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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.

December 3, 2023

Birthday Suit

Whether it’s skinny jeans, winter outerwear or a dress worthy of a desk-to-drinks agenda, an almost-all black ensemble is always a do.

Especially when I travel, I pack primarily black- and onyx-colored separates. It makes living out of a suitcase much simpler, as your outfit combinations are endless.

I took the ladylike approach to wearing black-on-black during my trip to Ohio last week. For a classy, celebratory night out with my hometown friends (read: shots of whiskey and Bud Light), I paired my zippered Zara sheath with some BaubleBar sparkle and pointed-toe Tibi boots.

The following day, I (changed my tights and) added a textured blazer, navy scarf and bold black frames for a more daytime-appropriate look.

tibi-piper-boots

Lastly (and this is for you, Mom) — every year, my birthday is celebrated in tandem with the holidays, which makes for a particularly festive weekend… Cake on cake on (turkey on) cake!

This also means my family will do what they can to ensure “my day” isn’t folded into Thanksgiving — or, said another way, embarrass the shit out of me. This year, that meant I ~~got to~~ had to wear this little gem at Thanksgiving dinner.

I must say, I simply couldn’t say no when the phrase “a pop of color” was tossed out. Touche, familia. Touche.

*Wearing: Zara zippered dress, Hue tights, Tibi Piper boots (similar here), crystal collar necklace c/o BaubleBar, 3.1 Phillip Lim medium satchel Pashli | *Beauty: Benefit Hello Flawless foundation, Stila Stay All Day lipgloss in Fiery, NARS blush in Love Joy

*Click below to shop this look:

Photos taken by Lisa Wilson

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30 comments

Andi on December 3, 2023 at 7:13 am

Happy Birthday!!! Love the outfit!

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- corals + cognacs on December 3, 2023 at 11:41 am
  
  Thank you (x2), Andi! Hope your holiday was a great one.
  
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Caroline S on December 3, 2023 at 7:07 am

Happy Birthday! Hope you have a great one! I am the same way with packing! I pack all black and white with a few pops of color which usually ends up being burgundy since it fills a large portion of my closet!

~ Caroline
http://www.peachykeencaroline.com

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Heidi on December 3, 2023 at 7:08 am

Hahah! Love your birthday hat. Embarrassing the daylights out of you - if that isn’t what family is all about then I don’t truly know the definition of family. Hope you had a great time in Ohio. My hubs is from the Steubenville area.

http://jax-and-jewels.blogspot.com

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Alyssa on December 3, 2023 at 8:15 am

All-black always leaves me feeling very sassy and sophisticated…and just a bit mysterious, maybe? Either way, you look rockin–happy brithday again!

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Rebecca {at} Preppy Panache on December 3, 2023 at 8:33 am

Your family sounds so cute. Love the hat they had you wear.

Rebecca {at} Preppy Panache

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Rachel on December 3, 2023 at 8:45 am

All black everything is always classy in my book. That birthday hat is hilarious!

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Kayla on December 3, 2023 at 9:11 am

YES to the all black! This outfit is a 10 on you! Perfection!
And happy birthday! : )

Kayla
http://www.lovelucygirl.com

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- corals + cognacs on December 3, 2023 at 11:41 am
  
  Thanks, Kayla! Hope you, the hubs and Lucy had a great Thanksgiving holiday. : )
  
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Audrey on December 3, 2023 at 9:37 am

so chic. There’s nothing like head to toe black! http://www.casualglamorous.com

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Ashleigh Preston on December 3, 2023 at 9:55 am

I’m so in love with those boots! NEED them! Great outfit!
~Ashleigh {Dazzle by Day}
http://www.dazzlebyday.com

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- corals + cognacs on December 3, 2023 at 11:40 am
  
  Truthfully, they’re the most comfortable boots I own. I walk everywhere in them! Steep price tag, but they’re well worth it. I got mine when Tibi had a 40% off sale — keep your eyes peeled!
  
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glossyblonde on December 3, 2023 at 10:10 am

Happy Birthday! You look absolutely gorgeous and I love the hat! Haha!

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Annick on December 3, 2023 at 10:58 am

Happy Birthday Hallie! Loving that dress! A classic all black look always looks so chic. And I’m in love with that necklace! I need it!

Bold Subtlety

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- corals + cognacs on December 3, 2023 at 11:39 am
  
  Thanks Annick! And the necklace is my fave - thinking about getting it in gray, too!
  
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Rose on December 3, 2023 at 10:59 am

Birthdays on holiday weekends are kind of great though, no? As a kid it sucked because everyone was traveling, but as an adult it’s great to almost always have some time off to celebrate PS—love the Zara sheath!!

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- corals + cognacs on December 3, 2023 at 11:39 am
  
  Totally! As a kid, it was the winter equivalent of having a birthday in the summer. Nice to celebrate a birthday when your entire family is in town, though. No complaints!
  
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kendall (@dippednyellow) on December 3, 2023 at 11:11 am

love the all black look! x

dipped in yellow

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Baubles to Bubbles on December 3, 2023 at 11:36 am

Happy Birthday Hallie! Loving the “pop of color” birthday hat! Hope you had a good weekend back in Ohio

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Jackie {York Avenue} on December 3, 2023 at 11:39 am

Happy birthday!

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scallopedandbows on December 3, 2023 at 2:19 pm

I’ve been looking at the necklace (in periwinkle) for a while now, but it’s out of stock! Although the black is much nicer than I thought it would be. Love the outfit and happy belated turkey-day/birthday!

http://scallopedandbows.blogspot.ca

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Nikki on December 3, 2023 at 2:54 pm

So adorable! Happy belated birthday. Love the all black look. And of course the birthday hat is fab! Hope you had a wonderful birthday!

NIkki
thefashionablewife.com

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Leah on December 3, 2023 at 5:18 pm

As you already know, that outfit…I’m a fan. And, needless to say, you…I’m a fan also Happy belated birthday girrrrrrl!

EatPrayWearLove

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HL on December 3, 2023 at 4:31 pm

Happy birthday! Great necklace!

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Maya on December 3, 2023 at 6:45 pm

All black everything for the WIN. Love this outfit - and hello, shots and bud light are the best way to celebrate birthdays 😉 xx

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New Dress A Day on December 3, 2023 at 7:42 pm

Such a chic look, lovely! The hat is the icing on your birthday cake!! Gorge! xx Marisa

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Kat on December 3, 2023 at 8:20 pm

I love the all black look. It’s my go to look on almost all days!:) Happy Belated Birthday!

Ivy and Cedar

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Trendy Mondays on December 3, 2023 at 8:22 pm

What a cute post (and family tradition). You are glowing in these pics! Glad you had such a great birthday and Thanksgiving!

Trendy Mondays - your online destination for Indie European designs.

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Lacey @ My Boring Closet on December 4, 2023 at 4:22 pm

that necklace is awesome! Happy Birthday!

Reply

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