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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 9, 2023

Lots to Do: A Laid-back Look

Well, it’s finally here! We’re leaving for Paris tonight, which means I’m running around like a bat out of hell (in these shoes) doing all of those last-minute things you never remember to do before you’re traveling.

If it weren’t for the last minute, would anything really ever get done?

Today’s post is short-but-sweet, as a result — just like my attention span. Why is it that the more you have on your plate, the harder it is to get any one thing done? Suddenly I’m all about pondering time-management… Oh, the irony. …See? That attention span. Case in point. At any rate, I’ve got news that’ll make parting ways a bit easier. Does the brand XCom Global ring a bell? They’re a company that rents out international WiFi hotspots and they were kind enough to let me take one on our impending trip. (I had one with me throughout my travels in Asia and it was a total game-changer). What that means is that I’ll be able to post updates and share photos to Instagram regularly over the next week. C’est bon!

For today, though, it’s all about my about-town uniform: My favorite distressed jeans, a casual tee and the most comfortable pair of perforated slides, which are on sale over at Nordstrom right now! And — of course — my holds-anything-and-everything reversible tote bag. I will never understand how I accumulate so much shit over the course of each day…

Okay, back to to-do list’ing. Before I go, though: I’m totally one of those people, so puh-LEASE help me: Underwear, check. Passport, check. Xanax for in-flight sleep aid, check. What am I forgetting to pack?

*Wearing: Graphic t-shirt c/o Casual Friday (I’m wearing a medium - and their stuff is so cute!), One Teaspoon distressed denim, Street Level reversible tote, DV by Dolce Vita Gibsin slides via Zappos (comes in six colors; also on sale here), Chanel sunglasses

*Click to shop: Graphic t-shirts | distressed denim | this post (below):

/// Photos taken by Jessica Sturdy

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23 comments

Jenna {Clothed in Confetti} on October 9, 2023 at 6:57 am

Have so much fun, can’t wait to read about your parisian adventures! Also, I bought those slides after seeing them here and they are the bomb.

Reply
- corals + cognacs on October 9, 2023 at 9:54 am
  
  Awesome! They totally are - I’m debating them in black, too… Twinsies!
  
  Reply
Jessica on October 9, 2023 at 7:18 am

An international hot spot is a brilliant idea. When we went to Belgium a few months ago, we actually just bought a prepaid SIM card for our iPhones and were able to Instagram while we were out and about.

http://bedknobsandbaubles.com/

Reply
Annie Reeves on October 9, 2023 at 7:29 am

Eeeeeek have fun!!! Can’t wait for updates!!

Reply
Monica on October 9, 2023 at 7:34 am

Cool outfti! I love ripped jeans!:)

xxMonica
http://sunstreetbymonica.blogspot.com

Reply
wockyjabber on October 9, 2023 at 7:36 am

I’m so excited for your travel report on Paris. My hubs and I are planning (fingers crossed) to go next April. Have a super time. Be safe. Make good decisions. No. Don’t. Better stories that way.

Reply
Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl on October 9, 2023 at 8:26 am

Safe travels…can’t wait to hear about y’alls trip!

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

Reply
allison on October 9, 2023 at 9:33 am

have a great time! try to go to Schmuck in the 7th for dinner, so good!

Reply
Jessica Zimlich on October 9, 2023 at 9:39 am

Can’t wait to see your updates along the way! Safe travels and have a blast

Reply
Ella on October 9, 2023 at 9:44 am

PHONE AND LAPTOP CHARGERS, MISSY! Eeep, I am SO excited for you to be going to Paris. Can’t wait to see what you’re up to!
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26

Reply
- corals + cognacs on October 9, 2023 at 9:53 am
  
  Check and check. Good lookin’ out, girl.
  
  Reply
The Belle Voyage (@TheBelleVoyage) on October 9, 2023 at 10:47 am

I always just make sure i have my wallet/passport and any prescription medicine. Anything else can be bought or improvised!

Since you’re going to Paris I also recommend forgetting to pack any clothes….so that you MUST shop while you’re there!

Jessica
http://www.thebellevoyage.com

Reply
- corals + cognacs on October 9, 2023 at 11:43 am
  
  You’re right, girl. Thanks! And yes - my passport is essentially stapled to my hand. x
  
  Reply
Nnenna on October 9, 2023 at 10:50 am

I love that graphic tee. So jelly that you’ll be in Paris! I hope you have a great trip and I can’t wait to see all of your updates and photos!

Reply
Rose on October 9, 2023 at 11:22 am

Camera battery charger…I ALWAYS forget mine! And a biased suggestion…your new Brigitte hat! Have fun & I’ll totally be stalking your insta while you’re there

Reply
- corals + cognacs on October 9, 2023 at 11:42 am
  
  Got ‘em. Both. : )
  
  Reply
Victoria McGinley on October 9, 2023 at 11:49 am

Photocopy of your passport, just in case, because there’s zero downside risk in bringing it (yes, I’m one of THOSE people too)!

Reply
- corals + cognacs on October 9, 2023 at 12:09 pm
  
  Got that too, girl! My sister had her purse stolen in Africa (passport was in it), so we learn the hard way in this family. Ha.
  
  Reply
Love CompassionateLee on October 9, 2023 at 12:26 pm

Love the Bone Stella by Dolce Vita Gibsin! Happy Thursday, Hallie
http://lovecompassionatelee.squarespace.com/

Reply
aprettythought on October 9, 2023 at 1:59 pm

I want those shoes but they dont come in my size! (tear) Have fun in Paris! Im sure you will have plenty of time to catch up on things with your long flight.
XO
http://www.hercharisma.com/

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Meagan on October 9, 2023 at 2:05 pm

Have so much fun! Can’t wait to see photos! Don’t forget to pick up one of those special European outlet plug things. (I’ve never been, but I have heard they have different outlets over there!)
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com

Reply
Larisa on October 9, 2023 at 2:30 pm

Have fun! Between you leaving and Gal Meets Glam being there currently I am insanely jealous! lol!

Reply
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