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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.
I’m all about activewear — an obsession that’s grown deeper within the last year, especially. More specifically, I’m all about Old Navy activewear — and I have been ever since they launched in 2011. Remember these pants?
Like you, I imagine, I’m a big fan of the brand’s mass appeal — from their low-priced jeans and discounted basics to their stuper-stocked section of workout gear, which is the area I make a bee-line toward when I’m in stores. If you’ve ever worn their leggings or slipped into their sports bras, you know what I’m talking about.
This is, like, really gross, but I go through workout clothes quickly. As a result, I don’t like to spend a ton of money on the fitness basics — like racerback tanks, compression leggings and single-color sports bras; but of course, I want clothes that are cute, comfortable and versatile.
After all, I practically live (and work) in them… As evidenced.
My activewear obsession isn’t just because I’m a fitness instructor, though — it’s because I’ve really come to realize the value in taking utmost care of my mind, body (and, duh, SOUL).
I shared some of those insights with you when we discussed 29 things I learned in my 20’s — one of the posts I love to re-read time and time again.
Half the battle of balancing both of my career paths (fitness and blogging) is finding cute workout clothes that are fashionable enough to wear beyond the gym, but also functional enough to sweat in on the bike. (You know I love a good print.. These pants!)
… And part of leading a healthier lifestyle is rooted in having cute clothes to wear.
This season’s array of activewear at Old Navy is all about being Built for Play, so I was over the moon when they asked me to help spread the word about their new spring campaign (that, um, by the way: is 50% off today).
Kind of a no-brainer, right?
In addition to SoulCycle, one of the ways I’ve gotten fitter, trimmer and healthier is simply by being more active beyond the scope of my workouts. Yes, all those things you read about in magazines — taking the stairs, walking to lunch, sitting on a medicine ball at work. They all really do work, you guys.
And hey, if it’s a blueberry almond butter smoothie that (matches your colorful, cotton racerback tank and) is what gets you out of the house and into your yoga studio, treat yo’self. Mini milestones and affordable activewear are reason alone to celebrate with some grown-up purple drank.
thank you so much for this post! so many blogs focus on expensive clothes and accessories. while this sort of thing is fun to look at, it is totally beyond my grasp and isn’t very relevant to my personal lifestyle. I happen to love old navy’s workout clothes! I’m so excited to see you showing off their new stuff because it not only looks great on you, works well, but it is also something “normal” people can afford to add to their wardrobes! looking cute and feeling good while working out definitely helps raise my motivation to get to the gym. thanks again! hopefully I can build up some endurance soon and see what soul cycle is all about!
Yes, girl! And please know you are always welcome to e-mail me with questions about SoulCycle. There’s been a few requests, so I’m going to include a basic post about what it is/what it entails soon.
In the interim, know that it’s a highly personalized experience, so you control how challenging/intense your workout is. SoulCycle is for all levels — so please come ride (dance!) with me soon! I promise you will surprise yourself.
thanks for your response! I’d love to know more about soul cycle and how to get into it/what to expect. I will keep an eye out for a future post. I’d love to join one of your classes!
Also a huge fan of Old Navy workout clothes. I hate spending too much since they get washed/sweated in/washed so often. I find Old Navy’s selection to be great quality for the price!
Love all of this activewear. I haven’t shopped at Old Navy in a long time, but I will have to try. I also really love shopping at Target for affordable activewear too.
I really like Old Navy’s activewear line - especially because I think a lot of their pieces are easy to transition outside of just working out! In fact, I just bought an army green jacket from the line and I throw it on over my everyday clothes!
Love this! I had no idea Old Navy had such cute workout gear! I’ve been looking for some new workout pants, so those may just end up in my closet sometime soon
Wondering what size you usually get?? I always tend to go for larger sizes but I know in activewear from Athleta I’m usually a size small (though I don’t consider myself a small at all!) Is that the same for the Old Navy line? Thanks in advance!
