March Little Black Bag Review

Ah, I've been so lazy about posting recently!  Sorry about that.  I had filmed an unboxing video for this Little Black Bag but I didn't like how it turned out and I didn't end up filming another, so a regular blog post will have to do.

The items I received in my March bag were excellent and this has been my favorite bag yet.  Trading went really well and I was able to amass a total of five items, not including the two bonus products I got.  The above photo is of my smaller items; my main item was the Pink Cosmo Studded Barrel Satchel ($65).  It's the item that I opened with and I intended to break it down into a multi offer (which I did), but in the end I ended up trading for it again because it was really the only bag I wanted at the time.

I love this purse.  It's pretty big--I imagined it would be the same size as the Street Level Basic Satchel I had gotten in my second January bag, but it's wider and longer.  They had it available in a bunch of colors and I know the light blue one was pretty popular, but I love black bags and this one is perfect for me.  I'm not too big into the studs trend, but I liked this one because the studs aren't too crazy.  The faux leather is also really soft and I like how it's got those marks in it (I don't really know how to describe them, but you can see them best on the left side of the purse in the photo above) because it makes it look more like real leather.  Overall, the bag seems really well made.  I just hope none of the studs fall off, because I know that's been a problem with other Pink Cosmo bags.

The other items I received were:

• 'ZAD Owl Stud Earrings ($16) - These are so cute!  I really like owls, and birds in general, but I wasn't sure if I was going to like these since they seem a bit more appropriate for a younger girl.  I think I can still pull them off, though, because they're nice and small.  My favorite part is that the eyes are made of pink rhinestones (you can see them better in the photos after the "read more").
• Danielle Nicole Davina Mini Crossbody ($28) - This is the perfect little crossbody!  I was really excited to get two bags in one LBB because it was the first time I've been able to do so.  I know it only retailed for $28 and it isn't as big of a deal as getting two $80 purses, but I'm still really happy with it.  It's definitely small and not very wide, but I'm going to use it over the summer for when I go to festivals, the zoo, etc.  It's got enough room for my phone (iPhone), some chapstick, and my cards and cash (which I'll put in my Vera Bradley zip ID case).
• Flea Market Girl Key Rope Bracelet ($12) - I love this bracelet!  It's cute and dainty, which is my favorite type of jewelry.  I got it on my last day of trading and was unsure about it because I was afraid the rope would be too thick, but it's perfect.  The rope is super soft and the charm is adorable.  It works well for layering.
• All The Rage Stone Collar Drop Necklace ($22) - I stepped outside of my comfort zone with this one and I'm so glad I did.  I think this necklace is so pretty, and a good first foray into statement jewelry for a person like me.  I've only recently gotten into experimenting with accessories, and I like that this is versatile enough to wear to work or just out to lunch.  I know it kind of looks like a bra in the photo above, but when I'm wearing it I don't think it conjures up that imagery as much.
• FusionBeauty Illumifill Line Filling Luminizer (bonus item) - Everyone who opened a bag in the beginning of March got one of these.  It's a full-sized item and retails for $49, but I can't imagine ever paying that much for it.  I tried it and I don't like it -- the applicator is clunky and it stinks as a luminizer.  I don't have any lines to worry about at the moment so I can't comment on how well it helps those, but it was barely visible as a highlighter.  I don't recommend this product at all.
• Vosges Haut Chocolat Peppermint Bar (bonus item) - I do recommend this one!  I've always wanted to try Vosges, but I was never willing to pay $7 for a candy bar, so I was happy when I was offered this in a multi trade.  It's delicious, but still not worth $7.  You could definitely find a comparable chocolate for cheaper.

Bottom Line: I was so happy with this bag!  It was a $49.95 bag, but that doesn't really matter now because they have the new system in place.  But anyway, the overall retail value was $143, not including my bonus items, which is a pretty good haul I think.

More up-close photos of my items after the "read more."

