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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.
As Day One of my Paris recap may have led you to believe, our mini Euro trip had some heavy emphasis on nightlife this time-around…
YOLO, you know?
(…Yes, I said it!)
I won’t go into too much detail about our second night out — because that, my friends, is a post in-and-of itself. But if you’re looking for recommendations on the best late-night bars and restaurants in Paris, I’ve got you. (Coming soon!)
In the meantime…
While laid-back and effortlessly undone is the name of the game when it comes to cool-girl Parisian style, there were a few days (nights) when I felt like getting just a bit dressier, so I went the mixed prints route — using stripes as a foundation, of course.
Today’s ensemble felt like the perfect balance between fashion-forward but simple. Do you agree?
I bought this pretty floral skirt after seeing Jess style it a few different ways (she actually designed it, too!), and it truly does go with just about everything in your wardrobe.
Lazily, this was the only point in the trip that I heat-styled my hair (using a wand). After a quick application of my basic beauty routine (all products linked below), I grabbed my go-to going out bag and we were out the door…
I remain to be surprised by how much my mini Pashli handbag holds. It’s a bit of an investment, but I use it every weekend and find that it’s perfect for traveling.
You’ve seen these vegan-leather boots before, and they were the first thing I packed in my suitcase (which you can read more about in this post). You know I’m a boots-as-pants kinda gal, so they came in handy for both day and night… So easy to walk (skip, stumble, dance, etc) in… Hehe.
(The over-the-knee boots are sold out everywhere, but I found them in a similar style here — and on sale. The only difference is that the pair stretches up to/just over the knee, rather than being thigh-high. I also have this OTK pair from Steve Madden — they’re just as comfortable and on sale for 50% off.)
It was an ensemble fit for bar and bistro hopping, if I do say so myself…
When the temperatures dipped, I threw on this faux leather jacket and was good to go. Had my red wine sweater on too, though, duh.
As mentioned, Day Two recap coming to you soon, my friends! Hope you’re having a great week thus far.
Hair: Curled with a wand, styled with Living Proof thickening cream Foundation: bareMinerals Complexion Rescue in ‘Natural’
Lipstick: NARS velvet matte lip pencil in ‘Never Say Never’
Mascara: bareMinerals volumizing mascara
Eyeliner: Mac Liquidlast eyeliner Setting powder: Laura Mercier
I’m all about print mixing, and you nailed it! I’m also loving that gorgeous floral skirt, and that mini Pashli is so cute… that gold color is so pretty! (& love that Paris backdrop!)
Loving the mixed prints… so very effortless and Parisian!!
Kisses,
Sarah
EverydayStarlet
I’m all about print mixing, and you nailed it! I’m also loving that gorgeous floral skirt, and that mini Pashli is so cute… that gold color is so pretty! (& love that Paris backdrop!)
Lauren
http://oliverstwistblog.com
Your skirt is super cute, I love floral patterns especially on skirts and dresses.
Taylor,
https://aquirkytwist.wordpress.com
Obsessed with the stripes and floral!
Xx Taylor
http://lightscameracatwalk.com
Bonjour! Love each piece, but I don’t like the high waist of the skirt at all.
LOVE this outfit! So Parisian chic.
emily
http://www.deltachic.com
I like this mix of pattern!