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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The Style Insider occasionally wanders into a charmed window of opportunity, a moment when our desires and the real world actually align in some sort of affordable universe.

This is one of those times. Not quite spring, and (praise be!) no longer winter. The mornings are chilly, the afternoons are warm, and we are yearning for a couple of cute jackets to smooth the transition, to brighten our trousers and update our skirts. And — this is rare, so take note — they’re all on sale.

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You’re going to blow it again, aren’t you?

It’s 72 hours until Valentine’s Day, and you’re going to blow it. You’re going to frantically call florists (to no avail), try for restaurant reservations (good luck with that) and end up with a cookie that has a frosting heart on it, hoping she’ll buy that old “thought that counts” thing.

(Ladies, if the above clearly applies to your significant other, by all means forward this item to him. Now.) 

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We’re celebrating National Wear Red Day today (Feb. 6), surfing around for the prettiest dresses and accessories we can find, all helping mark awareness of women’s heart health. You’ll see women in the workplace in red, women in the stores in red, and women on television in red (we’re hoping for a clean sweep on The View!), so don’t hesitate to pull it out of your closet as well. And we probably don’t have to remind you, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Take a peek: 

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“When love is not madness, it is not love.”

So said Spanish playwright Pedro Calderon de la Barca, and we think he must have been speaking of Valentine’s Day. It’s a complicated occasion, presiding over February like royalty, just waiting for us to bow to its demands of roses and chocolate. The Style Insider knows this, and we are here to uncomplicate it for you. We’ve found 10 great heart-shaped pieces of jewelry guaranteed to placate that troublesome little toddler with the bow and arrow:

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The Style Insider is into nesting now. We have taken down the tree and put away the way-too-many boxes of decorations, and we’re ready to do something fresh and new. January is the traditional month for white sales, so we’re presently enchanted with comforters and duvets and about 100 pillows, maybe even some Euro shams tucked in the back. And if you’re feeling frugal, come along anyway — we’ve found some very pretty ensembles that have the looks of their big-city cousins.

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Happy Birthday Capricorn, all you gorgeous goats, you stubborn Earth babies (we can say that, because we are January girls ourselves).  It’s your month, and we want you to take a little time off of work (as hard as that is for you to do) and celebrate yourselves. 

We can’t figure out any reason for this to exist, which means we’re enchanted that it does. Neiman Marcus has a Zodiac Kitty necklace ($950, above) in 18K white and yellow gold with pave diamond trim. Look closely: The Kitty is actually a goat.

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