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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.

Gossip Girl Fashion Copycat: Season 5, Episode 11

January 16, 2024

Finally! After a four-week hiatus, new episodes of Gossip Girl return to TV tonight; but before we go and get too excited about heading back to the Upper East Side, do you remember how Episode 10 ended? #OMFGG

I’ll leave it at that, just in case you’re still playing catch-up. In the meantime, time to style-stalk our favorites — and one of the fashion industry’s finest!

Serena’s look: Lorena Sarbu dress and Faulk tights
For less [dressed down]: Topshop top, Citizens of Humanity jeans; [dressed up] Oasis dress, pumps, HUE tights

Blair’s look: Alice + Olivia skirt, Gryphon cape (both on sale!), Miu Miu pumps, Fendi Peek-a-Boo tote, Ann Marie Faulkner hat
For less: Vince Camuto cape, BB Dakota dress, Cambridge Satchel Company bag, Seychelles shoes, Modcloth hat

Get Vera’s look! [left] Splendid Terry sweater (similar), Sparkling Sage necklace, J Brand leggings, Dolce Vita clogs
[right] Uniqlo silk cashmere tunic, Adam Lippes necklace, J Brand leggings, Madewell booties

Blair’s look: Diane von Furstenberg Mikhaila Wool Coat, Loewe Amazona bag, Badgley Mischka Ophelia pumps
For less: BB Dakota trench, Gap scarf, Michael Kors bag (in orange), White House Black Market pumps

Off-the-Set Style: Amanda Setton

December 26, 2023

You may not immediately recognize the name Amanda Setton, but you surely know her as Queen B’s Main Minion, the gossip-loving, always-texting Constance aristocrat, Penelope Shafai.

Penelope may not always be front-and-center on-screen, but there’s no denying the girl has some serious style worth stalking.

Left: Debenhams jacket, Eliza J dress, BCBGeneration cuff

Right: Gestuz jacket, Rare Opulence dress, Gucci cuff, Brian Atwood pumps

Left: Joie dress, Noir bangles

On right: Noir rings, feathered earrings, neon bracelets

Left: Othermix jacket, A.P.C shirt dress, Steve Madden pumps

Right: West/Feren bag, your boyfriend’s top, American Apparel liquid leggings, DVF belt

Right: Gryphon mini dress

From right: Nasty Gal, Blaque Label, ASOS, ASOS

Three weeks until we return to the Upper East Side! Until then, xoxo.

Gossip Girl Fashion Copycat: Season 5, Episode 10

December 5, 2023

Something tells me that we’re in for a lot of surprises on the Upper East Side tonight, but the fact that our favorites are looking super stylish from head-to-toe isn’t one of them. Let’s get to it!

[shop] Serena’s ensemble: Leyendecker turnout blouse, TIBI high waist shorts

[shop] The look (from left): Vince cropped sequin top, Serena’s TIBI shorts / Robert Rodriguez sequin & chain bib jacket, Topshop faux leather lace shorts / DKNY sequin top, Balmain leather hot pants

[shop] Blair’s ensemble: Balenciaga dress, DVF cropped jacket

[shop] the look : (1) Modekungen sweater, alice + olivia velvet dress, Kate Spade bag / (2) Modcloth jacket, Marjan tunic, Michael Kors bag / (3) Thakoon jacket, Anna Sui chiffon kaftan, House of Harlow clutch

[shop] Charlie’s outfit: BCBG wool dress, Maison moto jacket

[shop] The look (from top, counter-clockwise): Monsoon cowl-neck dress, Modcloth Michigan Avenue jacket / Splendid jersey dress, BB Dakota jacket, Steve Madden shoes / DKNY cashmere cowl-neck pullover, Muubaa vintage leather jacket

We’re getting to the point in the season where the CW will leave us hanging with a two- or three-week hiatus (tear), so tell me: Has there been an outfit or ensemble you’d like to see included in this series’ round-up?

E-mail or tweet me and let me know!

Gossip Girl Fashion Copycat: Season 5, Episode 8

November 21, 2023

Another week of our favorite Upper East Side style!

This week’s fashion copycat is jam-packed with some seriously covetable couture, so let’s get started:

Serena is wearing Mary Katrantzou S/S ‘1

[shop] Serena’s look for less: French Connection, ASOS

Blair is wearing a Christian Dior embellished dress

[shop] Blair’s look for less, from left: DVF, Monsoon, Topshop

Blair is wearing a Moschino jacket, Alberta Ferretti chiffon dress, Marc Jacobs quilted handbag, Roger Vivier heels

[shop] Blair’s look for less: ASOS dress, CACHAREL jacket, Kate Spade quilted bag,

Nine West pumps, Nordstrom headband, Paul & Joe lipstick

[shop] Ivy’s look for less: Dress 1 Bensoni (as seen on the show), 2 Dorothy Perkins, 3 Modcloth, 4 Alive + Olivia

Serena is wearing a dress form L’Agence and D&G pumps

[shop] Serena’s look for less: J. Crew sheath dress, Modcloth satchel, Ivanka Trump pumps

Don’t forget to check out the rest of this season’s round-up! Whose looks are you coveting this week?

Rag & Bone: Sun-Kissed & Chic

September 22, 2023

After watching the seemingly sun-drenched Rag & Bone models saunter down the runway at Fashion Week, I was ready to dip my head in peroxide, move to SoCal, and stock my closet with tangerine and citrus hues.

Okay, not really; but there are some seriously strong surfer references in this season’s collection. Nonetheless, the line sustains a cool, downtown vibe, largely a result of the brand’s signature tailoring. My favorite looks are the tunics and ponchos layered over fitted trousers, and crocheted tanks paired with silk pants.

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By now, it’s apparent that the sportswear-inspired trend is one of the most dominant to emerge from Fashion Week this year. I’m excited about these effortlessly relaxed styles, and I’m digging the chic approach that co-designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville took here. What do you think?

Jacket: Rag & Bone / Tank: DVF / Necklace: Amrita Singh (Rue La La has them on sale a lot)

Skinnies: Ksubi / Shoes: Steve Madden (lots of color choices) / Sunglasses: Lacoste

Bangle: Max & Chloe / Clutch: Trouve (similar) / Polish: Butter

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Lastly, have you heard about Shop It To Me‘s designer giveaway? If you’re not familiar, SITM is a free service that keeps you informed on your favorite brands, and when they go on sale in your size. I get personalized sale alerts on Tory Burch, Shoes.com and Nordstrom, among others.

It’s easy to enter: Sign up and select the designer dud you want to win. (I picked the Louboutins!) For every friend that signs up, you get an additional entry. Good luck!