We all want to be eco friendly, socially responsible and trendsetting moms. How we do that on a budget is a good question. I've spent hours shopping for cool kids clothing and the latest baby fashion trends. Usually I end up with one overpriced piece of kids' fashion that she outgrows in a few months. So how can we keep our babies, toddlers and kids looking darling without breaking the bank?

First, mix and match. That is the key for adult fashion and it goes for children as well. When we follow the rules our style usually ends up being pretty boring and safe. So go ahead and put stripes with polka dots or a frilly dress over jeans. Don't feel obligated to put a pair of Mary Jane's on your child with her birthday dress. Try that light up sneakers that she just had to have with her birthday ensemble and create a unique style of her own.

Second, don't be confined by the seasonal limitations of the clothing. ut a sleeveless summer dress over a long sleeved t-shirt and you've got a whole new look. My daughter loves to wear her spring colored tutu over her jeans with her frog covered rain boots on a cool autumn day. Remember Annie Hall? It was the layers that gave her fashion that uncommon flair.

Third, often times little tots grow out clothing before they've had a chance where them sufficiently. It's frustrating to pass along a favorite toddler outfit to a friend's baby when your own child has worn it only once or twice. Think those pants that still fit in the waist are too short for your child? Think again. A pair of funky socks kick those floods into cool baby clothes central. That jacket still fit in the arms but too short around the waist? Put a sweet ruffled dress over a pair of leggings and that jacket becomes a short waisted jacket fashion trend for kids. Every baby dress can become a toddler's top with a pair of pants.

It's not where you live or what store you buy your kids' clothing from that matter. It's not following the latest fashion trend for kids or wearing designer children's clothing that makes our children hip, cool or fashionable. It's that fact that mom shares a unique sense of baby style, ingenuity and individuality that makes a kid really cool. It's always those kids who look like their parents didn't spend a ton of money but a ton of love that grab our hearts. They have that certain "mom just threw this outfit together before we ran out the door" look we all want to emulate. That is so much more interesting, not to mention more inexspensive, than the perfect baby or toddler outfit prepackaged from some hip kids clothing store.