My First Little Black Bag

Yay!

 I have not gotten a new bag in almost 3 years. I am not sure why. I guess I would rather buy other things....? Who really knows and who really cares? Not you, I am sure! lol! Needless to say, I needed a new bag.

Little Black Bag: (def.) 

a monthly subscription service. You can choose a name brand bag, accessory, jewelry item, or beauty item. Check out. You receive 2 more things in your bag. You can trade these things with other people. You have 8 days to trade starting at the beginning of the month. There are a couple different ways to trade. I talked about how to do exactly that in my video. 

You pay $49.90 a month, every month for 6 months. Or, you can choose to pay around $60 1x. However, you can cancel at any time. That is why I signed up for the 6 months. If you choose to do the 6 months, remember to cancel! Easy as that! I wish I could afford a brand new bag every month + more, but I cant! I am still debating on staying for Oct. because my birthday's on the 8th. I don't know. Still undecided.

BCBGeneration - Corey Striped Tote

$88 retail value

This was my first pick. I had my eye on it for the whole week. Not looking back, I clicked to check out and I could have kicked myself because there was a gorgeous mint satchel I would have wanted even more! I tried to trade it but every person I asked or tried to trade with wasn't going for it! Damn! All and all, I did choose this out of anything I seen in the gallery the first time so I am happy with it. 

Tip #1. Wait as long as you can to even check out to see if they update the Gallery before trading is over.

It is a nice structured bag and I have a feeling it will last a long time. It has a lot of room! It will never feel crowded and unlike other bags this size, you can find anything in it at anytime. I hate that about other bags, when you feel like your bag is a never ending black hole and sucks all of your belongings into it, never to be found again. I think this is probably due to the fact that it is so structured. Has a zippered pocket on 1 side and 2 open pockets on the other. 1 for your phone. Or you can use it for mints, gum, and lotion. Another pocket for lipsticks. Clearly.

Then I got jewelry!

All the Rage - Pyramid Stud Earrings 

$20 retail value

This was something I was traded. When it comes to trading jewelry and smaller things, that part seemed to be a lot easier. I have barely no gold jewelry and I thought these were a good jumping off point to start negotiations! Luckily, I didn't want to negotiate anymore and I got exactly what I wanted with these earrings! They have these in silver too, btw. They don't weigh down my ear, and are both classic and edgy if you ask me! So cute!

ZAD - Feather Necklace 

$16 estimated retail value

I can't find the retail value anywhere online and they don't offer it on the site anymore! They had another style feather necklace from the same brand, Zad, at $16 retail value. I thought this would go perfect with the Pyramid Stud Earrings. This also was exactly what I wanted to trade, so I was a happy camper! Although on the site, it showed the necklace fit really long on the manikin, going past the boobies. In real life, it fits much smaller. I was happy to find out it fit much smaller than expected. I like shorter necklaces, anyway. Just be sure to do some research, search some blogs, and find some pictures of the item on Google if your not sure if something is true to size on Little Black Bag. 

total retail value $124

I paid: $49.90

Final Verdict: 

So Much Fun! I am hooked! I wish I could afford every month, but I know next time I am in the market for a new bag, I most likely will only order from Little Black Bag. How can you beat $50 including shipping for 3 items totaling out to $124? You really can't. Unless you find a good sale. Then if you do, tweet me about it! Like I mentioned before, you may cancel any time before the bag ships. That means if your in trading still and your not happy with your bag, cancel it right then and there! It also shipped on time. Another plus.

If your interested in joining, I have an invite link for you! If you use it, I get an extra item in my bag for the next month to trade! Then you can invite others, and get something free too! Happy Days!

thank you for reading!

xoxo

Erica

♥Wal-Mart Shopping Trip♥

Hey!

I have been doing some shopping here and there for the past couple weeks! I seriously love shopping! Shopping for clothes, makeup, books, & pointless things I probably don't need. I love shopping online. I love fake shopping online. Putting stuff in my cart and not buying it...yah no, just in case! I even love grocery shopping! I am the 1 that does the grocery shopping. Looking at different ads, calculating it all out, & finding inspiration from foodie blogs is my specialty! (: I think it would be fun to do a grocery shopping haul & maybe I will one day, but for now let me show you what I got at Wal-Mart!