March Indie Gift Box Review

This review is really late because I'm lazy.  I received the March Indie Gift Box during the first week of the month but I got behind on my reviews so I'm just getting to it now.  This month's theme was "Squeaky Clean," and it contained all sorts of bath and body products.  I knew I had to buy one when I found out the theme because I love handmade beauty and skincare!

I've only purchased one other Indie Gift Box, and it was the Holiday Box back in November.  I was a bit displeased with it, but it was mostly my fault because I misunderstood how many items would be included in the box.  The March box, however, was much better suited to my tastes.

This box cost me $25, including shipping (I think--it may have been slightly cheaper but I don't quite remember).  It had five items total and one coupon.

• Ballyhoo Bath Carnival Twilight Soap - I love handmade soaps!  I hoard them.  This one is so pretty and it smells wonderful.  According to their Etsy shop, the scent is a duplicate of Twilight Woods by Bath & Body Works (a combo of berries, musk, mimosa flowers, apricots, oak, and juniper).  I'm familiar with the B&BW scent, and I like this one much better.
• Sweet Tea Apothecary Perfume - I received two cute little vials of "White Tea, Grapefruit, Saffron" and "Sandalwood, Honey, Saffron."  I like the White Tea one better, but they both are very rich and true-to-scent.
• Bungalow Bath and Body Lotion and Lip Balm - My lotion scent is "Pink Bubblegum" and the lip balm is "Pink Frosted Cupcake."  The lotion is absolutely perfect--it smells exactly like a gumball.  It reminds me of my grandpa; he used to have a gumball machine and would give one to my brother and I when we went to visit him.  The lip balm is also wonderfully sweet and absorbs into the skin well.
• Emily's Homestead Probiotic Deodorant - I had actually run out of deodorant when this packaged arrived, so it was perfect timing.  Natural deodorants can be hit-or-miss, but I like this one.  The main ingredients are cocoa butter, beeswax, and shea butter, along with a few others, and it's scented with essential oils of rosemary, peppermint, lavender, tea tree, and jasmine.  The scent is nice and light and it worked well throughout the day for me.
• Evitchka Face Scrubbies - I was so confused by these when I opened my box; I thought that they were mini-pot holders!  I haven't used them yet, but I really like the idea because I'm sure they give a nice and gentle exfoliation.  They're so pretty, though, that I almost don't want to ruin them!
• Aura Sensory Coupon - The only coupon in the box is for 25% off at the shop.  I took a quick look at their site and they do have quite a few natural bath and body items, so I may or may not put that to use.

I am much more pleased with this Indie Gift Box than I was with my previous one.  The Holiday Box certainly wasn't bad, it just didn't suit my interests as well as this Squeaky Clean one did.  What I also like about Indie Gift Box is you don't have to commit to a subscription--they have a certain number of boxes available, and if you want one it's just a one-time buy.  Unfortunately, Erin (the owner) recently reported that Indie Gift Box will be closing after May, so if you want to give them a try, you have two months to do so!  Unless, of course, someone else takes over--and I hope someone does, because it's a great way to highlight handmade products.

Check out more photos of my items after the "read more."

March Spicy Subscriptions Review

Thank you to everyone who signed up for Spicy Subscriptions using my referral coupon after my last review, because I was able to get another box to review.  Spicy Subscriptions is a really fun service that discreetly sends intimacy products to your door each month.  They have two box options (more on that later), and the one I'm reviewing today is the Premium Spice Box.

*This is a mature post for adult intimacy products.  If you wish to continue, please click "read more."

February Little Black Bag Unboxing and Review

I purchased a $29.95 Little Black Bag for the month of February and was able to trade up to a handbag and two other items, which I think is pretty good for only three days of trading.  I usually prefer the $49.95 option because you have a longer time to trade, but the fact that I've been able to get a handbag with all of my $29.95 purchases has made it worth it for me.

