Getting ready for the day and all my SULIbags are packed.  I have each filled and ready to go to the gym, swimming lessons, and the library.  So many great uses and so much MORE than just a reusable shopping bag!

© susan for SULIbag Reusable Bag Blog, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: reusable bags, reusable green bags, reusable grocery bag, reusable shopping bag

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Just got back from my weekly shopping trip.  This is enough groceries to feed my family of four for the entire week.  I used four (4) SULIbags!

© susan for SULIbag Reusable Bag Blog, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: reusable green bags, reusable grocery bag

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

In the world of going green, it is common to hear people saying or thinking they alone can’t make a difference.  That really couldn’t be farther from the truth.  The simple act of taking your own bags to the store, has a huge impact and it only has to start with you.  On average, I could come home with about 15 plastic bags every week from my groceries.  I grocery shop every week.  There are 52 weeks in the year so multiply that by my 15 plastic bags.  You get a total of 780 plastic bags that “me” alone is using a year.  That is really a low number too, considering 15 per week is average.  Many times it is over or even under, but then think about all the last minute trips to the drugstore, gas station, Target or Wal-Mart, they start adding up quickly.  If you ask me, I think keeping 780 plastic bags out of our landfills each year is a very good start!

I would now like to take a second to make a confession.  I would like to confess that even I do not use reusable bags 100% of the time.  Now that I have that off my chest, I would also like to share a story with you how I’ve grown in the past year.  As many of you know, my sister and I started SULIbag because we began using cloth bags on our trips to the grocery store.  We were not satisfied with the bags we had or the ones we found to buy.  We wanted something a little nicer, a little sturdier, but most of all we wanted them to look good!

We are  no different than anyone else.  We have kids, bad days, days when it seems to take an eternity to just walk out of the house.  I had such a day recently.  I woke up late, which is never a good start, it took forever to get the kids dressed, it was cold and snowy out, and I was dealing with a killer headache.  Then I realized, I had not made a shopping list.  I am very strict about going to the store with a list,  I must have a list! So, everything was put on hold to sit down and figure out the menu and shopping list for the week.  By the time I had everyone loaded in the car and on our way, I really just wanted to go back inside and crawl into my bed until the day was over.

I continued to the store and halfway down the road, I realized I forgot to take my SULIbags.  Due to the rough morning just getting to the car, I decided to forget it just this once.  Usually, if I’m not too far away, I’ll turn around out of guilt and get my reusable bags.  I thought I would just deal with those plastic bags from the store today, besides, I could use some for the bathroom trash cans anyway, right?

Once I got to the store, it really wasn’t that bad.  I got all my things rather quickly and proceeded to the checkout, where, I will admit it went very quickly too, but this is where it went bad again.  I didn’t think I had too much for a regular trip, but I started receiving bag after bag after bag filling my cart to the brim.  By the time it was done, my cart was overflowing with these bags.

Then came loading my car.  Now, one of the most popular questions I get about reusable green bags are if they are sturdy enough or won’t they tip over in the car.  Personally, I pack my reusable bags so full and tight that these babies have no problem standing up.  However, after remembering how messy all the plastic bags are, I’m a little perplexed that I really get that question.  I mean, they were everywhere, and by the time I got home, my groceries had fallen out of half of them.

Finally came the fun part of unloading.  This is when I realized, reusable bags have truly spoiled me.  I can put 2 or 3 of my SULIbags on each of my shoulders and carry everything in the house.  Not so much with these plastic ones, which you must grab using your hands or wrists.  I consider myself in shape, but I do not have strong hands or biceps by any means which is where all the weight of the plastic bags are focused on.  It was not easy getting everything back in the house.

Through this eventful day of shopping I realized that I have changed.  In the beginning, I made a choice to use reusable green bags as the first step to living a greener lifestyle.  There were times when I loved every minute of them.  There are other times when I just got plain annoyed at the checkout person complaining at me because I brought my own bags and it was an inconvenience to them.  There were other times, that I was absolutely so proud of my bags when I was given a compliment from someone.  Above all, I have realized that my first step to “learn”  a greener way, has actually become the first step towards a greener lifestyle.  When the change becomes a habit, that is when we realize maybe each of us can make a difference.

© susan for SULIbag Reusable Bag Blog, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: going green, reusable bags, reusable green bags, SULIbags

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

SULIbag has just donated a 3-bag system from their Chic in the City line to the Little Guppy Child Development Center for it’s 5th annual Trivia Night.  We are excited to have the opportunity to show off our bags to a great group of parents.  There are two Little Guppy Centers in the area; St. Charles and O’Fallon.  We are honored to be able to contribute in any way to help support our local community and the children at the center.

© susan for SULIbag Reusable Bag Blog, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: donation, green reusable bag, Little Guppy Child Development Center, Trivia Night

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Did you know we designed the SULIbag Outie with you, the shopper, in mind?  That’s right!  We placed a 7” tall by 6” wide zippered pocket on our Outie bag for you to hold valuable items.  The Outie is reversible, allowing you to choose if you would like that pocket on the inside for more security or the outside for quicker access.