1. Suave Mousse
I cannot tell you how many times I have re-purchased this. I have been using it on my hair since the 8th grade! First off, it smells amazing and you + other people could smell it throughout the day. It creates volume when added to the roots. I have wavy hair and what I have always used it for was for the days I wanted my hair to hold my natural curls and waves and didn't feel like straightening it or using a curling iron. I scrunch this into my hair, while my damp head of hair is flipped upside down (this and a couple other great curling products) and blow dry. The wetter the hair, the better to control frizz and give you natural curls. It's not going to make your hair look wet, or crunchy if you know what I mean. It is such a staple, I don't think I have ever even mentioned it here!

2. Hard Candy Matte Polish (Matte-ly in love):

I have wanted this for weeks! I have seen a nail blog or 2 put it over shimmery polishes, glitter polishes, & duo-chromes and have really wanted to give it a go. Right now I am wearing it over Blue It! from Sally Hansen. It's so pretty! If your on my main page & have a chance to scroll down, then you already know there will be at NOTW or 2 feat. Matte-ly in Love! As you can see I have been a little obsessive with nail polishes and nail art!

3. Hard Candy "Glow Away" Bronzer and Highlighting Duo:
It doesn't look like you get very much of either colors, but I have been looking for a nice bronze highlight. We will see if it works out. The bronze color has an orange undertone which I happen to like because I am pretty light. Orange undertones make me look more natural for the most part. Some other bronzers make me look muddy if it's too deep or leaning too much toward a brown undertone. For reference, I have cool undertones in my skin so that could be why too.

4. Dog Harness
I can't say this is really exiting (unless you are a proud new owner of your baby puppy!) but Stella needed another one badly. She chewed hers up and now the buckle will come off when she pulls hard enough on her old one. We were at the park and she was barking and pulling away to go see some other doggie's, and she got off of her leash because her old harness was busted. I was afraid she was gunna run over and either bark/bite/be mean/jump and play. You never know with her! She's wound up! When she got to the other doggie's, she stopped dead in her tracks, not barking or anything. She just wanted to sniff & sniff them! Good dog! She usually loves other doggies & kitties! It's people she is weary of! Smart puppy! LOL

I am positive I will mention these things even more in depth (besides the dog harness!) after I have used them to give you a proper review! I heart Wal-Mart.

Have you bought anything good from Wal-Mart or Hand Candy Lately?

Thank you for reading!

xoxo
Erica

Essie A Cut Above + Nothing Else Metals = A Match Made in Heaven!

Hey! I cannot tell you how long I have wanted Essie's A Cut Above. It have wanted this since my Rose Gold Phase but never picked it up because I just couldn't justify paying $8 for a bottle of polish. It wasn't until a week or two ago when I passed it again for the 13th time at my local grocery store. I have just been lusting. Dreaming up different ways I can use it. (blogging about beauty has really done something to my head!) Needless to say, I picked it up and didn't look back! So glad I didn't!

Nothing Else Metals has been seen before on Mind Body Beauty. My b/f's mom Barbara, gave it to me! I never like picking things up in her house for fear she will just put it in my purse for me to take home! A giver, she is! But I don't mind! ;)

A Cut Above from the Luxe Effects Line: 

"a shattered pink diamond glitz" is how Essie herself describes it. I like to think of it as my own personal rose gold (: Unlike most (if not all) China Glaze glitters, A Cut Above is a top coat as opposed to an opaque glitter nail polish you would only need 1-2 coats of to cover your nail. However, it has more glitter in it than other glitter top coats you might find. Such as Party of 5 Glitters from Wet n Wild if your familiar. I personally think that A Cut Above has just enough glitter and is the perfect top coat. I wouldn't have it any other way!

Nothing Else Metals from the Mirror Metallics Line:

 "a carefree lavender metallic" is Essie's description. It doesn't seem very lavender to me. It is more like a silver duo-chrome with purple undertones to my eyes. You can decide for yourself.

Your Looking at 1 coat of Nothing Else Metals and 2 coats of A Cut Above:

A while back I seen A Cut Above used over a duo chrome and thought it looked seriously stunning. Looking at both of them head on, you would never think they were a match made in heaven. 

Next time your sifting through your collection, take a good look at each polish (or eye shadow) next to each other, if your finding it hard to come up with a good pair. I bet you will find many you wouldn't even think of other wise!

If you missed out on 1 of my favorite lip pairings, feel free to click me!

