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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.

January 2, 2024

Festive Fringe

Happy New Year, my friends! I hope you had a great weekend ringing in 2016.

Should we play a game and see who suffered through the highest Uber surcharge? A casual 7.4x the usual rate, right here… Or something like that; you know how it gets a little hazy. Wink!

Who else? (I read that it got to 9.9x in some areas. Crazy!)

More often than not, I’m not a huge fan of New Year’s Eve. There’s just so much hype, you know?

This year’s exceeded expectations, though. I spent the weekend toasting to 2016 at Chi-Town Rising, the city’s first-ever outdoor celebration hosted at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago.

The event was put on by Hyatt Gold Passport, the hotel’s rewards program. It was a really fun balance of celebrating (/drinking champagne) and capturing scenes from in the hotel and around the event all evening.

There was a lot to see and do at the event, but much of the action — like live music and such — was outdoors, so I knew I needed long sleeves for the occasion.

Fringe felt appropriately festive — this dress in particular was fun to wear and super simple to accessorize. (The exact style I’m wearing is sold out/old, but both Macy’s and Nordstrom have a lot of fringe dresses in-stock. Fairly certain I need this navy faux suede slip-dress.)

Right at midnight, a giant Chicago-inspired star rose up the front of Hyatt Regency and was met with a seriously dazzling fireworks display over Chicago’s riverfront.

I remember feeling a pang of nostalgia for New York — it really felt like the ball drop in Times Square… Way to step it up this year, Chi-town!

*IN THIS POST:

Clothing

Black dress with fringe: Maje (similar here)
Nude pumps: Steve Madden (similar here)
Black clutch: Unknown (similar Tory Burch version)

Beauty

Hair styling: Living Proof’s No Frizz collection (introductory kit here)
Lip gloss: NARS satin lip pencil in ‘Palais Royale’
Foundation: bareMinerals Complexion Rescue (in Natural)
Eyebrows: Benefit Instant Brow pencil

*Click to shop: fringe dresses | NARS LIP PENCILS | this post, below:

In partnership with Hyatt Gold Passport

///

Iron & Honey Photography

Click to read more from corals + cognacs:

10 comments

Monica {Cake & Lilies} on January 2, 2024 at 6:22 pm

You look great, Hallie! Sounds like NYE was a blast (minus Uber, of course)!

Reply
Sydney S on January 2, 2024 at 7:11 pm

Your dress is gorgeous, I love the fringe!!
xo, Syd
http://www.anchoredinthesouth.com

Reply
Kate on January 2, 2024 at 10:57 pm

Dear god, your legs look incredible! Think I just found my new years resolution 👏

Reply
- corals + cognacs on January 3, 2024 at 2:55 pm
  
  Thank you! SoulCycle, baby. Come (to the Midwest and) take a class! : )
  
  Reply
Laura Kathleen on January 3, 2024 at 4:57 pm

Love the fringe! And I think I need to spin more, your legs are making me seriously jealous! Glad you had a nice NYE!

Laura | Laura Aime Vous

Reply
Matthew on January 3, 2024 at 10:16 pm

Super nice pictures. Gorgeous looks!
http://www.patagonia-jackets.com

Reply
leah on January 4, 2024 at 8:59 am

That top is so fun! Your hair looks amazing!

xx Leah / http://www.eatpraywearlove.com

Reply
Ally Noriega on January 4, 2024 at 2:56 pm

Love the black fringe dress, you look great girl. Fringe always makes me want to just keep spinning. 😉

Xo Ally

http://www.allysoninwonderland.com

Reply
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