Parties sure aren’t what they used to be for Madonna. The pop star accompanied daughter Mercy to a children’s birthday party and brought her Dolce & Gabbana Miss Sicily handbag in black as her plus one. No surprise there; Madonna stars in the design duo’s latest campaign, and before that she was all about the Louis Vuitton purses when she modeled for that label. I love the handbag, but I’d probably leave it at home for a kid’s birthday party. I’m not a fan of Pin the Tail on the Very Expensive Handbag.

Photo from People.com.

And so it begins. With spring just a couple of months away (and you better believe I’m crossing out each day on the calendar until it gets here), a bevy of fresh, vacation-worthy clothes and accessories are starting to crop up everywhere. For spring 2010, Dolce and Gabbana introduces the Miss Escape Straw Shopper, a relaxed style that’s just as great for a weekend errand run as, well, an escape to somewhere warm and luxurious. Granted, there are more exciting versions of this bag - like the recent floral - but it’s still versatile enough to get the job done all season long. Available to pre-order for $675 at Nordstrom.

Animal prints might be hot, but that clearly doesn’t apply to every single variation. That’s obvious with one glance at the Dolce and Gabbana Miss Escape Leopard Print Denim Tote. The good news is that there are plenty of other Miss Escape totes to choose from, so this bluish tinted excuse for a bag can stay where it belongs - on the shelf. Available for $675 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Few things make me cringe more than denim accessories. I live in a world where denim is reserved for jeans and maybe the occasional jacket - but I draw the line there. Denim couches, belts and handbags? No. So this Dolce and Gabbana Miss Martini Jeweled Clutch doesn’t thrill me. It is somewhat tolerable, though, thanks to its jewel-encrusted flap cover. Interspersed with the teeniest of little silver seed beads, they create striking contrast against the faded blue denim. Not my favorite, but surprisingly not cringe-worthy either. Available to pre-order for $1295 at Neiman Marcus.

Like a little diamonds with your denim? Check out the Miss Martini Jeweled Clutch by Dolce & Gabbana. The duo love their glitz, and here they’ve added chunky gems and shimmering beads to a basic blue denim flap-front clutch with a chain strap. I’m torn - I think I’d like this purse so much more if it was leather. The denim just waters down the luxe factor, don’t you think? Available for pre-order for $1,295 at Neiman Marcus.

Updated yet classic pieces lay the foundation for the Dolce and Gabbana Cruise 2010 collection, in response, D&G say, to consumers’ demand for traditional garments that hark back to the designers’ roots. What we know and love, of course, is their penchant for iconic, fashion-forward pieces, but the Miss Angie Shopper is more of a lesson in accomplishing that with a sense of refinement. Etched with a gorgeous rose print, this creamy leather carryall is destined to charm the girly-girls of the world with its strongly feminine approach. Might we see it on Madonna’s arm early next year, when her ad campaign for the legendary Italians rolls out? It’s very pretty - and to me, worth the $1875. Available to pre-order at Nordstrom.

Bestowed with an almost cartoon-like floral print, this gorgeous Dolce and Gabbana Miss Martini Flap Bag is one in a million. The print is so restrained and low key that it just barely stands out on the cream leather, but they make the perfect pairing. This purse is destined to be a springtime staple, not only because of the color and print but because of its light, easy elegance. Worn with a fun dress or even with jeans and a simple tee, it adds a dose of glamour to any look. Available to pre-order for $1095 at Nordstrom.

Add a little sunshine to your day, courtesy of the Dolce and Gabbana Miss Escape Floral Print Patent Tote, a fun carryall splashed with a vibrant print. The glossy leather inches it a few steps above the basic everyday tote (okay, more than a few) and lends a fun (but admittedly slightly dowdy) print a more chic vibe. It’s clear florals will be everywhere yet again in just a few months, so now is the time to start scoping all of these blooming beauties - there are plenty to choose from! Available to pre-order for $850 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

It appears that Miss Martini has had a few too many. Or maybe that’s the general concept behind the new Dolce & Gabbana Miss Martini Leather Flap Bag, a vision of animal-printed luxury that has no rhyme, reason, or coherence to speak of. It’s something like a patchwork fiasco of bold animal prints - but guess what? It works. If you’re going to go all out and turn heads with a ferocious animal print, do it brazenly and fearlessly. This little purse is sleek, too, which brings some balance to the rather out-there melange of prints. It’s a fun choice for a night out and stands out perfectly against a chic LBD. Available to pre-order for $1075 at Nordstrom.

If you’re a slave to the almighty Trend (yes, Trend), you probably have a slew of ruffle-laden garments and accessories bursting from your wardrobe. Truthfully, though, ruffles have long since graduated from trendy status to the more worthy world of classics. They’ve been The Big Thing for a few years now, and they show no sign of disappearing anytime soon. With on-point femininity and the ability to look charming and tough at once, they really are essential to a well-rounded wardrobe. This Dolce & Gabbana Miss Heather Leather Shopper may not be the best way to initiate yourself into ruffledom if you aren’t already (read: $$$), but otherwise I have to give props to our favorite Italian boys for creating a tote that embraces the look with such reckless abandon. Even without the bold detail, this bag would be a stunner - it’s all clean lines and smooth beige leather. Love! Available to pre-order for $1450 at Nordstrom.