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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.
Okay, so I’ve told you this before — but I tend to get in these clothing ruts where I wear the same pieces over and over and over. Not in, like, a “ew, that’s gross” way, but in a way that lets me really pare down my closet to a few functional essentials.
… I’ll explain more in today’s post:
Using the same dress I styled yesterday, here’s four more ways to wear that little white dress (or any dress, really) — fit for just about every occasion on your calendar.
This look is perfect for taking your style from morning to night — just stash a pair of close-toed pumps under your desk and ditch the chambray while you’re at the office.
In the Midwest especially, the weather can be a tricky bitch. You know?
Post-office hours, change into a comfy pair of kicks and knot that chambray blouse over your white dress in case you — oh, I don’t know — find yourself at happy hour and end up underneath an air vent. I know you know that struggle.
You know I love a good vest… Any layering piece that hits near or at the end of the dress’ hem will work well, here. You can also wear a jacket that cuts at your waist — just make sure your layers aren’t an awkward proportion of in-between’s.
A wool duster vest is one of my favorite pieces to wear during the fall… An investment, yes, but you’ll see me style it a lot in the coming months. Here’s a similar style to the one I’m wearing — it’s on sale, too.
This simple style trick is an easy way to dress down your favorite white frock. Again, just make sure you’re avoiding an awkward balance of proportions — you should knot this sucker right around your natural waist.
For a more office-appropriate vibe, tie a button-up and add a belt for a chic take on this trend.
Duh, but right? Sometimes embracing the chic simplicity of a little white dress is all you need for a night-time statement-maker. Date night!
Also worth noting: This cute mini clutch is on sale at the moment. It comes with a cross-body strap and a belt for those fanny pack festival-style vibes, too.)
And in case you weren’t convinced yesterday, here are a few of my favorite white dresses — most of which are well under $100 (scroll or click to shop/see the price).
I love the dress by itself paired with heels! Mostly because the less I’m wearing in the summer, the better, but for the fall transition I love the tee over it 🙂
Perfect post for me. I just bought a little white dress yesterday, but wasn’t sure if I was going to send it back. I kept thinking I won’t get enough wear out of it, but your post has opened me eyes! Thank you so much for the inspiration!
These are all cute ideas Hallie, I want to try and the tshirt over a dress or a skirt over my dress but I’m too scared. You make it look so easy! Hope you are having a good day girl!!
Love all these looks, especially with the pink vest!
Thanks, Erin. You know I love a good vest!
I love the dress by itself paired with heels! Mostly because the less I’m wearing in the summer, the better, but for the fall transition I love the tee over it 🙂
That blush vest is amazing! And the pleated skirt! love, love, love 🙂
xxoo
Mary
http://www.BelleOnTrend.com
Perfect post for me. I just bought a little white dress yesterday, but wasn’t sure if I was going to send it back. I kept thinking I won’t get enough wear out of it, but your post has opened me eyes! Thank you so much for the inspiration!
These are all cute ideas Hallie, I want to try and the tshirt over a dress or a skirt over my dress but I’m too scared. You make it look so easy! Hope you are having a good day girl!!
xo, Sarah
This post is so good! And I’m so with you- I get in what I call a “rotation rut.”
Xx Taylor
http://lightscameracatwalk.com/