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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.

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 DISCRIBE 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.

Desk Refresh

March 12, 2024

It’s been a full week (and some change) since I moved to New York. I’ve settled in quickly at my new agency, and one of my favorite parts in the process has been re-establishing my work-place essentials.

Are you in need of a quick desk refresh? Here’s what I’m buying for mine. And, okay, there’s a few new wardrobe staples peppered in the mix, too.

… What? I need those.

Get the Look: The Carrie Diaries, Episode 4

February 4, 2024

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.

*Get the look, left: Acne sweater, faux fur Diesel vest, FCUK sequin leggings, Gap leather envelope clutch, ALDO boots | *middle: J. Crew linen scarf, SheInside sweater, All Saints bandeau leggings, H&M boots | *right: Wilt Scoop neck shirt, 7 for All Mankind boyfriend jeans, Rossana Fani necklace, Michael Kors Hamilton tote, Acne boots

Gossip Girl Fashion Copycat: Season 6, Episode 4

October 29, 2023

It’s Monday! Another night on the Upper East Side…

Before we get into our weekly dose of Gossip Girl Fashion, I thought I’d take a sec to let all of you on the actual Upper East Side (and the surrounding areas of New York, Jersey and D.C.) that I’m thinking of you. I hope you’re amply stocked up on magazines, wine and nail polish. And, you know, water and soup and whatnot. But seriously, stay safe!

gossip girl fashion *Blair’s look: Helene Birman floral scarf, Army green Choices jacket, DKNY leggings, ASOS knee-high boots

*Serena’s look: Parker dress (on sale), BaubleBar necklace, Nine West boots (on sale)

sage gossip girl, sage style on gossip girl *Sage’s look: AX floral dress, Catarzi for ASOS hat, Dolce Vita Bale leather booties, Amrita Singh bracelet, Marc Jacobs chain-link bracelet

*Lily’s look: By Malene Birger zig zag dress, Vince Camuto shoulder bag (in another color here), J. Crew wedges, BaubleBar earrings

What to Wear This Fall: Color

October 26, 2023

Happy Friday, lovelies! Are you celebrating Halloween this weekend? Last night, I hung with a few girlfriends sipping rum-spiced apple cinnamon cider. While they carved pumpkins and Hocus Pocus played in the background, I flipped through the glossies and thought about what makes me feel particularly festive during fall.

Sure, I eat my weight in pumpkin-flavored goodness and hoard every Yankee candle under the sun; but really, I can’t get enough of this season’s sensationally layered, confidently colored, versatile silhouettes.

Here’s a few of my favorite fall and winter fashion trends. When you’re not en costume ce week-end, challenge yourself to give the nudes and neutrals a day off. These fun pieces pack way more of a punch, anyway.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10

Continue shopping this look:

Gossip Girl Fashion Copycat: Season 6, Episode 1

October 8, 2023

It’s back, you guys! The sixth and final season of Gossip Girl returns to TV at 8 p.m. EDT tonight. I could not be more excited for a weekly dose of style and scandal on the Upper East Side. How ’bout you?

No spoilers here — just fashion, fashion, fashion. Here’s what’s in store for us tonight:

gossip girl final season, gossip girl serena dress, serena's dress from gossip girl season 6 episode 1, jenny packham dress, jenny packham gossip girl 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 // {Serena’s wearing a scalloped chiffon Jenny Packham dress + Sequin earrings}

blair gossip girl, blair gossip girl season 6 fashion 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 // {Blair’s carrying a python & leather Fendi bag}

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 // {Georgina’s in a Joie Genevieve Tank}