The Fine Print

corals + cognacs works with third-party affiliates and advertising companies to serve advertisers. These companies may use aggregated information (not including your name, address, email or telephone) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about products and services that may be of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.

In addition, sometimes I'll share affiliate links of retailers that I personally support via Twitter or Facebook. If you click through an affiliate link when buying an item, I will be partially compensated for your purchase. You're under no obligation to click through via one of the links when shopping online, but, if you do, you'll be supporting my blog as well.

You, my readers, and overall editorial integrity are the two most important aspects of corals + cognacs. Know that I will always retain 100% control over the content on corals + cognacs, all opinions are that of my own, and that I will always disclose to you the items for which I have been paid and/or gifted.

Lastly, please note that the sentiments expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent those of my employer. If you have any questions, I encourage you to contact me. Thanks again for reading corals + cognacs!

Hi, nice to meet you.

I'm Hallie, a Midwest native, New York City transplant and the mind behind corals + cognacs. If you're looking for an online destination for stylish inspiration and musings on Manhattan living, you've come to the right place.

Here's a bit more about me (and if you'd like to keep in touch, you can find me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook).

I hope you enjoy reading corals + cognacs as much as I enjoy writing it.

FAQ // LOCATION: New York, New York • BY WAY OF: The Midwest (Cleveland/Chicago) • HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? Attainable, trendy and fun. I’m constantly wearing unexpected pairings – like statement pumps and a graphic tee. • FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR CLOSET? The vintage Gucci clutch I thrifted for $40. • ANY OBSESSIONS? I like my coffee black, my heels high and my martinis dirty. • GUILTY PLEASURES? Complex carbohydrates and shoe shopping -- both in excess. (And SoulCycle, as a result.)

ARE YOU A FULL-TIME BLOGGER? No, I work as a Development Manager and Contributing Editor at Glam.com. • WHY DID YOU START YOUR BLOG? I've spent nearly seven years on the corporate grind, where sartorial humor and an expertly crafted color-block can get lost in the boardroom. As a result, I decided to create a blog -- a space where I’d hoped my writing, styling and excessive shoe collection would be better comprehended. • WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Living stylish and spontaneously in New York City – and beyond. I aim to inspire others to have fun with fashion and to live lightheartedly • HOW’D YOU THINK OF THE NAME? To be honest, the name just came to me. I’m a big color-blocker and a sucker for alliteration in writing. It just fit. • WHAT’S THE CORRECT WAY TO WRITE IT? corals + cognacs.

HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE IT? corals and cone-yaks. • WHAT KIND OF CAMERA DO YOU USE? A Canon T3i with a 50mm f/1.4 lens. • DON’T YOU FEEL WEIRD TAKING PHOTOS OF YOURSELF? Absolutely. Everyone looks at me like I’m insane – especially when it’s cold. Wouldn’t you? • DO YOU WORK WITH ADVERTISERS/SPONSORS? Yep! Shoot me an e-mail and let’s talk. • HOW ELSE CAN WE KEEP IN TOUCH? On Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

August 1, 2024

Summer of Yes

August, man. Shit. When did that happen?

July came and went quicker than ~~my last relationship~~ June, which I didn’t think was possible.

Have you heard of the Summer of Yes?

The Summer of Yes isn’t an initiative that I invented (or in fact, I’m not sure it’s even a real thing), but I fully intend to champion the idea over the remaining few weeks of summa-summa-summatime.

Living in New York City, you tend to be surrounded by people who are constantly complaining about how all they do is work, work, work. Add dating on top of that? Forget it – Swiping right on Tinder is a full-time job in and of itself.

I can to find myself veering toward that unhappy hole of a work-a-holic category, on occasion, and it’s recently provided a rude awakening that summer is on the way out. (Seriously, though. Show of hands: July = shortest month ever?)

Let me take a step back. The “Summer of Yes” is the idea that you make a conscious effort to say yes to all kinds of fun shit so that you have the best possible summer ever. It’s about spontaneity, new experiences and just having fun.

When you’re balancing work, blog and an attempted social life, saying yes can be hard. Especially when you’d prefer to plant your ass on the couch and binge-watch Netflix (a habit that’ll soon be reserved for Sunday nights because of the Summer of Yes).

So, that’s what we’re going to start doing this weekend. Saying more of yes. Saying yes more.

Of course, not all of MY yes-fueled shenanigans will be publicly chronicled on the blog, but I vow to get up, head out and gather a few weeks worth of story-telling perfection.And I expect the same in return.

What are you saying yes to this weekend? (Other than this J.Crew sweashirt, which is 50% off).

