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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.

March 23, 2024

New York F’ing City

You can never go wrong with boyfriend jeans and a grey knit…

… And if this censored tee isn’t a sartorial metaphor for my life, I don’t know what is.

I’m back in town after a few days in the Bahamas with my family, and let me tell you: One should never go straight from rapid city living to an island in the Caribbean.

I know, that sounds super bratty (especially with winter’s unwelcome lingering on the East Coast), but what I mean is: The change in pace is like going from 0-to-60 in a matter of seconds — only the reverse of that. I practically had whiplash stepping off the plane!

Once adjusted, however, it was amazing to spend a few days offline (and in the sun). This girl is practically transparent!

The best part about leaving New York City is coming home to it…. At least, that’s my sentiment as I’m writing today’s post on the plane ride home.

Let’s re-visit this conversation in an hour or two when I’ve felt a stranger’s breath on my neck during a packed subway commute, or when I come home and collapse in my tiny, expensive studio apartment stacked atop 100 others into the sky.

Come to think of it, living in this city is kind of like an urban Hunger Games.

… Ah, well.

There’s no place like New York (F#*!ing) City.

*In this post:

Censored t-shirt: c/o Cynthia Rowley (similar here and here)
Moto jacket: Joie (sold out, similar here)
Distressed denim: One Teaspoon (similar here)
Blush pumps: Loeffler Randall ‘Remy’ (similar/less expensive here)
Handbag: 3.1 Phillip Lim medium Pashli satchel
Lipstick: NARS velvet matte lip pencil in ‘Never Say Never’
Nail Polish: Essie ‘Muchi Muchi’ (more pinks here)

*Click to shop: Cynthia Rowley (FYI: enter your e-mail & get 15% off) distressed denim | Loeffler Randall shoes | this post (below):

*Shop the trend: graphic t-shirts

Buy at: Nordstrom | Revolve Clothing | Shopbop
Brands: Eleven Paris | CHRLDR | Sincerely Jules | Zoe Karssen
Hallie’s picks: F#& Yeah tee, $95; Don’t Worry, Be Yonce tee, $22; Tres Bien tee, $46

///
Lydia Hudgens Photography

Click to read more from corals + cognacs:

28 comments

Alissa on March 23, 2024 at 7:17 am

This outfit? My favorite outfit of yours, EVER!

Reply
Nicole Walker on March 23, 2024 at 7:18 am

Love this look, I have been loving pairing boyfriend jeans or a midi skirt with a graphic tee. And that Phillip Lim satchel is gorgeous girl! Hope you had an amazing time in the Bahamas

xoxo Nicole

http://www.brazenbrunette.com

Reply
Monica on March 23, 2024 at 7:27 am

Cool outfit and with nude heels it looks so chic!:)
M
http://sunstreetbymonica.blogspot.com

Reply
Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl on March 23, 2024 at 8:39 am

I really love that tee and those jeans are distressed perfection!

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

Reply
Baubles to Bubbles on March 23, 2024 at 9:44 am

A weekend getaway sounds amazing! I love the fit of these boyfriend jeans. I can never find a pair that fit right, and these look perfect with your heels!

Reply
melissa on March 23, 2024 at 10:44 am

Love that tee Hallie!
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com

Reply
skyscrapers and palm trees on March 23, 2024 at 10:57 am

This outfit is what dreams are made of, girl! In serious need of some boyfriend distressed jeans more than ever! -its too cold STILL in NYC for me to even think about it yet-
Love this!

-alex
skyscrapers & palm trees

Reply
- corals + cognacs on March 23, 2024 at 4:41 pm
  
  Yes indeed, you are. One Teaspoon is one of my favorites for distressed denim!
  
  Reply
liv on March 23, 2024 at 11:32 am

Hands down, one of my favorite outfits that you have worn. The graphic t-shirt with the distressed denim is perfect together.

Liv

http://www.livforstyle.net

Reply
Lauren on March 23, 2024 at 11:33 am

Such a cute outfit! I definitely agree that it’s super nice to get away, but there’s no place like home

Lauren
http://oliverstwistblog.com

Reply
thesolcompass on March 23, 2024 at 11:46 am

Love this outfit! Especially the tee have a great week!
xo, Caitlin
http://thesolcompass.com

Reply
Anita on March 23, 2024 at 12:26 pm

You look great! In that I’m-not-trying-but-I’m-a-rad-person kind of way. I love the whole look!

Reply
Liz @ Shopping My Closet on March 23, 2024 at 1:10 pm

Welcome back - hope you had a relaxing trip!

Liz @ ShoppingMyCloset.com

Reply
Lynn-Holly Fisher Wielenga on March 23, 2024 at 2:21 pm

Hallie! You look so stunning in these pictures! Whatever you’re doing… (Soul Cycle? Time off in the Caribbean? Working for yourself?) it definitely appears to be working. I mean, I know pictures can lie, but seriously, you look great. Love your outfit and your hair! All around gorgeous.

Reply
- corals + cognacs on March 23, 2024 at 4:41 pm
  
  You’re so sweet! Thank you so much, Lynn-Holly. x
  
  Reply
Jessica on March 23, 2024 at 2:33 pm

To echo our sentiments from this morning, NYFC, man.

Reply
Ashley on March 23, 2024 at 2:38 pm

I LOVE your jeans- and this outfit. You are seriously looking better than ever, you go girl! I cant wait to take a class with you at Soul Cycle. (PS I’ve been reading your blog for so long, but this is the first time I’ve ever commented!)

Reply
- corals + cognacs on March 23, 2024 at 4:40 pm
  
  Thanks for the note, Ashley! Can’t wait to see you on a bike (and for reading my blog). x
  
  Reply
Ellen on March 23, 2024 at 7:08 pm

I would love to be in the Bahamas right now. I’m sure if I lived in NYC, I’d have that same feeling about returning to the city. I think as difficult as it is to come home from vacation, there’s always a sense of comfort. And that tee totally rocks!

Ellen | A Pop of Pink

Reply
Gabby Mbeki on March 23, 2024 at 8:16 pm

You are absolutely rocking this outfit!!! Love it!!

Reply
Nikki on March 23, 2024 at 11:57 pm

Fabulous! Love love those distressed jeans. Hope you had such a great time on your trip!

Nikki
thefashionablewife.com

Reply
chantelleteresa on March 24, 2024 at 1:07 am

Love love this look - I mean those jeans!! I know i’m not the first to say this but girl, soul cycle is doing really great things for you! I can’t wait to take one of your classes on my next trip to NYC

- Chantelle Teresa

Reply
- corals + cognacs on March 24, 2024 at 10:27 am
  
  Thanks, Chantelle. See you on a bike! ; )
  
  Reply
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