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.

December 8, 2023

Holiday Gift Guide: Ideas for Clients & Co-Workers

One of the hardest holiday-related shopping tasks is picking up something for your office’s Secret Santa Gift exchange. It’s so hard to shop for a client or co-worker, isn’t it? And really, who’s trying to break the bank there?

(And, I mean, if you are — let a girl know where you’re working and if they’re hiring.)

When you’re shopping for work-related gifts to give, think about items that’ll help spice up a colleague’s desks or day-to-day – a colorful desktop calendar, fun headphones or an adorable day planner. Of course, a monogramed mug is always a safe bet, but something like this “WTF” weekly desk pad would be more fun (if the recipient has a sense of humor).

Here’s a handful of affordable, perfect gifts for your office-mates (or clients):

*Clockwise, from top:

(1) Je t’aime pizza keychain | (2) black and gold stationery set | (3) turquoise water bottle | (4) I’m Very Busy phone charger | (5) striped planner | (6) monogram business card holder | (7) Adult Beverage travel mug | (8) mini-emergency kit | (9) monogrammed acrylic pencil holder | (10) gooseneck phone holder | (11) gold monogram mugs | (12) Kiehl’s hand salve | (13) weekly inspiration journal | (14) golden pear candle | (15) WTF weekly desk pad | (16) desk calendar | (17) champagne rose gold candle | (18) porcelain zebra dish | (19) carry-on cocktail kit

//

More ideas: gifts for home | coffee table books | gifts under $25
items from this post (below):

\\

Click to read more from corals + cognacs:

11 comments

Nicole Walker on December 8, 2023 at 7:04 am

Love this gift guide! I feel like coworkers are always so hard to shop for so I will definitely be using some of your suggestions

xoxo Nicole

http://www.brazenbrunette.com

Reply
Meagan on December 8, 2023 at 10:18 am

Great gift guide!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com

Reply
Jamie on December 8, 2023 at 2:16 pm

I love that rose gold candle! Plus you can’t go wrong with those Anthropolgie mugs! Great picks!

Jamie
http://www.treatsandtrendsblog.com

Reply
Minau on December 8, 2023 at 2:53 pm

Absolutely great ideas! Love it!

Reply
Rachel on December 8, 2023 at 4:59 pm

#7- so funny!

Reply
melissa on December 8, 2023 at 7:08 pm

Cute picks Hallie!
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com

Reply
Robin Lee on December 9, 2023 at 1:59 pm

Omg I love this picks!! They are very cute and affordable. I am more then sure many co-workers would appreciate gifts such as these.
- Robin
RUNWAYTEACHER.COM

Reply
Ashleigh Jean on December 9, 2023 at 5:15 pm

What a cute gift guide! I love that carry on cocktail kit!

xx, Ashleigh | http://www.fashioninflight.com

Reply
Taylor- Lights Camera Catwalk on December 9, 2023 at 8:22 pm

Loving your gift guides- great roundup here!

Xx Taylor
http://lightscameracatwalk.com

Reply
Pingback: Link Love, Vol. 76 - corals + cognacs
Moorea Seal (@mooreaseal) on December 16, 2023 at 3:37 pm

Yay! thank you for including my book in your gift guide! <3 Moorea Seal

Reply

What do you think? Cancel reply