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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.
Maybe it’s that newly-minted Midwest mentality — or the fact that I never mind an excuse to test-drive cocktail recipes — but I’ve shifted into more of an entertaining mindset this holiday season. And by that, I mean testing out cocktail recipes.
In a few days, I’m having my fellow SoulCycle Instructors over for a holiday party (and lots of required carb-loading). I’m excited, but I haven’t hosted a party or lots of people in a long time. My apartment was to teeny-tiny when I lived in New York!
Regardless, even the most rookie holiday hostess knows it’s important to have a delicious, easy-to-make drink recipe at-the-ready… And while entertaining may feel unfamiliar to me, cocktail creation certainly does not. Especially in the vodka realm.
… Ole!
Earlier this month, Absolut reached out and challenged me to utilize their limited edition Electrik bottles (in metallic silver and bright blue) as inspiration around holiday entertaining, so I knew a cool-looking cocktail would be the most fun and relevant way to do so.
The bottles have also become the centerpiece to my make-shift barcart — which I’ll show you in a post on Thursday.
I tried out a handful of recipes found on Pinterest (not all at once — lol), and finally settled on a perfect, ruby red-colored concoction for the party.
The “Cranberry Christmas Cocktail” — as I’ve been calling it — combines a handful of festive holiday flavors with a (generous) splash of Absolut Original Vodka. Yum!
All-in-all, it’s an easy-to-follow recipe that’s delightfully boozy and Absolut-ly delicious. (See what I did there? So bad. I know… I couldn’t’ help it.) This one’s sure to impress your guests, too.
Here’s how to make it:
Cranberry Christmas Cocktail
Makes: 4 servings (double the recipe if serving in a large pitcher)
Mix vodka, gingerale and cranberry juice in a large pitcher.
Slice the lime and juice half of it into the mixture.
Add a generous amount of ice, stir and garnish with cranberries and any extra lime.
Store in fridge until guests arrive.
… Enjoy!
(Repeat.)
//
Lastly, if you’re like me and you prefer to leave the event planning up to your girlfriends, worry not. Here’s a few personal tips for hosting a stress-free holiday soiree:
You can use frozen cranberries as make-shift ice cues (or any fruit, depending on what drink you’re serving).
Make sure you stock the pantry and prep your passed appetizers ahead-of-time. That way, you only have an hour or so of prep-work on the day of your par-tay.
Have a tray of drinks made and ready to go (in an easy-to-pour pitcher, ideally), so your guests can grab a glass and enjoy your company, not watch you tend to the bar (cart) all night.
Yum! Thank goodness for holiday cocktails… they’ve gotten me through some “challenging” holiday parties over the years! As a lady who likes to “imbibe” — and well, you know, things go downhill from there… I can’t recommend WHITE cranberry juice highly enough. It’s saved my clothes, my furniture and my rugs more times than I’d like to admit. #alwaysbeprepared! Have a happy holiday.
XO, Stella http://www.theheartsdlite.com
Yum! Thank goodness for holiday cocktails… they’ve gotten me through some “challenging” holiday parties over the years! As a lady who likes to “imbibe” — and well, you know, things go downhill from there… I can’t recommend WHITE cranberry juice highly enough. It’s saved my clothes, my furniture and my rugs more times than I’d like to admit. #alwaysbeprepared! Have a happy holiday.
XO, Stella
http://www.theheartsdlite.com
I fully appreciate this post! Mitch and I are trying to up our cocktail game for guests… this one is the cutest!
Kelly | Kelly in the City
I’m definitely going to have to try this cocktail out! And I’m loving all of your Christmas decor!
Love the idea of frozen cranberries for ice cubes! Have fun at your Soul Cycle cocktail party!
Laura | Laura Aime Vous
I LOVE this! I just shot a Christmas cocktail and I have to take a minute to appreciate your photos/decor.. So good! Drinks are so hard to style!
Xx Taylor
http://lightscameracatwalk.com
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This is exactly what I needed! I’ve been looking for a fun holiday-themed cocktail to serve. The gingerale addition sounds delicious! Thank you!
~Hillary
http://www.styleinasmalltown.com
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