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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 received quite a few requests to share my packing strategy for a recent trip to Asia, so here’s the breakdown of exactly what was in my suitcase.
When you’re cramming four weeks of your life into a bag, you have to pack very smartly – and it helps to know ahead of time how you can style each piece. Regardless of whether you’re jet-setting s0metime soon or you’re just looking for new ways to breathe life into your existing wardrobe, grab a pen-and-paper or bookmark this link. I’ve got you covered! (And if you followed my trip on Instagram, you’ll notice this packing list/these items are exact.)
What to pack for an international trip:
T-shirts: No-brainer, to start — especially because your basic tee takes up virtually no space. You can dress ‘em up with a leather mini-skirt or down with black leggings and boots. I like J. Crew’s cotton tee’s (and they’re usually on sale).
Bottoms: Two pairs each of black pants, tights and shorts. I passed on jeans for this trip, as black bottoms are more universal in my wardrobe. For our cold-weathered destinations (Japan and Hong Kong), I can wear the dresses and skirts I’m planning to don barelegged in Thailand – just with opaque tights.
Jacket: Since I didn’t want the hassle of dealing with my down-coat overseas, my focus for keeping warm is the art of layering. (I ended up buying a leather-and-fur Isabel Marant jacket in Hong Kong, which I shipped back home for an easy $20.)
Dresses: Each dress I packed can be styled for night and day – plus, paired with tights and my jacket, they’ll work in cooler temps, too. Otte’s signature Ellen dress is my perfect, all-occasion piece. I wore mine in Hong Kong under a jacket and in Thailand with bare legs and Jack Rogers sandals.
{what I wore in Japan & Hong Kong}
Cover-ups: Since most of our trip was spent on the beach, I packed two beachy cover-ups that can also work for hot-and-humid nights out in the islands, including my favorite DVF kaftan.
Sweaters: On the flight overseas, I layered a cotton shirt and cozy cashmere knit – both from Vineyard Vines. I also packed my I-wear-this-with-everythingdolman sweater from Derek Crosby. Style tip: Wearing black- and nude-colored tank tops underneath your knits helps to prolong their wear.
Shoes: I wore felt-lined black boots from La Canadienne on the plane, since they’re the bulkiest pair I brought and I need them for warmth in Japan. In addition, I packed raffia Soludos (for wandering), Converse Chuck Taylor’s (for off-the-beaten-path-exploring) and Jack Rogers Navajo sandals (for beaching).
Bags: In addition to my Lo & Sons carry-on, I packed a Rebecca Minkoff mini M.A.C. as a smaller, all-purpose going out bag. And you laugh, but the fanny pack is ideal for, say, partying on the beach in Koh Phangan and riding elephants through the jungle in Chiang Mai.
{what I wore in Thailand}
Beauty: I skipped the shower goods, since we were staying at hotels. My beauty routine was very basic during the entire trip. I packed a comb, Bumble & Bumble surf spray, lip-lock moisture balm, my signature Tarte gloss, YSL Touche Eclat and mini-sized Benefit products: Brow Tint, Benetint and mascara.
**
As a disclaimer, I used Hitha’s packing guide as a starting point. I highly recommend snagging one for yourself (it’s free) – regardless of your intended destination.
For traveling in Asia, know that you can check a bag, but it’s best to pack light. We flew Bangkok Air, ANA, United, NOK Airways, Thai Airways and AirAsia.
Of those, only AirAsia charged to check bags (and they required you to if your carry-on was more than 14 pounds — bitch, please). If you’re flying AirAsia, I suggest pre-checking your luggage online – it’s cheaper.
Lastly, here’s a few of my space-saving carry-on secrets:
Vacuum-seal bags will save on space (exponentially so), but they will make your bag a bit heavier.
Invest in a high-quality carry-on. I used the O.M.G. bag from Lo & Sons. I also brought my Large Metro Tote from MZ Wallace, which folds up neatly for packing purposes and served as a nice “overflow” bag on the trip home.
Great packing tips! I’m heading out to NYC next month for Fashion Week and have no idea what to pack (we’re in the 70’s here in LA) - any ideas?
xx,
Kristi
You are a freaking packing genius! I always over pack for trips and when I come home I’m left wondering why I even packed half of what I took with me. My biggest packaging achievement was packing for a 5 day work trip in Arizona and only taking a carry-on with me. However, the balmy 100+ plus temperatures really helped cut down on a ton of “heavier” items.
