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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.
Happy May! Although, wasn’t it just Thanksgiving? Feels like it on my end.
Truth be told, we East Coast’ers have been chomping at the bit for a consistently daily dose of spring. (More on Mother Nature’s unpredictable manner here.) I’m ready to don my delicate tanks, white jeans and floating maxi dresses.
As a result, this month’s mood board entails a lot of transitional separates — pieces you can purchase to take you from spring to summer (and soon enough, summer to fall). Among my inspirations are structured separates, monochromatic pairings and a touch of tough-girl. These low-maintenance looks have lept off the screen in the form of a few recent personal style posts, too.
Lower middle: Lot78 Hello printed t-shirt | Zoe Karssen Live Fast jersey sweatshirt | MICHAEL Michael Kors neon jetset perforated clutch | Vogue’s April 2013 US cover | J.Crew neon stone necklace
In addition to leather and printed pants, studded details are ruling every aspect of my closet this season.
Last week while shoe shopping, I was impressed with both the collections from INC and Truth or Dare by Madonna, but these caught and held my wandering eye. They’ve got to be the most comfortable pair of pumps I own. I walked (strutted) around all day in these responding on autopilot, saying, “Macy’s. Right? Who knew?” … Or so it seemed.
Like other fashion trends, too much of a good thing can be overkill, so pick one or two items you want to rock your studs on. Pair down the rest of your outfit with neutrals and basics, so that your stud’liness can speak for itself.
Two of my girlfriends, Diana and Joleen, came along to snap these pics. Joleen took the ones above, while D took this one. That’s what’s really going on when we’re shooting detail shots.
*Wearing: Rachel Roy studded blazer, DKNY sweater, INC leggings, Truth of Dare by Madonna studded pumps c/o Macy’s via Glam, Coach penny shoulder bag
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From exciting events to the latest trends, amazing contests to everyday values, Macy’s has been making magic for over 150 years! Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Macy’s via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Macy’s.
From what I’ve read, Soho, London, is the place to be if you’re a food and fashion lover. (… *Raises hand.*) The chic district teems with tourists, stylish-looking patrons and media professionals marching to and from the office – and it’s also the destination of my fictional European birthday celebration.
For today’s Rimmel challenge, I’m dressed to the nine’s to celebrate my 27th (which, incidentally, I just did).
I have an odd obsession with this fun-and-flirty fringe skirt. I wear it all the time, and I’ve said this before, but every single time I step out the door in it, I transform into an obnoxious flamenco dancer… These hips don’t lie.
Since it’s a celebration kinda night (read: lots of champagne), I paired it with my most comfortable can-dance-in wedges, a leather Coach penny purse and sequin Rachel Zoe tunic. Even if it’s not your birthday, this type of get-up will bring out your inner shine and make you feel like the most confident girl in the room. And regardless, really, a girl should always reach for sequins.
The icing on the (cup)cake for tonight is my make-up. Treasure Hunt and Timeless Allure are my absolute favorite shades of Stay Glossy – even moreso when they’re worn together.
Since I wanted kissable lips to be the front-and-center of my look, I didn’t OD on dark eyeliner. Instead, I picked up a multi-dimensional eye palette and started with a pretty peach shadow as a base on my eyelids. To contour, I swept a darker mauve color into the crease, and I finished by brushing the softest color in my palette on my brow bones for a highlighting effect. Finally, to give my look a little extra oomph, I layered on the darkest mascara I could find.
Pop, fizz, clink. Ready!
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Click over to Rimmel’s Facebook page to see my other looks and to vote for your faves. Thank you for your support thus far!
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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.
