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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.

Style Finds: Sailor Stripes

April 22, 2024

Sailor stripes put me in a fresh, i’m-on-vacation-type of spirit, and nothing says classic summer style quite like a striped espadrille, am I right?

They’re comfortable, they won’t go out of style, and — trust — they go with everything in your warm-weather wardrobe. Heel lovers and loathers alike, your options are aplenty: flats, wedges, simple ankle straps or lace-up canvas-style; so it’s time to ditch the habitual Havaianas this season!

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*Shop the trend: 1. Fendi, $535 / 2. Gunmetal, $120 / 3. Tory Burch, $195 / 4. Brian Atwood, $710 / 5. Kate Spade, $125 / 6. Balenciaga, $580 / 7. TOMS for him and her, $54 / 8. GoJane, $17 / 9. Tory Burch, $195 / 10. Tory Burch, $95 / 11. Marc by Marc Jacobs, $165 / 12. MIA, $59 / 13. ASOS, $65

Gossip Girl Fashion Copycat: Season 5, Episode 19

April 9, 2024

Monday already, huh? Hope you had a nice Easter (or Passover) weekend. We’re back to the Upper East Side tonight!

It seems as though S (and now, GG?) has her sights set on transforming a reluctant Lola into the next “It Girl” of Manhattan. But, I wonder: Is she really ready to relinquish the spotlight?

PS: I hear that tonight’s the night that Sir Chuck and Queen B finally reunite investigate Bass’s past… I’m ready for that story line to kick into full gear. Get thee back to Brooklyn, Dan.

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*Blair’s look: Dries Van Noten Fall 2011 coat, Oscar de la Renta bag, Brian Atwood pumps
*For less: Warehouse jacket, Kelsi Dagger pumps, Rebecca Minkoff bag, James Jeans, OC Shades sunnies ($12!)

*Serena’s look for less: GoJane necklace (similar), Oasis top, Topshop jeans

*Lola’s look for less: American Vintage top, Jou Jou blazer, James Jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs case

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

More Ways to Wear: Prints on Prints

March 21, 2024

Yesterday, I shared my favorite thing about spring fashion: Mixing cold- and warm-weather separates to easily transition my seasonal wardrobe.

Today, it’s back to ~~the lab~~ our closets, Fashion Mixologists! Here’s another dose of outfit inspiration. What prints will you be pairing together this season?

(left): Graham & Spencer tank, Current/Elliot leopard print skinnies, Rebecca Minkoff clutch, Topshop leather brogues
(middle): Nellie top, Equipment mint blouse, Current/Elliot printed skinnies, ALDO platform pumps
(right): Marc by Marc Jacobs hot dot blouse, Kain striped crop top, Marc Jacobs snake-effect classic
Hillier hobo, ASOS peep toe heels, Current/Elliot lime green skinnies

(left) Isabel Marant Helba printed cotton blouse, Warehouse mini skirt, ASOS peep toe heels ($32!)
(right) Marc by Marc Jacobs flame/camel sweater, Marc by Marc Jacobs Hot Dot ruffled dress, Tory Burch Adonis wedges

Three Ways to Wear: Winter to Spring Styles

March 14, 2024

As we covered yesterday, March (or rather, this in-betweenness I like to call Swinter) is a tricky month to dress for.

As a result, here are a few more transition tips to bring your wardrobe together seamlessly as the seasons change, featuring three key pieces I’m coveting this spring: Floral prints, high low hems and embellished skirts.

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Investment Piece: Current/Elliot printed low-rise shorts, $170
Now {spring}: Topshop knit, chambray Madewell blouse, Bauble Bar bib necklace, Topshop booties, Tory Burch envelope clutch
Then {summer}: J. Crew vintage t-shirt, Bauble Bar bib necklace, Foley + Corinna straw tote, Aldo pumps
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Investment Piece: All Saints Newaz skirt, $275
Now {spring}: ASOS chunky roll neck sweater, fringe Zara booties, Marc Jacobs flap pouchette, Bardot beanie
Then {summer}: ASOS metal tip envelope clutch, Diane Von Furstenberg opal wedge sandals

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Investment Piece: Topshop pleated high low skirt, $56
Now {spring}: Topshop cropped jacket, All Saints gloss belt, H&M scarf, Steve Madden pumps
Then {summer}: Zoe Karssen cotton T-shirt, All Saints gloss belt, Zara cork wedges, August Accessories fedora

Need a dose of outfit inspiration? Comment below or contact me to have your idea featured in Ways to Wear It!

Oh, and please don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a $50 gift card to Nordstrom this week!