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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.

Piperlime is Giving Sh*t Away

February 24, 2024

So, I was about to schedule today’s intended blog post (which will be up a little bit later) — but I was alerted to an emergency that needed tending to before-hand.

Yes, an emergency.

Continue reading →

Mood Board, Vol. 3 | July 2013

July 3, 2024

In my Pinterest-curated fairy tale, July is all about green grass, gingham picnic blankets, firework-watching and summer brew.

In New York, I’m learning, it’s actually about unbearable humidity, inevitable pit stains, dropping way too much money for a (worth it) weekend in the Hamptons, and, well, summer brew. As a result, I’m working a variety of simple shapes and no-fuss frills into my wardrobe this month.

It’s all about Aloe Vera and a laid-back aesthetic for the next few weeks. Cheers!

*Shop my July inspirations | Top: J. Crew summer hat, 3.1 Phillip Lim sunglasses, H&M pineapple tank, J. Crew striped t-shirt, Jennifer Zeuner eye necklace | Middle: J.Crew baseball tee, C. Wonder stud earrings, Zara sandals, C. Wonder monogramed enamel bracelet, 3.1 Phillip Lim satchel, Target denim vest, Miu Miu bow-embellished bathing suit, Bottom: CURRENT/ELLIOT denim shorts, BCBGMAXAZRIA mosaic cuff, J.Crew Everly pumps, Proenza Schouler PS1 in light banana, J.Crew floral top

Currently Coveting: Hawaiian-inspired Style

July 15, 2024

There was a resurgence of Hawaiian style on the runway last year, and it’s looking like designers aren’t quite ready to retire the motifs. Hate it or love it?

I’ve been particularly taken by H&M’s 10th Anniversary collection this season. There’s something about the ease of Hawaiian lifestyle — especially when it entails a veritable luau of palm prints, hibiscus blooms and tiki imagery. Alas, the inspiration for today’s post…

*Shop the trend (top row, from left): Topshop Tropical Garden Playsuit, Equipment blouse, Juicy Couture ‘Creatures of Paradise’ necklace, AX Paris blazer, Tropical Punch Escada perfume, Paige Novick “Tropical Brights” Cobalt Enamel Sliced Cuff Bracelet, Miss Selfridge maxi dress (+ similar) // Middle: Topshop Hawaii chiffon sandals, Free People floral denim shorts, Essie Action, Essie Navigate Her, Lacoste sunglasses, Nine West Letitgo sandals (on sale) // Bottom(‘ish): Mango Tahiti top, Betsey Johnson Orbital Luau ring, Oasis Tropical Cherry Crop Jeans, Dorothy Perkins cream tropical skirt, Juicy Couture tropical fish ring, Proenza Schouler PS1 satchel, BaubleBar Soludos Hawaii Beach necklace, River Island Erika Tropical Print Cut Out Platform Wedges, Betsey Johnson “Hawaii Luau” Toggle Bracelet, Zimmermann Hawaiian-print bandeau bikini, DVF+Current/Elliot printed skinny jeans

Currently Coveting: Summer Shorts

June 10, 2024

Summer weekends are the official unofficial short-shorts season, and though they’re a definite wardrobe staple, denim cut-offs (or “jorts” as my mis-informed male friends call them) don’t exactly scream originality.

If you’re wondering how to spice up your summer short game, here’s a few alternatives I’m lusting over:

topshop hotpants, madewell shorts, paige premium denim shorts, paige neon shorts, paige premium denim shorts, quiksilver shorts, floral shorts, current/elliot shorts, markus lupfer striped shorts, markus lupfer shorts

*From left to right / Top: Paige Premium Denim Limeonade Jimmy shorts, Breezer Beachy Quiksilver shorts, River Island studded shorts / Middle: Markus Lupfer striped cotton shorts, Current/Elliott Boyfriend Denim Floral Shorts (15% off), Topshop MOTO Ice Stripe Hotpants / Bottom: Topshop MOTO Crochet Hotpants, Etsy pastel ombre shorts (can you believe they’re DIY?), Madewell Seewall shorts

**
Don’t see any to your liking in list list? Try Madewell, Topshop and Old Navy for wallet-friendly finds. And if you’re looking to create your own denim cutt-offs, click here for a super simple DIY.

Five Ways to Wear: A Pop of Leopard Print

April 5, 2024

The most common problem that even the most style-savvy among us encounter when it comes to wearing leopard is wearing too much of it. So, as an additional dose of outfit inspiration from my most recent outfit post, here’s my take on five more ways to wear leopard print. Which one’s your favorite?

*These prints make for a perfect toned-town look; add boots and a
chunky sweater into the mix for a no-fail weekend ensemble.

Shop the look: Current/Elliot shorts, Marc by Marc Jacobs sweatshirt, Steve Madden boots, Cesca vintage bag

*Select one animal print piece as your foundation, then style it with
neutral-tone sandals and tuck it into denim cutoffs. Hello, summer uniform!

Shop the look: Equipment chiffon blouse, Zadig & Voltair shorts, Sam Edelman wedges, Modcloth bag, Oasis watch

*Yes, you can wear leopard pants, because they act as a neutral. Thus,
they’ll look great with any solid colored top you might have!

Shop the look: Alexander Wang top, Current/Elliot jeans, Yoki Donya wedges, St. John necklace, Tory Burch clutch

*Less is more. Plain and simple.

Shop the look: Rag & Bone tee, Blank Denim skinnies, Kate Spade necklace, Marc Jacobs bag, Madewell flats

*Even if you’re donning them as accents, try not to wear your leopard pieces with
other animal prints; your look can become a bit too costume-esque.

Shop the look: Warehouse scarf, Rag & Bone tee, H&M jeans, Modcloth booties, Asos bag