Did you know that Nora Ephron’s mother told her never to buy a red coat? (Nora is the brilliant write of such screen plays as Julie & Julia, Silkwood, When Harry Met Sally, and more – and she states this fact in her book, “I Feel Bad About My Neck.” I love Nora – but her mother’s advice is wrong for today’s woman.

In fact, the next time you’re out on the town or in a restaurant, look around at the sea of gray, black, tan and navy winter coats. Don’t you want to be the one to light up the room when you walk in next time? It’s easy to do with a red – or other eye-popping color – winter coat. Now is a great time to buy them – most are on sale – and if you live in the Northeast like I do, you’ll have plenty of time to break it in this season before the spring fashions can move from runway to real world.

If you don’t have it in your budget to buy a new coat now, or simply can’t find one that you love, grab a large, colorful scarf instead. Make it an unexpected color, grab a great bag, bold earrings and some fabulous boots, and make all eyes brighten up – and on you – during these cold winter months.