Each day, I eagerly read my e-mail while snipping on my expresso.

Recently, I have noticed the over use of the ECO-Chic bandwagon. Below you will find a couple of examples of new products or designers hoping to decrease their carbon footprint and increase their bottom line.

1. Lauren Bush launches her eco-chic Feed100 bag at Whole Foods. It wasn't until I was in Whole Foods in Austin, Texas this past weekend. I realized the bags retail for $29.99. COME ON. There are all sort of ways to earn a buck but a bag which costs more then this single girl's grocery bill. Honestly, It was hard to digest Whole Food's latest retail misstep. High dollar design totes - HELLO.

The bight stylish side - proceeds will fund United Nations World Food Program and each bag purchase will provide 100 school lunches to needy children in Rwanda.

2. The Leroy & Perry by Lutz & Patmos line Spring with three styles, all named after their favorite New York restaurants: Pastis,Cluny and Zampa. Each of the three styles is eco friendly (some made from recycled t shirts and bamboo) and are sold at Barneys.

The flip charitable side is 1% of the proceed will go to the alliance for climate protection. A single organization, whose goal it is to persuade people of the importance, urgency, and feasibility of adopting and implementing effective and comprehensive solutions for climate crisis. Honestly, 1% of proceeds - well that just makes me giggle.

In this case every little bit should help. Right?

So Click-it, a-clack in your Jimmy Choos to get up to 50% off selected clothes and accessories from Chloé, Christian Louboutin, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Fendi and many more.

Whether you've been eyeing Marc Jacobs' Bruna quilted tote, Jimmy Choo's Isi platform slingbacks or Stella McCartney's cropped tuxedo jacket, this sale is an event you and your readers cannot miss.

Happy stylish summer shopping...

Mediabistro.com has reported - Hachette Filipacchi and its flagship, Elle, are in a tizzy at the moment, sparked by the acrimonious departure of fashion editor Nina Garcia, and the imminent loss of its toehold on mainstream consciousness through Project Runway. Now it appears that the show (which is moving from Bravo to Lifetime) is switching from Elle to quasi-rival Marie Claire, and taking Garcia with it. The New York Post's Page Six column reported on Friday that she's joining the magazine either as part of or in the parallel to the deal (no official confirmation is forthcoming). To make things worse, Elle suffered a mini-layoff of sorts a few weeks back during the reshuffling of staff following her departure ... read more >

So, Project Runway moved from Elle to Marie Clare and Nina followed. I got it. If this move is anything like the move from Banana Republic to Macy's following the first season. I will stop watching the show now.

I think sponsors matter. As Heidi would say you're either in or you're out. I consider both Macy and Marie Claire to be out. Out of sync, that is, with Project Runway's intent. This recent shift will continue to drive the apparent disconnect. A further dilution of the individual style and independent design spirit inwhich the show was built upon.

Shop-bop until you drop. The online sale will start 4:30 AM PST on May 7th and end at11:59 PM PST on May 9th.

Shopbop's style stimulus offers 25% off all 70% merchandise. Customers must use code EXTRA25 at checkout.

Makeup artists Trish McEvoy, Laura Mercier & Bobbi Brown design limited edition Havaianas benefiting charity: water.

Saks Fifth Avenue's "Beauty Splash" is the launch of an exclusive Havaianas collection, which will benefit charity: water. In stores for the month of June, a collaboration between Havaianas and the three most celebrated women in beauty - Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, and Trish McEvoy - will be featured. Havaianas has provided them the opportunity to express their inspiration for summer on a whole new surface. Working closely with the Havaianas design team, each woman was invited to translate her artistic sensibility for the season into a pair of the brand's signature must-have sandals.

Special Offer: For the entire month of June, Saks will be offering their customers these special edition Havaianas on saks.com and, from June 8-22, at all store locations. The qualifier will be "Buy a pair of Havaianas for $15 with a purchase of any two (2) beauty items (skincare, color, fragrance)

About Charity: water
Since charity: water was founded and began activity in August 2006, they have funded the construction of more than 250 wells that, when completed, will provide clean drinking water to 150,000 people. Charity: water uses 100 percent of the money it raises to directly fund freshwater well and sanitation projects in some of the poorest communities in Africa, India and Central America.

"Put on your best heels and roll up those sleeves ladies. Becca Malinowski has pulled together the first free form Texas Chic Swap.

The hottest new craze to excite fashionistas from London and Paris to Milan and New York is making its debut in Austin May 15 at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown. ChicSwap, the upscale clothing exchange, is offering fashion aficionados guilt-free shopping in a designer clothing trade off.

