Mauri Pioppo's "Live Green" necklace got a big fashion splash when Sheryl Crow wore it; then it landed on the "What's Hot Now" page of InStyle magazine. Now it's being sold locally at Cottage by the Sea in Ward Warehouse. Akamai owner/ buyer Jen Sarsuelo has just added the collection to her lineup of green designers.

The savvy little shop is putting on a Think Green, Live Green event now through Aug. 31. Sarsuelo has brought in summer clothing lines from Ella Moss, Velvet, Testament, Sweetees and Language Los Angeles. She is also featuring jewelry by Adina, Robyn Rhodes and GabbyBella.

During the event, 15 percent of all proceeds from select "green" items will be donated to Earth Share.

MAKAHA FASHION BOUTIQUE

When Ursula Robles returned to the Wai'anae Coast after years of living in California, she was looking for something to do in her retirement. The 1975 Wai'anae High grad, a Native Hawaiian, decided that what Wai'anae needed was a clothing store.

"With the gas prices so high, I thought people needed a place they could walk to," she said. She also wanted to keep prices down.

Earlier this month she opened the Makaha Fashion Boutique in the Makaha Marketplace (the old Cornet building). "We want to give Wai'anae residents a closer option for shopping than Waikele, Pearlridge or Ala Moana," she explained.

Robles shops online, buying from warehouse suppliers. "It's retail resale, and lots of it has the price tags still on it," she explained. She carries a wide range of sizes: women's XS to XXX, men's S to XXL, as well as infants, toddlers and children's items.

On her shelves now, for example, is clothing for women from Victoria's Secret and L.A. Jeans, menswear from Billabong and Hurley, and infant wear from Baby Phat.

No item in the store will cost more than $30, Robles said. The boutique will accept cash only and no bills over $20.

NEIMAN MARCUS READIES FOR FALL

The fall 2008 collection from St. John has arrived, and there will be informal modeling from noon to 2 p.m. today and tomorrow in the St. John shop on Level 2 of Neiman Marcus.

For those who want a new look for fall, the Trish McEvoy skin care and makeup teams, with national and regional makeup artists, will offer lessons and makeovers. They are taking appointments from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Aug. 2. Reservations are required: 948-7586.

U MAG ONLINE

Have you seen our summer fashion supplement, U? Catch it online at www.umaghawaii.com.