Lara Landa reviews the hottest eco-chic must have

I've always been an avowed purse junkie. But eco-friendly shopping bags? Not so much. It isn't that I haven't tried. I've been on the lookout for a reusable eco-shopper for ages but always seem to come up short. The ugly, bulky totes you can buy for a couple dollars at the grocery store just won't do, and I never could get behind the idea of plunking down hundreds of dollars during that I'm Not a Plastic Bag eco-fashion craze.

With the lack of choices, I usually feel like a sheepish Linus with my security blanket of bad-for-the-environment plastic bags. Thankfully, my new discovery, the RuMe bag, has finally saved me from needless eco-thuggery. This fair-trade, machine-washable stunner is everything I've wanted in a reusable bag and more. Fashionable and practical, this do-gooder carry-all can easily be stashed in your purse and is so light and compact it's quickly become a permanent staple, right up there with keys, lip balm and credit card.

With a plethora of patterns and colours (even metallic!) anyone will surely be able to find a RuMe that they can call their very own. Ingeniously designed and built to last, the box-stitched sides and bottom provide ease when loading items, while allowing plenty of room to spare. Long handles can easily be thrown over the shoulder or even a bulky, winter coat. Lightweight but sturdy, the original RuMe holds up to 50 pounds, while the Mini RuMe holds up to 30. A lightning rod of a conversation starter, just try to take one out without having customers and salespeople begging to know where you got your ridiculously cute bag. Currently, I own two RuMe's. A surprisingly roomy purple and yellow mini that the consummately stylish Jessica Alba has recently been seen swanning around. (Other fans of the RuMe include Cameron Diaz, Kyra Sedwick, and Nicole Richie.) I also have the original RuMe in a boyfriend-friendly gray and black pattern that shockingly faces no protests when I need to hand off my burden.

Other uses for this practical workhorse? While the RuMe effectively functions as a shopping bag, holding up to the equivalent of 3 plastic grocery bags, it also doubles as a very chic laundry bag in a pinch. The colorful eye-catching patterns also make for a fantastic gift bag that might be even more loved than the offering that lies within. But my hands-down favourite use for the RuMe? It's my handbag guardian. At long last, I finally have the freedom to leave the house without having to worry about the elements having their way with one of my beloved leather purses. At the first sign of spatter, my handbag goes immediately into this water-resistant marvel. Peace of mind that's eco-friendly, ridiculously good looking and reasonably priced. What more could a girl ask for?

Available at RuMebag.com and Goneshopping.ca.

By Lara Landa

Lara Landa, Shopjunkie
		About the author:
		Lara is a television producer and has worked on shows like Fashion File, Fashion Television and The A List. Currently, Lara is working on HGTV shows such as Sarah's House and Dirty Business. As a freelance writer she has interviewed everyone from Steve Coogan to Tommy Lee and Alanis Morissette to The Prodigy. Her writing has been published in Elle, Chatelaine and The Toronto Star.
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