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.

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.

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.

Style Finds: 15 Kate Middleton-inspired Mid-Wedges

May 20, 2024

Earlier this week, a colleague and I debated on whether or not Kate Middleton is a style icon. While I don’t find that she’s a reflect of my own personal taste, I’d argue that Kate’s low-profile style makes her an ideal icon for our recession-weary budgets.What do you think? Do you like her realistic chic look?

Anywho, on Sundays here at corals + cognacs, you know it’s all about shoes…. And when she’s not wearing riding boots, you can often find Kate rocking her L.K. Bennett’s — most frequently, in these limited edition wedges (only recently on sale in the US).

That got me to thinking: What other options do taller ladies and non-enthusiasts of the strappy stiletto have for styling their soles this summer? Here’s a round-up of my favorites, in addition to those (not so) newly infamous L.K. Bennetts:

mid wedge, tory burch wedges, l.k. bennett wedges, kate middleton l.k. bennett, dolce vita wedges, rebecca minkoff wedges, sam edelman wedges

*Let’s shop: 1. Sam Edelman Sophie mid-heel / 2. Nine West Packurbags wedges / 3. Kelsi Dagger Bunnie mid-wedges / 4. ALDO Salen wedges / 5. Topshop Napoli sporty sandals / 6. Madewell The Metallic Turnabout shoes / 7. Zara pleated mid-wedge / 8. Tory Burch Natalya stacked wedge / 9. Hive & Honey Desha wedges / 10. L.K. Bennett wedges / 11. Belle by Sigerson Morrison Alta / 12. Debenhams Tubular mini wedges / 13. Rebecca Minkoff Nella wedges / 14. Tory Burch Bridee contrast espadrilles (have ‘em; so comfy!) / 15. K.G. by Kurt Geiger wedges

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

Style Finds: Two-Tone

March 25, 2024

Nothin’ like stepping out in an unbeatable color combo! Better yet, though, you won’t have to choose between your favorite color combos with these two-tone kicks.

two tone wedges, two tone heels, color block shoes, color-block heels, color-block wedges, color block flats, cute color block shoes

*Clockwise, from top left: Ash Colorblock Suede Cork Wedge, $235; ALDO ballerina flats, $98; Bottega Veneta Two-Tone Ankle Cuff Sandal, $760; Madewell Flatstack Platforms, $178; Steve Madden WIMZIKUL wedges, $109; Forever 21 black-and-white wedges, $17; Charles by Charles David Turquoise Suede pumps, $150; Bottega Veneta leather sandals, $760; ALDO T-strap pumps, $134; Nine West sneaker wedges, $99; Topshop pastel split wedges, $176; Zara platform pumps, $90

Style Finds: Lemon Lime

March 11, 2024

Neon yellow + mint lime green= an unbeatable combination for spring/summer dressing. Punch up your wardrobe with a little bit of inspiration from my favorite web finds.

Clockwise, from top left: Witchery blouse, BY MALENE BIRGER Sinousa Suede Pumps, RSQ New Edge shorts, Zara mini messenger bag, Essie Turquoise and Caicos nail polish, BCBGeneration ‘Kammie’ sandals, ACNE Lia cable-knit cotton sweater, Tory Burch Reva ballet flats (another similar style), Blonde Ambition Doris neon wedge, GoldSign mint skinnies, Amrita Singh West Hampton earring, Vanessa Bruno Athe Mini Satchel Bag, Marc Jacobs chain-link bracelet, Madewell Belle By Sigerson Morrison Randy Neon gladiator sandals, Marc by Marc Jacobs python shine belt, Aldo wedges, Azimuth seafoam bracelet