For a nominal $25 entrance fee, designer fashion lovers can bring up to five items, in good condition and valuing at least $50. In return, swappers will receive color-coded tickets based on the value range of what they are exchanging ($50-$100, $100-$200, and $200 up). Any items remaining at the end of this two-hour swap-fest will be donated to SafePlace, a shelter for women and children victims of domestic violence in downtown Austin.

For those of you who have never participated in a swap meet. Take note there are a few rules to follow.

You can only bring a maximum of 5 clothing items.

1. Please be prompt to each ChicSwap event. Check in is 6:15pm to 7:00pm, while shopping is 7:30 to 9:30pm.

2. ChicSwap is all about finding great new items to be seen outside of your closet. Each woman has a unique style, so bring your mall basics, boutique staples, and high-end splurges.

3. Quality is important. If your item is deemed to be in too poor condition, it will not be accepted into the swap. Great rule of thumb: If you wouldn't lend it to your friend, please do not bring it to ChicSwap.

4. All items must be authentic.

5. Please bring items clean and pressed. Items do not need to be dry cleaned. Minor interior stains on bags/purses are acceptable. Shoes must be clean, but wear marks on soles are acceptable. Items should include dust bags and boxes if possible.

6. Tickets cannot be combined to create a higher value level.

7. All swaps are final. Please choose carefully.

Courtyard Marriott Downtown Austin, 300 East 4th Street
Cost: $25 and up to 5 clothing items (cash or check only)

R.S.V.P. Here.

Location: Frank Erwin Center
When: Friday, April 25, 8:00PM
Admission: Free and open to the public

The senior apparel design students from the Division of Textiles and Apparel in the Department of Human Ecology will showcase their fashion designs at the 2008 UT Fashion Show, held at the Frank Erwin Center.

The pre-show exhibition starts at 6pm and the show will start at 8pm. This year's event expects to attract
over 5,000 in attendance on Friday, April 25.

Check out the You Tube teaser.

McNeill returns to his hill country roots after 7 years away in Chicago where he was voted best colorist in the city by Chicago Women Magazine, and further made a name for himself by coloring hair on FOX's Ambush Makeover show and TLC's "A Makeover Story." McNeill also opened his own well-respected salon in Chicago called Tousle Salon which has been featured in Time Out Magazine and Daily Candy.

ROAR Salon, McNeill's newest creation, has true style and an elegant quality that is felt from the moment a client walks in. Formerly an art gallery, the space retains an element of exhibition with high, angled lights and lofty chandeliers accenting the salon chairs below and illuminating the salon with warmth and brilliance. McNeill has not cut any corners with the designing of the salon and his product selection reflects this as well - Kerastase products are found throughout the salon on every station and hidden in each custom designed cabinet.

ROAR is located on the first floor of the Brazos Lofts at 201 E. 5th Suite 107 Austin, TX 78701 (right across the street from Eddie V's)

Saturday, April 26th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 27th, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (or, until everything's gone!)

"This is a one time only HUGE Tent Sale from local legends The Garden Room and The Menagerie. The Garden Room is Austin's source for the finest in female apparel, carrying lines like Trina Turk and Yansi Fugel. The Menagerie, locally owned and operated for 30 years, is Austin's very own jewel box, carrying treasures like fine jewelry, gorgeous china, crystal and silver, timeless home accessories, and memorable gifts. Stop by on Saturday and Sunday - all items START at 50% off. You won't want to miss it!"

In Fabby Darling's old space on Kerbey Lane, in between Anderson's Coffee (the best coffee in the world by the way!) and The Garden Room. The official address is 1601 West 38th Street

Menagerie contact info: 453-4644
Garden Room phone number: 458-5407

The designer line up will include Elijah, Gorjana, Hanoush, Ever, GoldenBlue, Anlo, Karen Jambos. Those and more will come together for this one day event.

Saturday, April 19th. 843 S. Los Angeles St. #201.All the info is below, and is also at www.shopthesamplesale.com

This year the SXSW universal standard uniform was a hundred percent Austin.

Here's a little style "diddy" to take away from those both near and far. Start with a solid monochromatic vintage dress, synch it with a primary colored belt and add a pair of slouchy boots.

Of course, this year you still have the east coast New Yorker with the long shagged hair, bright lips, the baggy jersey top and skinny jeans. The west coast sporting the colorful low topped kicks. Great to see ... just not Austin forward.

our pick: Golden Goose Horse Zip Back Riding Boot at shopbop.com