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Hi, nice to meet you.

Hi, nice to meet you! Welcome to corals + cognacs, a life and style blog of sorts. I’m Hallie, a twenty-something fashion fiend, shoe hoarder and the Editor/Chief Style Officer behind this blog.

Here, you’ll find outfit inspirations, wardrobe creations and musings on my ever-evolving list of latest obsessions.

I hope you enjoy reading corals + cogancs as much as I enjoy writing it

FAQ // LOCATION: New York, New York • BY WAY OF: The Midwest (Cleveland/Chicago) • HOW WOULD YOU DISCRIBE 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? Silk blouses, diptyque candles and SoulCycle. • GUILTY PLEASURE? Eating trail mix and shoe shopping. Both in excess. • WANNA GRAB A DRINK? Always – Ketel dirty martini, please.

ARE YOU A FULL-TIME BLOGGER? No, I work at an agency doing social media strategy. • WHY DID YOU START YOUR BLOG? Style tends to take a back seat at the office. Since sartorial humor and an expertly crafted color-block can get lost in the boardroom, I decided to create a blog, 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. • 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/1.8 lens. • DON’T YOU FEEL WEIRD TAKING PHOTOS OF YOURSELF IN THE CITY? Absolutely. Everyone looks at me like I’m insane – especially when it’s cold. Wouldn’t you? • DO YOU OFFER ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES? Yep! Shoot me an e-mail and let’s talk. • HOW ELSE CAN WE KEEP IN TOUCH? On Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Skirting the Issue

April 10, 2024

A mini-skirt is actually much more versatile than the name implies — you can dress it up, dress it down, wear it weekdays or weekends.

One particularly warm day last week, I stepped out of the shower and stood dumbfounded in front of my closet, struck by that eternal conundrum: I’m getting dressed for work, but immediately thereafter I’m heading to a happy hour.

WTF am I going to wear that’s suitable for work, but can also carry me through dinner and drinks?

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My company doesn’t employ a strict dress code, thankfully, but for any office-type setting, a bright blazer and pair of heels in a neutral color are a fail-proof option for spring. With that foundation in place, the remainder of my ensemble seemed to fall in place. I’ve been practicing my color-block since I came out of the womb, and luckily, pastels are very on-trend this season.

If you’re amid a closet crisis (worst!) or are unsure how to transition an outfit to an evening look, just toss some extra things in your bag on your way out the door — a bright pair of heels, a statement necklace, red lipstick. Simple, but they’ll make for a drastic difference.

*Wearing: Forever 21 blazer, vest and skirt (recently purchased for $35 combined), Vera Wang Lavender wedges (sold out; peep-toe version here), Michael Kors watch

Gossip Girl Fashion Copycat: Season 5, Episode 19

April 9, 2024

Monday already, huh? Hope you had a nice Easter (or Passover) weekend. We’re back to the Upper East Side tonight!

It seems as though S (and now, GG?) has her sights set on transforming a reluctant Lola into the next “It Girl” of Manhattan. But, I wonder: Is she really ready to relinquish the spotlight?

PS: I hear that tonight’s the night that Sir Chuck and Queen B finally reunite investigate Bass’s past… I’m ready for that story line to kick into full gear. Get thee back to Brooklyn, Dan.

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*Blair’s look: Dries Van Noten Fall 2011 coat, Oscar de la Renta bag, Brian Atwood pumps
*For less: Warehouse jacket, Kelsi Dagger pumps, Rebecca Minkoff bag, James Jeans, OC Shades sunnies ($12!)

*Serena’s look for less: GoJane necklace (similar), Oasis top, Topshop jeans

*Lola’s look for less: American Vintage top, Jou Jou blazer, James Jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs case

Style Finds: Gladiator Fever

April 8, 2024

With summer just around the corner, I’ve got major gladiator fever. Here’s a few of my favorite picks for the moment:

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*Let’s shop: 1. Madewell, 2. Tory Burch, 3. Vince Camuto, 4. Charlotte Russe, 5. Topshop, 6. Antik Batnik,
7. Naughty Monkey, 8. K.JACQUES, 9. Ash, 10. Belle by Sigerson Morrison, 11. Asos, 12. Topshop

Miscellaneous

April 6, 2024

April in Chicago is a great month. Most notably, because the warmer weather begins to hold and I no longer look like an asshole taking my own outfit photos in twenty degree temps sans a down-coat. (See fourth photo below.)

Though March was sporadically and unseasonably warm, I think now it’s really time to stow the go-to winter polishes, bust out my new beige booties for spring and leave the winter wardrobe staples at home.

Here is this week’s inspiration a la mode — leopard and I must be having a moment. How was yours?

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*If you tuned in last week, you know that this is the second of a new, weekly series on a range of miscellaneous musings — things that inspire me week-in and -out. Have a great weekend!

Five Ways to Wear: A Pop of Leopard Print

April 5, 2024

The most common problem that even the most style-savvy among us encounter when it comes to wearing leopard is wearing too much of it. So, as an additional dose of outfit inspiration from my most recent outfit post, here’s my take on five more ways to wear leopard print. Which one’s your favorite?

*These prints make for a perfect toned-town look; add boots and a
chunky sweater into the mix for a no-fail weekend ensemble.

Shop the look: Current/Elliot shorts, Marc by Marc Jacobs sweatshirt, Steve Madden boots, Cesca vintage bag

*Select one animal print piece as your foundation, then style it with
neutral-tone sandals and tuck it into denim cutoffs. Hello, summer uniform!

Shop the look: Equipment chiffon blouse, Zadig & Voltair shorts, Sam Edelman wedges, Modcloth bag, Oasis watch

*Yes, you can wear leopard pants, because they act as a neutral. Thus,
they’ll look great with any solid colored top you might have!

Shop the look: Alexander Wang top, Current/Elliot jeans, Yoki Donya wedges, St. John necklace, Tory Burch clutch

*Less is more. Plain and simple.

Shop the look: Rag & Bone tee, Blank Denim skinnies, Kate Spade necklace, Marc Jacobs bag, Madewell flats

*Even if you’re donning them as accents, try not to wear your leopard pieces with
other animal prints; your look can become a bit too costume-esque.

Shop the look: Warehouse scarf, Rag & Bone tee, H&M jeans, Modcloth booties, Asos bag