By most standards, Nicole Feliciano leads a fabulous life. Not only does she have the fashion industry cred of a former buyer for Ralph Lauren women’s collections, she also has an impeccable eye for trends—both mom-worthy and kid-friendly. But most fabulous of all? She’s a happy, work-from-home mother of two girls, ages three and six, and the driving force behind momtrends.com, a lifestyle blog for fashion-forward urban mamas, recently named one of the most fashionable mom blogs by Parents magazine.

Since Momtrends went live in 2007, Feliciano has built the site into a must-read for mothers craving chic but realistic tips for raising a family with style. The site currently brings in about one half of its readership from New York City and the other half from the rest of the country—with some readers from abroad sprinkled in. Aside from her role as a tastemaker, Feliciano is also a shining example of how changing career paths after having kids can be a decidedly savvy choice.

“I knew when I started a family that I didn't want to be working in a traditional corporate job. While the creative energy at Ralph Lauren was tremendous, the hours were also tremendous,” Feliciano, now 40, says. “I decided to launch [momtrends.com] because I had a point of view that I wanted to get across, and I didn't think it was already represented in the blogosphere.”

Feliciano’s voice as a blogger is one that speaks strongly and passionately on a number of subjects germane to urban mothers. Visit the site and you’ll find her take on everything from vegan diaper bags to the latest in handbag trends. However, it’s her knack for seamlessly mixing a passion for hands-on parenting with an intuition for helping families find the right trend for them that makes Momtrends so unique.

“It's not about having burgeoning closets,” Feliciano says of what she hopes to convey to readers. “It's about finding the just-right thing for you and your family—[doing so] at a great value is even better.” And she certainly makes good on this goal by featuring unique start-ups—like the furniture company Little Nest—and by taking a clothing-as-art approach to teaching her own girls about the wonderful world of fashion.

As for her own taste, it was Feliciano’s “very fancy” grandmother who cultivated her thoughtful approach to shopping and dressing, by teaching her the value of quality over quantity. “[My grandmother] used to take me shopping every Christmas to a store in D.C. called Garfinkel's,” she recalls, explaining that a fancy lunch and lots of careful browsing were involved before the duo chose a single, exceptional outfit. “She certainly fed my love of clothing and fashion, and I also loved the fact that it wasn't about getting tons of things—it was getting one really nice, special thing and celebrating that moment.”

In today’s world of parenting shortcuts (thanks, technology), Feliciano takes pride in the fact that she uses the unique elements of city living to bond with her daughters. “We have such great conversations when we're walking back from school or when we're taking the subway to swim class,” she says excitedly. “Those are really magical moments in my life, when we're away from phones and computers and I just have the kids.”

A love of city living is also a key ingredient in what fuels Momtrends’ success and growth. The site, which currently boasts a staff of about a dozen writers—all but one of whom are mothers—recently took on a Managing Editor to help guide the blossoming team. The hope, of course, is to always be reaching out to audiences beyond the metropolis of New York and to continue to provide informed and positive tips for parents everywhere.

And with so much going on, when does this style maven sleep? To that Feliciano simply says, “There's no such thing as having it all and getting eight hours of sleep.” But being the ever-cheerful parent that she is, she just sees sacrificing an hour of snooze here and there as more time spent with her fabulous family. We couldn’t agree more.

Want a little more fabulous and fashion in your life? Visit momtrends.com.

---

NICOLE'S TOP STYLE PICKS FOR URBAN MOMS AND KIDS

Anya Hindmarch “Newspapers & Magazines” Tote
in Light Grey Canvas
Nicole digs this chic, British import for moms on-the-go.
$90, anyhindmarch.com

Aerosoles Animal-Print “Beccentric” Ballet Flats
Animal print ballet flats are one of Nicole’s must-haves for this season. Best of all? You can find them in a range of styles and totally affordable prices.
$69, aerosoles.com

Searle Faux-Fur “Love Token” Vest
For moms who want to give themselves a luxe treat, Nicole recommends this cozy, faux-fur number.
$248, searle.com

Stella McCartney Kids Collection: Sophia Girls Dress
(All-Over Print, Crepe) in Royal Circle
The perfect blend of sophisticated style and youthful whimsy.
$103, stellamccartneykids.com