As part of the New Year, New Mama series, we are featuring some very stylish moms. We’re hoping the quick Q & A will give us all a little style inspiration to kick it up a notch in the new year.

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I’m so excited to share Melissa’s take on mom style. She is a lovely blogger and a lovely person. I had the pleasure of shopping for clothes with her last summer at a very cool BlogHer event. In fact, I believe she was the one who talked me into a gorgeous dress I really didn’t need but totally love.

The Shopping Mama: How do you define your style?

Melissa: I would say I have a classic, casual style with a girly twist. Since its winter, I’m living in jeans and sweaters. You can usually find me wearing jeggings tucked into boots with a sweater coat or trouser jeans with a ruffled cardigan. I adore ruffles, embellished tshirts, statement necklaces, boots, scarves, anything from Anthropologie or Loft, and pink toenails.

TSM: What’s your favorite thing in your closet?

Melissa: I feel like my favorite outfit is constantly changing, but if I had to choose just one thing, it would probably my favorite pair of jeans, a pair of 7 For All Mankinds that I found on super clearance last fall. I wear them probably twice a week! The only thing I wear more than that are my Uggs!

TSM: Describe your image of a stylish mom.

Melissa: There’s so much more to being stylish than just the clothes you are wearing: it’s about looking put together.  What she’s wearing is secondary: stylish moms can be sporty, preppy, girly, goth, classic or whatever! Its not about what your personal style preference is – its about taking that extra ten minutes in the morning to put on a touch of makeup, spritzing on a little perfume and have 3 or 4 killer outfits in your closet that you know work!

TSM: We’re often seduced by cheap finds (anything at Target comes to mind), when is it okay to go cheap and when is it better to buy one, more expensive piece?

Melissa: Its absolutely okay to go cheap for things that need replacing often (like a white tshirt) or to try out a new trend that you’re not sure you like or that probably won’t stick.  I love Target – I pick up t-shirts and tank tops for layering, they have great leggings and tights, and pick up cute trendy things like a fun sundress or a ruffley blouse.

Ironically, we tend to splurge on special occasions for things we’ll only wear once or twice, but go cheap for things that we wear every day, like jeans! Ignore those lists of “what every women needs in her closet.” Spend your money on what YOU wear most. Maybe that’s jeans, maybe its work clothes, maybe its yoga gear — buying higher quality of what gets the most wear in your wardrobe will make the biggest difference in your clothing!

TSM: What is one must have piece of clothing or accessory for this season and / or spring?

Melissa: This spring’s hottest color is coral/orange.  Pick up a blouse or t-shirt to layer under a sweater for now, and pair it with white pants or a shirt when spring comes. (Samples below from Loft) Wedges are also going to be huge again this spring — and there are tons still on clearance from last summer, so pick some up now and save them for spring!

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I love Melissa, and if you don’t already, you will, too. You can find more real-life style advice for moms at Melissa’s style blog bStylish, follow her life balancing her graphic design business (Eliza Grace Designs) and life with three kids at Girlymama. You can also find her on Twitter @girlymamamel.