Brown + Black = Okay!

Thought of by many as a fashion no-no, wearing brown and black together is permissible - if done properly that is... Don't just go and throw on all different brown and black items and think it will work; it does take some thought. Personally, I usually wear all black and then accessorize with one brown item, i.e., a pair of boots, handbag, belt or scarf. I wouldn't wear a brown shirt, black pants, brown shoes and a tote a black bag - that just doesn't make sense. And, don't carry a bag or wear shoes in one color, if your outfit contains the other, but isn't represented boldly. For example, if you're wearing black or grey pants, black shoes, and a pink top, don't use a brown bag. Make sense? Animal prints, especially leopard, are a great way to incorporate both colors into your wardrobe. Below are some examples of acceptable black+brown combinations.

socialitelife.buzznet.com

Flynet

X17

Flynet

Patrick Rideaux/Rex

bricksandstonesgossip.com

Chris Wolf/FilmMagic
Pacific Coast

popsugar

Chris Polk/FilmMagic

X17

David Lucas/WENN

Fabsuagr

Jeff Vespa/Wire Image

Limelight

theskinnywebsite.com

Marcel Thomas/FilmMagic

Getty Images

Bauer-Griffin

icydk.com

Donato Sardella/WireImage

imnotobsessed.com

people.com

Fame

Wire Image

Albert Ferreira/Startraks

Santiago Baez/Ramey

National Photo Group

justjared.buzznet.com

ramey

Wire Image

Owen Beiny/WENN

Santiago Baez/Ramey

Bauer-Griffin

imnotobsessed.com

Ramey

Douche de bébé

I saw the most darling idea for a baby shower on MarthaStewart.com; French Countryside. Everything is delicate and lovely and sweet - just like a new baby. I love the little details and touches. It's definitely not a traditional, cheesy baby shower - it's much more tasteful and chic.

Decorations:
Embroidered linens, a tiny arrangement of forget-me-nots, and a few dangling wired wreaths

Invitations:
Invites can easily be made by hand, you'd just need some lovely floral French-looking paper and a pretty font and an accent, such as a ribbon. I'm sure there are many pre-made blank invitations or cards that would be well suited for this theme as well.

Games:
Guests write their favorite names for (boys) and (girls) on slips of paper that are dropped in jars for the parents' consideration. There are many other games to choose from, just use the same color palate as the shower and have someone with nice handwriting add details to whatever you choose to do.

Shower Gift Basket:
Give the expectant mother a pretty, fabric-lined basket to collect the gifts.

Recipes:

Potato Leek Soup

Radishes with Chive Butter

Pissaladiere

Madeleines

Chocolat Blanc (aka White Chocolate)

Favors:
Chocolate Blanc: wrap blocks of white chocolate in parchment, tied with waxed twine, and topped with a vanilla bean to make individual servings of Chocolat Blanc.

In addition to the Chocolat Blanc, fragrant French soaps packaged in the color scheme would be a simple, cost-effective, usable token.

** I also think this theme would be great for a bridal shower