Because we've been discussing eco-friendly wines and flowers recently, we've turned our attention to other facets of entertaining. And that, naturally, brings us to the actual act of grocery- and food-shopping. We thought it was the perfect opportunity to chat about our market totes. You may have participated in a discussion of "paper versus plastic" (when dealing with grocery store bags), in an effort to decide which is the more eco-friendly choice...but we try to avoid that conundrum entirely and simply bring our own market bag with us when we shop.

Get a bag that is large enough to hold the equivalent of a "regular" supermarket bag, or two for that matter. Make sure the handles are strong—sturdy enough to support the weight you will put into it. And if you're like me, and you think you'll tote it over your shoulder, then be sure the handles are long enough to do that. Make sure the seams are stitched together securely, and perhaps are even reinforced with a second row of stitching, or have a bound seam. If you're going to carry just a wallet to the market, then you want a tote that has a pocket or two for your money, your phone, and so on. It's also great if the bag folds up into a tiny nothing, but not every market bag does. Some are more water-resistant than others, so check that out, too. Some cloth bags have an interior loop that you can use to secure to a check-out lane, but that is not so important generally—a nice added extra, but not a vital feature.

Whatever you end up buying, just be sure to use it take and take it to the market—so you can say "It's in the bag!"

Credit: Hero Bags