SPOT ON! This is exactly how I packed for 2 weeks! everything was interchangeable, except we were in Thailand the whole time and I needed ALL tanks - it was 90 degrees and 100% humid all day everyday!
Okay so Hallie when I go to South America I am calling you to help me pack! I’ll provide wine! Glad your back - lets get together once you have fully re-immersed back into NYC life!
I don’t know how you did this whole mix-and-match thing with your actual clothes in a blog post, but it’s amazing and incredibly helpful. You really know how to maximize your wardrobe and your space. Fantastic! Thanks for taking the time to create such helpful content for your readers and welcome home!
YES. Thank you. I’m heading to Thailand this upcoming November and this is already a lifesaver. So stylish!
Also, I for one would LOVE to see a recap of all of your souvenirs/purchases from throughout your trip! I am so, so sure you snagged some amazing things.
Thanks, Paula! SO excited for you to head to Thailand. I should be posting my photos/updates from that leg of the trip over the next few weeks. Hope it will help in some of your planning!
I will absolutely share my trinkets and souvenirs, too.
Oh my dear, COLOR me impressed! I am pinning this for when I get to make my dreams come true & recreate your trip!
xx Here&Now
Enter my current giveaway!
Damnnnnnnn girl. You put my obsessive compulsive “I will never check a bag” packing style to SHAME. Totally bookmarking this for my trip to Harbour Island in March.
Great packing tips! I’m heading out to NYC next month for Fashion Week and have no idea what to pack (we’re in the 70’s here in LA) - any ideas?
xx,
Kristi
Great packing tips, Hallie! Now I just need to book my flight to Asia. Loved every minute of your IG photos too! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
xo-Justine
You are a freaking packing genius! I always over pack for trips and when I come home I’m left wondering why I even packed half of what I took with me. My biggest packaging achievement was packing for a 5 day work trip in Arizona and only taking a carry-on with me. However, the balmy 100+ plus temperatures really helped cut down on a ton of “heavier” items.
http://jax-and-jewels.blogspot.com
Such an awesome packing post, with so many good, universal pieces. Did I also mention my travel envy?! Enjoy the rest. xo
alyson
http://www.theaveragegirlsguide.com
SPOT ON! This is exactly how I packed for 2 weeks! everything was interchangeable, except we were in Thailand the whole time and I needed ALL tanks - it was 90 degrees and 100% humid all day everyday!
Loooove what you packed! Such great style!!!
Okay so Hallie when I go to South America I am calling you to help me pack! I’ll provide wine! Glad your back - lets get together once you have fully re-immersed back into NYC life!
I don’t know how you did this whole mix-and-match thing with your actual clothes in a blog post, but it’s amazing and incredibly helpful. You really know how to maximize your wardrobe and your space. Fantastic! Thanks for taking the time to create such helpful content for your readers and welcome home!
This is an amazing post and will help a LOT when I pack for Japan.
Thanks so much! It was a help to have all the outfits put together too in images.
Great for visual people like me.
Kiri
http://www.fashionblender.com.au
http://www.facebook.com/FashionBlender
Still so so impressed! Definitely inspiring me to rethink my poor pack jobs!
EatPrayWearLove
I’m so proud.
Thank you so much for posting this…you are a packing goddess! Can’t wait to plan my next trip just so I can try out these tips/tricks.
YES. Thank you. I’m heading to Thailand this upcoming November and this is already a lifesaver. So stylish!
Also, I for one would LOVE to see a recap of all of your souvenirs/purchases from throughout your trip! I am so, so sure you snagged some amazing things.
Thanks, Paula! SO excited for you to head to Thailand. I should be posting my photos/updates from that leg of the trip over the next few weeks. Hope it will help in some of your planning!
I will absolutely share my trinkets and souvenirs, too.
Oh my dear, COLOR me impressed! I am pinning this for when I get to make my dreams come true & recreate your trip!
xx
Here&Now
Enter my current giveaway!
I detest packing because you end up being limited in your wardrobe options. BUT this is such a genius way around that! Thanks so much!
*hearts*
The Working Girl’s Shoe Closet
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Damnnnnnnn girl. You put my obsessive compulsive “I will never check a bag” packing style to SHAME. Totally bookmarking this for my trip to Harbour Island in March.
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