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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.

Catamaran (+ a giveaway) | Krabi, Thailand

February 4, 2024

Serving up a bit of a beach-side reverie here today — largely in an attempt to help us forget the Polar Vortex that lingers just outside our office windows.

Before I go on, I should tell you: I’m teaming up with Jack Rogers to give away a pair of the cult Classic Navajo sandals ($110 value). You can enter at the bottom of this post!

Continue reading →

Back on the Boat

July 9, 2024

Over the weekend, I made my second trip “home” to Chicago since I moved to Manhattan.

Continue reading →

Chic Floral Shorts

June 4, 2024

One of my favorite things about summer — which has seemingly arrived in New York — is the opportunity to mix and match some of the boldest brights and prettiest prints I can find.

I was crushing hard on these floral shorts from The Limited when I saw them whilst innocently window shopping. True to form, that moral compass of mine turned me on my heels and guided me into the.

I was thrilled to find they were on sale (and they still are) — don’t you love when a purchase seems as though it were meant to be? … Pretty sure that statement is one that comes with a check-box next to it at a Shopaholics Anonymous meeting.

I wore this outfit while wandering the village of Southampton with Jessica, but I’ll undoubtedly be dressing these up (with heels) and down (with chambray) throughout the rest of the season.

*Wearing: Loft blouse | The Limited floral shorts | snow collar necklace c/o Bauble Bar |
neon jelly sandals c/o Jack Rogers | 3.1 Phillip Lim satchel | Ray-Ban aviators

Photos by Jessica Sturdy