If you can't bear the thought of one more little black dress or another red Santa sweater this holiday -- and I know I can't -- you'll love seeing how one client used unexpected brown instead.  Jane picked up a brown irridescent taffeta tie blouse (Coldwater Creek), intending to pair it with her black dressy skirt for her husband's office party.  It's a great look with her coloring...

              

But then we discovered that the top blended perfectly with this print georgette skirt she already owned -- great for an evening at the Nutcracker...

               

AND it made an unstructured jacket over a glittery aqua shell, paired with another of her skirts for Christmas Eve church services...

               

AND the same pair of tops were perfect with her glen plaid trouser (don't know if you can see the aqua stripe in the photo, but it's there) for a neighborhood open house...

               

AND the color of the blouse is a great blend for the topstitching on her sexy jeans -- a fun look for trim-the-tree or last-minute shopping...

 

Did you imagine brown could be as versatile as black?  And it's more flattering on most people too -- really!  Check Coldwater and Chicos for great brown partywear ... before it's all gone.

 

ACCESSORY ADAPTATION -

Find extra versatility in your jewelry box too.  This necklace was originally a multi-strand choker, but it can get a new look by separating out one strand and slipping the gap over your head for a longer length -- better to fill in a plunging holiday neckline.

Lots more jewelry tricks in next month's issue...

GET BETTER GIFTS ...

They want to please you, but they don't always know what you'd like.  This year make it easier for the gift-givers in your life to select clothes and accessories that will flatter you and work with the rest of your wardrobe.

Take the swatches from your personalized color conultation, release the ring and place the individual strips side by side on a color copier.  Hit the button and -- PRESTO -- a duplicate set of your colors for your significant other to use as as shopping guideline.  Print extras for your mom, sister, best friend, adult child... whoever.