As you can tell by the front page of my blog, I have been a little obsessive with the nail polish. I have a bunch of other non-nail-polish blogs coming up really soon! and a video! If your newer to the video world link me up and we can be youtube friends! This is my youtube channel 

Shout out to my Hello Cotton people! I can't believe this blog post made it into one of the most popular beauty blog posts there on Sept. 7th! I was just going through them, like I do almost every week to find some new blogs and could not believe I seen my blog up there! I know I am the biggest dork because I have been walking on cloud nine! If you have never checked out Hello Cotton and you love all kinds of blogs, check it out for real! I love that site (: 

Thank you
xoxo
Erica

Tarte Blush & Bronze on the Go

Something I almost never indulge in is higher end blush. In fact, this will be only my 2nd high blush. But I seriously love blush. I was just always completely happy with my drugstore blushes. Until, I heard that Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blushes actually have real staying power. My blush is always the first thing to go on my face. So, thank goodness for Ulta's check out counter. They always have higher end mini products for a fair price. Ulta's checkout counter is how I found out about another holy grail, anyways. So I figured why not?

You get 1 Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface (.11 oz) + 1 Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Park Ave. Princess (.11 oz) for $15. To be completely honest, I don't see a reason to buy a full size (.20 oz). I feel as if I will not be hitting pan on these for a long time.

You already know how I feel about amazonian clay. I use it in my face wash (Kiehl's) and it is amazing. I like to fact that my blush is all natural, and actually good for you.  This blush has vitamin c, e & beeswax in it as well.

Because it is made with Amazonian clay, not only does it stay in place longer than any other blush, but it also "minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place", as said by TarteCosmetics.com. I can say that statement is completely true. It's funny because I will get oily everywhere else besides where I have applied my blush and bronzer. It is good for other skin types too, see the benefits for your skin type on the site: Blush & Bronzer.

 

Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush

I was happy to find out Dollface was included in this deal. I have wanted it for ages. My skin is fair/light with warm undertones & I think it looks nice on my skin color. However, this is a pretty universal color. It is also fool-proof. Swipe your blush brush into the product. No need to even tap off the excess. It isn't chalky in the least bit (better not be!) And it is very buildable. There is no such thing as over doing it with this blush. I think part of this is because it blends like a dream. Can't say it lasts for 12 hours but I will say it lasts 3-4 hours. That's pretty good for a blush! It is described as a light pink.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Park Ave. Princess

This bronzer, like the blush has the same staying power & consistency (see above) It does have shimmer in it, but personally it doesn't bother me too much as long as it isn't chunky. I use it for contouring and I think it is the perfect shade for my skin tone/color. Unlike it's counter part Dollface, I think people with light/medium skin tones could pull this off as a contour. Any darker, and it would be nice for a sun kissed highlight, maybe? It can also be worn as an eyeshadow too! So if you want to try this duo out, it's not a complete miss if the bronzer is too light for your skin tone/color. The color is described as a shimmery gold.

Swatches:

*funny story*

While I was at work the other day, the owner had her niece and nephew come in, who are 2 & 4 years old. They are such sweet little babies! (The little boy got mad at his younger sister for calling him a bow. LOL!) Anyhow, the little girl came up to me and asked "whats on your cheek?". Hmmm....I was wondering myself what was on my cheek. When I looked in the mirror, there was nothing there but my blush! ha! That was 2 hours into my day so there you have proof it lasts!

I have always wanted to dive into the Tarte brand. I knew if I ever tried Tarte, it would automatically become 1 of my favorite high end brands. I still have yet to try the Amazonian Clay Foundation! That will be my next purchase from Tarte!

xoxo

Erica

Shabby Chic Nail Art

Hey! Ok, I know that every other post has been about nails but I simply can't help myself. I have found some really good nail blogs + I have been Pinning Nailspiration like crazy! I will share the blogs later, but for now, let's get on with my NOTW! 

And by the way, if your looking for more NOTW's here on MBB, search NOTD's because I used to be the girl that could never leave her polish on for a whole day, hence the title Nail Of The Day. 

♥The pink polish is by Wet n Wild. The label really wore off there. It's called Tickled Pink.

♥Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Mint Sorbet

♥Art Deco nail art by L.A. Colors. There colors do not have names. There brushes come to a fine tip which is how I got the thin lines going up my nails. I am sure you've seen these polishes before.

I think the pastel colors along with the stripes and heart really makes this shabby chic! Don't you?

♥Here's some links:♥

How I learned how to paint a heart on my nails! Really, really simple!

Nail'd It. She always does.
OMG Noodles She does a lot of fun matte  glitter mani's. My new obsession!

Makeup Withdrawal: More fun nail art
Im Feeling Nail-Venturous Cannot leave her out!

My Pinterest
My Nailspiration Board on Pinterest

on another note: do you guys like my updated side bar? let me know what you think! I am still trying to figure out how to get rid of the padding! If you know how, let me know in the comments, please! I have tried 20 different codes and it's a no go!

thank you for reading!

xoxo

Erica