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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.

September 22, 2023

Shoulder-Baring Silhouettes

With Fashion Week so prominently on the brain this month (Day Three Recap is up tomorrow!), today’s look is inspired by an elegant take on a trend that was prominently splashed across the runways this season.

… As well as a consistent, glaring lack of respect for my alarm clock.

We’ll start with the inspo for today’s look: The cut-out trend.

While shoulder-baring silhouettes aren’t new, they’re certainly noteworthy — and lots of designers are honing in on a new way of presenting these necklines for spring 2015. Do you love the subtlety of this top as much as I do?

Now, fun fact: I woke up exactly 17 minutes before I was supposed to meet my photographer, Lydia, for today’s shoot. Such an asshole, right? She can and will testify to this, as I’ve been known to have the occasional late night before I’m scheduled to meet her in the morning. In my defense, I was working — not boozing. But, okay, there may have been wine involved. (Here’s another example!)

I’m a veteran snoozer and notoriously not a morning person, so I’ve been in this situation more times than I care to admit. As a result, though, I’ve developed a few fail-proof shortcuts over time for finding something to wear — and fast. Silver lining?

Ultimately, the smart pairing of two pretty silhouettes can fool just about anybody — including your photographer. (The skirt is 60% off, by the way.) Coupled with the perfect moisturizing lipstick and the world’s fastest-heating hair straightener and you’re out the door in less than 10… Give or take.

… And with that, I think it may be time to revamp the Serial Snooze Artist series.

*Wearing: BCBGMAXAZRIA silk top via Zappos (similar options here), Alice + Olivia slit-wrap maxi skirt, cut-out mules c/o JustFab (OBSESSED with this pair), 3.1 Phillip Lim large Pashli satchel, Chanel sunglasses, borrowed Capwell + Co cuff *(Taxi Cab) Beauty: Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick in Opera Rose, Stila ‘convertible color’ lip & cheek cream

*Click to shop: Mules | Alice + Olivia separates | BCBG tops | this post (below):

///
Lydia Hudgens Photography

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22 comments

scompiseno on September 22, 2023 at 8:00 am

Love that shirt Hallie! It has a cool Alexander Wang vibe to it (probably for a fraction of the price)! You’re 17 minute ensemble makes my “Oversleep-&-Get-Dressed-in-a-Rush” game look pretty pathetic.
Wishing you a great week ahead.
XO, Stella

Reply
Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl on September 22, 2023 at 8:52 am

Well hello gorgeous! LOVE this printed maxi skirt on you…so soft and pretty paired with those bad ass heels!

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

Reply
Jackie (York Avenue) on September 22, 2023 at 9:30 am

Love that top Hallie! I only wish I looked that good when I rolled out of bed 17 minutes before needing to be somewhere…I need to take some of your tips under consideration 🙂

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Ella on September 22, 2023 at 10:05 am

The last picture captures the dress SO well! If you ask me, you look pretty damn good for waking up 17 minutes prior.
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26

Reply
Missy On Madisonm on September 22, 2023 at 10:09 am

Love that skirt!
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com

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Kayla on September 22, 2023 at 10:53 am

Stunning Hallie.. just stunning!

Kayla
http://www.lovelucygirl.com

Reply
Allie on September 22, 2023 at 12:09 pm

Love that skirt!!!

Reply
wockyjabber on September 22, 2023 at 12:12 pm

DAMN girl… This is such an awesome look. That skirt is so pretty and twirly and stuff.

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Meagan on September 22, 2023 at 2:08 pm

Gorgeous look!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com

Reply
scallopedandbows on September 22, 2023 at 2:54 pm

You look incredible! And I don’t know how you got ready that quick. It takes me longer than that to even open my eyes in the morning. #sonotamorningperson

-Katherine
http://thegreenbows.blogspot.ca

Reply
dana mannarino on September 22, 2023 at 3:26 pm

You look like a rockstar! Loving the mix between badass and feminine!

Pink Champagne Problems

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Nikki on September 22, 2023 at 3:28 pm

Oh man I am a sleeper too! My hubs has to DRAG me out of bed. Although I never look this put together. I am generally quite disheveled… Gorgeous outfit. That skirt is amazing. And I adore the shoes!

Nikki
thefashionablewife.com

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Dana on September 22, 2023 at 4:53 pm

That skirt is so dreamy. gorgeous! I wish I could get myself put together and ready in 10!

http://www.thecasualclassic.com

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Liz @ Shopping My Closet on September 22, 2023 at 8:47 pm

Love the vibrant print!

Liz @ ShoppingMyCloset.com

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CompassionateLee on September 23, 2023 at 9:42 am

I’m certainly not a morning person! So, I’m all for the tips on quickly finding something to wear in the morning. Love the color of your Phillip Lim Satchel…perfect for fall 2014 🙂

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Jessica on September 23, 2023 at 1:52 pm

Literally love this entire look on you. It’s so flattering in all the right places 🙂

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Adri on September 23, 2023 at 2:59 pm

I would NEVER be able to tell you put this on in a rush! Everything looks so polished including the hair!
xo Adri
http://www.adrilately.blogspot.com

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Ria Cagampang (@RCagz) on September 25, 2023 at 7:52 pm

Wow this is such a gorgeous outfit! Love the flow of the skirt and top is the perfect thing to set it off! Xx

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lyddiegal on March 13, 2024 at 5:55 pm

That maxi is such a stunner! Love it, and you look so ready for spring.
Chic on the Cheap

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The Fine Print

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