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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.

Is Architectural-Neon-Chic a Thing?

November 23, 2023

During that in-between-season, I’d much rather don a cute military coat than dust off my winter weather gear just yet — even if it means shivering a bit on my walk to work.

If you’re wondering, yes, these shoes are as obnoxiously vibrant in-person as they appear in these photos.

Not surprisingly, they’re my most show-stopping pair of pumps. (Quite literally!) However, you may be surprised to know that it’s mostly men that stop me to exclaim a general “whoa!” and ask me if they’re “hard to walk in.” … Bitch, please.

I bought them for my first-ever trip to Fashion Week and actually wore them with this same jacket. If architectural-neon-chic is a thing, it’s a go-to in this closet.

architectural shoes

*Head to toe: BCBGMAXAZRIA jacket (sold out, similar version), shirt c/o Teeology,
cropped trousers c/o Ann Taylor (similar), United Nude pumps, Marc Jacobs bag via Poshmark

Shop this look:

Lemon Lime & Combat Ready

October 17, 2023

Anything army green seems to be the key player in my wardrobe this fall, particularly when it comes in a military-style cut with lots of pockets.

I recruited this little number to my fashion army a few months back and I’ve been wearing it non-stop ever since. It’s been my go-to transitional piece for an off-duty, perfectly pulled-together look — especially with those items I’m not yet ready to stow at the back of my closet, like these yellow jeans.

military-style jacket, cute military jacket, military coat

Personally, I wear military-inspired style in a more casual way to channel an everyday street-style vibe, but tailored army greens are also a great option as evening-appropriate outerwear. This jacket was my go-to during Fashion Week.

If you’re not into excessive layering and neon-tinted denim, just pair yours with black, pastel or neutral bottoms for a smart-but-stylish dressing strategy. You really can’t go wrong with this trend!

*Wearing: BCBG Bronnen jacket, Old Navy Rockstar jeans, Zara knit, Delia Langan rings, necklaces c/o Ann Taylor & Baker’s, Marc Jacobs bag (80% off via Poshmark), Ray-Ban sunnies, Mai wedges c/o Pour La Victoire

Fashion Week Flashback

October 1, 2023

One of my favorite fashion tricks is mixing high-and-low in an ensemble. Would you ever know my oxblood booties are $19 from Forever 21? I actually have them in two colors and they’re among most comfortable shoes I own.

My personal style has evolved significantly as of late. As a result, packing (and shopping) for Fashion Week last month was particularly challenging for me. What’s a girl to do when she wants a great collection of clothes without investing too much money on trendy items?

As a happy medium, I’ve focused on finding pieces that are seasonless and can be styled a number of ways, rather than stock-piling tanks, tops and separates that tear after two wears.

I realize this isn’t a groundbreaking sentiment, but said another way, I’ve been crafting my style around the idea of a creative (and colorful) collage, rather than a some-skill-required puzzle with too many pieces.

This Nicole Miller dress falls into this category. I fell head-over-heels for the print and mix of colors since I first laid eyes on it. She came with me to New York, and since then, I’ve styled her (yes, her) every which way: With a blazer and nude pumps for the office; with stilettos, chunky jewelry and a colorful clutch for a night out; and most frequently, with a carefully undone chambray button-down and ankle booties on the weekend.

I’ve repeated my NYFW mani twice since my return to Chicago. A little personal branding goes a long way, don’t you think? And, on another note, that looks a lot like Blair (Atlanta Pacific) and Alicia (Cheetah is the New Black) behind me, doesn’t it?

*Wearing: Nicole Miller dress, F21 booties, BCBG bag, Tory Burch sunnies

A Dose of Dude: The Boyfriend Shirt

July 24, 2024

While I love a good statement shoe (evidenced by the below), I’d also like to call a decidedly less-dramatically-designed piece to your attention: The boyfriend shirt.

The boyfriend-style shirt is the ultimate in laid-back chic. I love it because it’s a classic, perfectly polished layer to toss on over your usual summer duds.

I’m not fully condoning closet kidnapping here, but the benefits of an oversized button-up are so varied and versatile that, well… I’m just sayin’.

The best part of this staple is that you’re free to wear it your way: To cover up a bikini (Tom Cruise-inspired?), open-face with a high-waisted skirt and bandeau, or unbuttoned over casual cotton shorts. However you style your BFT, just be sure to keep that blouse billowy.

*Head-to-toe: Kidnapped blouse, Forever 21 shorts, Bakers Edie ‘Wild Pair’ pumps, thrifted scarf, Tory Burch sunglasses, BCBG envelope clutch

PS: You know how I take my own outfit photos? I left a little gem for my Facebook fans this morning. Click here to see when this tends to (and often does) go horribly wrong.

Miscellaneous

May 18, 2024

Here in Chicago, we’re gearing up for what’s bound to be a hectic weekend, as our city is the official host of the 2012 NATO summit. In preparation for thousands of journalists, enthusiasts and protestors alike as they make their way into town, officials have closed streets, suspended many public transportation services, and are patrolling the city’s border on Lake Michigan as we speak.

What that means for me? Well, in a nutshell, I’ll be holed up at the pool atop my apartment building with a great view and a stack of magazines I’m well overdue on. Could be worse, right?

In the meantime, here are some things that inspired me this week:

teal mary jane shoes, turquoise shoes, nine west mary janes, nine west aroundtown, platform mary janes From an upcoming outfit post

teal clutch, turqouise clutch, turquoise clutch From this week’s outfit post

stella & dot pegasus, pegasus necklace stella & dot

missoni, missoni for target shoes, target shoes, missoni shoes

vintage glasses, vintage glasswear, chicago vintage bazaar, vintage bazaar, the vintage bazaar Love Potion No. 9

friends sushi river north

wicker park tavern

1 west superior chicago, one west superior, 1 w superior place, superior place, superior place chicago

On another note, thank you so much for the comments and tweets in regard to my blog’s redesign. The changes have been slow yet steady (with more to come), and I’m so grateful that you visit me often enough to notice.

Have a lovely weekend!