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Hi, nice to meet you.

Hi, nice to meet you! Welcome to corals + cognacs, a life and style blog of sorts. I’m Hallie, a twenty-something fashion fiend, shoe hoarder and the Editor/Chief Style Officer behind this blog.

Here, you’ll find outfit inspirations, wardrobe creations and musings on my ever-evolving list of latest obsessions.

I hope you enjoy reading corals + cogancs 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? Silk blouses, diptyque candles and SoulCycle. • GUILTY PLEASURE? Eating trail mix and shoe shopping. Both in excess. • WANNA GRAB A DRINK? Always – Ketel dirty martini, please.

ARE YOU A FULL-TIME BLOGGER? No, I work at an agency doing social media strategy. • WHY DID YOU START YOUR BLOG? Style tends to take a back seat at the office. Since sartorial humor and an expertly crafted color-block can get lost in the boardroom, I decided to create a blog, 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. • 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/1.8 lens. • DON’T YOU FEEL WEIRD TAKING PHOTOS OF YOURSELF IN THE CITY? Absolutely. Everyone looks at me like I’m insane – especially when it’s cold. Wouldn’t you? • DO YOU OFFER ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES? Yep! Shoot me an e-mail and let’s talk. • HOW ELSE CAN WE KEEP IN TOUCH? On Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

November 28, 2023

Birthday Reflections

It’s been a crazy span of a few weeks with all of the traveling I’ve been doing, so I thought I’d switch things up and keep it short-and-sweet for today, since it’s a special one…

Here’s a few things I’ve felt particularly grateful for this past year. If you need me today, I’ll be off drinking champagne and dancing on a table somewhere. Join me?

This year, I…

(1) Bought shoes… A lot of shoes.
(2) Styled my first-ever fashion show on behalf of Macy’s for Fashion’s Night Out. (3) I traveled often and to a number of different destinations, but most notably, to (4) Fashion Week in New York. Talk about a dream come true! However, my frequent travels have made me subsequently happier (5) to call Chicago home.
(6) Worked hard. Really hard. And as a result, I’ve had the good fortune to do some really cool stuff with some really cool people, (7) including a TV segment for ABC, a video shoot for Marshall’s and a nation-wide campaign for Lady Footlocker (thanks, Glam).
Above all else, I (8) had a lot of fun with (9) a few good friends.

… Cheers to the next year; here’s hoping it brings half as many blessings. In the meantime, I’m reminded:

{initial images via 1, 2, 3, 4; quote by c.s. wonder}

19 comments

Lauren @ChiGalLauren on November 28, 2023 at 6:31 am

Happy Bday Hallie!!

Reply
Sam on November 28, 2023 at 9:21 am

Love this! Happy Birthday lady! So glad to have met you this year

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Natalie on November 28, 2023 at 9:21 am

Adorable blog! Just stumbled upon it and LOVE it! http://www.fashionifancy.com

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Michelle on November 28, 2023 at 9:48 am

Happy Birthday, Hal! What a year it has been! Cheers to another great one

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Amanda Weiss on November 28, 2023 at 10:01 am

Hallie you are AMAZING and so inspirational! I love your positivity and I just know each year you are going to accomplish more and more! Happy Birthday to on stylish, genuine, bubbly, fabulous (the list goes on) lady!!

<3 <3 <3 Amanda
FashionableeMe

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Jordan Skiles on November 28, 2023 at 10:53 am

Happy, Happy Birthday!!! We are *almost* birthday buds - mine was yesterday!! I’m so glad I’ve found your blog!! Have a wonderful year!!

Oh - and I’m hosting my very first giveaway on my blog!! I’d love for you to check it out!

xx, Jordan
opal-and-violet.blogspot.com

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Ellen on November 28, 2023 at 10:59 am

Happy Birthday!! What a great post today! Here is to your best year yet.

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Tina @ My Highest Self on November 28, 2023 at 12:39 pm

Happy Birthday, enjoy your day!!

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Amy on November 28, 2023 at 1:27 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Girl!! I hope you have such a great day Drink a glass (or two) of champagne for me! Cheers! xo

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Megan on November 28, 2023 at 2:18 pm

Happy birthday, Hallie!! I have so enjoyed reading and seeing your adventures in travels - can’t wait to see what’s in store for you next! Have a fabulous one!
xo, Megan

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Sarah Hartley on November 28, 2023 at 4:28 pm

What a wonderful post I hope that you have an amazing birthday, and have an extra glass of champagne for me!

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Vinda-Mary on November 28, 2023 at 4:49 pm

Happy birthday! You have certainly accomplished a lot of wonderful things this year, so wishing you much more with the new year! Your website is fab and like someone else said, you’re an inspiration; keep up the great work!

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Lindsay on November 28, 2023 at 7:07 pm

I adore that macy’s photo of you. Sending you a long distance cheers and loads of champagne dreams. xo

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Danielle on November 28, 2023 at 10:44 pm

Happy, Happy Birthday! I just stumbled across your blog, and I must tell you I spent about 45 minutes reading it! You have a great voice behind your writing and your style is amazing! Just wanted to compliment you on how much I enjoyed reading You definitely have a new fan!

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Glam Slam! on November 29, 2023 at 2:25 am

HAAAAAAPY, HAAAAAAPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!! I am so glad that we “met” this year! You are an awesome gal, talented blogger and someone I hope to meet IRL someday! I know there are great things ahead for you. You definitley motivate me to not give up on my dreams and keep working hard on my blog - all good things come in time, right? Anyway, again, Happy Birthday girl! Hope you have a fabulous one!

xoxo, Stephanie
http://glamslamblog.com

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Rachel on November 29, 2023 at 8:53 pm

Happy Birthday!! I love this post, you are so successful it’s inspirational! Love all of your pictures!

Xo, Rachel

Glitzy Blues

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zahra on December 2, 2023 at 12:10 pm

Happy Birthday!!! I love this post and couldn’t be happier for your success! Cheers!

Zahra

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