Go to your closet. Take inventory. Did you find any stripes?

If not, you’re going to want to shop, because stripes were huge in the spring 2009 runway collections. OK, let’s revise that a little: Sometimes they were huge and other times they were tiny, but they were definitely everywhere. (Full disclosure: We actually favor polka dots. But even we must admit that stripes are fresh and fun.)

Such as this crisp strapless cotton striped dress at White House (more…)

It is a creative writing exercise of the highest order: Naming the rabid riot of intense pink that is all over the spring collections right now. Some designers call it hibiscus. Fuschia is popular. Hot pink, magenta and blush all make appearances. Geranium, even.

Whatever you call it, it’s one of the It colors of the season. And because we’re in a mood to browse  handbags, we’re sampling the shade across the price spectrum — from $23 to $2,300. Enjoy.

The best place to start? In the aisles at Target, of course, where their soft-sided Xhilaration ruffle top tote carries all the exuberant spirit of the season while leaving some green in your wallet. ($23, at top)  Patent leather is tres chic right now, and this Guess shine candy tote gives you the sparkle at a PVC price. With double handles, metal feet and four inside pockets, you’d be happy even without the free shipping (but it’s yours anyway). At Ebags ($88, above)

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It’s winter. We know this. We have moved through denial and into acceptance. But we are tired of clouds and dark neutral fabrics. We want sunshine, and color for the sake of color. We need a handbag that doesn’t pout, one that announces our arrival with glee. So, we bring you bags in the spectrum of the rainbow, which brighten your winter wardrobe and bring a promise that spring is in the wings.

At first blush:

Prada’s pink nylon bow clutch ($636, was $795, above) at Bluefly.

Jimmy Choo’s fuschia pleated satin Cent bag ($796, was $995, left) at Bluefly.

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True story: We once knew a mother who made her children get dressed, have their hair brushed and even eat breakfast before they could see what Santa brought on Christmas morning. We like this family otherwise, but this made an impression that we have not been able to shake.

Thus, here is our detailed Christmas morning routine: We get coffee, and we put on slippers. Amen.

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Shoes for shopping are a complicated issue. We need to walk a lot, so they need to be flat, or nearly so. We want them to be comfortable - blisters are not on our Christmas list - but we don’t want them to be slouchy. And, fa la la la la, they must be cute, or what is the point?

Kate Spade’s Gwenda flat sets the perfect example, all soft and suede in fuschia and orange, just right for trolling the mall. Yes, you’re right, in these colors they’ll see you coming. And they’ll want your shoes. At Nordstrom ($248, pictured at the top, above).

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 You’ve got someone special on your list. You can’t go way overboard, but you want to get something a little uncommon, a bit sophisticated, maybe a tad eccentric - and less than $100. We can help.

She’s a techie? We’re all over this Kate Spade Jane Street portable media case ($95, left), a classy black calfskin cover for her iPod or Blackberry. She can flip it open in the street and look totally au courant.

For a creative soul, you want to check out these whimsical striped rain boots ($45, above left), which wrap a rainbow of melon, strawberry, kiwi and khaki around her calves and signal to the world that she most likely will be dancing in the rain. At the Gap.

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You know how right before the Super Bowl, all the jocks and party-givers start thinking about buying a new television? A really, really big, expensive one with high def and picture-in-picture and all the bells and whistles? For a single football game?

OK. Now, focus. Thanksgiving is game day. It’s the big one. You’re the jock of the table, the duchess of all party-givers. And you need your big-screen TV: You need new dishes!  And while we love white too, what we want here is color, style and, well, high definition.

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