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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.
If my building was burning down and I could only bring a handful of items in my closet with me, I know exactly which three they’d be.
… Do you ever think about that?
Thought we’d kick it off on a really lighthearted note today.
Just kidding. And actually, Mercury is in retrograde and I’m slightly superstitious, so I’m going to rescind the comment about my building burning down. (Do you hear me, Universe? I keed, I keed.)
Let’s take a step back, first:
QUICK TIPS FOR CLOSET CLEANSING
As I mentioned, I’ve spent a lot of time cleaning out my closet this past weekend. The purge was partially because (1) I’m selectively packing for Paris, (2) it’s an in-between-season thing, and (3) I barely left my apartment on Sunday.
While it’s been hard, I’ve become a rather ruthless Editor of my closet and storage space.
I try and adopt a “one out, one in” frame-of-mind to keep my wardrobe current and create room in my closet. (I live in a little New York City studio, so there are no other options.) If I haven’t worn it in a year and there’s no sentimental value, into the donation or consignment box it goes… [Takes big sip of wine.]
One of the Ten Shopaholic Commandments is, “Know thy consignment shops.” And in New York, we have plenty of ’em — but I am really freakin’ lazy. It’s a lot of work to lug your stuff to-and-from, no?
In an ironic twist of fate, I sprawled out on my couch a few weeks ago when I got an e-mail from Twice, an online concierge that sells your clothing, shoes and bags — and lets you to shop popular brands at 50-90% off retail. I’ve used and am familiar with similar services (Poshmark and ThredUP), but Twice sounded too easy not to look into.
So, I tried it.
I researched the site, mailed them a few of my gently used items, and am overall really pleased with the experience. (And as a result, I happily agreed to include a summary of my experience in today’s post.) Before I forget, here’s a 50% off coupon to shop the site.
Here’s how it works:
CONSIGNING YOUR CLOSET USING THE INTERNET
Twice takes virtually all effort out of selling your items. Simply clean out your closet, mail in your stuff (they pay for shipping) and accept their payment in the form of your preference (Venmo, check, PayPal, store credit).
They even have a user-friendly brand calculator on the site that estimates how much you’ll receive for each item, so you can be strategic about what you’re letting go of. [Again, more wine.]
Now, don’t go expecting to make big bucks (unless you’re selling “premium designers”), but I think we can agree that it is nice to effortlessly turn your lesser-loved clothes into cash.
IT’S KIND OF LIKE THE STOCK MARKET
More often than not, that cash is funneled right back into my closet. (It’s kind of like re-investing your dividends, right? Anyone?)
Perhaps it’s the lack of space, but I’ve been learning to regard my wardrobe as an investment rather than an expense.
And to clarify, an investment purchase doesn’t have to be a hugely expensive one — think in terms of its versatility and value when it comes to making you look and feel your best on more than one occasion. In fact, today’s post is peppered with my favorite investment buys — many of them thrifted/consigned.
This theory is simple: Shop less, save up and buy the best you can afford, gradually curating a wardrobe of “investments.”
That said, here’s a few items that I’ve got my eye on this fall:
My least favorite part of consigning my stuff is going to the store and waiting while they go through everything, because clearly I’m the most impatient person on the planet. Love the idea of shipping items to them and they take care of the rest!
Me too — and then having to lug home whatever they don’t accept. Awful! Twice will either donate or ship it back to you (for $5 shipping cost). Once it’s out, it’s out!
Well, this post just cost me! I checked out Twice and then was lured into the 50% off promo code on EVERYTHING I purchased! So, I picked up a Talbots jacket (for my stuffy legal job) and a couple purses (for me and a friend). Thanks for the info!
I used Twice last year, unfortunately I was getting rid of LOTS of things from college and probably more than half were labels they wouldn’t take :/ I think I ended up taking the large majority of it to Buffalo Exchange + selling some on Poshmark. In need of another purge in the coming weeks, NYC actually makes me edit a little too much sometimes, though…gotta get more space, ha!
Also, when Racked interviewed our office one of the questions was what would you save if your closet was on fire? I couldn’t even think about it, too hard of a question to answer!! Those boots though, no brainer 😉
Consistently amazed at your story telling, Hallie! Even a topic as boring as closet cleaning kept me intrigued. And I have to say, I am real jealous of all the natural light in your apartment.
Thanks so much, Katie! And yes, I have a wall of windows which is really rare — I got really lucky when I found my apartment! Planning to do another update with photos next month.
I actually just got the AG distressed denim pencil skirt that was close to $200 everywhere for $40 from Twice a couple weeks ago. Hellzzzzzz yessssssss! But yeah, I have so much crap in my closet that I need to sell but I’m so lazy. I feel like we should have a “shop the blogger’s closet” thing one of these days with a bunch of NYC bloggers! Ha!
