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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.

June 20, 2024

Leather, Chiffon and Good Shopping Karma

There’s something about a leather and silk chiffon combo that makes me feel all wannabe biker-chic badass. Know what I mean?

chiffon maxi dress, leather and chiffon maxi dress

chiffon maxi dress, leather and chiffon maxi dress, tory burch wedges,

*Wearing: Urban Outfitters dress, Neon Lights necklace c/o Ann Taylor, Torch Burch wedges and logo clutch

tory burch sandals, tory burch shoes, neon wedges

… Anyone? Maybe it’s the fact that I found this frock on the clearance floor (literally) of Urban Outfitters for $10.

I’ve told you my theory about good opp’ shopping, right? No? Well, as every life-long retail-a-holic knows, you’ve got to believe in Good Shopping Karma. I tend to find a good deal or two, so I consider mine above average. Here’s a few tips to practice on the reg:

Educate yourself to know a good deal when you see one. Practice makes perfect!
When do your go-to shops get their shipments? (I use Shop it to Me — a site that alerts you when your favorite brands go on sale.)
Prep mentally. And by that, I mean, be open-minded and don’t set your sights too high if you’re just sifting through the sale rack.
Know that some items aren’t worth a bargain. Don’t feel guilty spending on everyday separates that suit you perfectly.
If you feel anxious or indifferent, don’t buy it. Hold off until the right deal comes — trust, the right outfit will appear on your radar!
When your karma kicks in, ride the wave and shop. Enjoy it while it lasts, girl!

And lastly, of course, when in doubt, tweet me and ask.

Click to read more from corals + cognacs:

18 comments

Rebecca on June 20, 2024 at 10:22 am

Great combo! I love mixing two opposite styles. The result is almost always gorgeous. Like this outfit!

Rebecca (hearts)…

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Taylor on June 20, 2024 at 10:43 am

YES! You finally let this beautiful thing shine. Love how it looks on you, great find.

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Katie on June 20, 2024 at 11:14 am

LOVE this dress, what a steal! Love that you mixed in a little neon too!

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Passport to Style Team on June 20, 2024 at 11:38 am

very cool dress!

-Passport to Style Team

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Eunice on June 20, 2024 at 1:10 pm

“If you feel anxious or indifferent, don’t buy it. Hold off until the right deal comes — trust, the right outfit will appear on your radar!” - SO true and definitely a golden rule to keeping your closet uncluttered and saving money! And of course definitely something that I’m still attempting to live by

LOVE your outfit and pleated chiffon is my FAVE

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Sam on June 20, 2024 at 1:24 pm

Wow, what a deal! It looks great on you! I love that Ann Taylor necklace too. Knew it right away!

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Maria on June 20, 2024 at 1:45 pm

Absolutely LOVE this outfit. That dress is perfection and what better way to rock it than with that gorgeous necklace.

xo,
Maria

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alyson on June 20, 2024 at 2:18 pm

LOVE this… chiffon and leather are kind of amazing, and your tips are totally right on.

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Marie-Eve @aprettynest on June 20, 2024 at 3:23 pm

Ah those shoes are amazing !!! Love the chiffon with the leather, feminine with an edge is always a great mix !

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Jessica @ LittleMiss312 on June 20, 2024 at 5:18 pm

Great find! The karma must be plentiful, I too had myself some good luck with cheap finds recently! Cheers to shopping karma

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Lindsay on June 20, 2024 at 8:40 pm

I really love EVERYTHING about this.
$10 dress….WHAT
Neon statement necklace and neon shoes..shut the front door.
Tory burch…ENOUGH SAID!

Lindsay @ LindsayJEveryday.blogspot.com

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Fashion By Alicia on June 20, 2024 at 7:51 pm

Such a gorgeous dress! Love the leather details and that last photo GORGEOUS!

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Jill @ Classy with a Kick on June 20, 2024 at 11:52 pm

You look fabulous! And I have to say that I, too, have found amazing things on the floor at Urban. It’s the secret place to look when browsing through the sale racks!

http://www.classywithakick.com

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Jill @ Classy with a Kick on June 20, 2024 at 11:53 pm

You look fabulous! And I have to say that I, too, have found amazing things on the floor at Urban. It’s the secret place to look when browsing through the sale racks!

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Jessica on June 21, 2024 at 11:35 am

Such an amazing dress! You look fab!

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molly on June 21, 2024 at 3:14 pm

i love love love the neon with the neutrals. so good. $10. you win.

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Ayumi on June 25, 2024 at 5:55 pm

I love your outfit! hello, fellow chicagoan blogger! lol I just read your FAQ part and surprised that you took your outfit with p&s, all by yourself! Since my husband is a horrible photographer, I usually take my own outfit pictures but I’m also not brave enough to go out in the stree to take my outfit photos. LOL I wish I was brave like you!

Btw, I love that neon necklace. It’s soo in right now!

Ayumi

theayumiaspect.com

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exothermicgirl on June 26, 2024 at 6:52 pm

i recently purchased a skirt that looks like the one you wore here, but i’m not sure how to get wrinkles out of it. do you always take it to a dry cleaner?

Reply

The Fine Print

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