Flip for it!

A few months ago, I got some reusable shopping bags. As is my usual way, I hemmed and hawwed over the decision and spent way too much time doing online research. And I finally picked out the ones from Flip & Tumble. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE them. (Which goes to show that sometimes my persnickety ways do pay off...).

These bags have transformed my good intentions (oh-sure-I-have-reusable-bags-I-just-don't-always-remember-to-use-them) to actual "I don't need a bag" action.

I take several of them to the store if I know I'll be buying a bunch of stuff. I also carry a couple of them in my purse with me at all times in case I need them and I have found that I do quite often need them. They are perfect for shopping and for those random times when I just need an extra bag.

I love the long strap that I can wear over my shoulder. I love that they are lightweight and compact enough to carry with me. I love that they are bright and fun colored and pop open all cutely. I LOVE THEM. Two thumbs up.

Fifty Actual Dollars, or, Keeping My Earth Day Resolutions

Instead of splurging on one or two unnecessary purchases, I decided to buy these:


New reusable shopping bags from Flip & Tumble! Aren't they, for lack of a more sophisticated descriptor, CUTE?

Now, I am not affiliated in any way with Flip & Tumble, but I spent a good deal of time procrastinating doing my homework by searching for the Right Bags online, so I'm feeling good about this purchase. I tend to be a rather indecisive and picky so I had a variety of criteria and these bags met them all. They:

1. are big enough for groceries, but also versatile enough for other purchases.
2. are, according to the web site, washable, strong, and durable (made of "ripstop nylon").
3. have a long enough strap to be slung over my shoulder.
4. are compact. I opened up the "aqua" one to show how big they become, and it smooshed very easily back into a wee ball-- perfect for stashing in my purse, my backpack, my car, etc.
5. are affordable. If you buy 7 or more they are just $7 each (plus shipping).
   
6. are cute! Aren't they cute!?

And, as a bonus, the web site was fun to use. Click! Little pink bag icon appears next to my shopping cart icon! Click! Little blue bag icon appears next to my shopping cart icon! You can see how I ended up with seven.

And then, just yesterday, I was at my favorite little Japanese Variety Store and I saw these:


And I had been thinking about buying little cloth or mesh produce bags for grocery shopping but I couldn't seem to pull the trigger on buying them online for the $3ish each plus shipping. But these were only $1.50 each and I think I will legitimately use them for produce or maybe even as lunch bags. And I am planning to use the smaller ones for my morning bagel instead of wrapping the bagel in a plastic bag and then throwing it away after I eat the bagel because it's all smeared with cream cheese and I don't want to deal with it. I mean, uh, I don't do that.

Earth Day Resolutions

After reading Miss Grace's post, I remembered that today is Earth Day. I do care about our lovely little planet, so here are some things I resolve to start doing:

1. Actually use my reusable shopping bags. I'll buy a couple more so I can leave them in my car, my purse, and my backpack so they will be more handy.

2. Get one of those folding cart things for shopping (hopefully one that is kind of hip and cute and not too dowdy). This, I believe, will help me accomplish goals 3 and 4.

3. Walk to the grocery store. It is embarrassingly close and yet I drive there far more often than I should because it's quicker and easier, especially if I want to buy a lot of heavyish stuff. But once I have my little cart, I'll have no excuse.

4. Use the library, not the bookstore. The bookstore is closer, but the library is right across the street from the grocery store so maybe I'll be inspired to go there while I'm out shopping.

5. Turn off excess lights. Sometimes I feel lonely in my apartment so I keep more lights on than I should. But I'll stop. Maybe I'll try to make it fun by lighting nice-smelling candles in the house instead. That's okay, right? Candles make less pollution than leaving lights on?

6. Make hippie cleaning stuff out of baking soda and vinegar and lemon juice and whatnot. I'll use up my Seventh Generation stuff and just mix the new stuff in those bottles.

7. Buy more local and organic food. I've starting doing this recently, but sometimes the prices scare me away. But I know it's better for the economy, the environment, my health, karma, etc.


I think now is a good time to mention the things that I already do, just to give myself a little pat on the back for doing them. And also to resolve to continue to do them:

• Drink tap water
• Use cloth napkins and cleaning rags instead of paper towels and napkins
• Bring water in my reusable bottle
• Bring tea in my ceramic travel cup
  
• Reuse plastic bags (for kitty litter scooping, lunches, etc)
• Reuse paper bags (to hold recyclables)
• Bring my lunches to school a couple times a week (I can't bear to bring lunch on clinical days. It's just too much to handle) and make dinner at home most nights
• Shop at thrift and used clothing stores
• Use public transportation
• Give a monthly donation to Greenpeace
• Appreciate natural beauty
• Think positive thoughts