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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.
It’s hard to play favorites, but today’s round-up might be one of my favorite set of Postcards from Paris just yet.
On our first full day of exploring the City of Light (in which we walked 13 miles), we stumbled upon the Pont des Arts — the happiest-ever accident!
It’s better-known to some as Love Lock bridge or Padlock bridge, but it’s something that I’ve only seen in photos, so to witness it in-person was truly one of those Life Bucket List items.
A lot of people have asked me since our trip, “What’s the best thing you did?” Or similarly, “What was your favorite part of the trip?”
My answer is very simple: “Nothing.”
And by that, I mean the idea of planning nothing. Of enjoying a series of days utterly free of an agenda.
That’s how you do Paris. Utterly free of an agenda.
Of course, we had an idea of things we wanted to see and do (and eat and drink), but my favorite part of visiting Paris was that it was so carefree and wanderlust’y. That’s a word, right?
Unless we were looking up directions or nearby happy hour specials (thanks to our portable wi-fi hotspot from XCOM global), my phone stayed off and at the bottom of my bag.
We walked. And walked. Then we walked some more. We did and ate and drank whatever and whenever the hell we wanted. It was glorious!
On one of our afternoon explorations, we ended up strolling down Avenue des Champs-Élysées (after spending an hour people-watching at the Arc de Triomphe).
It’s a total scene, you guys.
Not only was there a line to get into Louis Vuitton’s enormous headquarters — and, of course, Laduree — but there was one to get into Abercrombie & Fitch, too.
Yeah, not kidding. We could smell the store (and admittedly, recall so many memories from teenage years) all the way from the street.
“JUDGING YOU!” was all I could think as we passed by. And actually, I think Bianca may have said that out loud.
We knew better than to stop and shop along the Champs-Élysées, as it’s the Parisian version of Fifth Avenue in New York — expensive and packed with tourists. Nonetheless, it was fun to check out on our way across town to the Tuileries gardens.
(Above) The entrance to A&F on Avenue des Champs-Élysées. #SMH
Our moral compasses guided us through the doors at Gucci, where Jess made a purchase and we celebrated with crepes. As one does in Paris.
I’m getting some major wanderlust seeing all these gorgeous photos! I haven’t been to Paris in years and keep trying to plan a trip there (and everywhere around Europe). Your approach is the exact one I would take too - exploring without an agenda. Honestly, nothing sounds more torturous to me that to have a jam-packed agenda where you barely have any time to breathe!
I REALLY want to get to Paris in 2015. I haven’t been since late 2003 and I need to add a lock to that bridge. However both Tanzania and HK were unplanned trips so we’ll see where the budget takes us.
… both great trips, especially if you’ve never been. Hong Kong is one of my favorite places in the world. That’s on my list for a return trip in 2015, too. 72 hours wasn’t enough! Keeping my eye on flight deals…
Such beautiful photos…they brought back a lot of wonderful Parisian memories for me! I totally agree with you planning absolutely nothing and letting the city carry you away is the absolute best way to go.
I am so jealous! France is on my list of countries I want to visit and it’s so cool you were able to go!
Marisa | Florida Sun and Curls
DEAR JESS, WORK ON YOUR POSTURE. Holy shit, I look like a caveman in that Gucci pic. #guccicladcaveman
Oh how I miss France. I lived in Toulouse for 9 months and I did not take advantage of Paris =/
xx,
Andee http://prettyshort.blogspot.com/
So gorgeous! Love all of your photos!
Such gorgeous photos Hallie! I can’t wait to go to Paris!
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com
I enjoy viewing these photos…I like the idea of exploration without an agenda…Happy Tuesday, Hallie
I’m getting some major wanderlust seeing all these gorgeous photos! I haven’t been to Paris in years and keep trying to plan a trip there (and everywhere around Europe). Your approach is the exact one I would take too - exploring without an agenda. Honestly, nothing sounds more torturous to me that to have a jam-packed agenda where you barely have any time to breathe!
I REALLY want to get to Paris in 2015. I haven’t been since late 2003 and I need to add a lock to that bridge. However both Tanzania and HK were unplanned trips so we’ll see where the budget takes us.
… both great trips, especially if you’ve never been. Hong Kong is one of my favorite places in the world. That’s on my list for a return trip in 2015, too. 72 hours wasn’t enough! Keeping my eye on flight deals…
Gorgeous photos. I really love Paris - it’s the most beautiful European city 😉
Denina
Purely Me by Denina Martin
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Such beautiful photos…they brought back a lot of wonderful Parisian memories for me! I totally agree with you planning absolutely nothing and letting the city carry you away is the absolute best way to go.