When I shop, I put my wallet, cell phone, shopping list, pen & lip gloss all in my my zippered pocket.  With the addition of such a simple feature, it allows you to go into the stores purse free, carrying only your favorite green reusable bags.

Don’t stop there.  When I take my girls to the park, I always grab a SULIbag.  Coats, waters, wipes inside the bag.  Keys, phone, wallet & Benedryl (for allergies) in the zippered pocket.

A trip to the winery definitely deserves a reason to tote your favorite green bag of choice.  Put your blanket and wine glasses inside your SULIbag and stash your corkscrew & cork mementos in the zippered pocket.

I think you are starting to get the idea of the many great uses of our SULIbag Outie and its wonderful zippered pocket.  What do you keep in yours?

© susan for SULIbag Reusable Bag Blog, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: green bag, green reusable bag, reusable shopping bag, zippered pocket

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Did you know that those cotton ties on your SULIbag actually serve 2 purposes?  That’s right!  They not only let you tie your bags closed keeping your groceries contained, but they also allow you to keep your Innie bags rolled up nice and neat inside your Outie bag’s side pocket.

When designing our Innie bags, an important feature we wanted to include was the ability for the bag to become as physically small as a canvas bag would allow.  We rolled, folded, and wrapped every which way, testing out different possibilities.  At the end of the day, we decided rolling the bag worked best with our Outie bag.  What would work even better is if we had some sort of closure or tie that would secure the rolled bag preventing it from getting messy and bulky when storing.

Meanwhile, we were showing off our SULIbags to all our friends and the same question kept repeating itself over and over, “Do you have a way to close your bags so the groceries don’t spill out?”  After more brainstorming and testing we realized we could solve both concerns with one solution.  If we placed ribbon ties at the top of the bag, when full of groceries and purchases we can tie the SULIbag closed.  When we get home and empty the SULIbag, we can simply fold over the bags and roll from the bottom towards the top, using the ribbon ties to secure the rolled up Innie bag.

The ribbon ties are biodegradable and made from 100% natural cotton herringbone twill.

© susan for SULIbag Reusable Bag Blog, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: reusable shopping bag, Ribbon Tie Closure

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Our Zoo Outie with it's Innie hanging out in it's side pocket.

I am beginning a blog series on the many GREAT features of SULIbags. Each week, I will focus on one important feature. I hope to give you a little more detail on our thought process when we designed the bags as well as give you many more great ideas on how to use your SULIbag.

Today I am highlighting the long side pockets featured on the SULIbag Outie. Originally, we came up with the idea of these pockets from our many diaper bags that we had for our kids. How handy are those side pockets anyways? You can put just about anything in them in like 2 seconds and be on your way. Brilliant!

The side pockets, found on each side of the SULIbag Outie are 6 inches wide and 15 inches long, making it roomy enough to hold up to 2 more rolled up bags on each side.

The WOW factor of these side pockets comes later, when you begin using your SULIbags for more than just your trip to the grocery store. I always take one to the park with me and store my kids sippy’s on one side and my water on the other. Don’t forget about the beach or pool either. Those side pockets hold much needed sunscreen, more water, and sunglasses too, keeping the inside free for your clothes and beach towels.  SULIbag Outies also make great picnic baskets since those nifty side pockets carry a bottle of wine or two ever so conveniently.

These are just a few great suggestions, and I know once you begin using your SULIbag Outie, you will find more great ideas and uses for those oh so convenient side pockets. When you do….let us know….we would love to hear from you!

© susan for SULIbag Reusable Bag Blog, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: features, reusable grocery bag, reusable shopping bag, side pockets, SULIbag

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

We have had such a wet June this year, which has been great for the garden.  I feel I have been neglecting it a little bit, but the truth is, it has rained so much I have only had to water it on my own about 3 times.  My Roma tomatoes are coming in great, I’ve already used some of the basil, and the peppers are all starting to bud.  I am attaching 2 pictures so you can view our progress.

© susan for SULIbag Reusable Bag Blog, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: garden

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

I have been interested in having a little home garden for a while, but have always been a little leary of growing my own things.  I’m not much of a green thumb.  This summer we decided to make a go of it.  My husband cleared the sod, tilled the soil, built the boxes, and put up the gates (we have quite the rabbit population in our neighborhood).  I got to choose and buy the vegetables and then plant and take care of them.  We planted tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapenos, habaneros, cilantro, basil, cucumbers, and radishes.  You can see our progress below.

© susan for SULIbag Reusable Bag Blog, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags:

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

We are pleased to announce that Southbank Gift Company now carries SULIbags.  The store is located at 110 East High Street, Jefferson City, MO  65101.  Stop by and check them out!

© susan for SULIbag Reusable Bag Blog, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: reusable grocery bag, reusable shopping bag

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh