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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.
Let’s kick the week off on a productive note, shall we?
As a freelance writer/creator/blogger, I work in a lot of remote destinations — coffee shops, hotel lobbies and moving vehicles, to name a few. And whether it’s for travel or just a typical workday, one of my biggest personal pet peeves is having to tote around a ton of electronics on a daily basis.
I must have put this out into the universe (or, I don’t know, whined on social media), because HP has very kindly invited me to test a few of their newest technologies this month to see if and how they’d improve my overall workflow and blogging proficiencies. (I’m going to share a few of my latest tips and tricks to working smarter, too, so keep reading!)
The first is the Pavilion x360, which is pictured above. It’s a computer (er, gadget) that has a detachable keyboard and four specific “modes” to work and play in — laptop, tablet, tent and stand.
So, basically, it’s like a personal computer, tablet and music player rolled into one.
As I know you can relate, we’re the type of girls that wear a lot of hats. We’re bloggers, students, professionals, workaholics, mothers, caretakers — the list goes on. (Suddenly, I need a drink. Anyone?) In fact, what’d you do this weekend? One million things?
I know. Me too!
And to clarify, brunch counts.
Whether its work, style or anything else — I’ve truly become a minimalist at heart.
I especially believe there’s no reason to make working/blogging any harder than it needs to be — and despite this, work/life balance is something that I really struggle with. (Yes, especially after I quit my full-time job, surprisingly.)
As a result, I’m constantly looking for ways to be more efficient and work smarter, not harder.
In an effort to draw inspiration from the HP Pavilion’s four ‘modes,’ that I’ve been experimenting in, I thought I’d share four habits and digital devices that I’ve been using to help streamline my work/blogging.
Here goes:
CANNED RESPONSES: I use Gmail’s Canned Responses feature religiously. You can set up responses for emails you often receive and with a click of a button insert them straight into an email. For instance, I often receive emails asking for everything from my media kit to advice on how to start a blog. I have responses set up for most of these inquiries, so I just click the appropriate response and voila. Archive!
GMAIL OFFLINE: We’ve talked about this before (in this post), but it bears repeating. Through this Google Chrome plug-in, you can download your inbox and access it offline. I use it every time I travel or head to a shoot location that doesn’t have wi-fi. Total game-changer!
STOCK IMAGES: You know those super cute brunch Instagrams you take 10 hours to stage? Or that awesome photo of the New York City skyline? KEEP THEM! Seriously — maintain a folder of your own images to use for various blog posts. This has saved me tons of time searching for images on Pinterest — plus, it’s a great way to back-link to your own content/social channels. I organize mine in a way that is easy to search (travel, cold weather style, food pictures, etc).
ONE LIST: … And it’s not a to-do list. This simple adjustment in the way we measure productivity is based on the idea of measuring your results, not your time. It sounds silly, but it works (for me). Rather than making a daunting task list of things you have to do, just start doing — then, keep a list of things you actually get done that day. You may be surprised how much more motivated (and productive) you are.
Back to the HP: I’m still getting used to using Windows on this device (I’ve been a preferred Mac user to-date, admittedly), but I’ve found that it offers a really appealing combination of performance and convenience. I like how it folds into a tablet and has the full-functionality of a laptop PC, too.
When I’m working, of course, I use the notebook/laptop mode. At home, I’ll prop it up in the tent mode and listen to music or watch Netflix – it has really good, rich sound optimized for Beats audio, which is perfect because I am never not wearing my headphones. That reminds me, I am seriously behind on Scandal… No spoilers, please.
My favorite feature is the touchscreen technology – it allows you to tap, swipe or pinch the screen.
Oh, and another thing I’ve noticed: The battery actually lasts. It’s perfect for those days when you’ll have down time between errands, as you don’t have to worry about recharging.
///
All-in-all, it’s a really cool device — and it has the flexibility to meet my needs as a person who wears many hats.
I’ve been using it for about a month now, and with the combination of my four digital efficiencies (mentioned above), I’ve been working smarter and traveling lighter.
Now, any blogging tips and tricks you’d care to share?
To learn more about he HP Pavilion x360 (including how they’re currently globe-trotting with Meghan Trainor to document her first-ever tour, click here. And if you have any questions about the device, feel free to leave ’em in the comments below.
My dream would be to have a giant desktop MAC and then a little itty bitty laptop I can carry around with me. Just having this giant laptop I currently use just ain’t working!
Thanks for sharing those tips — I never thought to organize my own “stock” library but you’re right, that sounds incredibly helpful for future posts and instagrams. Mine are sitting in my library chronologically, so there’s always tons of scrolling and searching whenever I’m looking for that one image I took at coffee or Soul a few weeks ago.
HP has a new desktop called the “Sprout”. It looks life changing (seriously!). If you get a chance or have space for it in your apartment I suggest trying it. I honestly cant decide if I should buy one haha!
Totally need to start doing canned responses. Always spend so much time re-writing the same type of blogging questions.
Also completely agree about saving all of those instagram photos. I do the same thing. So much better to find one of your own photos to work for a post.
Great tips!
Congrats on Soul Cycle. There is now a location near me in Roslyn, NY and I’m dying to go try it out, but also totally chicken! You have inspired me to try it out.
I have been meaning to comment on your blog since I subscribed in the beginning of the year. Your blog is refreshing. I could say all of the things that I like but I merely gonna say ……I like it
I’m considering a new blog computer so this review is coming at the right time!
My dream would be to have a giant desktop MAC and then a little itty bitty laptop I can carry around with me. Just having this giant laptop I currently use just ain’t working!
xoxo
Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl
http://poorlittleitgirl.com
Thanks for sharing those tips — I never thought to organize my own “stock” library but you’re right, that sounds incredibly helpful for future posts and instagrams. Mine are sitting in my library chronologically, so there’s always tons of scrolling and searching whenever I’m looking for that one image I took at coffee or Soul a few weeks ago.
Sweet!
Canned responses is a life-saver when working with brands. Great tips!
Ok, that flexible keyboard is insane! Bravo to HP for stepping up their game!
Birdie Shoots
Most importantly I’m focusing on your glitter smoking slippers…
One of my best-ever Nordstrom Rack finds… (Really!)
Very cool post!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com
Cute photos Hallie!
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com
HP has a new desktop called the “Sprout”. It looks life changing (seriously!). If you get a chance or have space for it in your apartment I suggest trying it. I honestly cant decide if I should buy one haha!
http://thedarlingstandard.blogspot.com/
I’ve actually been test-driving that one, too! I’ll review in next week or the following. I love it so far! Any specific questions? x
Hallie,
CANNED RESPONSES? I had no idea. Thanks for changing my life.
xoxo!
Kelly | Kelly in the City
That sweater looks seriously cozy!
I just learned about canned responses using gmail and I seriously don’t know how I ever lived without them!
Can’t wait to hear more about your Soul Cycle journey!!
xo, Jen
Totally need to start doing canned responses. Always spend so much time re-writing the same type of blogging questions.
Also completely agree about saving all of those instagram photos. I do the same thing. So much better to find one of your own photos to work for a post.
Great tips!
Congrats on Soul Cycle. There is now a location near me in Roslyn, NY and I’m dying to go try it out, but also totally chicken! You have inspired me to try it out.
Seriously CANNED RESPONSES. Total game changer.
Love these tips!
Definitely agree with taking stock photos- it’s saved me so much time!
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I have been meaning to comment on your blog since I subscribed in the beginning of the year. Your blog is refreshing. I could say all of the things that I like but I merely gonna say ……I like it
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Must start using the canned responses! So thankful I read this article for that nugget of gold
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