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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.

Keep it Simple

January 26, 2024

I’m just going to come out and say it: Life has felt kinda crazy as of late.

Not, like, in a bad way — just in one of those ways where every day seems to sneak away faster than the last, leaving you (me) with a growing to-do list and a depleting wine rack.

Whenever this happens, I fall into the bad habit of getting to a point each evening where it’s like: “Okay, if I’m going to get a blog post up tomorrow, I should probably start it now… But dafuq am I gonna write about?”

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Boots as Pants (Again!)

January 25, 2024

Hate to break it to you, my East Coast friends, but we had a rather balmy (and dry) 35-degree weekend here in Chicago.

(… That’s all I’ll say, though; I don’t want to jinx us. )

How was your weekend?

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Winter Whites

January 18, 2024

Happy Monday and holy shit, it’s cold.

… Like, it’s literally been one of those week(end)s where you step outside and the cold air physically hurts your face.

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Cranberry Christmas Cocktails

December 15, 2023

Maybe it’s that newly-minted Midwest mentality — or the fact that I never mind an excuse to test-drive cocktail recipes — but I’ve shifted into more of an entertaining mindset this holiday season. And by that, I mean testing out cocktail recipes.

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Preppy Holiday Flair

Nothing like a touch of tartan to get in the holiday spirit…

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