The Fine Print

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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.

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.

MIA’s Summer Shoe Giveaway

July 6, 2024

Happy Friday! You guys have heard about MIA’s summer shoe giveaway, right? Well, if not, here’s a quick summary:

All summer long, MIA Shoes is giving away a free pair of shoes every month (through September) to one lucky Pinterest-slash-Instagram’er. Deets are above.

If you don’t (yet) have any MIA’s, here’s a few of my faves. And for you, they’re 10% off with the code HALLIE at checkout:

*Shop from the top; prices reflect discount code: 1. Preta, $35 /
2. Botticelli (styled in an outfit post here), $36 / 3. Reeba, $53 / 4. Jacqilyn, $71

There’s no limit to the number of times you can enter. When you upload your pics, be sure to should tag me (@coralsncognacs) so I can give you a little love!

I’ll round out the week with a ~~little shoe porn~~ by sharing few of my favorite ways to wear my MIA’s. Have a great one!

[Closed] Giveaway: $50 to Refinery29 Shops

July 4, 2024

Refinery29 has long-standing status as one of the most addictive sites in my daily blogroll, but they’ve seriously upped the ante this month. In addition to producing content of all-around awesomeness, R29 just launched their newly-minted Refinery29 Shops.

If you’re familiar with their former shopping model (known as Reserve), it’s similar, but R29 is now offering shopping vouchers (think $50 for $100-type deals), exclusive product offers and a 360-degree marketplace experience to give us all access to the deals their editors are writing about daily.

So, here’s the fun part. Refinery29 is giving one lucky corals + cognacs reader a $50 credit to shop the site! Here’s how to enter:

Like of corals + cognacs on Facebook
Comment below (Saying hey, ‘sup, what you’re wearing — whatever.)

For an extra entry:

Sign-up for R29 Shops (which I’d do regardless — that way, you can scope this week’s deals up for grabs!)
Comment below

Lastly, Refinery29 is hosting a similar giveaway on their site — with $2,000 up for grabs! Click over to enter and triple your chances at winning some Shops dough. Good luck!

*A very big thank you to the team at Refinery29 for offering this giveaway to corals + cognacs readers!

**Fine Print: Contest open to US and Canadian residents only. Ends Tuesday, 7/10 at 11:59 CDT. Winner will be chosen via random.org. Two entries per person as specified above, please!

Update: Congrats Rachel! You’re the 24th comment and the winner of this giveaway.

[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

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