An amie gave me one of these pretty French market baskets for my birthday and I have put it to use more than I could have imagined. It sits in my dressing room next to a setee when not in use to store clothes that need to be put away. I also have employed it as intended – as a reusable shopping basket for the farmers’ market – and even as a travel carry-on for magazines and kid snacks. Since they don’t fasten securely, it is best to use them for non-valuables (not that a snack for a hungry child on a flight isn’t valuable).

Several beautiful styles are available from Maison de Kristine, which says it sells the woven shoppers to cut down on disposable bags from stores (three million plastic ones used annually). This peddler of French decor also aids the farmers of Moroccan villages, who receive extra income from weaving the baskets out of sustainably grown palm leaf, water reed and wild grasses.

There are several tote styles available, my favorite being the traditional one featured above. They range from $36 to $50. Little dogs not included.

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