Well, since today may or may not be my 100th post (see confusing explanation here), and since I promised you “something different” yesterday . . . here it is. My first ever self-sponsored giveaway! In fact, I think that from now on, whenever I find a product I really like, and it’s small, light and shippable, I’m going to give one away. I’m just so generous like that.
So without further ado, I now present my 100th-ish Post Celebratory Giveaway, um, Post!
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We’re going green. Not so much by choice, but rather by bylaw. Don’t get me wrong – I’m a big fan of the environment. And I certainly try to do my part. Sure, the green bin may disgust me, but it’s one of the things I participate in anyway. It’s the right thing to do.
So when Toronto decided to take some steps towards being greener this past summer, I approved. I don’t live there, but I do work there, so it affects me. One of the initiatives they implemented on June 1/09 was the introduction of a new bylaw that concerns, among other things, plastic shopping bags. Here’s the deets;
- Retailers must charge 5 cents for each single-use plastic bag “or provide a free alternative”
- Signs must be placed to let customers know about the charge
- The charge must be listed on your receipt
- Retailers will be required to fill your reusable bag if you bring one
Excellent! I did feel as though I was drowning in the sea of plastic shopping bags that were starting to pile up in my house, so eliminating many of them was a good thing. And yes, I witnessed the floating circle of garbage in the ocean on my good friend Oprah’s show and was duly disgusted. So, now we faithfully take our reusable grocery bags to the store every weekend and, in fact, I really like them. They hold way more stuff so you make less trips out to the car to carry your groceries in. Win-win!
On my lunch hours, I take a shuttle bus (yes, I should probably walk, but I only have 1 hour for lunch and time is of the essence!) to a local mall where I can get some errands done. A BIG mall. With every store you would want. It’s VERY convenient. Maybe TOO convenient. Never mind about my habitual shopping right now, the point here is that I find myself shopping – a lot. Particularly through the Christmas season. So I keep a drawer full of shopping bags – both plastic and reusable alike – at work where I store my purse. The idea being – take out the purse for a shopping excursion . . . and take out a shopping bag at the same time.
But do you think I can ever remember to take out a shopping bag? Even though they’re RIGHT THERE? No. Never. I ended up doling out nickel, after hard earned nickel, on stupid plastic shopping bag, after stupid plastic shopping bag, once I get over to the mall. Time and time again. Grrrr.
Until . . .
I discovered this very small, very cute little fold up reusable bag that fits very nicely in my purse!
(Please excuse my fat hand. It’s really not fat. Maybe I was bloated or something. They do say the camera adds 10 pounds. Or maybe it’s just a bad camera angle. Don’t know. But I assure you – I don’t have fat hands.)
It folds out to a really good size and can hold lots of things. And I keep it in my purse now so I always have it with me. I’m SO clever!
And since I love my fold up reusable shopping bag AND I love you, my dear Readers, I’m gonna be all full of the giving today and award one to a lucky winner. Will it be you? Will YOU be the winner? Or are you just a big looser?
All you have to do is leave me a comment that states:
1) your correct email address (so I can get a hold of you to let you know if you are in fact a winner)
2) whether or not your town charges for plastic shopping bags
3) if we were going out for a 100th-ish post celebratory drink, what would you be ordering?
Comments will be open until Friday January 8, 2010 at 11:59pm Eastern Time. I’ll use a random number generator to pick a winner from all the comments. The winner has 48 hours to respond or I pick another one. Anyone can enter – loyal comments and lurkers alike. And it doesn’t matter what country you’re from. This small, light little baby will be easy to ship anywhere. Oh, the fun!
Okay go! Leave me your comment entry . . .
Comments have now been closed. Thanks for playing everyone! Winner to be contacted soon.
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January 8th, 2010 at 4:40 am
Yes, my town does charge for plastic bags. You already know my e-mail address, and my drink of choice would be no other that a big glass of Chardonnay!!!! mmmm. And your hand ………. WTF…. gotta tell ya, it frightened me just a little!!!!!!
Cher
Replied:
January 8th, 2010 at 9:28 am
I know! And since you have actually met me IRL, I may need you to sign an affidavit stating my true body size.
January 8th, 2010 at 4:56 am
texans love to waste money,so no, we’re not charging yet, BUT my favorite vintage store in town does the coolest thing…you can pay 10 cents for a bag, OR they give you a token, and you place the token in one of 4 bins, and you pick the bin that corresponds to a charity you want them to donate the money to! I always pick the SPCA bc I love animals, but I really love the concept…except when my arms are bursting with items and I have no bag….darn
you don’t have fat hands!
drink of choice: something with champers…bc I mean you’re celebrating right?
January 8th, 2010 at 7:11 am
Virginia doesn’t charge and we give em out like crack. As for 100th post – a really nice bottle of wine should be open tonight and you must eat your favorite food.
That is what I would do, but then again, I find happiness through my tummy.
Kiran
January 8th, 2010 at 8:57 am
That’s YOUR hand??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cher
Replied:
January 8th, 2010 at 9:19 am
I know, I know! It appears to be that of an obese elderly woman, but I assure you, it is mine.
Now I’m going to have to post a picture of myself on Monday to quash any incorrect mental images that my Readers may have developed. Damn it!
January 8th, 2010 at 9:32 am
yes, our town charges for plastic bags and now I never have enough of them. Sometimes I pay for them just so I will have one when needed.
My drink of choice would be a dry French red wine – Kressman.
Your idea of the little bag in your purse is great – if I don’t win then were can I buy one.
January 8th, 2010 at 10:33 am
How exciting! Congrats!
January 8th, 2010 at 11:06 am
No our town does not charge for shopping bags but if you have your own you get a five cent per bag discount on your grocery bill.
My drink of choice would be a lovely glass of merlot.
January 8th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Okay, seriously, there is something wrong with your camera cause I know you – I see you and you do NOT have hands that look like that!! WTH?! By the way, nice nails my friend. I have one of those bags too that I carry in my purse – love it! My drink would be a nice jug of Sangria. Bring your bag – maybe we can sneak a jug home!
January 8th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
I belive the correct term is not “fat hands” but rather “man hands” made famous by my man Jerry.
Cool little bag, great idea.
January 8th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Yay for the 100th-ish post. You rock, as always. And I LOVE GIVEAWAYS!! And you know what? I have several of those reusable bags and I always, always, always leave them at home when I grocery shop, so this little thing would suit me PERFECTLY (read: I need it, k?). And now, for the info:
1) You have my correct email – I know because we’ve played tag.
2) No, we don’t have to pay for plastic bags – yet – but i’m thinking Austin is close to changing that.
3) I will be drinking some of our homemade limoncello to celebrate your 100th-ish post tonight. I only wish i could send a shot your way…
Cheers to you, lady! I really hope I win!!!
January 8th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
My stores here don’t charge for shopping bags but DO give a discount for using reuseable bags.
I would be drinking a Diet Dr. Pepper…exciting isn’t it!? (I don’t drink so this is as exciting a it gets
)
January 8th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Typical blog looser here! Hoping to change that here!
You have my email and we talk about things like granite counter tops and Joe Pesci
No I don’t have to pay for bags
I would order a Mojito
January 8th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Congrats (officially this time) on your 100th post. I love this idea for a giveaway, making the world that big cleaner and greener.
I don’t think my town charges for plastic bags. I don’t know, I haven’t used them for awhile because I have those reusable ones. One set inside and one in the car in case I forget to take the inside ones outside.
As for the drink. I’ll have a diet coke, because I’m hardcore.