Styled by Melanie | Your Style Scout

Stylish mamas.  They are not the urban legends of earlier years… There are women out there that run a household, chase after little ones, run errands, and work – all while looking fabulous (not frumpy).  In my humble opinion, Melanie Knopke should be their mascot.  As wife, mom of two, blogger, and freelance stylist and closet consultant, Mel strives to make style a priority in her life – not because of what the other moms in carpool might think, but because it’s what makes her, her!  As a veteran in the fashion and retail industry before having children, Melanie started her blog Your Style Scout in 2009 as a way to stay true to her roots without sacrificing family or fashion.  You’ll love her blog for the price-point finds, product reviews, trend round-ups, cute kids stuff, outfit snaps, and keeping-it-real attitude…  I know I’m not a mom but Melanie is still one of my go-to’s for all things style!  True to form, Melanie has put together a fabulous outfit that She Wishes She Was Wearing:

QUESTIONS of STYLE:

.Describe your personal style in five words or less:  Classic with a twist, “Mom Chic.”

.Who/What inspires your personal style, influencing what you’re drawn to and what you end up wearing?  I feel like I am inspired by so many things…my newest addiction: Pinterest.  T.V. shows like Gossip Girl and Sex and The City (even though the episodes are old, they are packed with great fashion!), personal style blogs like Atlantic-Pacific and The Daybook, and one of my favorite places to get inspired is the J.Crew catalog! I adore how they style each and every look.

.What is an item you cannot live without or what are some of your wardrobe essentials?  Great accessories! I feel like the right shoes or handbag and even jewelry can make or break your entire look. It’s amazing how much better you can make your outfit look with the right accoutrements. A few of my favorite wardrobe essentials: The perfect fitting pair of jeans, a great watch, an amazing coat and handbag that looks great dressed up or down and you should own at least one thing that you feel sexy in…for me it’s a shocking pink Amanda Uprichard dress that I got last year in Chicago. 

.What is your most recent purchase?  Last fall I was pregnant, so I am so excited to be wearing normal fall clothes this year. I just bought a Chambray shirt from Madewell that I am anxiously waiting to pair back to my colored denim for fall.

.Where have you found some of your most treasured style items?  I shop everywhere, and I love mixing high and low designers… I like creating a more eclectic look as opposed to something I saw on a store mannequin. Often you will find me in pieces from Forever 21, J.Crew, and H&M. Some of my most favorite items are those that my husband has picked out for me. Just recently he bought me a Leifnotes dress from Anthropologie that I never would have picked for myself, yet it is perfect. The man has got great taste!

.What is your go-to jewelry routine?  I love jewelry almost more than I love clothes! I always wear earrings, necklaces (sometimes dainty gold, sometimes bright and colorful statement pieces), I am known to wear a lot of bracelets and I always sport one of 2 watches; my Cartier Tank or my Jaeger Le Coultre with the Orange leather strap.  

.What are some of your make-up must haves?  Laura Mercier secret concealer is a MUST. This is a miracle product. For everyday I use Cover Girl Aquasmoothers tinted moisturizer. It’s inexpensive and I think it gives just the right amount of coverage. NARS cream eyeshadows are perfect for if you are in a hurry;  my favorite color is Corfu which is a shimmery taupe. Shu Uermura’s eyelash curler is a girls best friend, it gives even the finest, straightest lashes some oomph! And I use L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara. I have a bit of a lip gloss obsession. I use everything from Chanel to MAC and just recently I have been loving Revlon’s ColorBurst lip glosses.

.If you could meet any designer who would it be and why?  Without a doubt, Tory Burch. She started with something as simple as the Reva flat and now she has an empire. She also continues to evolve and yet her styles seem fresh and classic all at the same time.

.What’s the best style advice you’ve ever given or received?  The best advice I have received and in turn given to others is that fit is of the utmost importance. You may fall in love with a certain “look” or style, but if it doesn’t fit you right then it’s just not meant to be. This season, I saw so many girls in those adorable lace shorts but I know that those would look awful on me!  Also, I always tell people to find a great tailor. They can help you maintain and lengthen the life of your wardrobe.    

If you haven’t fallen in love with her yet, you will once you start reading Your Style Scout… Any girl that likes jewelry more than they like clothes is definitely a friend of mine!  Thank you so much, Melanie! We love you and miss seeing you and your sweet kiddos… xx 

(Photo via Your Style Scout .  Images: 01. Zara Jogging Blazer // 02. Kendra Scott Darby Earrings // 03. J.Crew Printed Scarf // 04. Zara Studded Cowboy Ankle Booties // 05. NARS Lipstick in Jungle Red // 06. Madewell Scallop Lace Top // 07. Ann Taylor Perforated Leather Tote // 08. Assad Mounser Orange Techno Ikat Rope Collar // 09. Current Elliott The Boyfriend Jeans // 10. NARS Poker Face Nail Polish)