If your town or city is anything like mine then you’ll notice that there has been a conserted drive to eliminate the use of plastic bags. People all over the world are now heading back to their faithful re-usable shopper and if a plastic is ever used it is promptly re-cycled.

Another noted trend is the use of baskets. I have several baskets like the one in the picture above mooching about the house, as I’m sure many of you do. I tell these baskets that if they are to stay and not be given away as part of a gift bundle or housewarming present then they have to look like they are enjoying themselves and make themselves somewhat useful.

This particular basket paid no heed to my warnings and skulked around looking awfully dull and a little too brown for my liking.

I  love the shape of this basket. Its classical and romantic, not too big or small and has a super handle so it was spared re-homing but I did insist on giving it a makeover.

And this is the result. I’d really like to say that the inspiration to go for the colour blue was my idea but my mother was the bright spark there. We were in a wonderful french inspired homeware store in a town not far from me and she spotted a pale blue painted basket. I loved the blue but I have a few pieces dotted about the place in paler shades and wanted something bolder. Something that reminded me of the type of blue that adorns a small fishing boat or a beach hut.

Once I’d finished the paint job I lined the basket with a fabric drawstring lining which will make shopping with it easier and if I pick up something fragile or ‘rollee aroundee’ it can all be kept safe and tight. The fabric  lining allows the ties to peek out at the points of the handle and on the ends and I’ve tied said lining in place.

This is an original way to get around using plastic bags (for the love of god and all ocean life please don’t unless you re-cycle EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.)  or as I said earlier the ubiquitous re-usable shopper. The little old ladies in my town are regularly seen sporting their baskets and I figure that if it’s chic enough for them then I’ll have to give it a go! I’m not expecting Paris, New York and Milan to follow suit by any means but I may rustle one up for my Mum and sister and bear a look of false dejection if they even hint at resistance!