The Fine Print

corals + cognacs works with third-party affiliates and advertising companies to serve advertisers. These companies may use aggregated information (not including your name, address, email or telephone) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about products and services that may be of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.

In addition, sometimes I'll share affiliate links of retailers that I personally support via Twitter or Facebook. If you click through an affiliate link when buying an item, I will be partially compensated for your purchase. You're under no obligation to click through via one of the links when shopping online, but, if you do, you'll be supporting my blog as well.

You, my readers, and overall editorial integrity are the two most important aspects of corals + cognacs. Know that I will always retain 100% control over the content on corals + cognacs, all opinions are that of my own, and that I will always disclose to you the items for which I have been paid and/or gifted.

Lastly, please note that the sentiments expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent those of my employer. If you have any questions, I encourage you to contact me. Thanks again for reading corals + cognacs!

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.

Mood Board | November 2013

November 12, 2023

After yesterday’s early morning flight across the country — and, okay, a few cocktails last night — I’m feeling incredibly jet-lagged today. (Editor’s note: As I write, it’s laughably 8:45 p.m. PST…)

That said, if today’s post doesn’t string together in a completely coherent nature, forgive me. Or buy me a coffee! Please?

Let’s talk about November’s laundry list of inspiration, shall we?

Continue reading →

Currently Coveting: Labor Day Sales

September 2, 2023

Things I love about Labor Day:

Celebrating those who serve and protect our country
End-of-the-season shopping bargains

… And over a three-day weekend. My Chase Freedom and I are sticking to a few Labor Day sales this season — mainly, J.Crew, Shopbop and Piperlime. Here’s what I’m stocking up on:

labor day sales 2012

*My picks: Sardinia wedge espadrilles, Sequin color-block pencil skirt, Altuzarra for J.Crew striped top, stretch-cotton toothpick jeans, Edie tote // Shop more J.Crew sales here.

end of the season sale, labor day sale, marc jacobs sale, clare vivier sale, equipment sale, tory burch sale

*My picks: CLARE VIVIER fold-over clutch, Equipment Nixie blouse, Tory Burch iPhone case, Marc Jacobs preppy leather hobo // Shop more Shopbop sales here.

*My picks: DV by Dolce Vita Janna wedges, Rachel Zoe Bonnie pumps, Matiko Lyon high wedge sandals, Seychelles Last but Not Least high wedge sandals, Matt Bernson Jack two-tone strappy sandals // Shop more Piperlime sales here.

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

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

Four Ways to Wear It: Pink + Purple

March 7, 2024

Yesterday, I stepped out in this bold, color-blocked ensemble of hot pink and pretty lilac. Although these hues aren’t easy to pair together, you’ll be able to pull ’em off like a pro with a bit of inspiration. Et voila:

Shop the look: Weekday blouse, Paige Premium Denim skinnies,
Ann Taylor Neon Lights necklace, Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC clutch, Miss Selfridge pumps

Shop the look: J Brand 811 skinnies, Weekday knit sweater, Lydia blouse,
Ann Taylor Neon Lights necklace, Kelsi Dagger Karmine pumps

Shop the look: Chunky Topshop tee, H&M skirt, Loeffler Randall Nadia lace-up booties,
Proenza Schouler small zip wallet, McQueen skull ring (and bracelet!)

Shop the look: A.P.C striped marino sweater, Equipment blouse, ASOS pale pink skinnies,
Ann Taylor Neon Lights necklace, Vince Camuto Korsi pumps

What do you think, would you wear pink and purple?
And, in case you haven’t yet, click here to enter for a chance to win that pretty neon necklace!