*Wearing: Joe Fresh striped shirt, J.Crew ‘Oui’ sweatshirt (it’s 50% off!!), floral skirt c/o Vineyard Vines, Sperry Top-Sider canvas flats via Zappos (on sale)

///

Photos taken by Jessica Sturdy

Click to read more from corals + cognacs:

23 comments

Kristi on August 1, 2024 at 9:44 am

Loving this sweatshirt! Yes is definitely the new No…

xx, Kristi
http://www.currentlycrushing.com

Reply
Ella on August 1, 2024 at 9:52 am

July feels like the shortest day ever. Yes! Also, those shoes look like they might be rubbing a bit, no? (I mean… yes?) They’re cute but I’d love to know how comfy they really are!
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26

Reply
- corals + cognacs on August 1, 2024 at 10:06 am
  
  Hi, Ella! With you on July being the shortest month ever…These shoes are actually my most comfortable flats (next to Tieks). They fit true-to-size and don’t rub; that lovely dryness on the backs of my ankles is from SoulCycle/exercising. : )
  
  Reply
Briana on August 1, 2024 at 10:41 am

I say no to a lot. I’m such a homebody and I love relaxing. I love relaxing so much that it’s pretty much the only thing I do. I love the idea of “Summer of Yes” because even though I choose to stay home most of the time, I get a supreme case of FOMO seeing everyone’s fun happenings. I’m going to attempt the summer of yes with you, Hallie! Great idea

Briana
RoyallyPink.blogspot.com

Reply
kyntuckyrunner on August 1, 2024 at 10:43 am

The first time I saw the summer of yes was in the book - Girls in White Dresses - if you haven’t read it, it’s a great read!

Reply
- corals + cognacs on August 1, 2024 at 11:18 am
  
  Just made a note. I’m in the market as I’m nearly finished with Me Before You (by Jojo Moyes). Thank you!
  
  Reply
Kayla on August 1, 2024 at 11:12 am

YES! Haha! You are so inspiring Hallie! Hope you have a fabulous weekend!
PS - I’ll be in Chicago next week - give me a good place to eat.. GO!

Kayla
http://www.lovelucygirl.com

Reply
- corals + cognacs on August 1, 2024 at 11:16 am
  
  Go to Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder on Clark Street — it’s my favorite! Cash only Quartino is great, too, for shared plates.
  
  Reply
Gabriela on August 1, 2024 at 11:23 am

July and August are always the blink-and-they’re-gone months…why can’t January through March be that way instead?!

Reply
Jess Zimlich on August 1, 2024 at 11:35 am

I’m saying yes to dinner, drinks and First Fridays with friends when really I’d rather lay in bed without any pants on reading a new book! Shhhh 😉

p/s my sister got a Tinder and said it was so overwhelming she had to shut if off for a few days haha

Reply
Melissa on August 1, 2024 at 12:09 pm

Such a cute look Hallie…good luck on Tinder haha me and my girlfriends gave up on it months ago, way too many crazy guys on there and not enough ‘normal’ ones haha!

Reply
Abby on August 1, 2024 at 1:25 pm

I’m off to go see if that top is still available in my size - love it!

Reply
Chloe Gordon on August 1, 2024 at 5:30 pm

those pictures are too cute! love the idea of saying yes, even if that means breaking out of my comfort zone (which is, in fact, me parking myself on the couch, netflix in hand)
xox
chloe
http://popcosmo.com

Reply
Rebecca {at} Preppy Panache on August 2, 2024 at 4:00 am

This is like the Year of Yes. Have you ever read the book?

Reply
Pingback: Summer of Yes | TinderNews
Kelly in the City on August 2, 2024 at 12:50 pm

Love the idea of saying “yes” to more invites and opportunities! I’ve really been trying to do that more, too. Can’t wait to hear your stories!! Happy weekend!

xx
Kelly
kellyinthecity.com

Reply
Pingback: Mondaze | corals + cognacs
Pingback: Simple Separates | corals + cognacs
Ilona on August 5, 2024 at 9:32 pm

Love the sweatshirt! I’ve been eyeing it J.Crew for awhile now!

Reply
Karizma on August 7, 2024 at 3:42 pm

Really love this idea! I always make up excuses to not go out, for whatever reason. as I move toward a more positive life, I like the idea of being open to uncertainty and having fun!

~Karizma

Reply
Pingback: Link Love, Vol. 21 | corals + cognacs
Pingback: Link Love, Vol. 50 - corals + cognacs
Pingback: Festival fringe | @halliekwilson

The Fine Print

Hi, nice to meet you.

Click to read more from corals + cognacs:

share this post:

23 comments

What do you think? Cancel reply