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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.

Summer Scents You’re Not (Yet) Wearing

June 7, 2024

It’s summertime! Finally, the all-too-anticipated season that evokes feelings of happiness and warmth (ahem, literally) is here.

Ralph Lauren’s Blue and philosophy’s Amazing Grace are classics that remain in rotation on my bathroom counter; but this year, I’m committed to a few new go-to’s. Here are my favorite fresh scents for summer that you’re not (yet) wearing:

#5: Laugh with me LeeLee, $36, Benefit Cosmetics. Melon, black violet and blonde wood delight in Benefit’s new Laugh with me LeeLee.

#4: Country Chic, $12, Bath & Body Works. Introduced by a friend – I had to know what she was wearing! A light, effortless blend of sparkling lemon and fresh wildflowers, inspired by the crisp air and natural beauty of America’s countryside.

#3: Marc Jacobs Curaco, $68, Nordstrom. Even the packaging is tres chic! Inspired by the first sip of a cool cocktail on a sun-soaked afternoon, Marc Jacobs introduces his limited edition summer scent that boasts the crisp notes blood orange, lime, mandarin and violet.

#2: Beach, $55, Bobbi Brown. Simply put: Vacation in a bottle. Bobbi’s most popular fragrance is designed with a blend of sand jasmine, sea spray, and mandarin. This light eau de parfum is delectably wearable on surf, turf or sand.

#1: LAVANILA Vanilla Lavender, $39, Sephora. My favorite! LAVANILA is the “healthy fragrance,” formulated with 100% natural ingredients and without animal product testing. It blends Spanish lavender, rose absolute, violet leaf, and warm Madagascar vanilla for a clean, refreshing finish – ahh, it’s like an oasis of tranquility.

Have you tried these? What sprays are you spritzing on your way out the door this year?

Exciting News for CHICago Shop-a-holics

By now, you’ve heard that Topshop is coming to Chicago (the brand’s second US location), but equally as exciting is the recent announcement of Madewell bringing it’s boutique fashions to the Gold Coast of Chicago!

The name does, in fact, do the brand justice: With just 17 stores in the US, the sister-brand to J.Crew is known for their on-trend, wearble styles, such as wear-everywhere chambray button-downs, perfect-fitting T-shirts, timelessly cool leather boots and bags, and more.

Madewell will be located at 932 Rush Street, just a hop-and-stiletto-skip from Topshop, which is slated to open on Michigan Avenue this fall.

Here’s a few of the the Madewell looks I’m lusting over this summer:

the crosswalk sandal, $188, Madewell

light silk safari shirt, $98, Madewell

Organic cotton wanderlust sumatra shirtdress, $78, Madewell

ropey soles simple espadrille, $45, Madewell

Poet skirt, $98, Madewell

racerback electric ikat dress, $145, Madewell

cross-stitch fedora, $48, Madewell

Look of the Day: Neons & Neutrals

June 1, 2024

The Inspiration: The bold color combination of Tory Burch contrast elastic espadrilles (find ’em on ShopStyle).

(Yes, that is a portion of my shoe rack peeking out in back!)

The Foundation: A simply mauve-ulous frock by Ophelia for Francesca’s boutiques.

The Look: ‘Tied’ this dainty duo together with a sash from an Odille blouse.

Celebs Show Off Affordable Summer Footwear

May 31, 2024

These stars are living proof that it’s possible to be trend-conscious and budget-savvy. Check out the affordable footwear these celebs have been spotted sporting this summer!

Kristin Cavallari in her own flirty, fuchsia design for Shoedazzle — 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the charity OneKid OneWorld. (Bardot wedges, $40, ShoeDazzle.com)

Glee starlet Lea Michele shows off her striped wedges at a Lacoste party during the Coachella music festival in California. (DYLE wedges, $100, Aldo)

Jennifer Hudson, the inspiration for WeightWatch’ing women everywhere, promotes her new album in London. (Friction pumps, $90, Chinese Laundry)

Fergie featuring some seriously sexy sandals on the red carpet from her own line (Beenie heel, $100, FergieShoes.com - available in June)

(Photos courtesy of People.com StyleWatch)

Color Splash: Inspired by Andy Warhol

March 22, 2024

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The weather is warming and my wardrobe is inspired… Andy Warhol: Artist, Pop Art extraordinaire and culture aficionado. In addition to his humor and frank interpretation of everyday living, what I love most about this man is his use of a color that ignites your senses. How can you not be seduced by this color-explosive paint palette?

“Grevy’s Zebra” (from the Endangered Species Portfolio)

“Space Fruit”

Ad for Lifesavers

DVF S/S 2011

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Paris Fashion Week 2009

2010 Ray-Ban “Colorize” ad, a modern interpretation of Warhol’s Pop Art

A Midwestern girl’s relationship with the summertime, in a nutshell

For daily inspiration from the late Andy Warhol, follow Andy Warhol Says on Twitter. Now, where to shop?