Featured Articles
Clean and Green 😍 Beauty Finds for that Sun-Kissed Glow!
We sat down with beauty industry insider Berkley Stenson to chat about some of the latest clean and green – free of potentially harmful ingredients and practices – beauty trends and finds. We especially wanted to know how to get that easy, fresh, summertime glow. Here are her top picks!
*Other* Cool Products Made From Recycled Materials
We are so excited about our new 100% recycled fabric! Finally, after many years and a lot of research, we have found a recycled fabric that meets our high quality, durability, functionality and look and feel standard! Voila! Now we are curious about other hip products that are made from recycled materials so we looked around and picked our top five. Check them out!
Unique Gift Ideas for Men
Dad, hubby, son, brother - and the gardener! For all the special guys on your list, we've found a few unique gifts that we know he'll love!
Simple Steps, Big Impact - How We Can Protect Our Oceans
In honor of Earth Day this year, we’ve dug a little deeper into its meaning and origin. Turns out that its birth on April 22, 1970 marks the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Demonstrations in support of environmental awareness erupted nationally and by the end of that year marked the US government’s formation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). By 2009, the United Nations validated “International Mother Earth Day,” and now today, 193 countries celebrate Earth Day worldwide
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Earth Day 2018: The End of Plastic Pollution
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” —Margaret Mead The Earth Day Network, the organization that leads Earth Day worldwide, has dedicated Earth Day 2018 to ending plastic pollution. Their campaign will work to support a global effort to eliminate single-use plastics like shopping bags, straws and water bottles—things that get trashed way too often. So, what can you do? We’re breaking down the top three ways to reduce your day-to-day plastic consumption plus offering some other ideas to help reduce your carbon footprint. Tell us how you plan to contribute this year!
What's in the Bag: Fresh Spring Produce
Put on your rainboots, pick up your Urban Market Bags and prepare for the bountiful spring produce that’s on it’s way. We can’t get enough of the vibrant colors and crisp textures that start to appear around this time. Berries, cherries and beets, oh my! Our bags are bursting with goodies and we have some great ideas for what to do with them and how to pick the best of the best.
What's in the Bag: A Guide to Greens for Your Drinks
We love our greens. Essential to our beauty routine, nutritional needs and overall health state, consuming green vegetables is the number one way to nourish your body and fight off disease. Lucky for us, there are many ways to consume leafy greens and grasses including juicing them alongside some of their sweeter friends. If you haven’t dipped your toe in the juicing craze you might want to consider it. Vegetable juice gives you a power-packed shot of nutrients that would take days to consume otherwise. We’ve been having fun in the kitchen with our Omega Cold-Pressed Juicer and the endless recipe combinations that can be concocted. If this sounds interesting to you, we’ve got a few tips to get you started plus a breakdown of our favorite greens to turn into a delicious health promoting juice.
Homemade Beauty in 5 Ingredients or Less
Lately we’ve been going all natural when it comes be being au natural. Not only are we avoiding tons of ingredients we can’t pronounce (check out a list of the worst offenders) but we’re saving some big bucks while we’re at it. Read on for some of our favorite blogger home recipes and build your own DIY beauty arsenal to stay toxin-free. Oh ya, did we mention that every recipe is 5 ingredients or less? Grab your Urban Market Bags, take notes on some key ingredients below and head to the nearest natural food store.
What’s in the Bag: Romantic Ideas to WOW your Valentine (and give them a laugh)
“If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put U and I together.” “Are you a banana? Because I find you a-peel-ing.” “If you were on paper, you’d be what they call ‘fine print!’” All jokes aside, Valentine’s Day reminds us to treasure our loved ones and squeeze them tight. That doesn’t mean we can’t embrace the silly pick-up lines and over-the-top puns that make this cheesy holiday so grand. Here you’ll find a list of silly romantic phrases with some slightly more serious suggestions to show your loved ones how much you care.
2017 Holiday Gift Guide
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..
How to Win Thanksgiving | Table Decor & Fresh Recipes
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.
5 Tips to Simplify Back-to-School
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.
5 Habits for Health and Sustainability
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)!
Prepare for Summer Fun with Urban Market Bags
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.
Finding a Connection: Floral Design Tips from Naco Suzuki
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.
Campaign to Save the Rain
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 Clean Your Habits: The Eco-Friendly Edition
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.
Chocolate Roundup
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.
Five Tips for an Eco-Friendly Holiday
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.
Dirty Politics: Decoding California’s Proposed Plastic Bag Ban
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.
Businesses with a Fresh Spin on Sustainability
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.
#whatsinyoururbanbag: Summer Beauty Haul
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.