The Fine Print

corals + cognacs works with third-party affiliates and advertising companies to serve advertisers. These companies may use aggregated information (not including your name, address, email or telephone) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about products and services that may be of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.

In addition, sometimes I'll share affiliate links of retailers that I personally support via Twitter or Facebook. If you click through an affiliate link when buying an item, I will be partially compensated for your purchase. You're under no obligation to click through via one of the links when shopping online, but, if you do, you'll be supporting my blog as well.

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.

June 30, 2024

Simple Separates

If you could only have a handful of clothes to last you for two weeks, what styles would you select?

That’s the preface of today’s post, as it’s a reality that I’m very much living. The struggle!

Today is my last day in New York, which is a sentence that’s hard to punctuate — let alone type. So much like my outfit, I’m keeping it simple and succinct. (I know I’ve said that a handful of times lately, but moving is a bitch!)

Pretty much everything I own is in a box and on a truck to Chicago, but I held on to a handful pieces to tide me over until my stuff arrives in a week or two.

There’s a lot to love about this striped dress and blush-colored vest combo, but mainly the fact that they’re both super versatile (and on sale).

It’s a good thing my carry-on game is strong.

Despite the other items I’ve packed, something tells me this dress will be the MVP (Most Versatile Piece) in the days that come.

I plan on wearing it as a pool-side coverup, with a cute hat for day-time drinking (…what?) and with that gorgeous pale pink vest for a night on the town. You know I love a good vest.

I’ll be back to posting regularly (and in better story-telling format) later this week/after the Fourth of July, but in the meantime you can follow along on Instagram and Snapchat (I’m @coralsncognacs).

Back to running a bit of last-minute errands… Which entail the post office and Time Warner Cable. Pray for me!

*In this post:

Clothing

Blush-colored vest: Chelsea28 via Nordstrom (also comes in white)
Striped dress: Old Navy (on sale, obvi — I’d suggest sizing down)
Pumps: BCBGMAXAZRIA (similar style on sale here)

Beauty:

Hair styling: Living Proof’s No Frizz collection (introductory kit here)
Lipstick: NARS velvet matte lip pencil in ‘Never Say Never’
Eyebrows: Benefit Instant Brow pencil

*Click to shop: Old Navy dresses | this post (below):

///

Lydia Hudgens Photography

Click to read more from corals + cognacs:

24 comments

Cathleen on June 30, 2024 at 9:00 am

I love that vest, and the whole outfit is great. I love you on snapchat! I hope your move goes well. For me, places are hard for me to leave. I can get rid of things and people, but spaces/places are hard for me to say goodbye to. I just have to think that I’m moving on to something better, new, exciting! I’m looking forward to hearing about your adventure.

Reply
andiperullo on June 30, 2024 at 9:44 am

Enjoy your last day! I remember mine, I was SO emotional! LOVE the pink vest, awesome pics!!!

Reply
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul on June 30, 2024 at 10:00 am

Very cute! That dress is adorable!

Her Heartland Soul
http://herheartlandsoul.com

Reply
Katie on June 30, 2024 at 10:41 am

Bring that cute outfit and yourself to Chicago asap!!

Reply
Liz @ Shopping My Closet on June 30, 2024 at 11:01 am

Love the whole look!

Liz @ ShoppingMyCloset.com

Reply
dana mannarino on June 30, 2024 at 11:14 am

Love the way Lydia captured this look with this background - hope you enjoy your last day in NYC!

Pink Champagne Problems

Reply
Lauren on June 30, 2024 at 11:32 am

Need. vest. now. Such a good look, lady!

xx,
Lauren
FashionablyLo

Reply
Gretchen | Gretchruns on June 30, 2024 at 11:36 am

Hope moving goes smoothly!

Reply
abigailrkoffler on June 30, 2024 at 11:49 am

Hallie, I hope your move goes so well and I’m so glad that I was able to meet you in the midst of such a transition! Hope we get to ride together sometime in the not so distant future! Here’s to new chapters xo

Reply
Ally on June 30, 2024 at 12:41 pm

Great photos!

Xo Ally

http://www.allysoninwonderland.com

Reply
Joyce on June 30, 2024 at 1:21 pm

Good luck moving!! The fact that you’re posting at all is impressive — moving is a huge bitch. 🙂

Reply
Taylor- Lights Camera Catwalk on June 30, 2024 at 1:24 pm

Good luck on the big move! LOVE those heels and that golden hour lighting!

Looking forward to the moving stories!

Xx Taylor
http://www.lightscameracatwalk.com

Reply
Alexa on June 30, 2024 at 2:43 pm

Best of Luck!!! Enjoy your last day in NYC!! xx

Alexa

http://thedarlingstandard.blogspot.com/

Reply
Lauren on June 30, 2024 at 3:55 pm

Love the vest! And I’ve said it before - but I’m super, super excited for all of your posts from chicago!!

Lauren
http://oliverstwistblog.com

Reply
Nicole on June 30, 2024 at 4:11 pm

Enjoy your last day in NYC! OBSESSED with that whole outfit. Pale pink, black & white is my all time favorite (and go-to) color scheme. Seriously tempted to buy that vest!! I would love to see a post about different ways to style it! XO, Nicole
http://www.empirestyles.com

Reply
LoveCompassionateLee on June 30, 2024 at 4:42 pm

I like the striped dress and the BCBGMAXAZRIA heels from this post. However, I really love the cobalt swing dress that you linked from Old Navy. It’s definitely a very functional piece.

Happy Tuesday
http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/thinkoutloud/2015/6/30/63015

Reply
Meagan on June 30, 2024 at 5:29 pm

Love that dress! Very cute! Happy moving!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com

Reply
beachbrunette on June 30, 2024 at 9:01 pm

So excited to see the transition to Chicago! (It seems that all of my favorite bloggers live there). Good luck with everything!

Reply
Cheyenne.adler@gmail.com on July 1, 2024 at 3:11 pm

Good Luck Hallie! I wish you all the best in Chicago!

Reply
melissa on July 1, 2024 at 6:39 pm

Love that dress!
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com

Reply
Allison + Amy | VelvetCrate on July 4, 2024 at 9:57 am

That vest tho! Love the whole look. Good luck with you move to Chicago!

http://www.velvetcrate.com

Reply
Nan on July 7, 2024 at 8:03 am

I have that exact same old navy dress and LOVE it! So soft and comfortable! And then the fact that it is stripes = perfection!
Hope your move is going okay and that you are having a blast in Chicago!
xo Nan - Simply Elegant Blog

Reply
Pingback: Outside the Box - corals + cognacs
Pingback: Link Love, Vol. 57 - corals + cognacs