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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.
It’s been kind of weird week on my end, so I thought I’d do a little writing in lieu of our weekly link love series today.
I realize I haven’t had a chance to share all that much with you guys over the past few days, and I love our “coffee talks!”
Earlier this week, I found out that I have tendonitis in my left wrist and elbow.
It’s not super serious, thankfully, but it’s been this dull pain that’s bothered me for months and I’ve sorta just… Ignored it. (Naturally, my physical therapist took 10 seconds to diagnose it.)
Today’s post isn’t really about tendonitis, though, so even if you don’t think you can relate, I’m willing to bet you can…
Let’s back up:
Setbacks really suck. Regardless of how they translate in your life at the moment — work, blog, a relationship, exercise and so on.
It’s almost like they slowly creep up on you, too. Nothing major, just a bit of pain or discomfort or a nagging feeling that something is off.
“It’s nothing,” you think to yourself. No big. Right?
That’s what I’ve been doing with this annoying ass pain in my arm.
So on Monday of this week, I finally met with my Physical Therapist.
“Yeah, you have tendonitis,” she said. Like, instantly.
… Fuck. Okay.
//
I mean, I guess that’s to be expected: I work out and teach at SoulCycle anywhere from 15-20 hours a week, which is why my upper body, back and shoulders don’t have the mobility that they should… Or in other words, I’m tight as a mother f’er. As a result, I’ve been overcompensating in my wrists, which is how it happened. (Mainly in yoga, ironically, which I thought was helping my mobility.)
Thankfully, it doesn’t seem all that serious, but what she said next really got my attention:
If you don’t take care of yourself, you’re going to risk doing some permanent damage.
Whoa, gut check.
//
I’ve been thinking about that concept a lot this week.
As an added layer to this weird physical sensation I’ve been experiencing, I haven’t felt super inspired lately (as we discussed in this post about how to get out of a rut).
It happens, right? I guess I’ve just… Well, I’ve been busy. Way too much multi-tasking going on over here.
Somewhere along the way, this idea of “busy” has become a strange, even sought-after social status symbol. It’s like we romanticize the idea. Safe to assume many of us have humble-bragged about how “swamped” we always are, no?
Admittedly, I’m very guilty of this. I’m a multi-tasker to a fault. And not in a good way.
I blog and teach full-time (yes, teaching fitness is a full-time job). I’ve forgotten to each lunch on more than one occasion and I’m the worst at adding task-after-task to my to-do list. Personally, I do this because I thought that working myself to the bone (quite literally, in my case) would make me more… um, successful? I guess?
Sound familiar?
This week has been a big lesson for me on the personal front: That is to say, learning to say no. For me, that’s been in the form of not multitasking and — unfortunately — not going to yoga. For now.
//
Yes, of course busyness can translate to success; but I’ve also learned that it can equate to exhaustion, distractions and if you’re not careful, health problems.
Be honest: How much do you actually take care of yourself? I mean, like, really put forth an effort into caring for y-o-u?
I am not asking how many items are on your Get Shit Done list, nor am I wondering how many e-mails are in your inbox. (Any guesses as to mine? LOL)
For many of us, the lines between work and home are blurred. We’re glued to our many different devices, we’re obsessed with planners and lists and so-on and so forth and honestly I think it all just ends up sapping our ability to be present and form actual human connections that we crave.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
This weekend — right now — make some time to take care of yourself. Carving out time to do nothing doesn’t mean you’re falling behind. Find the delicate balance of saying “no” to things so you can say “yes” to yourself. (You’re a lot more than a list-making machine, you know.)
You are a result of what (and who) you let permeate your life on a day-to-day basis. Sometimes, you don’t even realize it, but too much can build up (body immobility, in my physical case), which will make other things suffering in return (my joints/wrists).
//
Log off. Power down. Laugh. And drink up.
Love you, mean it. x H
…And in case you’re wondering about that tendonitis (thank you!), don’t worry: With a little icing, a lot of Advil and some physical therapy, it’s been very manageable thus far. I’ll keep you posted.
Physical therapists are special people - glad to hear you are getting some relief. Set backs ARE hard. But they give you perspective, thanks for sharing! My two cents, if you can find a pilates instructor that is a physical therapist = secret weapon girl!
This was lovely, Hallie. I miss my soul therapy sessions in the form of your class, so this felt like a nice dose of that until I am back in the country. Hope you are feeling better soon!
Love this, and you! I’m in the exact same boat, on a lot of different fronts, so just know you’re not alone. Can’t wait to sip on a glass and chat more about it next month.
LOVED THIS! I was diagnosed with tendonitis that ended up being Jumper’s Knee when I was in high school that ended my volleyball “career”. But more recently, I’ve been training for a half marathon that’s now next weekend, and about 2 weeks ago I did something to my foot (thought it was a cramp, it’s not. possibly a pulled muscle?) and I’m not sure I can run the half. I’m really bummed about it, as I’ve worked so hard, but I’m just going to try and pull through. Thank you for writing this post! I totally needed to hear it!