I love how cute workout clothes is now! You def rock the athleisure! During the summer I love to go yoga mostly (the winter, I just hide and do it at home x) so this is totally inspiring.
I am so with you! I actually have those pants (and am wearing them right now… weird? haha). Old Navy has a great selection, and I never feel guilty for wearing/washing them often.
I am obsessed with cute workout clothes, since I now spend 90% of my free time doing yoga. Old Navy has so many cute things right now! Love those pants!
Very cool post! You’re so inspiring!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com
thank you so much for this post! so many blogs focus on expensive clothes and accessories. while this sort of thing is fun to look at, it is totally beyond my grasp and isn’t very relevant to my personal lifestyle. I happen to love old navy’s workout clothes! I’m so excited to see you showing off their new stuff because it not only looks great on you, works well, but it is also something “normal” people can afford to add to their wardrobes! looking cute and feeling good while working out definitely helps raise my motivation to get to the gym. thanks again! hopefully I can build up some endurance soon and see what soul cycle is all about!
Yes, girl! And please know you are always welcome to e-mail me with questions about SoulCycle. There’s been a few requests, so I’m going to include a basic post about what it is/what it entails soon.
In the interim, know that it’s a highly personalized experience, so you control how challenging/intense your workout is. SoulCycle is for all levels — so please come ride (dance!) with me soon! I promise you will surprise yourself.
thanks for your response! I’d love to know more about soul cycle and how to get into it/what to expect. I will keep an eye out for a future post. I’d love to join one of your classes!
I love the purple. You look great and are inspiring me in so many ways. I need to check out this sale!
dude, YOUR HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!! more info required
Noted!
Also a huge fan of Old Navy workout clothes. I hate spending too much since they get washed/sweated in/washed so often. I find Old Navy’s selection to be great quality for the price!
Amen. And also, Tide Sport. It is the ONLY detergent I use and it is a God-send.
Love all of this activewear. I haven’t shopped at Old Navy in a long time, but I will have to try. I also really love shopping at Target for affordable activewear too.
Ellen | A Pop of Pink
I really like Old Navy’s activewear line - especially because I think a lot of their pieces are easy to transition outside of just working out! In fact, I just bought an army green jacket from the line and I throw it on over my everyday clothes!
Lauren
http://oliverstwistblog.com
Wait, SO jealous! I ordered that but it ended up selling out in the time that I hit “add to cart” and “place order.”
Looking forward to seeing how you style it!
Love this! I had no idea Old Navy had such cute workout gear! I’ve been looking for some new workout pants, so those may just end up in my closet sometime soon
Definitely need to checkout Old Navy for workout clothes! They’re so cute!
xx,
Susie
http://www.SequinsandStrawberries.com
Wondering what size you usually get?? I always tend to go for larger sizes but I know in activewear from Athleta I’m usually a size small (though I don’t consider myself a small at all!) Is that the same for the Old Navy line? Thanks in advance!
Good question! In Old Navy I stay true-to-size in bottoms (medium) and size down in tops (small).
I love how cute workout clothes is now! You def rock the athleisure! During the summer I love to go yoga mostly (the winter, I just hide and do it at home x) so this is totally inspiring.
-alex
skyscrapers & palm trees
Wow I can’t believe these are from Old Navy! They’re really stepping up their activewear game
COOCOO FOR COCO
I am so with you! I actually have those pants (and am wearing them right now… weird? haha). Old Navy has a great selection, and I never feel guilty for wearing/washing them often.
Twinsies!
Nothing is better than cute and affordable work out clothes. I will be def checking out Old Navy. Thanks for sharing!
Liv
http://www.livforstyle.net
Love your sneakers!
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com
I am obsessed with cute workout clothes, since I now spend 90% of my free time doing yoga. Old Navy has so many cute things right now! Love those pants!
Nikki
thefashionablewife.com
Love the purple top!
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