Happy new year!

School’s out, and I’m home for the holidays! Time to relax, catch up on my reading, and try not to stuff my face with all the Christmas goodies in this house. But really, who am I kidding. Anyways, I may not have had the time to post lately, but I have a large collection of links saved up to share with you! Enjoy these, and enjoy your holidays! xo

I’ve always been a fan of monochromatic looks, but this white on white is stunning.

8 adorable hair tutorials, and some elegant chignons.

Cynthia Crowley has the most adorable bandaids! I want the sequin ones.

When I (eventually) get an iPhone, this is the case I want.

Cute cute cute wedding. And she wore her late mother’s wedding dress!

This group of exterior inspiration includes some gorgeous houses.

In the wall art department:
Five Rules of the Gallery Wall- good to know.
I’d love to hang this print in my apartment.
Her art is on my wall-wishlist.
Love this print and idea. Makes me more determined to travel and do this with my own photos!

In the holiday department:
Zooey Deschanel’s 10 Tips and Tricks for a Winter Body.
Tons and tons of delicious cookie recipes!
I’d love to have any of these gift ideas for ladies. Not to mention this awesome bag.

Of course I have the reservation that you booked six years ago even though you don’t have the confirmation number and you think it was made under a name that starts with ‘s’.

It is not a problem for me to give you seven connecting, non-smoking, poolside suites with two king beds in each, four rollaways, three cribs, and yes, I can install a wet bar. I know it is my fault that we do not have a helicopter landing pad.

I am a front desk agent. I am expected to speak all languages fluently. It is obvious to me that when you booked your reservation for Friday on the weekend we’re sold out that you really meant Saturday.

My company has entrusted me with all financial information and decisions ans yes, I am lying to you when I say we have no more rooms available. It is not a problem for me to quickly construct several more guest rooms. THIS time I will not forget the helicopter landing pad and it IS my fault that everyone wanted to stay here. I should have known you were coming in, even though you had no reservation.

I am a front desk agent. I am quite capable of checking three people in, two people out, taking five reservations, answering fifteen incoming calls, delivering six bath towels to room 625, plunging the toilet in room 101 and restocking the supply of pool towels, all at the same time. Yes, I will be glad to call the van driver and tell him to drive over all the cars stuck in traffic because you’ve been waiting at the airport for fifteen minutes and you’ve got jet lag.

I am a front desk agent, a telephone operator, a bellhop, houseman, guest service representative, housekeeper, sales coordinator, information specialist, entertainment critic, restaurateur, stock broker, referee, janitor, computer technician, plumber, ice-breaker, postman, babysitter, dispatcher, laundry cleaner, lifeguard, electrician, ambassador, personal fitness trainer, fax expert, human jukebox, domestic abuse counselor, and verbal punching bag. Yes, I know room 112 is not answering their phone. Of course I have their travel itinerary so I know exactly where they went when they left here nine hours ago and what their cell phone number is.

I always know where to find the best vegetarian-kosher-mongolian-barbeque restaurants. I know exactly what to see and do in this city in fifteen minutes without spending any money and without getting caught in traffic. I take personal blame for airline food, traffic jams, rental car flat tires and the nation’s economy.

I realize that you meant to book your reservation here. People often confuse us with the Galaxy Delight Motel, Antarctica. Of course I can ‘fit you in’ and yes, you may have the special $1.00 rate because you are affiliated with the Hoboken Accounting and Bagel Club.

I am expected to smile, empathize, sympathize, console, condole, upsell, downsell (and know when to do which), perform, sing, dance, fix the printer, and tell your friends that you’re here. I know exactly where 613 Possum Trot Lane is in the Way Out There subdivision that they just built last week, After all, I am a front desk agent.

source unknown

1. Do one thing at a time
2. Know the problem
3. Learn to listen
4. Learn to ask questions
5. Distinguish sense from nonsense
6. Accept change as inevitable
7. Admit mistakes
8. Say it simple
9. Be calm
10. Smile

My Christmas mood music of choice.

My ideal Christmas party outfit (if ever I attend a glamorous holiday party like the one in my head):

• I’m currently dying over these shoes (they’re on my Christmas list along with these)
• a holiday party seems like the perfect opportunity to add a little glam with some falsies (I’ve secretly been dying for a reason to try some out!)
• these sparkly DIY shoe clips are so cute
• the very second this dress comes back in stock, I’m snatching it up!

some gifts I would really love to find under my tree:

• a tiny initial ring, K of course
• I would gladly make some room on my bookshelf for either of these books 
• this bag…just…wow

I’m not a huge fan of caramel, but I’ve heard this recipe is a real crowd-pleaser.

I am, however, a huge fan of soft pretzels. Yum.

PS, If you’re a member of the nation, this post will look eerily familiar. I just felt so bad leaving my blog out of the action. I promise to have a hellokorin-exclusive post soon. 

just so you guys know, I’m not neglecting the blog world. on top of being busy, I’ve also been hired to look after another awesome blog, notions. so if you want to hear from me on a (semi) daily basis, head on over and join notion nation. i post every tuesday-friday. so, what are you waiting for? go read my latest post!

“Do you think I’m wonderful? she asked him one day as they leaned against the trunk of a petrified maple. No, he said. Why? Because so many girls are wonderful. I imagine hundreds of men have called their loves wonderful today, and it’s only noon. You couldn’t be something that hundreds of others are.”

– Jonathan Safran Foer, Everything is Illuminated (via cupofjo)

I originally intended this post to be all-encompassing, but once I started I realized that one category in particular dominated the discussion: fall fashion. We had a glorious three days of cool weather come through a week or two ago, and it was a heavenly glimpse of what is to come. Fall is absolutely my most favorite season, for clothes and otherwise. New clothes, new school supplies, and a new school year with new opportunities.  Some piece I’m craving for this coming season:

All-gold watches like this, but perhaps one more affordable like this one from asos.

Pops of color! I ‘m not big on wearing tons of color all at once, but I love the idea of adding bright colors to a neutral-based ensemble, a la the first lady of this post. Personally, I have been coveting these beautiful, colorful shoes since I first laid eyes on them last semester.

Structured bags, like the ones she found. Having previously been a slouchy, large, throw-everything-in-it-and-go-type-bag girl, I was surprised to find myself being drawn towards the more briefcase-esque bags this fall. They just look so classic and timeless. That said, if and when I get one, it will be on the larger side. A small bag just wouldn’t be me.

Simple jewelry. I’ve never been a fan of the heaps o’ bracelets trend, and I prefer studs to chandelier earrings. Lately I’ve been wearing just my small, brown leather watch, or a single gold bangle, and cute pair of studs. Also, I’ve had this ring saved on my computer for ages. I’m smitten. So simple, and perfect for a wedding ring. Dear future husband: That’s it. That’s all I want.

Two words: elbow patches. I can’t explain it, I just find them so very classic cool.

Braids. More beauty than fashion, but nonetheless I’ve always been a fan and will be trying new styles involving them much more.

Rich, bold nail colors. For a while now I’ve stuck to a regime of gold and pale pink when it comes to my nails, but I recently bought some bolder colors that I want to try on for size.

What’s going to be dominating your closet this fall?