An Austin-based startup called BlueAvocado describes itself about as succinctly as anyone could: the stylish eco-bag brand was "founded by a couple of mompreneurs and a hip little green maven who got tired of having to choose between what was convenient -- and what was right."  

Tired of schlepping drab-looking totes to the grocery store and packing their kids' lunches and snacks in disposable paper and plastic bags, the Texan trio decided to launch a line of products that would, as they say, "change behavior in the grocery aisle, lunch room, and beyond with fashionable, reusable bags, lunch totes and food storage accessories."  And so, they launched BlueAvocado in 2009, calling it a "love child of style and sustainability" and quickly capturing the attention of their local market with their extensive and colorful line.

Soon, Whole Foods was carrying their goods, and this year, they've partnered up with reality star and beauty maven Lauren Conrad (formerly of MTV's "Laguna Beach" and "The Hills") for the BlueAvocado XO(eco)™ line of lunch sacks, makeup bags and shopping totes.  

The coolest part of the little green company's story thus far is the fact that its "XO" products -- made up of fibers sourced from recycled plastic bottles -- are currently available for pre-order on Amazon, extending the company's audience and scope into the beauty market.  That means it gets the chance to give moms a little something of their own to enjoy while teaching the kiddos about the merits of recycled goods and reusable products.  

Sweeter still, one percent of its proceeds go directly to global micro-enterprises like Kiva.org and Whole Planet Foundation, and each product comes with an impact tag to remind the consumer exactly how much of an effect each bag purchase makes on the natural world, reducing one's carbon footprint without sacrificing style.  As if we really needed an excuse to pack a snack and shop til we drop...

BlueAvocado's line of products is available through its website.