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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 6, Episode 1

October 8, 2023

It’s back, you guys! The sixth and final season of Gossip Girl returns to TV at 8 p.m. EDT tonight. I could not be more excited for a weekly dose of style and scandal on the Upper East Side. How ’bout you?

No spoilers here — just fashion, fashion, fashion. Here’s what’s in store for us tonight:

gossip girl final season, gossip girl serena dress, serena's dress from gossip girl season 6 episode 1, jenny packham dress, jenny packham gossip girl 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 // {Serena’s wearing a scalloped chiffon Jenny Packham dress + Sequin earrings}

blair gossip girl, blair gossip girl season 6 fashion 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 // {Blair’s carrying a python & leather Fendi bag}

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 // {Georgina’s in a Joie Genevieve Tank}

Weekend Update: ABC 7 News, Marshalls + More

October 5, 2023

Happy Friday! I’ve been a bit MIA on the blog the past two weeks, and for that I apologize. It’s been a bit challenging to balance working, moving and blogging (on top of actually sleeping), and I’ve gone sans Internet the entire time. Excuses, excuses; I know. We’ve all been there, right?

In case you’re wondering, here’s what I’ve been up to:

The Marshalls’ crew made stopped their #FabFoundTour on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. I swung by to check out the fashions and talk fall trends with host Carly Cristman and my fellow blog friends, Lauren and Monica. The webisode they put together is pretty cool — what do you think?

*Click here if you can’t see the video.

On Tuesday of this week, I had the chance to appear on ABC 7 news in the morning with Cait, Lauren and Jen. We modeled fashionable fall and winter outerwear while Katie MC’d; which was fitting, given how excited I am about the changing seasons. My jacket was a three-in-one Patagonia, so let’s just say it’s a good thing I didn’t forget the deoderant that morning.

*Click here if you can’t see the video.

We’ll return to regularly scheduled programming (of sorts) on corals + cognacs very soon. There’s a lot to look forward to, but most notably, GOSSIP GIRL is back next week! You know what that means…

*PS: You may have noticed a slightly different look here today. I’ve been experimenting with Photoshop and have to say thanks to my friend Michelle for being so patient in teaching me. Any tips, tricks or thoughts to share?

Super Simple DIY: Denim Shorts

June 4, 2024

Now that Gossip Girl is over, I’ve had an extra hour in my week that has ultimately led to an enormously overbearing, month-long closet clean-out session.

This past weekend, I came across a pair of old jeans that I haven’t worn in a year, even though they were once my most lived-in piece for fall. (You know that six month rule, right?) They still fit, but I felt it was only right to breathe a little new life into them.

The DIY Denim Short can look easy, but if you’ve unsuccessfully taken scissors to a pair of jeans before, you know it can end up in disaster (raises hand, RIP). To help you avoid that, here’s a simple two-step approach to DIY’ing a pair of your old duds. Grab your scissors!

What you need: Denim, scissors and an extra pair of jean shorts.

What you do: Start by turning your jeans inside-out. Lie them flat on a large surface (I used my kitchen table) and determine how short you want them to be by placing your other pair of shorts on top of them. Cut in a slight V for a more flattering fit.

Cut the other side, ensuring it’s as even as possible. You can use a ruler or magazine edge to trace a straight line with chalk; but I just eyeballed it, as I wanted a more uneven, distressed look. When you’re done, toss them in the washer/dryer to fray the edges for a natural look.

Voila! Nothing says summer quite like a pair of denim cutoffs, don’t you agree?

The Season 5 Finale: Gossip Girl Fashion Copycat

May 14, 2024

As you read this, I am literally breathing into a brown paper bag. Can you believe this season?!

Tonight is the final episode of Gossip Girl Season 5 — the end-all-be-all, in my eyes, in which Blair will choose between Dan and Chuck! In case you had too much fun this weekend (wink), here’s a quick refresher on what’s in store for us tonight:

Dan wants Blair to spend the summer in Italy with him.
There is a scene that involves Blair and Chuck in a Vegas.
The final scene will only feature two characters — a male and a female.
The final scene will not be in New York.

What do you think? Will we end Season 5 saying bisous to Blair with Dan in Rome? Or with Chuck in Vegas? (There is a wrong answer here, as I’d prefer the latter, myself.)

** I will be live-tweeting tonight’s episode at 8 EDT/7 CDT — I hope you can join me! In the meantime…

gossip girl season 5 fashion, blair gossip girl fashion, blair season 5 fashion, gossip girl fashion season 5 finale, gossip girl season 5 finale, gossip girl return of the ring, gossip girl season 5 episode 24, gossip girl 5.24

*Blair’s look for less (top): DVF top, Topshop blazer, ALDO bag, j. crew skirt

*Blair’s look for less (bottom): Modcloth trench, Kate Spade bag, Kenneth Jay Lane necklace, Chinese Laundry pumps

*Blair’s look for less: 1. Wallis (on sale), 2. Topshop (on sale), 3. Topshop

*Left: Bqueen dress, JustFab pumps, Charm & Chain necklace

*Right: Aritzia tank, Kate Spade necklace, Mango skirt, Zara pumps

Can’t wait to tune in with you on Twitter tonight! xoxo

Gossip Girl Fashion Copycat: Season 5, Episode 23

May 7, 2024

Only two episodes left this season! Tonight, Chuck proves once again that he may be a potential threat to Dan and Blair’s relationship… Do you think B will finally come to her senses? #TeamChuck

gossip girl fashion season 5, gossip girl the fugitives, gossip girl fashion 5.23, gossip girl fashion gossip girl lola fashion, gossip girl fashion serena, serena slit top, serena gossip girl fashion, serena gossip girl style

*Serena’s look for less: Uniqlo shirt, Topshop skirt, Juicy Couture necklace

gossip girl fashion season 5, gossip girl the fugitives, gossip girl jackets, gossip girl dresses, gossip girl fashion 5.23, gossip girl fashion gossip girl lola fashion, gossip girl fashion blair, blair gossip girl fashion, blair gossip girl style *Blair’s look for less: Alice + Olivia dress, Buckle trench, Miss Selfridge shoes,
Vince Camuto bag, Sequin bib necklace

gossip girl fashion season 5, gossip girl the fugitives, gossip girl fashion 5.23, gossip girl fashion gossip girl lola fashion, gossip girl fashion blair, blair gossip girl fashion, blair gossip girl style *Ivy’s look for less: Topshop jacket, Alice + Olivia tank, 7FAM jeans, Steve Madden pumps, Zara bag

gossip girl fashion season 5, gossip girl the fugitives, gossip girl fashion 5.23, gossip girl fashion gossip girl lola fashion, gossip girl fashion lola, lola gossip girl fashion, lola gossip girl style

*Lola’s look for less: Madewell tank, Current/Elliot boyfriend jeans, TOMS wedges,
Theodora & Callum scarf, Modcloth bag

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