I have to check out twice…I have just gotten comfortable with Poshmark…now something new…new companies are always popping up!
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com
I recently did a major closet purge, and it felt so cleansing. I gave almost everything that was in good condition to my mom (who steals from my closet anyway) and a friend. Everything else went to good will or the garbage. Sounds like I am going to have to check out Twice now! And if you ever want to pass along your discarded pieces, you can totally send them my way!
I have the one in and one out rule too and between 3 closets I still have too much. Im still getting rid of stuff from my forever 21 days( sighhhh), but its well worth it! I definitely have been buying investment pieces too.
XO http://www.hercharisma.com/
I love cleaning out my closet! Feels so refreshing! I hear you on lugging back the stuff consignment shops won’t take, though. It’s so hit or miss. I’ll have to check out Twice.
Your apartment looks lovely! Would love to see a virtual tour some time
Love this post! I recently tried selling clothes on Twice as well and had mixed feelings about it. Check out my post here: http://twentysomethinginthecity.com/2014/10/30/twice-out-with-your-clothes-and-in-with-the/
Definitely agree with you that you’re not going to make a lot but it’s definitely worth a shot and cleaning out your closet always feels amazing!
My least favorite part of consigning my stuff is going to the store and waiting while they go through everything, because clearly I’m the most impatient person on the planet. Love the idea of shipping items to them and they take care of the rest!
xoxo
Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl
http://poorlittleitgirl.com
Me too — and then having to lug home whatever they don’t accept. Awful! Twice will either donate or ship it back to you (for $5 shipping cost). Once it’s out, it’s out!
I want to try this! I have a few things that haven’t been worn in toooo long. Also, YES to your saved items - I’d save those, too!!
What an AWESOME concept. Never thought about consigning clothes because I’m way too lazy. Thanks for sharing, Hallie!
Pink Champagne Problems
Thanks for this post! I am such a hoarder. I need to try to clean out my closet!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com
Well, this post just cost me! I checked out Twice and then was lured into the 50% off promo code on EVERYTHING I purchased! So, I picked up a Talbots jacket (for my stuffy legal job) and a couple purses (for me and a friend). Thanks for the info!
Nice, girl! Good finds. Now you just need to mail in a few pieces from your closet to make up for the difference. : )
I used Twice last year, unfortunately I was getting rid of LOTS of things from college and probably more than half were labels they wouldn’t take :/ I think I ended up taking the large majority of it to Buffalo Exchange + selling some on Poshmark. In need of another purge in the coming weeks, NYC actually makes me edit a little too much sometimes, though…gotta get more space, ha!
Also, when Racked interviewed our office one of the questions was what would you save if your closet was on fire? I couldn’t even think about it, too hard of a question to answer!! Those boots though, no brainer 😉
Consistently amazed at your story telling, Hallie! Even a topic as boring as closet cleaning kept me intrigued. And I have to say, I am real jealous of all the natural light in your apartment.
xo, katie // a touch of teal
Thanks so much, Katie! And yes, I have a wall of windows which is really rare — I got really lucky when I found my apartment! Planning to do another update with photos next month.
those boots are gorgeous! Great blog!
Denina
http://www.deninamartin.com
I actually just got the AG distressed denim pencil skirt that was close to $200 everywhere for $40 from Twice a couple weeks ago. Hellzzzzzz yessssssss! But yeah, I have so much crap in my closet that I need to sell but I’m so lazy. I feel like we should have a “shop the blogger’s closet” thing one of these days with a bunch of NYC bloggers! Ha!
I have to check out twice…I have just gotten comfortable with Poshmark…now something new…new companies are always popping up!
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com
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I recently did a major closet purge, and it felt so cleansing. I gave almost everything that was in good condition to my mom (who steals from my closet anyway) and a friend. Everything else went to good will or the garbage. Sounds like I am going to have to check out Twice now! And if you ever want to pass along your discarded pieces, you can totally send them my way!
Nikki
thefashionablewife.com
Did you sell that Lo & Sons bag? If so, I’ll take it!!
I have the one in and one out rule too and between 3 closets I still have too much. Im still getting rid of stuff from my forever 21 days( sighhhh), but its well worth it! I definitely have been buying investment pieces too.
XO
http://www.hercharisma.com/
You look sooo pretty! Love the little pop of red.
I love cleaning out my closet! Feels so refreshing! I hear you on lugging back the stuff consignment shops won’t take, though. It’s so hit or miss. I’ll have to check out Twice.
Your apartment looks lovely! Would love to see a virtual tour some time
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Love this post! I recently tried selling clothes on Twice as well and had mixed feelings about it. Check out my post here: http://twentysomethinginthecity.com/2014/10/30/twice-out-with-your-clothes-and-in-with-the/
Definitely agree with you that you’re not going to make a lot but it’s definitely worth a shot and cleaning out your closet always feels amazing!
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