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You, my readers, and overall editorial integrity are the two most important aspects of corals + cognacs. Know that I will always retain 100% control over the content on corals + cognacs, all opinions are that of my own, and that I will always disclose to you the items for which I have been paid and/or gifted.

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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.

Celebs, Shoes & Champagne: A Photo Recap of FNO Chicago

September 12, 2023

At this year’s Fashion’s Night Out in Chicago, the most coveted accessory was an umbrella. Nonetheless, the city’s style scenesters united to navigate the well-dressed waters of Chicago’s FNOutings.

From Michigan Avenue to Oak Street and beyond, this year was bigger and better than ever before. In a nutshell, my celebration entailed shoelebrities, shopping and champagne!

SAKS:

Yes, that’s the famed Brian Atwood, but can we talk about those flesh-toned Prada boots?!

From the B Brian Atwood collection. That pair on top is my favorite! So much sparkle.

10022-SHOE by Brian Atwood

Textured Louboutins

TOPSHOP:

Frame-worthy, no? My roomie took this awesome photo

Did you celebrate Fashion’s Night Out in your town?

Oh, and don’t forget to enter c+c’s first-ever giveaway to win a $200 professional flat iron! All you have to do is like us on Facebook. Happy Monday!

Photo Recap: @WhatIWore’s Book Signing + Shop Crawl

August 26, 2023

Whether or not you’re a style connoisseur, you’ve probably heard of and drawn inspiration from Jessica Quirk and her blog, What I Wore. Earlier this week, Jessica took the Windy City of Chicago by storm to celebrate the launch of her new book.

Does fruit salad count for dinner?

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The event was hosted at Julie Watson Style by Shop it To Me and attended by a swarm of fanatical females and Chicago-based bloggers. I was especially excited to meet the latter of these ladies, as I’ve followed many of their blogs religiously since long before I launched mine. There were lots of new fashionable faces to meet, too. Check them out!

Tenisha, Qlix Magazine / Rachel, The Working Wardrobe

Andrea (and those a-mazing JC booties), Blonde Bedhead

(from left) Amy, Style Cadezna / Emily, Sartoriography / Me / Lisa, Archive Vintage / Merl, Clyde’s Rebirth /a pal

Elena, Caffeinerd

Elena’s zipper necklace, thrifted for $2

Lisa, Tall Girl Tales / Emily, Emphasis Added

Check out Merl’s Etsy shop - she designed all of the jewelry she’s rockin’. That necklace took center stage!

Natalie, Street Smarts

Laura of Shop it to Me and On the Racks

My date for the night, Brittany

The coffee-table-worthy page-turner is jam-packed with seasonal outfit suggestions and illustrations (all done by Jessica herself). It oozes achievable fashion ideas and smart style. In addition to each section’s “I never knew that” tips, here are my two favorite excerpts from What I Wore:

“After all these years, I’ve realized that getting dressed is a lot like cooking. Just like an expert chef in the kitchen, a chic woman is able to open her closet doors and put together a perfectly styled outfit with ease.”

“My goal for What I Wore is to help you create your own twist on a basic recipe – to take stock of what’s in your closet, help you with a shopping list and cook up outfit after outfit that makes you feel great bout yourself.”

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Preview

And yes, she is as lovely in person - it must be those Midwestern roots!

Chicly, Chicago

July 19, 2024

As a writer, I will occasionally find myself wistfully wandering various neighborhoods in search of a nudge in the right direction for some spectacular form of blog inspiration.

Luckily for me, I live in Chicago. Inspiration is not hard to come by in a city that boasts many of the Midwest’s most awe-inspiring buildings and structures, a curiously provocative array of independent boutiques, and so much more.

Chicago is a city of classic elegance, sky-scraping innovation, and incredible perspectives of architecture, which are practically offered anywhere you are in the city, like these three spots. My favorite thing about being a Chic-agoan? Living in Chicago enables me to shape and fashion my life and look according to my own metropolitan point-of-view.

Wearing: Dress, Hype (from ideeli) / Bag, BCBG / Espadrilles, Vintage ($9)

The Independent Fashion Blogger forum asked this week, what inspires you about your neighborhood?

Chicago: Pride-ified

June 28, 2024

Each June, cities across the globe are transformed by leather, feathers, sequins and tank tops for annual gay pride celebrations. Unfamiliar? Here’s three things that will get you up-to-speed, a la TresSugar:

1. It began in New York City and is now celebrated all over the world.

2. It became more mainstream in the 80’s (didn’t everything?)

3. Bill Clinton made it official.

Here in Chicago, we celebrated in style… Obvi.

My modeling muses (in order from top).
On Michelle: Dress, F21 / Necklace, Target / Hair feather, Sephora / Sunglasses, RayBan // On me: Dress, F21 / Necklace, street vendor / Bag, Aldo // On Kara: Top, hat, accessories, F21 // On Brittany: Hat, earrings, F21 // On Nick: Shorts(!), American Apparel // On Joey: Top, shorts, shoes, Zara // On Laura: Ring, H&M / Nails, Minx / Bracelets, Gap and H&M // On Adam: Top, H&M / Shoes, shorts, Urban Outfitters // On David: Top, H&M / Shorts, belt, Zara // Shoes, TOMS

Taste of Randolph Street Style

June 22, 2024

Taste of Randolph Street takes place in Chicago’s eclectic West Loop neighborhood, home to some of the city’s trendiest restaurants, boutiques and nightlife. My weekend was spent taking in all of it’s glory: street food, global artisan vendors and live music!

On me (top): Tank, H&M / Skirt, Bobeau / Bag, Kate Spade / Bracelet, street vendor / Headband, target / Watch, Michael Kors // On Jackie (second from top): Earring, hand-made / Top, vintage // On Brittany (third from top): Necklace, J.Crew / Bag, Louis Vuitton // On Amy (second from bottom): Dress, belt, Forever 21

Check out Metromix’s Festival Guide for a preview of festival photos to come! xx

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