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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.

July 23, 2024

Play Hooky

On the quest to wear as little as possible this summer, I’ve been turning to scarves to keep me decent during the day.

I wore this outfit to a picnic in Central Park with the girls a few weeks back (which you can see photos of in Jess’s recap), where my sole contribution was (1) champagne and (2) showing up.

… Showing up kiiinda tardy. But fashionably so.

Late. I showed up late.

A real guest of honor, aren’t I?

In my defense, I was on the wrong side of Central Park. And Central Park is freakin’ huge. I know I should be better with directions having lived in New York for more than a year (and, you know, be capable of differentiating East from West); but hey, it was early on a Saturday morning.

Though today’s ensemble is fitting for a lazy day spent eating fresh fruit and lounging on Turkish towels, it’s a look that I repurpose on the reg during the work-week. (With a jacket, because there’s some weird law of physics that ensures the arctic temperatures in my tundra of an office are directly correlated to how much I sweat on that morning’s commute.)

… Life is hard.

Man, now I’m all stir-crazy and, well, thirsty. Anyone want to play hooky and head to Bryant Park this week? I’m serious.

I’ll bring the…

*Wearing: Tommy Hilfiger shirt dress (LOVE this less expensive version), Sperry TopSider canvas flats via Zappos (on sale + in 12 colors), natural straw clutch and anchor tassle scarf c/o Vineyard Vines (similar scarf), Prada sunglasses, Michael Kors crystal chronograph watch (LOTS of options on sale via Nordstrom),Vineyard Vines wine tote, Minnie & Emma phone case | *Beauty: Essie nail polish in Minimalist (three coats)

*Click below to shop THIS OUTFIT:

*Click below to shop our PICNIC ESSENTIALS:

///
Rebecca Dale Photography

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21 comments

Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl on July 23, 2024 at 8:15 am

Loving this preppy little look on you! And I have that same VV wine tote too and it’s the best when heading to the park for a glass (or 3)!

xoxo
Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl
http://poorlittleitgirl.com

Reply
- corals + cognacs on July 23, 2024 at 1:21 pm
  
  A girl after my own heart… : )
  
  Reply
Ella on July 23, 2024 at 8:50 am

Love it! I’m usually late, I’ve learned that as long as we have fun nobody really minds Gorgeous scarf BTW!
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26

Reply
Sarah on July 23, 2024 at 9:53 am

Yay for picnics! And your adorable scarf!

I’m 21 and just started a blog of my own! Would you please mind checking it out?

http://closetinspired.com

xo Sarah

Reply
Kayla on July 23, 2024 at 10:02 am

So fun! You look super cute - love that scarf! : )

Kayla
http://www.lovelucygirl.com

Reply
Nnenna on July 23, 2024 at 10:18 am

Love this look- so easy and comfortable. I totally understand being fashionably late- Central Park is ginormous and sometimes it can take ages to find people! Also, champagne is a very important contribution to any picnic 😉

Reply
comfortablyychic on July 23, 2024 at 10:25 am

I need that wine tote in my life! I can totally sympathize with the office arctic tundra issue. But hey, at least I’m getting a nice ab workout thanks to the constant shivering!

Jen
http://www.comfortably-chic.com

Reply
- corals + cognacs on July 23, 2024 at 1:22 pm
  
  Silver lining, indeed. I like the way you think, Jen!
  
  Reply
Kristi on July 23, 2024 at 11:25 am

Fabulous wine tote and you look so cute in this outfit!

xx, Kristi
http://www.currentlycrushing.com

Reply
Missy On Madisonm on July 23, 2024 at 11:36 am

Very cute Hallie! Loved those picnic photos with Jess and don’t feel bad I’ve been in Manhattan for over 5 years and still get lost in Central Park…lol not sure what that says about me oops 😉
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com

Reply
- corals + cognacs on July 23, 2024 at 1:21 pm
  
  If it weren’t for drop pins, we’d all be screwed!
  
  Reply
Rebecca {at} Preppy Panache on July 23, 2024 at 11:38 am

I seriously feel you. Told a coworker coming in from San Francisco that I was trying to be as close to naked as possibly without being arrested.

Reply
- corals + cognacs on July 23, 2024 at 1:20 pm
  
  Haha, I feel you! I was in SF last week and it felt like WINTER. Good luck to you & your non-melting mission!
  
  Reply
Briana on July 23, 2024 at 1:07 pm

So fancy you are in Central Park on a chic picnic! I love that dress and the summer scarf, you pull it off well!

xoxo
Briana
RoyallyPink.blogspot.com

Reply
Karen Szilli on July 23, 2024 at 2:14 pm

Well now I had to add these shoes to my wish list!
Karen \\ http://karenszilli.blogspot.com

Reply
Sydney Huss on July 23, 2024 at 3:28 pm

That white dress is adorable and I loved how to added the perfect amount of color with the blue/white scarf! Perfect summer/preppy look!

xoxo, Sydney
everydaysouthernprep.blogspot.com

Reply
Gabriela on July 23, 2024 at 7:06 pm

I believe I need that wine tote. I shall call it my “champagne bag.” Love the whale cutting board, as well!

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faconconnect on July 23, 2024 at 8:20 pm

Love your scarf and wine tote! You look great!

Reply
Holly on July 23, 2024 at 11:52 pm

I love that you’re drinking Gruet champagne! They’re based in my hometown and it always gives me a little kick to see them all over! The owners are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

Reply
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Kristin Clark (@KristinClarkFSU) on July 28, 2024 at 11:09 am

This is seriously too cute! Oh how I wish I could just pop over to a park for a picnic, without sweating my ass of preferably. Haha, wishful thinking down here.

xo
Kristin of LivingInColorPrint.com

Reply

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