AD – GIFTED | Part of being a blogger and running an Instagram account inevitably involves taking selfies sometimes, doesn’t it? But what if, like me, you’re not very confident about taking selfies? Enter the Selfie Bag from Cotton Bag Co * to try and make life that little bit easier.
Selfie Bag – Cotton Bag Co
I’d never heard of a Selfie Bag before but when the Cotton Bag Co put a call out on Twitter for bloggers to review their recently launched tote bag, I was intrigued. I was also delighted to see the Westbury-based company is local to me (I’m near Bath). Cotton Bag Co works with the big boys like Wagamama and M&S as well as smaller niche brands but still maintains its strong ethical policy. This includes ethical sourcing of materials, using environmentally friendly supplies, and ensuring that all their workplaces follow international labour standards (fair wages, and no forced, bonded or involuntary labour).
Cotton Bag Co released ‘The Selfie Bag’ in time for National Selfie Day. The customised canvas tote bags come in two different designs: black canvas with gold patterns, or natural canvas with colourful patterns – as you can see, I received the colourful tote bag. Both bags have inner pockets that are specially designed to hold your smart phone and selfie stick, plus a unique fold out reflector to help you get better lighting in all your selfies. Also included is an exclusive brochure with selfie tips from the Queen of Selfies, Kim Kardashian, plus advice from fellow bloggers on how to bag yourself the perfect selfie.
Why choose a canvas Selfie Bag?
Did you know that the average plastic bag gets used for twelve minutes before it gets thrown away? That’s a shocking statistic, isn’t it? But the Cotton Bag Co bags can be used again and again and, if cared for correctly, may even last a lifetime. Perfect for anyone looking to invest in a more sustainable lifestyle. All the company’s canvas tote bags are made using recyclable and reusable products from renewable materials, with eco-friendly dyes to colour the cotton, and lead-free inks to print the designs onto the bags.
First impressions
I rarely take selfies and almost never upload them to social media so I jumped at the chance to test a bit of kit that might help me. The tote bag is a lovely bright colour and a very good size. I can see it coming on holiday with us as a beach bag to keep all our phones, money, and valuables safe in its zipped compartments. It folds up easily and works as a multi-use tote bag that I can keep in my usual shoulder bag for any suitable selfie opportunity 🙂
The bit I particularly like is the fold out reflector sheet: not just for selfies, I can see this coming in useful for flatlays too, when the light isn’t all I’d like it to be…
I’ve been practising taking selfies since I received my bag, although I’m not ready to share them on social media yet. But I think the bag and the free brochure of experts’ selfie tips have definitely helped me take a better picture, so watch this space. Hopefully by the time National Selfie Day comes around again, I’ll be ready. For those who don’t know, on 21st June, we’re encouraged to take creative (appropriate) selfies and share them on social media with the hashtag #NationalSelfieDay.
In the meantime, here are a few interesting facts about selfies and how important they are for those of us running social media accounts (whether personal or on behalf of clients).
Where can I buy the Selfie Bag?
You can buy the tote bag from Cotton Bag Co direct. While I may not have any selfies to show you yet, I’ve loved using my innovative bag and I’m very grateful to Cotton Bag Co for sending me one to test. For only £9.99 each, I think they’re an amazing bit of kit for anyone in search of a confidence booster and, of course, bagging that perfect selfie! And if you’re a foodie, then you might be interested in Cotton Bag Co’s Instagram bag to help you take that amazing mouthwatering shot 🙂
Do you enjoy taking selfies? What are your best tips for getting the best picture?
* I was gifted this Selfie Bag in exchange for a review but all opinions are my own and this is an honest, unbiased review.
This sounds intriguing and certainly a unique product! I could definitely use some help when it comes to selfies. I just don’t know how to take them anymore haha.
Isn’t it though? Such a good idea and, yes, I need all the help I can get, haha!
This is the first time I heard about a selfie kit, but this is so interesting. I try to take selfies sometimes but most of the time it is a disaster. The colorful bag a very cute and that reflector I guess will be helpful. The selfie numbers was interesting to know.
Via | http://glossnglitters.com
All my selfies are complete disasters, that’s why I never post them 🙂 I’m hoping that this bag will help me up my game, especially when we’re on holiday at the end of the month – no excuses once I have a tan and sunnies! x
Oh my goodness this is such a lovely idea! Such a beautiful bag! A great review lovely, as always a great post! ?