At first I wasn't sure if I loved the handbag I got.  It looked really cute on the site, but when I got it in person I considered sending it back.  But since LBB isn't always great with giving equally valued items for exchanges (meaning they might give me a bag similar in monetary value, but it's one of the sale items or just something that doesn't trade well at all), I decided to keep it.  I figure I can always sell it on eBay in the future if I get sick of it.  But anyway, here's the list of what I got:

• Olivia and Joy Expose Hobo, retail is $88
• Geranium Leaf Cuff, $14
• Goose Creek Candle Co Pillar Candle in Burning Oak, $12

I know that for most LBBers this seems like a pretty measly haul, but I'm satisfied with it.  I wouldn't be so thrilled to get only three items with a $49.95 bag, but I'd rather have one big item (a handbag) and a few smaller ones that I'll actually use than five or six jewelry items that I won't wear.  I'm pretty picky about my jewelry and I don't often find a great amount of pieces on LBB that I like.

For a more in-depth look at my items, watch my unboxing video:

More photos of my items are available after the "read more."

Campbell's Go Soup Review

I love soup, so when I was given the chance to review Campbell's Go Soup through the Smiley360 Bloggers program I was more than happy to.  I was familiar with the product before this campaign, but it allowed me to try each flavor, which I hadn't done before.

The Go Soups come in six varieties, all of which can be seen above.  What I like most about these soups is that they're so convenient.  I was taking a pouch of the Spicy Chorizo & Pulled Chicken with Black Beans to work at least once a week, because I prefer to have a hot meal for lunch.  All you have to do with these is tear the pouch a little bit and stick it in the microwave for about two and a half minutes.  Then you just pour it into your bowl and go!  The packaging was a great conversation starter for this mission, since people were always intrigued by my "soup in a bag."

My favorite of the bunch was the Chicken & Quinoa with Poblano Chilies, pictured above.  As you can see from the photo, the ingredients are nice and hearty and look freshly-made.  The taste is phenomenal -- no watered down, condensed stuff here!  The hunks of chicken were big and plentiful, too.  I like spicy foods (my other favorite of these soups is the Spicy Chorizo that I mentioned previously), and this one has just enough bite to be interesting.  It's not too hot, though, so those who are more timid with their spice could still enjoy it.

Here's my breakdown of the other flavors:

• Moroccan Style Chicken with Chickpeas - I didn't really care for this flavor, but it was more of a personal preference than anything else.  It tasted slightly sweet, with another flavor in there that I can't quite describe because I'm not very familiar with Moroccan cooking.  But if you like the flavors I'm sure you would like this, because it's a hearty soup and would be pretty filling, I think.
• Spicy Chorizo & Pulled Chicken with Black Beans - I love this soup!  This is the one I had been eating prior to this campaign, so I was already familiar with it.  It's the spiciest of the bunch, and it has more chorizo in it than chicken (but a great amount of meat overall).  It's thick and delicious and I could eat it every day!
• Coconut Curry with Chicken & Shiitake Mushrooms - This was my least favorite of the bunch.  I like curry, but not coconut and mushrooms.  As with the Moroccan flavor, though, I think that if you do like those ingredients you would like this soup.

• Creamy Red Pepper with Smoked Gouda - This is my third favorite of the bunch.  It reminded me quite a bit of a creamy tomato soup, but with more bite because of the red peppers.  There is a good balance of cheese flavor from the gouda.  I think that this soup would be the most appropriate for people who don't like a lot of other add-ins in their soups.  I also think it's great for dipping grilled cheese into!
• Golden Lentil with Madras Curry - I'm kind of indifferent to this flavor.  It was good, but nothing that really thrilled me.  If you aren't a fan of lentils then this probably isn't your soup, but otherwise it had a strong lentil flavor and a little bit of curry mixed in.

Bottom Line: As a whole, I really enjoy the Campbell's Go Soups!  Their flavors are full and rich, and you can't beat their convenient packaging.  Which of these soups do you think you'd like best?

• Learn more at the Campbell's Go Soup website
• "Like" Campbell's Go Soup on Facebook
• Complete the "Random Text From Last Night" Mad Libs for a $1 off coupon

*Disclaimer: I received these soups to review as part of the Smiley360.com Bloggers program.  I was not monetarily compensated for this review and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.