apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I was lucky to get a basket from friends as a thank you for dog sitting while they vacationed in Germany. It's my absolute favorite shopping basket & also works well for picnics, going to the beach, etc.

One of our local farmers' markets has a stand selling the fair trade Ghana baskets (Bolga baskets) like the ones available from Gaiam. This is definitely my go-to gift! In fact, my grandmother is getting one for her birthday next week. It is my favorite, favorite catch-all and goes everywhere with us.

They are also available at 10,000 Villages.

When I lived in London in the early 80s everyone went shopping with an over-the-arm Red Riding Hood type baskets (no lid, if you imagine it that way). I even went to the Safeway with them! I was utterly charmed, of course, although I thought they were ridiculously impractical. Now, they are on a comeback, I see! I use canvas totes for big loads of groceries, and a tiny foldup back from Eddie Bauer that I can keep in my very small purse for chance shopping.