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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.

June 25, 2024

Feeling Festive

It’s hard not to feel patriotic in New York City — especially around the Fourth of July.

Phew.

I haven’t gotten out much (beyond my teaching schedule) this week as I’m in the midst of moving, but I was able to justify a trip to my favorite nook just outside the city.

This popular spot in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge) reminds me of everything that made me fall in love with New York in the first place:

New York’s bridges, the Empire State Building, everyone’s hustle and bustle and — yes, even Gossip Girl. (That brick building in the back on the right was the Humphrey’s loft in Brooklyn).

A festive ensemble felt essential, so I went with my favorite red skirt (which is only $36), a comfortable cotton top with stripes and of course, comfortable mid-heel sandals for walking.

My movers will be here tomorrow morning, after which I should have more time to spend wandering the city. What would you do with one last weekend in New York City?

*In this post:

Clothing:

Striped shirt: Trina Turk (more options here, J.Crew style on sale here)
Red midi skirt: ASOS (similar styles here, love the pleated version)
Mid-heel sandals: J.Crew (more styles here)
Clutch: Brahmin (also love these colors)

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: J.Crew sandals | striped shirts
red skirts | this post (below):

*Shop the trend: Striped shirts and red skirts for a festive Fourth

Click to read more from corals + cognacs:

26 comments

Tonya on June 25, 2024 at 9:25 am

Welcome back to Chicago!

Reply
Cathleen on June 25, 2024 at 11:19 am

So fun. Love that skirt.

Reply
Meagan on June 25, 2024 at 11:32 am

Cute look!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com

Reply
Liv on June 25, 2024 at 11:38 am

I have to explore that area. So pretty!!

Reply
Alexandra Steinmetz on June 25, 2024 at 12:40 pm

When I got ready to leave New York last spring, I made a bucket list of things I had yet to do. I only accomplished a minute amount of them (more to do on my visit in the fall), but here’s my list: http://the-dandy-life.com/new-york-bucket-list/

Reply
- corals + cognacs on June 25, 2024 at 2:09 pm
  
  Thanks for sharing this, can’t wait to check out your list!
  
  Reply
alyssaloring on June 25, 2024 at 12:41 pm

Good luck with the move! So exciting, but I’m sure bittersweet!

Alyssa
http://www.feathersandstripes.com

Reply
Liz @ Shopping My Closet on June 25, 2024 at 12:47 pm

Good luck with your move!

Liz @ ShoppingMyCloset.com

Reply
Minau on June 25, 2024 at 1:13 pm

Very nice outfit! Great skirt!

Reply
melissa on June 25, 2024 at 1:20 pm

Love that skirt!
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com

Reply
Joyce on June 25, 2024 at 2:34 pm

Great skirt! Good luck with the move back to the midwest!

Reply
Maddy on June 25, 2024 at 3:30 pm

Good luck with the move! Go to Washington Square Park and the Flatiron building. And like, some super cute coffee places! Drink all of the New York coffees! 🙂

Reply
- corals + cognacs on June 25, 2024 at 4:03 pm
  
  Coffee shops, for sure. I’m going to miss my morning trips to Birch in Gramercy!
  
  Reply
LoveCompassionateLee on June 25, 2024 at 3:31 pm

Classic style! I love the vibrant red skirt.

Happy Thursday
http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/thinkoutloud/2015/6/25/62515

Reply
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul on June 25, 2024 at 4:16 pm

In love with your outfit! So cute!

Her Heartland Soul
http://herheartlandsoul.com

Reply
upmagazinestaff on June 25, 2024 at 4:20 pm

Hope your move goes smoothly! I have to admit I’m super excited to see all your Chicago photos, though!

Lauren
http://oliverstwistblog.com

Reply
Ellen on June 25, 2024 at 6:49 pm

Enjoy your last weekend in NYC, Hallie! I’m sure whatever you end up doing, it will be great. Also, I’m a huge Gossip Girl fan, so it’s awesome that you had Dan’s apartment in the background.

Ellen | A Pop of Pink

Reply
Grace on June 25, 2024 at 9:54 pm

Those sandals are adorable :O

Reply
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fastunfollow on June 26, 2024 at 9:01 am

Awesome skirt, it fits you very well!

Reply
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Molly Galler on June 26, 2024 at 12:42 pm

Love the Gossip Girl reference! You know you love me. XOXO

Reply
Renee on June 26, 2024 at 5:17 pm

Best 4th of July OOTD I’ve seen yet! 🙂
xoxo Renee

Reply
- corals + cognacs on June 26, 2024 at 6:25 pm
  
  Thanks, girl! Can’t go wrong with a bold red skirt.
  
  Reply
Jenna at Boston Chic Party on June 27, 2024 at 6:48 pm

Hallie, love love love this look! This is such a classic shot, but I especially love the Gossip Girl reference 🙂

Reply
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The Fine Print

Hi, nice to meet you.

*In this post:

*Click to shop: J.Crew sandals | striped shirts red skirts | this post (below):

Click to read more from corals + cognacs:

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26 comments

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*Click to shop: J.Crew sandals | striped shirts
red skirts | this post (below):