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.

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.

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:

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.

A Month’s Worth of Giveaways! Week 1: Neon Lights Necklace [Closed]

March 5, 2024

Thank you all for entering!
Congrats Lindsey K for winning the Neon Lights necklace and Alyssa T for winning the cotton tote bag! I will be e-mailing you shortly with details.

Review, Giveaway + Coupon! SnapSac Totes

January 4, 2024

I’ve always been an environmentally-conscious consumer, and I’ve been trying to kick the plastic bag habit for awhile. Problem is, the reusable grocery totes I have are bulky and are somewhat of a hassle to carry around. Do you have the same problem?

:: Review ::

Enter SnapSac: My new favorite reusable bag solution.

, one bag at a time, yellow and grey bag

These stylish totes are surprisingly durable, affordable and cute enough to be toted to the gym, out on errands, or to the beach. My Petite Tote has sustained two particularly successful trips to Whole Foods!

My favorite thing about SnapSac bags is that they fit comfortably over your shoulder for carrying, but also fold up into neat little rectangles for storage.

snapsac, anthropologie blazer

:: Giveaway ::

SnapSac is generously offering one lucky corals + cognacs reader a set of three bags.

Just like corals + cognacs on Facebook (if you don’t already) and comment below telling me how you’d use your SnapSac bags. Be sure to include your e-mail address!

:: Discount ::

Additionally, SnapSac is offering you 20% off today through Jan. 11 with the code CORALS20. That means you can get the bag I’m carrying for less than $3! Be sure to Like SnapSac on Facebook for new styles and coupons, too.

Giveaway will close Sunday, Jan. 8 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Good luck!

The Fine Print: SnapSac asked me to review these products, but my opinions are honest and that of my own. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and receive a Mega Tote, Super Tote and Petite Tote, as pictured above.

Update: Congratulations to reader Katie L! I’ll be e-mailing you shortly with details. Thank you all for your support in entering! xx

[now closed] Giveaway! Win an Item of Your Choice from Elegantees

November 1, 2023

Today, I’m really excited to announce our giveaway with Elegantees, a super-chic, affordable clothing brand whose mission is to end sex trafficking in Nepal.

To enter, simply:

Visit Elegantees and comment below with your favorite shirt style and contact info
For an additional entry, follow and write about your favorite style on Elegantee’s Facebook page.
For another additional entry, follow and write about your favorite style on corals + cognacs’s Facebook page

If you can’t wait ‘til this weekend to find out if you’ve won – or you just want to support this incredible cause – Katie is offering corals +
cognacs readers 15% off your first online order. Just use the code ‘corals15’ at checkout. I’m stocking up on Sandra to wear with leggings and boots!

Giveaway ends Saturday, Nov 5 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be selected via Random.org. Good luck! After you’ve entered the giveaway, get to know Katie and her awesome luxury T-shirt line:

***

Tell us a bit about Elegantees.

I started it in 2010 after learning of sex trafficking in a class I was taking at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Elegantees is a small business today, but
I’m saving up 100% of all sales profits to set up sustainable sewing employment in Nepal for an organization that is rescuing women from sex trafficking.

Wow, that’s awesome! How did you develop a passion for helping women in Nepal?

I learned about sex trafficking at school in New York . It broke my heart and I wanted to do something to help. Now, I have the chance because I’m building a business - and making affordable style!

How do you manage the time to create such cool clothes on top of working a full-time job?

One day I’d love to take an income doing Elegantees, but for now, I am happy because this is my dream and great things are going to happen in Nepal very soon!

Is there a type of woman you have in mind while designing your pieces?

Oh yes! She’s an inspirational, confident in herself, and loves selflessly. I am lucky to be surrounded by many praiseworthy women, and I tend to name my designs after them.

Is there a particular starlet or style icon that you would like to see wearing one of your pieces someday?

Demi Moore. She’s beautiful, modest and I love her heart to fight sex trafficking too!

What are your favorite pieces to wear from your collections?

I love them all, of course! But, lately, I’ve been wearing Sandra and Sarah Jessica.

How do you style them?

Sandra is great to wear with jeans or leggings, a long chain necklace and a belt worn low on the hip. Elegantees are elegant styles made out of comfy tee-shirt fabric, so they’re all easy to wear!

What advice do you have for aspiring designers?

It’s hard work and lots of dues have to be paid. But if this is what you’re called to do and you believe that calling, you will make it!

Check out Elegantees and do some feel-good shopping to support Katie and her dream of using100% of the profits from her brand to put an end to sex trafficking.

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