Design Expert: Melanie Knopke

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in all things fashion or style related. Even as a young girl, I sketched clothing lines, spent hours flipping through Vogue, and I loved to redecorate my Barbie townhouse with contact paper and carpet samples.

As I got older, I took my passion and ran with it. I studied Apparel Merchandising in college and had a career as a clothing buyer for a high-end retail chain for seven years. After retiring from the retail industry to have our son, I needed an outlet for my creativity, so during nap times, I started to write a style blog. What started out as a hobby turned into a career as I began writing a shopping blog and column for our local newspaper.

It is hard to describe my personal style because I feel like it changes daily! If you were to walk into my closet, you would find an eclectic mix of clothing and accessories. You’d also find a plethora of pattern and color, a mix of vintage and new, as well as high-end and discount brands. I have a weakness for accessories, especially statement jewelry and handbags. I love to take a simple outfit and make it amazing with just the right earrings or scarf.

Through my writing, I love to share what is inspiring me at the moment. It may be a fabulous “look for less,” the best leggings you can find or a new self-tanner you can’t live without. And there is nothing better than finding an incredible bargain—the thrill of the hunt is half the fun!

- Melanie

Style Scout

Melanie Loves…

1. When it comes to home decor, cheerful hues and bold prints make me extremely happy. My favorite color is orange, and you will find it in different rooms throughout our house. 2. Give me breakfast any time of day and I am a happy girl! My favorite thing to do on the weekends is go to brunch with our family and enjoy a nice big stack of pancakes. 3. I have a huge weakness for jewelry; the bolder and more colorful the pieces the better! Kendra Scott makes the most amazing necklaces and earrings at reasonable prices. 4. As a mom on the go, I couldn’t live without comfortable (and stylish) flats. My current favorites are the Tory Burch Reva’s in leopard. They give some flare to any basic outfit. 5. Can one person have too many stripes in their closet? If so, then I probably need some help. I adore a perfect striped boatneck paired with a printed scarf, skinny jeans and tall boots. 6. I have always been obsessed with paper products. I love having pretty, personalized stationery to send thank you notes and to keep in touch with out-of-town friends. 7. There is nothing prettier or more delicious than a Macaron. The French company Laduree is famous for these perfect pillows of sweetness, and now they finally have a store stateside in New York City! 8. If we have a chance to get away, all I want to do is relax and soak up the sun. We went to Mustique for our honeymoon, and it was heaven on earth.

View more Design Experts