I was having pain in my back/shoulder/upper arm and ignored it for about six months…turns out, I have an abnormally weak rotator cuff on my dominant arm right now, despite regular exercise. Something to do with the way I sit and I naturally hold my head too far forward on my neck. I recently went through a round of PT but after I tapered off and continued doing the exercises I could at home, it came back! So annoying—best of luck with yours 🙂
Also, the NY Times published a piece a few months back where the writer put the “I’m busy” feeling to the test, and logged her hours for a year–discovering she’s not actually as busy as she says or feels (and most of us aren’t!). It was an interesting read: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/15/opinion/sunday/the-busy-persons-lies.html?_r=0
Preach! Totally believe when you say no to something, anything, it really means saying yes to something else. This past year I actually set a limit about going out twice per week unless it was a mandatory work event because I wasn’t giving as much time to my family by finding events I “needed” to be at. It’s powerful to say no and not give a reason. It just is what it is, and being at home for my family, and for me, has been a necessary change.
Anyway, I could go on and on but you get it. Glad to hear you’re feeling better!
there must have been something going on with the energies and planets last week because i felt the exact same way. completely in a funk, uninspired, unmotivated and completely not myself. i spoke to a friend who felt the same way as well. so glad last week is OVER! new week means new energy. hopefully this one will be better for you 🙂
Get better soon babe! I feel ya - I still get funky aches and pains and go to physical therapy and I am not nearly has sporty as you!
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com
This is a very well timed post as I’ve recently strained my calf (I think by taking too many spin classes). A two week break later and it still doesn’t feel right. Very discouraging but I guess I’ll give it some more time. Hard to find any good cardio that doesn’t heavily rely on the calf muscles. Hope your body heals soon!
Athletic Aesthetic
This was powerful, girl.
I really like the thought related to what it’s all for. Like to be more successful or be more of what we are…what is it. I feel that!
Hopefully you’re feeling better. Sometimes ya need the body to talk to you to slow down.
xoxo
Krista
http://www.hundredblog.com
Such a great post, lady! Happy Friday!
Physical therapists are special people - glad to hear you are getting some relief. Set backs ARE hard. But they give you perspective, thanks for sharing! My two cents, if you can find a pilates instructor that is a physical therapist = secret weapon girl!
What an inspiring and powerful post, Hallie. Thank you for the deep thought provoking talk about listening to our body.
Have a great weekend!
http://tracysaywhat.blogspot.com/?m=1
This was lovely, Hallie. I miss my soul therapy sessions in the form of your class, so this felt like a nice dose of that until I am back in the country. Hope you are feeling better soon!
You’re amazing, your insight and advice are some of the very best! Get well soon!! I need to get back to SC to see you!
All the X’s and all the O’s
LT
Love this, and you! I’m in the exact same boat, on a lot of different fronts, so just know you’re not alone. Can’t wait to sip on a glass and chat more about it next month.
LOVED THIS! I was diagnosed with tendonitis that ended up being Jumper’s Knee when I was in high school that ended my volleyball “career”. But more recently, I’ve been training for a half marathon that’s now next weekend, and about 2 weeks ago I did something to my foot (thought it was a cramp, it’s not. possibly a pulled muscle?) and I’m not sure I can run the half. I’m really bummed about it, as I’ve worked so hard, but I’m just going to try and pull through. Thank you for writing this post! I totally needed to hear it!
I was having pain in my back/shoulder/upper arm and ignored it for about six months…turns out, I have an abnormally weak rotator cuff on my dominant arm right now, despite regular exercise. Something to do with the way I sit and I naturally hold my head too far forward on my neck. I recently went through a round of PT but after I tapered off and continued doing the exercises I could at home, it came back! So annoying—best of luck with yours 🙂
Also, the NY Times published a piece a few months back where the writer put the “I’m busy” feeling to the test, and logged her hours for a year–discovering she’s not actually as busy as she says or feels (and most of us aren’t!). It was an interesting read: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/15/opinion/sunday/the-busy-persons-lies.html?_r=0
Thank you for sharing! Hope you get better soon 🙂
PS You look like a BAMF in those pics 😉
shannoninthecity.com
Preach! Totally believe when you say no to something, anything, it really means saying yes to something else. This past year I actually set a limit about going out twice per week unless it was a mandatory work event because I wasn’t giving as much time to my family by finding events I “needed” to be at. It’s powerful to say no and not give a reason. It just is what it is, and being at home for my family, and for me, has been a necessary change.
Anyway, I could go on and on but you get it. Glad to hear you’re feeling better!
alyson
http://www.theaveragegirlsguide.com
there must have been something going on with the energies and planets last week because i felt the exact same way. completely in a funk, uninspired, unmotivated and completely not myself. i spoke to a friend who felt the same way as well. so glad last week is OVER! new week means new energy. hopefully this one will be better for you 🙂
Get better soon babe! I feel ya - I still get funky aches and pains and go to physical therapy and I am not nearly has sporty as you!
xo,
Melissa
MissyOnMadison.com
This is a very well timed post as I’ve recently strained my calf (I think by taking too many spin classes). A two week break later and it still doesn’t feel right. Very discouraging but I guess I’ll give it some more time. Hard to find any good cardio that doesn’t heavily rely on the calf muscles. Hope your body heals soon!
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