As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Kim Blanding prefers to shun the traditional white lab coat when she's at work.

As a matter of fact, she says, white lab coats aren't allowed in her Charlotte practice. Instead, Blanding instructs her staff to wear colorful jackets to reflect a fun and upbeat environment. She says she enjoys working with children and that comfort is a must.

The 30-something mother of two describes her style as funky, unique and colorful. She enjoys fashion because ''it's interchangeable. Fashion doesn't have to be complex. You can take something you wore today and make it something completely different the next day.''

See what else she says are her Style Essentials.

Click here to view photos.

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Q. Whose style do you most admire, and why?
No one person in particular...but I am curious to see what Michelle Obama is wearing.

Where do you shop?
I love to shop online and at Oilily, Anthropologie and Nordstrom.

Are you into designers?
I like Custo, Vince, and Alice and Olivia.

What's your favorite accessory?
My scarf, especially in the winter. It keeps me warm, and I have almost every color.

What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
My beaded bracelets; that I don't leave home without.

What's in your handbag?
My lipgloss, my Blackberry, business cards, my directory and my daily spiritual-tune-up for-the-day book.

Are you a shoe fanatic?
Not really. It's hard for me to find shoes, because I am a size 11, but when I find a great shoe I grab it quick, because it's probably the only one they carry. I might have 25 pairs of shoes for year round.

What item in your wardrobe can't you live without?
My Paper Denim and Cloth jeans and my brown Chuck Taylors.

What's your favorite color?
Orange. It goes year-round, and it makes me smile.

What's your latest fashion obsession?
A really cute top with leggings.

What's your latest fashion splurge?
A great coat I bought recently in Chicago.

Name three items you think every stylish woman should own?
A black skirt, a practical sweater and a great handbag.

What's in your makeup bag?
I don't have a makeup bag, but I use Revlon lip gloss, Aveda powder.

Do you wear perfume?
Yes, and my favorite fragarance is Jo Malone's Wild Fig.

How do you maintain your hair?
I wear it short and simple. I use Salon Selective Designing Mousse and Aveda smooth gel.

How do you pamper yourself?
I go to Charles Grayson day spa any chance I can get. My non-fashion obsession: Candles. My favorite is Belle Fleur - Kyara Clove. I love it!

What style rules do you live by?
Be comfortable, be different and be yourself.
 

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