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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.

Spring in Paris, Day 2

March 28, 2024

Hello, friends. Hope you had a great weekend!

To kick things off this week, let’s dive into the Day Two recap from a recent trip to Paris.

padlock bridge in paris

(If you missed Day One, click here to check it out. Lots and lots of local recommendations!)

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Springtime in Paris, Day 1

March 14, 2024

At long last, guys — here is my first photo diary from a recent trip to Paris.

It was my second trip to France (and Jess’s third), so we made sure to cram in a few of our favorite spots among many, many new places.

Let’s flash back to Day One:

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Straight Off the Plane in Paris

March 8, 2024

Bonjour, mes amis. I’m back in Chicago and eager to share a few updates and stories from the City of Light!

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Postcards from Paris: Pont des Arts, Champs-Élysées

November 10, 2023

It’s hard to play favorites, but today’s round-up might be one of my favorite set of Postcards from Paris just yet.

On our first full day of exploring the City of Light (in which we walked 13 miles), we stumbled upon the Pont des Arts — the happiest-ever accident!

It’s better-known to some as Love Lock bridge or Padlock bridge, but it’s something that I’ve only seen in photos, so to witness it in-person was truly one of those Life Bucket List items.

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Postcards from Paris: Notre-Dame, Tuileries

October 29, 2023

I’ve got lots of photos to share for today’s installment of Postcards from Paris — from the Louvre to the Tuileries Gardens and more — so grab that coffee and let’s get to it.

For starters, though, let’s talk about where we stayed.

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