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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.

October 20, 2023

Picnicking in Paris

Bonjour! Happy Monday, friends — hope the weekend was a great one.

Today’s outfit is one of my favorite looks from our trip to Paris (and one I’ve been repeating since returning to New York).

Our second day started out overcast (and turned rather rainy in the afternoon), so we spent it shopping and reserved the third for a trip to le Jardin du Luxembourg, a gorgeous sprawling garden in the 6th arrondissement (neighborhood) that was lovely, quiet and calm. It reminded us of Central Park, but with formal terraces, chestnut groves and more obvious historical influence.

With fall already in full effect, the Luxembourg Gardens were the perfect place for picnic provisions, complete with lots of cheese, charcuterie, baguettes and sweets. [Insert fat joke.]

Said another way, it was a freakin’ Instagram haven.

One of the things I learned very quickly in Paris is that French women aren’t huge into accessories — rather, a simple scarf or wide-brim hat can be that extra je ne sais quoi to top off their ensemble.

This bode well for me, because that’s what quickly became my Parisienne uniform from the get-go of our trans-Atlantic trip: An aubergine-colored felt fedora, black denim and pointed-toe booties.

Everywhere you look, this city stuns — especially in the fall. I can only hope my photos do it justice, and I have another batch of postcards from Paris for you tomorrow.

*Wearing: black blazer / striped t-shirt / ultra-skinny black jeans / black booties via Zappos (similar options) / cross-body camera bag c/o / felt fedora c/o | *Beauty: instant brow pencil, blush (in ‘New Attitude’), matte lip pencil (in ‘Never Say never’)

*Click to shop: black booties | hats for fall | this post (below):

///

Photos taken by Jessica Sturdy

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29 comments

Jenna {Clothed in Confetti} on October 20, 2023 at 7:19 am

I can’t get over how much I love that hat! Such an amazing color!! I’ve been drooling over your pictures of Paris, so glad you guys had an amazing time!

Reply
Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl on October 20, 2023 at 8:09 am

This look is perfection! LOVE!

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

Reply
annelw11 on October 20, 2023 at 9:28 am

Love the simplicity of this look! Basics, but so chic!!

http://www.successonstilettos.wordpress.com

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Jess Zimlich on October 20, 2023 at 9:53 am

Those tree lines are gorgeous and that baguette has me drooling. Well done 😉

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dana mannarino on October 20, 2023 at 10:54 am

This outfit is amazing! That food is making my mouth water #hangry….but seriously that hat is the perfect color for fall and love that you paired it with stripes and simple booties!

Pink Champagne Problems

Reply
Leanne Borella on October 20, 2023 at 10:57 am

Great outfit - Très chic! If you don’t mind me asking who did you book your flight through and what are your cheap flight tips? I hope to go international soon!

Reply
Meagan on October 20, 2023 at 11:06 am

Great look! Your picnic looked like heaven!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com

Reply
wockyjabber on October 20, 2023 at 12:35 pm

Perfect look!

Reply
Liz @ Shopping My Closet on October 20, 2023 at 12:46 pm

Very cute look - the hat is perfect!

Liz @ ShoppingMyCloset.com
A sweater giveaway on the blog from Mickey & Jenny (2 winners will be announced!)

Reply
Kristin Clark on October 20, 2023 at 1:17 pm

I need your hat, I love this look!

xo
Kristin of LivingInColorPrint.com

Reply
Samantha Tananbaum (@sameve) on October 20, 2023 at 1:48 pm

Love everything about this, but especially that hat! So glad you ladies had an amazing time in Paris!

xx
Sam

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Jackie (York Avenue) on October 20, 2023 at 2:41 pm

You look very Parisian! Love the simplicity of this look. I’m excited to see the rest of your Paris pics!

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Alyssa Aguero on October 20, 2023 at 3:29 pm

I’m in love with those booties..so chic!

xx, Alyssa
http://www.kneehighsandpumpkinspice.com

Reply
Elena Michelle on October 20, 2023 at 3:43 pm

I adore this hat on you!! Paris looks absolutely perfect in the fall. Hope you ladies had fun!!

xoxo, Elena Michelle
http://www.anewyorkloveaffair.com

Reply
Tara on October 20, 2023 at 7:03 pm

So gorgeous, I am totally in love with your fun hat!

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Ella on October 20, 2023 at 7:14 pm

I can’t believe that’s a camera bag- it looks so UNbulky! I’m going to have to put it on my wishlist for Xmas. You look beautiful (per usual)
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26

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Love CompassionateLee on October 20, 2023 at 7:54 pm

I love the felt fedora! Happy Monday
http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/

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comfortablyychic on October 20, 2023 at 8:17 pm

Obsessed with this look, and your paris trip! Adding that hat to my wish list!

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

Reply
Missy On Madison on October 20, 2023 at 8:36 pm

Such beautiful photos Hallie!
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com

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Marie Lawrence on October 20, 2023 at 9:06 pm

Beautiful photos, I absolutely love that bag !! Paris is such an inspiring city, I fell in love with it …

Marie
Xx http://www.thewheresthatfrom.com

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cassidylou on October 20, 2023 at 9:44 pm

number 1: your hat is awesome. number 2: that is one of the best camera bags I have ever seen. number 3: i’m beyond jealous you went to Paris

xo, Maddy
http://cassidylou.com

Reply
Pingback: Postcards from Paris | Louvre, Luxembourg Gardens
Rebecca {at} Preppy Panache on October 21, 2023 at 12:55 pm

Love the bag. Love the hat. Love the wine and cheese!

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Bethann Wagner on October 22, 2023 at 4:56 pm

These photos are gorgeous! I love your aubergine-colored felt fedora - perfect for Paris and really, anywhere!

Reply
Leah on October 26, 2023 at 9:50 am

Geez, this setting is a DREAM! The fact that you can even create a blog post entitled, “Picnicking in Paris”?! I mean really… #pinchmemoment

Reply
Pingback: Postcards from Paris | Notre-Dame, Gardens & More
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Pingback: Postcards from Paris | Pont des Arts & more
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The Fine Print

Hi, nice to meet you.

*Click to shop: black booties | hats for fall | this post (below):

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