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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.
In sitting here writing today’s post, all I can think is: Good lord, get that girl some Vitamin D — STAT!
Just kidding. But seriously.
///
Two weeks ago, my family and I traveled down to Paradise Island in the Bahamas to celebrate my dad’s birthday at the Atlantis resort.
Have you been? It was a blast — and I have quite a few photos to share.
Between my schedule and everyone’s jobs, it’s been downright impossible for us to schedule one big vacation together (yes, even over the holidays — I was in Asia last year). It was really awesome to be able to spend so much time together all at once, as a result. On International waters, no less, so we were all forced to have a little digital detox.
… But, I mean, you know those family vacations go… 48 hours in and you’re ready to hop on that return flight.
(I’m exaggerating, Mom. Love you!)
In addition, sunshine was a welcome reprieve from the ruthless, lengthy winter we’ve been having.
I think I spent 90 percent of the trip in my bathing suit and/or something light and breezy, like this waterfall tassel cardigan. And believe it or not, I didn’t even pack heels (in the suitcase that I carried on, naturally), which you’ll note in the next few days worth of posts.
In fact, the one-piece bathing suit that I brought was the foundation for most of my outfits the entire trip.
I know that sounds gross, but I promise I was hygienic about it.
…Did I just go there and I didn’t even need to? Whatever. We’re all friends here.
The cut is flattering, the high neckline is unexpected and the suit can even double as a top or bodysuit for a night out. (This confused the men on our trip, but that’s okay. All-in-all, it was the perfect piece for transitioning from swimming at the beach to dining in style.
I packed a two-piece suit from Triangl, too, but I wore that one mainly when the day’s agenda entailed planting my ass in the sand for hours and focusing on not getting questionable tan lines.
Yet again this year, though, the one-piece seems to be the “fashion-forward” choice of swimsuit season. (YAAAAS CARBS!)
And to be honest, this is a trend that took me up until this year to try. I’m not sure why, exactly — but I imagine it’s because I absolutely loathe bathing suit shopping. Or I used to, at least.
Bikinis might still dominate most beach bods, but I daresay a one-piece makes a bit of a bolder swimsuit statement.
What are your thoughts on the suit of the season? Do you have one?
Zappos has a lot of amazing options, if you’re looking to get your shop on. That’s how I found the brand of the suit I’m wearing — so thankful (kind of) for wine-infused late-night web browses!
Some more specific suggestions are below — including my favorite styles from brands including Norma Kamali, Mara Hoffman and Vitamin A.
*In this post:
Hat: San Diego Hat Company via Zappos (comes in three colors) Bathing suit: KAMALIKULTURE via Zappos (more styles here) Waterfall tassel cardigan: c/o Vineyard Vines Embossed flip-flops: Vineyard Vines Straw clutch: Vineyard Vines
These pictures are gorgeous! I stayed at the Atlantis resort a couple years ago and loved it. It’s so nice to spend time with family, especially as we get older and everyone has such hectic schedules. Hope you had an amazing time and you are rocking that one piece!
First off, I absolutely love that cardigan- such a great transitional piece!
I have a love/hate relationship with one-piece swimsuits. Love them in theory, hate them (and their wonky tan lines) in practice. I’ve actually devoted an entire post to the one-piece two years in a row… so they’re definitely growing on me. Except for the fact I have to strip totally nude to use a public restroom by the pool/beach… now THAT will never grow on me!
Hope you and your family had a fabulous (and well-desrved) vacation.
I absolutely love that one piece on you! It’s adorable! I’m also heading to the Caribbean this summer and this post just made me that much more excited for it! Counting down the days…
Oh my goodness this line made me actually laugh out loud:
“… But, I mean, you know those family vacations go… 48 hours in and you’re ready to hop on that return flight.
(I’m exaggerating, Mom. Love you!)”
Because I 100% know what you mean, you love them but families go where no one else goes haha, and I would definitely have to tell my mom i was kidding also.
Thanks for the laugh and the push to try one piece bathing suits!
You look radiant in these pictures…what a difference from even 4-6 months ago!! It’s been so exciting to see your journey, Hallie! I know what you mean about being pale…I went to Miami and was basically dousing myself in SPF 50 every 2 hours. People couldn’t believe I came back as pale as I did!
I stayed at Atlantis with my family after I graduated from high school. I just like everyone’s Bohemian accent down there. And the water…so blue. I’m jealous you were there, and while I’m normally not a fan of the one piece suit, I LOVE this on you. And you’re right, the high neck line is so unexpected.
Love that black suit! Too perfect. Looks like you had an amazing time!!
xo, Caitlin
http://thesolcompass.com
These pictures are gorgeous! I stayed at the Atlantis resort a couple years ago and loved it. It’s so nice to spend time with family, especially as we get older and everyone has such hectic schedules. Hope you had an amazing time and you are rocking that one piece!
xoxo Nicole
http://www.brazenbrunette.com
First off, I absolutely love that cardigan- such a great transitional piece!
I have a love/hate relationship with one-piece swimsuits. Love them in theory, hate them (and their wonky tan lines) in practice. I’ve actually devoted an entire post to the one-piece two years in a row… so they’re definitely growing on me. Except for the fact I have to strip totally nude to use a public restroom by the pool/beach… now THAT will never grow on me!
Hope you and your family had a fabulous (and well-desrved) vacation.
xo, Stella
http://www.theheartsdlite.com
Love these photos and looks like you’re enjoying your vacation!
xoxo
Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl
http://poorlittleitgirl.com
Gotta have that cardigan!
I absolutely love that one piece on you! It’s adorable! I’m also heading to the Caribbean this summer and this post just made me that much more excited for it! Counting down the days…
xo
skyscrapers & palm trees
Cute suit! I don’t usually like cutout swimsuits, but this one is actually classy and really nice! I’ll have to check them out
Oh my goodness this line made me actually laugh out loud:
“… But, I mean, you know those family vacations go… 48 hours in and you’re ready to hop on that return flight.
(I’m exaggerating, Mom. Love you!)”
Because I 100% know what you mean, you love them but families go where no one else goes haha, and I would definitely have to tell my mom i was kidding also.
Thanks for the laugh and the push to try one piece bathing suits!
Love your bathing suit!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com
You look radiant in these pictures…what a difference from even 4-6 months ago!! It’s been so exciting to see your journey, Hallie! I know what you mean about being pale…I went to Miami and was basically dousing myself in SPF 50 every 2 hours. People couldn’t believe I came back as pale as I did!
Meg of An Affair of Character
Love Atlantis! Went with a friend for a long weekend and had a blast. The Zappos picks are fab!
Omg I need some vitamin D too! But seriously.. how rockin’ is your body?! You look SO beach fantastic!
Kayla
http://www.lovelucygirl.com
Glad you enjoyed your vacation! Looked beautiful & love that one-piece
I’m in love with the one piece! And somehow, I think they can be so much sexier than a bikini! love this one!!
It seems to be all about cut outs and straps right now and you picked a great one!
I stayed at Atlantis with my family after I graduated from high school. I just like everyone’s Bohemian accent down there. And the water…so blue. I’m jealous you were there, and while I’m normally not a fan of the one piece suit, I LOVE this on you. And you’re right, the high neck line is so unexpected.
Ellen | A Pop of Pink
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