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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.
Monday already; I hope you enjoyed your weekend! Tonight’s fashion update from the Carrie Diaries comes to you courtesy of Larissa, Maggie and Mouse.
A bit of a stretch, perhaps, but I’m feeling inspired by the contemporary creations I pulled together from the ’80s inspired style from tonight’s episode. Sequin pants, pastel separates and wear-anywhere boyfriend jeans? I’ll take one of each, please.
Over the weekend, I had the startling realization that New York Fashion Week is exactly one month from today.
It’ll be my second trip to the tents (you can check out my photo/video diary from my first trip here and here) and I’m really excited; mainly because it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been back in New York… Which, I realize, was actually very recently.
These are some photos I took with Jessica during a recent trip to the city. We were out exploring the Lower East Side (“LES,” as they call it). There were few signs of fall lingering on the trees and the weather didn’t quite call for insulated puffer jackets. Those were the days, huh?
This was after a particularly late night out, which is evidenced by my super-cozy ensemble and refusal to run a courtesy brush through my hair. Hashtag mess. I won’t apologize though, society: Let’s call it boho-hangover-chic.
When it comes to royal affairs (that’s prenuptials, people), I appreciate the reserve of Kate Middleton, but I like a little spice, too.
For today’s London look, the girls and I were tasked with styling a majestic look suitable for a regal occasion. (I did a little shoulder shake with my hand on my chest, just there.) Naturally, my mind immediately retreated to the wedding of Price William and Kate Middleton.
If you recall, the female guest list was a colorfully clad, reverential bunch. And as a result, I decided to follow suit. I sourced my inspiration from a few of my favorite wedding-goers — namely, the Queen, Joss Stone and Posh Spice Victoria Beckham — incorporating pieces from of their looks to create my own.
… Right? What do you think?
My look was a bright, tight simple sheath dress under a canary-yellow coat, and I wore an embellished black headband as a nice change of pace from all the hats I was seeing. (And, frankly, I couldn’t find a cute fastener to save my life.)
I read that Kate Middleton did her own make-up, since she wanted William to recognize her as she walked down the aisle. So, ladies, if you don’t normally don a smoky eye — your wedding isn’t the time to try it.
Similarly, I wanted a fresh, minimal look. For my face, I applied a layer of Rimmel’s BB cream and some under-eye concealer. I don’t care to hide the scar on my left cheek. They say scars add character, right? And at any rate, I’m lucky it “hides” in my smile line.
Next, I swept on a mauve-colored shadow and a purple gel liner to make the hazel in my eyes pop. To finish the look, I layered three neutral Stay Glossy shades: Diamond Dust, Endless Nights and Seduce Me. (Don’t be afraid of Rimmel’s brown-colored glosses; they’re actually very sheer and give you a pretty, natural-looking glow.)
*Wearing: Leifsdottir dress, H&M jacket, Calvin Klein shoes, Anthropologie headband
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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.
I’m on a leather kick, and it doesn’t stop at textured blazers and bags.
I wore these slightly stretchy, slim-fit imitation leather leggings on my last trip to New York, while Jessica and I were out and about on a random Saturday. (… Almost everything else I have on is Jess’s, ha!) They’ve been in constant rotation in my closet — they’re comfortable, on-trend and easy to take from day-to-night. Or in our case, coffee table to bar stool.
There were a few lingering signs of fall foliage left, so Jess and I decided to make it a walk-everywhere kind of day.
*Wearing: H&M faux leather leggings, Ann Taylor snakeskin sling-backs, Tory Burch sunnies, Jessica’s oxblood blouse, Sequin neckace and JustFab tote (see how she styled them here and here)
On another note, a few of you have been asking about my ombre highlights. I recently got them done at Sine Qua Non in Chicago. I can’t recommend them enough — modern, stylishly-clad and affordable. Check ’em out if you’re looking for a new salon!
*Wearing: H&M sweater, Jessica’s scarf, Express 
