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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 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? 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.

20 Pairs of the Perfect Summer Sandal

April 30, 2024

Okay, okay. I know I’ve been talking a lot about shopping lately, but I’m going to do it again — this time, under the guise of investing.

Classic black sandals are a must for hot summer nights. (And, I don’t want to jinx it, but it seems as though that’s right around the corner!) They’re versatile, chic, and they go with everything in your closet, making them the footwear equivalent to the Little Black Dress.

I hate to play favorites, but I’ve been wearing my latest Zara pair non-stop (and so have Jessica and Ashley).

It can be challenging find an affordable pair of chic summer shoes that won’t leave you limping after an hour, but fret not. From chunky platforms and angular cuts to classic silhouettes, I’ve got your guide to the 20 best pairs of (black) warm-weather sandals, right here:

*Shop these strappy sandals:

1. ASOS Honey Pie heeled sandals, $70 | 2. Guess Oderan, $99 | 3. ASOS Henleyheeled sandals, $67 | 4. ASOS Hazard heeled sandals, $75 | 5. Zara ankle-strap sandals, $50 (*Hallie’s pick) | 6. Giuseppe Zanotti black lace sandals, $650 | 7. Zara strappy high-heeled sandals, $89 (*Hallie’s pick) | 8. ALDO Alvara, $80 (on sale) | 9. Charlotte Olympia Isadora sandals, $803 | 10. Guess by Marciano Lena sandals, $188 (*Hallie’s pick) | 11. Manolo Blahnik Fersen sandals, $765 | 12. Reed Krakoff sling-back sandals $670 | 13. B Brian Atwood cut-out suede flats, $375| 14. Zara sandals with ankle buckle, $79 | 15. Zara close-toed sandals $80 | 16. Givenchy platform sandals, $675 | 17. Mango leather and suede sandals, $130 | 18. Steve Madden DYNEMITE sandals, $125 | 19. H&M imitation leather sandals, $40 | 20. Zara cork-wedge sandal, $99

Gossip Girl Fashion Copycat: Season 6, Episode 9

December 10, 2023

Only two more episodes left in the final season of Gossip Girl, you guys! Here’s a few dress-shoe-earring combos I love from tonight’s episode. Simple, chic and sleek!

*Get the look: Alice + Olivia dress, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, Kenneth Jay Lane earrings

*Get the look: Dorothy Perkins dress, Brian Atwood shoes, EGOTIQUE earrings *Get the look: Rachel Zoe dress, LOFT shoes, Coralia Leets earrings

Style Finds: Sailor Stripes

April 22, 2024

Sailor stripes put me in a fresh, i’m-on-vacation-type of spirit, and nothing says classic summer style quite like a striped espadrille, am I right?

They’re comfortable, they won’t go out of style, and — trust — they go with everything in your warm-weather wardrobe. Heel lovers and loathers alike, your options are aplenty: flats, wedges, simple ankle straps or lace-up canvas-style; so it’s time to ditch the habitual Havaianas this season!

*Shop the trend: 1. Fendi, $535 / 2. Gunmetal, $120 / 3. Tory Burch, $195 / 4. Brian Atwood, $710 / 5. Kate Spade, $125 / 6. Balenciaga, $580 / 7. TOMS for him and her, $54 / 8. GoJane, $17 / 9. Tory Burch, $195 / 10. Tory Burch, $95 / 11. Marc by Marc Jacobs, $165 / 12. MIA, $59 / 13. ASOS, $65

Style Finds: Insta-GLAM!

February 26, 2024

Shine on from day to night with these subtly sparkling, metallic shoes. Your Twinkle Toes will thank you!

Let’s Shop (clockwise, from top left): H&M flats, Wallis bow tie shoe, Giambattista Valli pink cap-toe pumps, Michael Kors back-zip gold pumps, Topshop SINNER grey contrast cap-toe pumps, Miu Miu mary janes (sold out, similar ASOS version), Kelsi Dagger bronze Linzy platforms, Pour la Victoire metallic Irna snake platform pumps, Brian Atwood Maniac pumps in Crackled Bronze, Marc Jacobs Impex leather pumps, Dries Van Noten rose gold pumps, ASOS metallic silver court shoes, Topshop GILMORE2 pink metallic cap-toe pumps

Valentine’s Day-Inspired Style Finds

February 12, 2024

For this week’s series of Shoe Shopping/Style Finds, I thought a Valentine’s Day theme was only appropriate. Who better to show a little l-o-v-e on V-day than y-o-u? Treat yo self! Let’s get shopping:

Top, left-to-right: Daytrip Love Is cropped top, TOMS Valentine classic slip-ons, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel knitted heart sweater, Marc by Marc Jacobs heart stacking ring, peach Fluevog shoes, Wildfox silver sparkle heart sweatshirt

Middle, left-to-right:Bardot love ring, DVF Valentine’s Day T-shirt, Peter Jensen heart ballet flat, AX Paris heart print top, pink H&M flats, Vivienne Westwood for Melissa pumps, Philosophy Sweet Talk candy hearts body lotion, Paul Frank Fritillary leopard-print flat, Modcloth With All My Heart tote, Topshop Amour sweatshirt,

Bottom, left-to-right: Miso Love necklace, Alloy Love Recycle top, Brian Atwood fluorescent pink platform pumps, Wildfox sparkle heart top, Marc by Marc Jacobs heart iPhone case, Fair+True fair trade heart mittens, brown and gold heart friendship bracelet, Simply Soles Leslie in red

And lastly, a note of thanks — Have a great Sunday! I’m spending mine blogging some serious runway re-creations from Fashion Week. Any designers or seasonal trends you want to see?