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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.
Ah, New Year’s Eve. If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t know what you’re doing or what you’re wearing yet. (But we do know what party favor to bring to the pre-game, don’t we? Keep scrolling. #popfizzclink)
I love any excuse to get dolled up and drink champagne, but New Year’s Eve in the city is, well, expensive.
Once you factor in a fresh mani, cab fare, party packages, drink specials and the like, you’d probably rather not shell out for a brand new dress that you can’t repurpose time-and-time again. Or is that just me?
This is a basic Topshop dress I picked up over the summer. I’ve taken it through the seasons by layering, but tonight (remember, we’re pretending it’s NYE), I wanted to transform my otherwise basic LBD, so I reached for this fun-and-flirty sequined blazer, and accessorized with a few pops of color: jade earrings, berry lips, orange bag.
Now, a night like this calls for lots of gloss and a sultry stare. I used my crease-resistent Glam’Eyes trio, starting with a neutral shadow on my eyelids and a darker beige in the creases for definition. Then, I used a liquid liner and applied two coats of volumizing mascara.
A berry lip is the holiday season’s makeup must-have, so on my way out the door, I layered these three shades of Stay Glossy for an ultra-sleek sheen.
On an un-related note, I’d like to point out that this is my first outfit post of the season with tights. *Sigh.* Style blogging is much more challenging in the winter — and for obvious reasons. What you don’t see here is my down-infused parka cast atop my sibling photog’s shoulders… (I got her gloves for Christmas!)
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Click over to Rimmel’s Facebook page to see my other looks. There’s only one week left to vote!
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Contest Rules: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. You must have Internet access, a valid email address, Facebook account, Twitter Account, Instagram account and Pinterest account to participate. Contest ends 11:59 am ET on 1/4/13. Only open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. and D.C. who received a non-transferable invitation directly from Glam Media and Coty US LLC to participate in this Contest. Void where prohibited. See complete Official Rules for full details including eligibility restrictions, method of winner determination and prize limitations. This Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest. In participating in this Contest, you are providing your information to Coty US LLC and not to Facebook.
The London Look isn’t just one look. It’s an attitude that embraces originality and isn’t afraid to experiment with whatever look you desire. With the range of 24 shades, Stay Glossy Lipgloss from Rimmel London gives you the freedom to mix and match endless colour combinations for any occasion. Free yourself from the beauty norms and learn more about the endless possibilities of London Looks at Facebook.com/RimmelLondonUS.
Disclosure: I have been compensated by Coty US LLC (Rimmel London US) for making these statements regarding its products.
Yesterday, a co-worker of mine asked just how many fur vests I have…
Initially, I was confused. Can you ever have too many? Especially in the Midwest, where winter weather (seemingly) claims the majority of our calendars, it’s hard to know when to say when…
But, to answer the question, I have two. I style each of them very differently, though (under jackets, over a blouse, with a maxi skirt), which may be why I give off the impression that I own a closet full of fur vests… A girl can dream.
I thrifted this DVF blouse the second-to-last time I was in New York. Among other things, one of my favorite things about Manhattan is the volume, variety and accessibility of vintage and consignment designer pieces.
Year after year, March seems to embody that notoriously awkward in-between season, don’t you think? The temps aren’t quite warm enough to step out in a sundress, but they no longer call for boots and a down-coat.
Fortunately, there is a solution: Layering.
We’ve had a very mild winter in Chicago this season, which has me feeling cheated out of half my wardrobe. That may explain why I can’t seem to ban this faux fur number to the back of my closet just yet, so I opted to spring-ify it with yellow skinnies, cobalt pumps and a matching bag.
The key to transitioning your wardrobe trendily (sure, it’s a word, right?) is to combine the spring and winter pieces in your closet. Mix, match, don’t match, keep mixing. Different lengths, textures and patterns will bring your ensembles together seamlessly.
Try a cropped sweater over a striped tank, denim shorts and ankle booties. Wear thicker tops over (or under) dresses, or opt for a brightly colored blouse underneath a cropped blazer.
Well, the royal wedding has come and gone. Were you surprised? I still have way too many questions to answer that one; most notably, where in the world is Blair Waldorf?
Georgina is wearing an Oscar de la Renta Resort 2012 sequin dress
Get her look for less (clockwise, from top left): Warehouse, Michael Kors, BB Dakota, DKNY
So many amazing Burberry trench coats, so little paycheck!
It’s far too often we an outfit solely of sweats among airport-goers, do you agree? I’m all for comfort, which is why I’d suggest leggings and a cozy scarf… Another post, another time. At any rate, Blair clearly didn’t have those options at-hand, so she made the best of a (very) bad situation. You can, too, next time you snooze too long or that closet crisis strikes — just toss on a sleek city T and skinnies.
Clockwise, from top left: F21, Topshop, F21, an airport near you
Given tonight’s events, there’s a lot of outfit carry-over from last week’s wedding shenanigans. I try to keep these posts relative to the current week, but I belatedly found two deals from The 100th too good not to share. I’m looking at you, comfort-lovers and brides-to-be — bookmark these shopportunities!
