Have you ever noticed the difference in how you feel when carrying a shopping bag from a high-end retailer like Harrods, versus a mass retailer like Wal-Mart? While most people would deny purposely showing off their bag in public when they make a luxury purchase, the reality is, just about all of us are guilty. Irregardless of whether or not one is intentionally showing off, you must admit it feels nice to walk around with a bag that tells the world you can afford nice things. Grocery bags are no different.

While living in Sydney, Australia I became a loyal shopper of the specialty grocer, Thomas Dux Grocer. "The Dux," as it is affectionately called, stocks a variety of specialty, artisanal and organic products -- things that you might not find in a regular supermarket.