The Fine Print

corals + cognacs works with third-party affiliates and advertising companies to serve advertisers. These companies may use aggregated information (not including your name, address, email or telephone) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about products and services that may be of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.

In addition, sometimes I'll share affiliate links of retailers that I personally support via Twitter or Facebook. If you click through an affiliate link when buying an item, I will be partially compensated for your purchase. You're under no obligation to click through via one of the links when shopping online, but, if you do, you'll be supporting my blog as well.

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.

Lastly, please note that the sentiments expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent those of my employer. If you have any questions, I encourage you to contact me. Thanks again for reading corals + cognacs!

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.

[Closed] Giveaway/Event Recap: Birchbox + Kerastase

June 11, 2024

Last week was a busy one, but in between eating, working, blogging and shopping (priorities, people), I had a chance to stop by Maxine Salon to sip champagne, enjoy Kerastase’s braid bar and nosh on too many cupcakes with the Birchbox ladies and some of my favorite bloggers. Here’s a recap of the event and a sneak peek at what I wore (full outfit post to come later this week).

Keep reading; there’s free stuff to be had.

ann taylor handbag, ann taylor bag

flirty girl cupcakes chicago, best cupcakes in chicago, chicago cupcake tour

maxine salon chicago

I loved Jessica’s cocktail bling!

kerastase produce review, kerastase review

Lauren’s braid turned out best.

If you follow me on Twitter, you probably know that I love Birchbox. Do you subscribe? If you’re not familiar, a $10 monthly subscription to Birchbox gets you 5-7 samples from high-end brands, like Essie, Stila, Benefit and more. There’s nothing better than coming home to find that little pink box waiting in your mailbox… Unless it’s coupled with each of that month’s mag subscriptions. #BESTDAYEVER

Luckily, the Birchbox ladies generously gave me TWO extra party favors to share with you! Here’s how to enter to win one of two of these special edition Birchboxes:

1. Like corals + cognacs on Facebook

2. Comment below

I can’t yet share the contents of what’s inside, but you will love this batch of beauty goodies. Good luck! xo

*Fine Print: One entry per person, please. Giveaway ends Saturday, 6/16 at noon CDT. Winner will be chosen via random.org.

*Congrats to Sam and Priscilla, the 3rd and 12th comments on this week’s giveway!

Giveaway! Win Your Choice of MIA SHOES [Closed]

May 21, 2024

You guys know how much I love shoes, right? Well, lately, I’ve been obsessing over all things MIA — from the fashion-forward selection of heels and wedges to a more practical array of pumps — I’m decidedly smitten.

That said, I’m SO excited to share that I’m teaming up with MIA to offer corals + cognacs readers a chance to win a free pair of shoes to kick-start the summer. That’s right - the winner gets to go shopping on MIA’s website and pick out any pair of shoes they want!

MIA is celebrating the launch of a new website and customer loyalty program that enables shoe enthusiasts like us to receive points ($$$) toward future purchases. You can earn points for sharing your invite link, shopping via their Facebook app and writing up reviews on your favorite products.

Like MIA Shoes on Facebook
Like corals + cognacs on Facebook
Comment below. That’s it!

You can also gain an additional entry for each of the following. (*Please leave a separate comment in order for each to count.)

Follow MIA on Twitter
Connect with MIA through their new customer loyalty Facebook app

Giveaway ends Sunday, May 27 at 11:59 EDT and is open to US residents only. Winner will be chosen via random.org. *Thanks again, MIA, for giving corals + cognacs readers a chance to win a pair of your awesome shoes!

**Update: Congrats to Ria M, the 107th comment and winner of this giveaway!

A Month’s Worth of Giveaways: The Mecca of Makeup Palettes [Closed]

March 26, 2024

It’s time to do a bit of spring cleaning across that cosmetics counter and make room for the Holy Grail of makeup palettes… Our fourth and final giveaway (for March) has arrived!

If you haven’t heard of Urban Decay’s Naked palette, get familiar. This baby is packed with 12 gorgeous neutral tones and a pro-quality shadow brush. It’s one of my absolute favorite products — year-round — so naturally, I couldn’t resist picking up an extra Palette for one of you to enjoy.

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What better way to end a blogiversary celebration? You know what to do: If you don’t already, ‘Like’ corals + cognacs on Facebook and comment below to enter.

Winner will be chosen via random.org. Giveaway ends Saturday, 3/31, at noon CST. Retail value of $50. One comment per person, please. Good luck — and thank you all for your incredibly humbling comments!

PS: Gossip Girl returns next week!

Congrats, Kelsey, the first entry in this week’s giveaway! Thank you all for participating in this month’s giveaway series. If you didn’t win, I’m sorry; but there will be lots more where that came from! xo

A Month’s Worth of Giveaways: $100 Online Shopping Spree [Closed]

March 19, 2024

Week Three of the Blogiversary fun! This one’s for you, fellow Online Shopaholics:

This week, you can enter to win a $100 shopping spree through ChicagoShopping.com, an affiliate of the Chicago Tribune Company. Here’s a few things to know:

You do not have to be from Chicago to enter. Consider the site as a one-stop-shop of offers from major online retailers.
You can use your $100 toward online purchases from your favorite brands, like Nordstrom, Piperlime, Topshop, Macy’s, Sephora and so many more.
If you’re from Chicago, you also have access to local deals and events. Think all your Groupon’s, YouSwoop’s, Living Social’s and more in one organized place. (My favorite thing about the site!)

You know the drill! If you don’t already, like corals + cognacs on Facebook and comment below telling me where you’d spend your winnings.

Winner will be chosen via random.org and awarded 10,000 WOWPoints through ChicagoShopping.com, which is the equivalent of $100. Giveaway ends Saturday at noon CST. One entry per person, please! Good luck — and get ready to do some serious spring shopping!

*Disclosure: ChicagoShopping.com provided me with 5,000 WOWPoints to get familiar with the site experience, but all opinions are that of my own.

Congrats, Lindsay R, the 14th entrant and winner of this week’s giveaway!

A Month’s Worth of Giveaways! Week 2: $50 Nordstrom Gift Card [Closed]

March 12, 2024

Week two of celebrating corals + cognacs’s One year Blogiversary month! Last week, we had this gorgeous neon necklace from Ann Taylor. This week, a $50 Nordstrom gift card is up for grabs!

Entering is easy: Simply like corals + cognacs on Facebook (if you don’t already) and comment below telling me what you’d buy with a $50 gift card.

You don’t have to be specific or long-winded, just let me know what trends or styles you’ve been eyein’ this season! Here are a few of my picks:

spring must haves nordstrom, nordstrom spring collection, nordstrom spring dress, nordstrom jeans, nordstrom shoes

On my list (clockwise): Capecoral neon yellow pumps, Rebecca Minkoff straw clutch, Gentle Souls Break My Heart flat sandals, Fire denim skinnies in Sorbet, Vince Camuto Shivona wedges, Marc by Marc Jacobs color-blocked bag, a floral scarf

Contest ends Saturday at noon CST. Winner selected via Random.org on Sunday, 3/18. Good luck!
*Note: I was not compensated for this post; I just thought it was a kick-ass way to show you how
grateful I am for your readership … And to help you jump-start your spring shopping!

Congrats Sam B! I’ll be e-mailing you shortly with details.

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