetrical design. The beads are light and clear. I know if I decide that I don't love it my Mom will.
• Lydell NYC - 2 Row Chain & Circle Necklace (Retail Value $28) Oddly enough this is my favorite item from this bag. The necklace has a good length to it The simple circle design will go with just about any outfit. My only complaint was that it was a pretty big knot when I took it out of the box. 
• Kenneth Cole New York - Cherry Orbital Earrings (Retail $26) I'm not really amazed by the earrings. I kept trying to trade them and couldn't seem to shake them unless I went with something well under this value and I wasn't really willing to do that. Not to mention there hasn't been much on LBB lately that I've actually liked. These earrings are bad earrings. They just don't WOW me. Again, I can always gift these to my Mom.
• Benefit Cosmetics - They’re Real Mascara (Full Size Retail $23) If you've been reading my posts for awhile you are also aware that I've been on a mascara hunt. This was one of the mascaras that was recommended to me. Now I'm not going to spend $23 on a mascara unless I know I'm going to love it. So I jumped at the chance to get a sample in my bag. Preliminary testing is going well. I'm definitely impressed with the length and curl.
• Benefit Cosmetics - It's Potent! Eye Cream (Full Size Retail $32) Despite my best efforts, I still haven't found anything that really makes my dark circles go away. Sometimes they aren't as bad but they never go away completely. I haven't had a chance to try this yet but I'm always up for eye creams.

There was also a card with a sample of Benefit's Porefessional Primer. This is my absolute favorite primer so I'm excited to get a little extra. The retail value of my bag this month minus the samples is $122 which is pretty modest for LBB. I place more value on getting several items I really love.

What was in your LBB?

June Little Black Bag

June marks my fourth month with Little Black Bag. I almost skipped this month but I gave in anyway and wound up with a bag I really like. I started out with the Betsey Johnson Three Row Necklace (which I kept the entire time) and I used my Klout Perk to add an extra item to my bag. My freebie item was the Melie Bianco Envelope clutch ($45) which I wasn't feeling at all. Tons of trading later this how I finished my bag.

Watch my unboxing video! 

The item I started my bag with and held on to was the Betsey Johnson Three Row Necklace. Retail value $75. It seems shorter than it is pictured. I haven't measured it but I don't quite think it's 18". Ah well. I still love it.

I had this clutch in my favorites for awhile but this month I got serious about trying to snag one. I had this in purple originally but traded for the red. I think I would have been happy with either. This is the Melie Bianco Floral Foldover Clutch.  It also has a chain strap. Yay. Retail value $50.

I became slightly obsessed with these Steve Madden Black Square Frame Sunglasses. Retail value $40.  Someone scored a pretty generous three item trade from me. I can't decide if they are too large for my face or not. I may return them. What do you think?

My final item is the Kenneth Cole Cluster Earrings. Retail value $28. These have a nice silver AB coating. I can wear these with just about everything I own. 

This is one of my more successful bags. I got some lucky trade offers this month and managed to turn them into items I really enjoy. Final retail value $193 which I think is a new high for me.