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You, my readers, and overall editorial integrity are the two most important aspects of corals + cognacs. Know that I will always retain 100% control over the content on corals + cognacs, all opinions are that of my own, and that I will always disclose to you the items for which I have been paid and/or gifted.

Lastly, please note that the sentiments expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent those of my employer. If you have any questions, I encourage you to contact me. Thanks again for reading corals + cognacs!

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.

January 15, 2024

Outfit Outtakes, Vol. 5

The first few weeks of January typically entail one thing: Talk of the New Year and our hopeful self-improvements to follow.

Let’s take a short recess, shall we?

While the Internet is hard at work on those resolutions, I’m going to share a handful of exceptionally embarrassing moments — all caught on-camera. (Thanks, Lydia.)

Consider me your moral compass — a keen example of what not to do — and this series as a method of helping you focus on sustained personal growth. And, I mean, don’t you just want to know what it is I’m looking at that garnered this horrified reaction?

With that, here’s the fifth installment in everyone’s favorite series, Outfit Outtakes.

This. Literally, a gaggle of grade school girls. My worst nightmare.

Singing opera and/or yawning. Your guess is as good as mine.

This is what “behind-the-scenes” really looks like.

Award-worthy. Hands-down the best photo I’ve ever seen. Or taken.

Bloggers being basic: Gotta love that faux-cab hail. Oops!

This shoot was cold. So cold — and I’m trying to hide the, uh, evidence.

Over it.

Art directing in Bryant Park. Per usual.

///

Brought to you by Lydia Hudgens — my friend and photographer who continues to catch my finest moments on camera. My readers and I thank you for making this series possible, ~~you bitch~~ darling.

Click here for more Outfit Outtakes
Vol. 1 | Vol. 2 | Vol. 3 | Vol. 4

*PS: There’s another special Outfit Outtakes from this post coming soon. You don’t want to miss it!

Click to read more from corals + cognacs:

39 comments

Meagan on January 15, 2024 at 11:54 am

Love this! Tanks for making me laugh!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com

Reply
Molly Galler on January 15, 2024 at 12:07 pm

Oh how I love this series! I especially enjoyed you (animated) hailing a cab (or not wanting to hail a cab).

Reply
Brooke Ellen on January 15, 2024 at 12:07 pm

I love this! Literally made my day!!!

xoxo
Brooke

inaworldofbees

Reply
Amanda Ryans on January 15, 2024 at 12:28 pm

love the bloopers. soo funny!

Reply
Alyson at Crushing On Clothes on January 15, 2024 at 12:30 pm

The GIF made me crack up! I absolutely adore this series and I love the “behind the scenes” photo!

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Briana on January 15, 2024 at 12:31 pm

This is why you’re one of my favorite bloggers. You are so REAL. God, I love ya!

Briana
RoyallyPink.blogspot.com

Reply
Heidi on January 15, 2024 at 12:32 pm

I certainly needed a laugh today and this most definitely delivered. Thank you!

http://jax-and-jewels.blogspot.com

Reply
- corals + cognacs on January 15, 2024 at 12:52 pm
  
  I’m glad! Hope all is well, my friend. x
  
  Reply
Megan on January 15, 2024 at 12:41 pm

Hahaha I can totally relate to this. I ALWAYS blink at the exact moment a photo is taken. I think it’s too bad to ever publicly post. Lol

xo Megan, Lush to Blush

Reply
- corals + cognacs on January 15, 2024 at 12:52 pm
  
  Oh yes. The struggle is real… Lydia says it’s because I have “heavy eyelids.”
  
  Reply
seesongdesigns on January 15, 2024 at 12:47 pm

Hallie, these totally just made my day! You are hilarious!

Reply
Brie on January 15, 2024 at 12:55 pm

Seriously - you still look awesome! It just shows how fun and down to earth you are. The gaggle of school girls - my worst nightmare, too. Look at them! I swear the one on the far left looks like she has a blow out! Are those Longchamp bags? Lord help us.

Reply
- corals + cognacs on January 15, 2024 at 1:03 pm
  
  ALL of them had Longchamp bags, Vineyard Vines vests/sweaters and Ugg boots. [*Screaming*]
  
  Reply
  - Kayla on January 15, 2024 at 2:25 pm
    
    Ugg boots.. LOL
    
    Reply
dana mannarino on January 15, 2024 at 1:45 pm

THIS KILLS ME EVERY TIME. You are amazing!

Pink Champagne Problems

Reply
amanda on January 15, 2024 at 1:58 pm

hilarious!! love this!

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Erin on January 15, 2024 at 2:23 pm

Amazing, as always. But I’m weirdly intrigued by those middle school girls, all in their leggings, Uggs, Longchamp bags, and puffer vests. Deep down, are we all just those middle school girls? Is that one girl in jeans having a panic attack because she’s the only one not wearing leggings? I need to know!

Reply
Kayla on January 15, 2024 at 2:24 pm

LOVE IT. Hahaha.. the fake cab hail is the best!

Kayla
http://www.lovelucygirl.com

Reply
Rebecca {at} Preppy Panache on January 15, 2024 at 2:42 pm

You make it very hard to read your blog during a meeting surreptitiously. I start shaking with laughter isn’t very under the radar.

Reply
rachel on January 15, 2024 at 3:02 pm

i absolutely love when you do this! these are great, as usual!

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Jackie (York Avenue) on January 15, 2024 at 3:04 pm

Haha the faux cab-hail GIF…perfect. I love this series!

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Natalie on January 15, 2024 at 3:42 pm

Too funny! Thanks for the end of day pick me up!

Reply
Deanna on January 15, 2024 at 4:36 pm

So good, every time. I can’t even pick a favorite.

xx
<Because I'm Obsessed

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Michelle on January 15, 2024 at 4:56 pm

Haaa OMG I love this post Hallie!

Reply
- corals + cognacs on January 15, 2024 at 8:44 pm
  
  GIRL look at your website! So proud of you! xxxx
  
  Reply
Juliana Summers (@julianarenee) on January 15, 2024 at 5:01 pm

Love how ridiculously relatable these outfit outtake posts are – fantastic, as usual!

-Juliana | littlecupofj.com

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Jenna at Boston Chic Party on January 15, 2024 at 7:57 pm

The first picture - insert crying laughing emoji face here! These are always great and too funny! But in all seriousness, I really admire you putting up the “outtakes” I know there are many of us who wouldn’t want these bad boys out there

Reply
Courtney on January 15, 2024 at 10:03 pm

This is my favorite outtake post so far! You made me laugh the whole time I was scrolling through your pics

Reply
Leah on January 15, 2024 at 10:27 pm

You’re effing hilarious! Love these. xx

Eat Pray Wear Love

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Tammy on January 16, 2024 at 2:04 am

Just started following your blog too funny!!!
Love it so far :0)

Reply
Erin Rudy on January 16, 2024 at 6:37 am

Hahaha thank you so much for keeping it real and sharing these. Too funny

Reply
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West Fifteenth on January 16, 2024 at 9:42 am

HA!!! I love it… i am glad the rest of the internet isn’t doing this!! Just makes your personality shine through more. Absolutely brilliant, nice one chick x

Reply
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Tina @ My Highest Self on January 16, 2024 at 11:57 am

I love your outtakes posts!

Reply
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Lindsay on January 23, 2024 at 6:52 pm

I used to do this when my friend and I had a blog…. way back when in 2009… called Cubicle Chic. We worked at a law firm and it was all about dressing creatively on a budget. I think it still exists somewhere out there…ha! https://cubiclechic.wordpress.com/bloopers/

Reply
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