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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.
Not much planned on my end this weekend — I have a very fitness-focused few days ahead, including lots of development workshops for SoulCycle and a photo shoot with Nike for their summer 2016 collection.
I could use a weekend away from the social scene after a crazy few days in Dallas last weekend… (Famous last words, ha!)
What’s on tap for you tonight?
Peaks & Pits
Peak: This is super nerdy, but I just recently learned about Planogr.am — a site that lets you schedule Instagram content. I’ve been using their free trial version and must say, it’s amazing! Bloggers and agency gals/brand managers, I’d highly recommend checking this out.
Pit: You might have caught this in my recap post from the conference, but I missed my flight home from Dallas last Sunday. Ugh. My Uber hit a pothole and popped a tire on the way to the airport (at 4 a.m.), if you can believe it. Talk about a humbling experience — wish I could say I handled it like a champ, but I definitely broke down in tears in the middle of the highway… LOL. Peaks and valleys, guys. We’ve all got ’em.
“I’d love to hear your thoughts on how blogging has changed over the past few years, and if you think the “blogging bubble” will burst eventually?” - Franziska, via comments
Great question. Honestly, I think Anna hit the nail on the head in her post about this. Blogging has absolutely changed over the past few years (and I imagine it will continue to do so) — remember when it was just a hobby? Before the age of social media? Our sweet little point-and-shoot cameras… (Yes, I used one. I started my site five years ago!) Back then, we had the time to comment on and share one another’s posts and it felt more fun and less, um… Cut-throat. I guess.
For many of us now, it’s a business (and we are lucky to say that). For the time being, blogging is here to stay as brands are definitely seeing the value in influencer marketing — it just might shift a little as the industry is becoming platform agnostic (meaning you can be influential anywhere in the digital hemisphere, not just on a website).
As for the bubble bursting: In my opinion, it’s more about holding ourselves individually accountable to higher standards of authenticity. Consumers/readers are really smart — and they (we) can see right through that fake shit, you know?
The responsibility moving forward is in the hands of the publisher (blogger) — if you’re not open, straightforward and honest with your readers, there goes your credibility. Therein, you burst your own bubble. What do you think?
First of all, I think your blog is so fun, honest and real. Some of the more “popular” blogs often feature “outfits” - which really aren’t- they are just multiple photos of women in jeans with whatever- not too much thought goes into this, IMO. Also, features with ridiculous handbags that run in the thousands of dollars are a reach for lots of folks. I wonder what these gals’ credit card balances are? LOL. It seems like a lot of fashionista filler out there and promos for silly products sometimes. You’re correct- the consumer is smart and thanks for saying that!
I always love your links, but this week you really knocked it out of the park! I think like any business related to the internet and social media- two landscapes that are consistently evolving- blogging as a business is bound to be drastically different in five years, just as it is so different today from when you started. With evolution comes increased sophistication (case in point: the point and shoot camera example!) but I think you’re right that a blogger’s success comes down to her voice, and that voice’s integrity. The blogs that are here to stay are the ones who have built relationships with readers, as strong relationships can transcend (and even flourish through) the inevitable changes in the medium.
1. Thank you so much for the love - I was surprised to see such a jump in my stats this morning 🙂
and 2. Great great answer to the blogging question. I think the more blogs become a normal part of the internet, the more bloggers need to be aware of what their readers know - I personally hate when people are all coy about trying to hide sponsorships and c/o, so for me, I always am as upfront about all that as I can be. Readers are so much smarter than to be fooled by not disclosing those things!
3. and now I’m going to pick up that Nars lipstick because I too always admire your lipcolor!
Always loving your blog posts, all your links (always) and special mention to your Snapchat because girl, you do really know how to run things over there (& that lipstick, tho!).
For those loving Planogram, Later (former Latergramme) does the same thing and if you set up a basic account is completely free, forever… just throwing that out there.
First of all, I think your blog is so fun, honest and real. Some of the more “popular” blogs often feature “outfits” - which really aren’t- they are just multiple photos of women in jeans with whatever- not too much thought goes into this, IMO. Also, features with ridiculous handbags that run in the thousands of dollars are a reach for lots of folks. I wonder what these gals’ credit card balances are? LOL. It seems like a lot of fashionista filler out there and promos for silly products sometimes. You’re correct- the consumer is smart and thanks for saying that!
I always love your links, but this week you really knocked it out of the park! I think like any business related to the internet and social media- two landscapes that are consistently evolving- blogging as a business is bound to be drastically different in five years, just as it is so different today from when you started. With evolution comes increased sophistication (case in point: the point and shoot camera example!) but I think you’re right that a blogger’s success comes down to her voice, and that voice’s integrity. The blogs that are here to stay are the ones who have built relationships with readers, as strong relationships can transcend (and even flourish through) the inevitable changes in the medium.
Thanks so much for the inclusion, Hallie! As always such fun links to explore - honored to be among them - Happy weekend!!
I agree - Planogram is the best! I love reading your end of the week roundups as well!
1. Thank you so much for the love - I was surprised to see such a jump in my stats this morning 🙂
and 2. Great great answer to the blogging question. I think the more blogs become a normal part of the internet, the more bloggers need to be aware of what their readers know - I personally hate when people are all coy about trying to hide sponsorships and c/o, so for me, I always am as upfront about all that as I can be. Readers are so much smarter than to be fooled by not disclosing those things!
3. and now I’m going to pick up that Nars lipstick because I too always admire your lipcolor!
Always loving your blog posts, all your links (always) and special mention to your Snapchat because girl, you do really know how to run things over there (& that lipstick, tho!).
For those loving Planogram, Later (former Latergramme) does the same thing and if you set up a basic account is completely free, forever… just throwing that out there.
Have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo.
Great to know — appreciate the Instagram tip, girl! And thanks - Snapchat is so fun. Too much fun, at times… Wink. x
Does planogr.am give information about your stats/optimal posting times? I can’t find anything on their website about that.
-Dana
http://www.somethinggoodblog.com
What a pleasant surprise to find one of my main traffic referrers today was from here!! Thanks so much!!! xoxox
Get it girl! Love keeping up with your site - congrats on your success thus far!