Blog

It's been a rather chilly one this year. We’ve gone from bomb cyclone to raining cats and dogs and (spoiler alert) summer is still a distant dream. On the bright side, mild winter-to-spring weather can be enjoyable with the right approach.

We have a winning gift equation for you to follow this year that will take your giving from a single gift to an entire experience... Urban Market Bags + [insert gift idea here] = extremely happy recipient Friends and family will be thinking of you all year long when they are on the go with their Urban Market Bags in tow. Pick up a pack (or two, or three) and start thinking up clever combinations to inspire memorable experiences. Or read on for our gift recommendations. Artisans, small businesses and sustainable practices were top of mind when selecting our holiday gift picks this year..

Creativity and a little foraging go a long way this Thanksgiving. Set the table in style with materials from your craft drawer and goods from your local market to celebrate the best fall has to offer. We’ve been out and about collecting ideas to get your imagination flowing, so grab your Urban Market Bags and start planning.

From moving bedtimes up to meeting new teachers, there is a lot of preparation that happens at the beginning of the school year. The key ingredient to success is a plan. We have some back-to-school tips for getting the kids more involved and enjoying the last few weeks of warm weather stress-free.

A brand new year brings exciting opportunities—the chance to reset, reawaken that drive, and of course, make some shiny resolutions. But while setting intentions is a first step in the right direction, it can feel a little overwhelming from there. Whether it’s cultivating a healthier lifestyle, helping the environment, or just becoming a better person in general, we’re breaking down five simple tips that, practiced habitually, will make a big difference in your life (and also help the Earth)!

High temps and long days can only mean one thing: summer has arrived and we’re ready to head outdoors. At Urban Market Bags we like to bring what we need while traveling as light as possible. Here are a few ways to get the most use out of your handy packs of Urban Market Bags and prepare for summertime adventures.

A beautiful bouquet of peonies. The perfect flower to gift this Mother’s Day according to Naco Suzuki, our go-to floral artist from Kathleen Deery Design in San Francisco. Naco turns dreams into reality through her creative approach to floral design. Each event that she works on is carefully considered before she creates a beautiful botanical experience using nature's finest materials. We were fortunate to catch up with Naco and ask her about her inspiration, how she builds an arrangement and what advice she can give us to create our own blooms to celebrate Mother’s Day.

It has been raining and pouring here in California (and, man, did we need it). As our lush landscape returns, we are reminded that water is essential to our being. The EPA estimates that about half of of municipal water use is devoted to landscaping and a third to residents’ home use. Harvesting rainwater is great way to conserve resources AND feed your hungry garden. Need more convincing?

Spring into action this season and make a pledge to create eco-friendly habits that will stick around for good. Don’t get overwhelmed. At Urban Market Bags, we’ve found that one small commitment is all it takes to tip the scale in the right direction.

A bite of high-quality chocolate is like a sip of fine wine or the perfect pour over—a true work of art and an undeniably unique experience. We’re honoring a classic Valentine’s Day tradition this year by ditching the heart-shaped box for small-batch, craft chocolate made by passionate artisans.

What does the wellness forecast look like this year? We’re looking to some tried-and-true methods to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle.

Let's face it, the holidays can be overwhelming. With all the chatter, it's easy to lose sight of some important issues such as making sustainable and eco-friendly choices. We've come up with a few ways you can cut back and conserve while celebrating in style.

California voters chose to uphold the first statewide ban on single-use plastic or paper carryout bags this week, setting a precedent for other states to follow. This is a momentous step toward reducing waste and protecting the environment. Way to go, California! In case you are rushing to the polls and don’t have time to brush up on the California ballot measures, Urban Market Bags has you covered when it comes to plastic bags. Here is what you need to know about Proposition 65 and Proposition 67.

Life is busy, but making sustainable choices doesn't need to be a hassle. We covet these brands and products which make going green easy.

Slowly but surely, we're ditching the chemically-laden beauty products we've used for years and replacing them with their less harmful, and just as effective, counterparts. No, we're not perfect (ahem...aerosol...ahem), but we are taking a step in the right direction. As we look forward to a summer full of adventures, we know getting dolled-up will be taking a backseat. Simplicity is key and also helps keep our suitcases light. Tucked away in one of our Urban Market Bags, here are a few of our favorite summer beauty finds to complement your natural glow.

Since we launched in April of 2014, it’s fun to look back and see where we’ve been and how we’ve launched into the fight against plastic bags!

We admit, there have been times when we’ve felt judgmental about people who use plastic. We thought “come on world, GET ON BOARD! We have a plastic island twice the size of Texas in our ocean! Wake up!”

Thank you Hawaii, the first state to officially ban plastic bags. After spending time on the Big Island in Kona, it’s easy to understand why the locals are so accepting and supportive of anti-plastic bag legislation. It’s their lifestyle. Many signs on the island express statements like “leave the sand, it’s the local way” or “do your part to preserve the island” as a reminder of how important it is to honor the Earth’s beauty. And Hawaii makes it easy. There are compost and recycle bins on most busy corners. The streets and beaches are well-kept. Everyone does his or her part to maintain the pristine land. And now, the plastic bag ban. Because of this heightened consciousness, we were moved to avoid all unnecessary plastic, paper and other disposable materials during our stay on the island. Instead of considering the ban of plastic bags as a burden, it’s celebrated and embraced. We get it—as you walk along the beaches and consider the garbage that ends up in the ocean, it’s a tragic injustice to sea animals and the environment—and we commend Hawaii for this bold and critical move.