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.

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

Shoe Shopping: Winter Weather Footwear

January 15, 2024

I had today’s shoe shopping post finished and queued up awhile ago, but when Mother Nature finally slammed Chicago with a snowstorm this past week, I was inspired to round-up and share my favorite winter weather footwear instead.

Here’s how I’m planning to bundle up my feet and still look chic this winter:

Top [from left]: Hunter Earlham, Sorel Tivoli, Modcloth City by the Beige, Hunter Adley, Sorel Stiefel
Middle [from left]: Sperry Top-Sider Shearwater, Juicy Couture Manni, Sorel Stiefel, Hunter Wellingtons
Bottom [from left]: Gucci, Sperry Top-Sider Snug Harbor, See by Chloe Giustino, Juicy Couture Ensley

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!

Shoe Shopping: Architectural Statement Makers

November 27, 2023

From their textured platforms to their avant-garde accents, these architecturally-clad shoes are a sturdy foundation for bold style-seekers. Structure your ensemble around these S - then step back and marvel at your modern motif!

Let’s shop: 1. B Brian Atwood, 2. Jeffrey Campbell, 3. N.Y.L.A, 4. Steve Madden, 5. Jeffrey Campbell, 6. acne, 7. Yves Saint Laurent, 8. United Nude (and here), 9. Jeffrey Campbell, 10. Jessica Simpson, 11. Jessica Simpson, 12. Luichiny

I’ll be styling #2 in an outfit post this coming week, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, I hope you had a great weekend! (And if you celebrate, a happy Thanksgiving.)

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?

Older Posts