Oh, thank you, that’s so kind! It’s great isn’t it? One of those ideas that you think, of course, why hasn’t anyone done this before? 🙂 x
Wow! I didn’t know 1,000 selfies are posted on Instagram every 10 seconds! That’s a lot of selfies ha ha. I’ve never heard of a selfie bag before but I love the idea and the design is gorgeous. It does look like the perfect holiday/beach bag too and it looks like you can carry a lot of things! Great review Lisa and thank you for introducing me to the world of selfie bags! <3 xx
I know, that’s a LOT of selfies, haha. I do think this is such a great idea, I’m so surprised it hasn’t been done before but it’s the perfect tool for any blogger or social media manager. And it’s definitely coming on holiday with us 🙂 xx
Great post Lisa, I love this idea and it’s great it’s reusable and ethical too. I’m not really one for selfies so I suspect it would be useful to me! xx
Thank you 🙂 Yes, that was one of the things that really stood out for me, that the company is so ethical and environmentally conscious. And it’s a fab tote bag, whether you use it for selfies or not! xx
The pattern on the bag is really pretty so I would totally use it as a reusable shopping bag. I always try to avoid plastic bags and that statistic was just scary!
However, the fact that there is now a market for a ‘selfie bag’ is just scary to me haha
Angela
I love the fact that it’s reusable. I also love the black and gold bag, it’s very glamourous, ideal for evening use – I might have to buy that one myself, haha. And I know what you mean about selfies, they are scary in themselves but hopefully this bag can help some of us less confident folk! x
This sounds and looks lovely! It’s great to use things like canvas bags to be more sustainable, it’s a small something we should all do moreoften! x
Emily
That’s one of the things I was really impressed with, how sustainable and environmentally conscious they company is – and yes, I agree, you can never have too many canvas tote bags! x
I love the look of this! It’s so unique, I’ve never seen anything like it before. I don’t take selfies often as I don’t really know what I’m doing so I think I need all the help I can get haha. Brilliant review xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
Aw, thank you! And I’m the same, that’s why I was so excited to get my hands on this bag ? haha! X
This is a great concept. I need as much help as I can get when it comes to selfie taking. I’m just so awkward!
Louisa
Me too, I’m still practising! ? xx
This is an excellent idea, and would actually be such a great gift for someone! Something different and a little bit quirky! Great review/post!
OMG it would be a great gift, what a fab idea, genius, thank you! X
Such a unique idea for a product, love the idea of this x
It’s great, isn’t it? I’d never heard of anything like this before, it’s such a good idea! X
This is an interesting product, wow! I don’t really like taking selfies, I get so awkward haha x
Alys
Oh, me too, that’s why I think this is such a fab product. Any and all help is welcome! X
Never heard of a product like this before it sounds really unique! I’m terrible at taking selfies so this would probably come in useful for me!
Jess // foundationsandfairytales.wordpress.com
xx
Oh me too, haha, but this is one of those products that when you see it, you think OF COURSE and why hasn’t anyone made one before! x
I really need to work on my selfies! This sounds like such an interesting product! I’m definitely going to look into getting one.
It’s such a good idea, isn’t it? And it’s a lovely tote bag at the same time, win win, haha!
This sounds incredible – would love to have the chance to use this for myself. I have tried the flat lay thing before, but all of my attempts just look awful, haha! Now I just use ‘interesting angles’
I think you’re too hard on yourself, your recent photos for that bread post were amazing 🙂 But fingers crossed, this will up my game for my selfies, haha!
I absolutely never take selfies haha, I never like how I look and I don’t think people would be interested in seeing my face. However, that fact about the Instagram likes being so much higher for pics with faces in them has really opened my eyes! This is such a cool product and I love the reflector (I have one but it’s absolutely MASSIVE) – maybe I’ll need to investigate and get my selfie game up to speed!
Beth x
I’m exactly same, I’m so self-conscious too. But that Insta fact was a big surprise to me and I know Flora loves selfies (although I choose not to show her face in my public accounts) so I guess it’s high time I got to grips with them – fingers crossed! x
That is crazy how many selfies are taken on Instagram! I think I have posted once or twice of my face on my whole account. I am not confident to take selfies at all. It makes me sad that I feel that way, but I hope my confidence improves and I feel more comfortable! The bag is so cute, so colourful perfect for summer. That’s great it has a secure pocket for your valuables, so essential at the beach. Thank you for sharing your post Lisa! ❤️Xxxx
I know, it’s such a shocking number, isn’t it? I had no idea! And I’m still not confident about taking selfies, despite the bag and the tips – oops – but at least I have a fab beach bag, haha 🙂 xxx