This past NYFW, I had the opportunity to work with Bumble and Bumble to give you backstage and front row looks on a few amazing shows! Keep scrolling down as I give you styling tricks from the experts, telling us how we can recreate some NYFW hairstyles this season.

TANYA TAYLOR

Tanya Taylor's Fall 2017 presentation was filled with rich autumn colors, ranging from bold prints and different textures. Inspired by the 70's waves, Bb.Global Artistic Director Laurent Philippon wanted to give the models effortless soft curls. This hairstyle definitely won me over!

Styling Methods: Spray De Mode hairspray for a strong yet flexible hold, and Does It All hairspray to give a soft, touchable finish while controlling flyaways.

CLUB MONACO

“The hair for Club Monaco is very laid back, and we’re adapting the look to every girl’s hair texture in the lineup. It’s about finding the right recipe of product for each hair type to help embrace and accentuate their natural texture.”

— Laurent Philippon, Bb.Global Artistic Director

“The key is to make it look like they’ve done it themselves and that a hairdresser wasn’t there doing it.”

Styling Methods: Spray damp hair with Prep, and then apply Surf Foam Spray to break up the texture. Blowdry with fingers, using the Dyson Supersonic. Mist Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Dry Oil Finishing Spray throughout to add a light veil of oil and added texture. For longer lengths, use a hair tie and create a loose ponytail at the base of the head, pulling it halfway through to create a messy, looped bun.

LACOSTE

“The hair this season is about embracing your natural texture, with a gritty, messy look and feel”

— Laurent Philippon, Bb.Global Artistic Director

"We are toughening up the look by tucking the hair behind the ears, which we've never done before at Lacoste. While it's a laid back look, it's not as easy as it looks because as a hairdresser, you need to be super light-handed and incredibly precise."

Styling Methods: Make a deep center part and spray Prep throughout. Apply Surf Foam Spray Blow Dry and blow dry. Tuck hair behind ears and apply a small amount of Surf Foam Spray Blow Dry to hairline, just above ears to keep in place and to help push back bangs or fringe. 

CREATURES OF THE WIND

“It’s a little 70s, a little dirty. When they are walking, we want it to stay close to the head and still look natural at the bottom.”

— Holli Smith

 “There’s already a lot of diversity in the casting so we left the girls’ haircuts. It’s something simple and easy-looking that they could achieve on their own and I think that easiness is really important – it’s intentional as a hairdresser,”

Styling Methods: On dry hair, liberally spray Thickening Hairspray throughout, with an emphasis on the part line and less on the ends, so hair stays close to the head. Use hands to slightly break up the hair. For curly textures, stretch out the curls with hands, heating them up with a blow dryer. When the curl is released, it will stay close to the body.

SELF PORTRAIT

“The inspiration is a sexy London girl going out. The look is all about individuality, and accentuating each girl’s haircut with a ropey, natural texture.”

— Jimmy Paul, Bb.Editorial Stylist

Styling Methods: On curls, start with damp hair and apply Curl Conditioning Mousse throughout. Diffuse or let air dry. On damp hair, make a side part and create a cocktail by spraying Prep and Thickening Hairspray throughout lengths. Blow dry or let air-dry. Tuck one side behind the ear and leave the other side loose.

“I’m asking each model things like what side part she thinks looks best on her. The look is meant to feel a bit homemade, like they’re doing their own hair at the show.”

GYPSY SPORT

“This season, in this crazy world, they wanted to send a message of love and they understand that fashion can be a platform to send such a message.”

— Laurent Philippon, Bb.Global Artistic Director

“We are working with such a diverse casting, without gender boundaries, so we are respecting this, working with this, and having fun. We have some very exaggerated styles including beehives – for those, we are doing a lot of backcombing and shaping them with the help of Strong Finish Hairspray."

I hope you enjoyed these looks as much as I did! Which one was your favorite? Comment down below! x

Photography by Virisa Yong; Images from Bumble and Bumble

Taking the NYFW streets in 70s-inspired style, I paired my collared faux fur coat with black bell bottoms—I just loved the contrast of the two. I started my first show at 10 AM with Lacoste then the Creatures of the Wind backstage and show right after. With just enough time to spare, I stopped by the Shop Style Social House and enjoyed some drinks, bites and shopping! It was nice to unwind and catch up with some familiar faces and meet new babes there as well. P.S. I'll be doing a NYFW highlights where you'll see more images from backstage and front row! So stayed tuned for that :) In the meantime, you can shop my NYFW picks here.

Photography by Virisa Yong

9:37 AM - Heading out to the shows

10:04 AM - The waiting game

1:06 PM - Refueling in between shows

3:31 PM - Running to my next appointment

Back in NYC and fiercer than ever! After several delays and cancellations to our flight to NYC, Virisa & I finally made it and we couldn’t be happier. I love the fashion week vibes; from the backstage madness, to the thrill of seeing new designs, and just being inspired with all things fashion. My first day of NYFW was heavily packed due to rescheduling my appointments from the day we lost from traveling, so with no time to change outfits in between shows, I wanted to make sure I was warm and comfortable throughout the day. This leopard coat was the perfect way to start, paired with a cut-out bodysuit and cropped jeans, with a beanie and high-top sneakers to finish the look. You can grab this entire look at my custom shopping page at Revolve HERE!

Photography by Virisa Yong

Here's a glimpse of my recent trip to Miami!

“Nothing matters very much... and few things matter at all.”

— Lord Balfour

This past weekend, Peter and I celebrated our 7-year anniversary in Miami. We were looking forward to this trip for a while now because we rarely get to go on vacation together! We wanted to relax and enjoy the beach, to get away from the bipolar LA winter we’re having lately. And all I can say is, this trip was definitely needed.

Upon arrival to Room Mate Lord Balfour at 9AM, we asked the staff if we can leave our bags until we can check-in at 3pm. And to our surprise, the staff was nice enough to let us check-in our room early! We were completely exhausted coming from a red-eye flight and losing sleep with the time difference, so we were thrilled to get some rest before we got our day started.

Room Mate Lord Balfour is located below Fifth Street, a less commercial stretch where it’s less crowded and a little more peaceful than other areas. The hotel was only a few steps away from the beach, which made it really easy to go in and out of the shore. We went for sunset dips and the skies were absolutely beautiful to watch! It was totally Instagram-worthy with different cotton candy hues each day, and with little to none crowds to photo-bomb your picture. It was one of the highlights of our trip because I really appreciated how we were able to enjoy the beach even at sun down. In regards to the nightlife, Story is only a few blocks away from the hotel where the party goes down until 5AM. You pretty much get the best of both worlds in the area: peaceful enough to relax but with an option to party hard. So if you’re looking to do both, I highly recommend staying at Room Mate Lord Balfour for your upcoming Miami trip. You can use my code DICTADOMATE to save some $$!

• 15% direct discount on the best flexible rate
• Promotion applies to all Room Mate Hotels
• Reservations valid through our Call Center or www.room-matehotels.com only
• Promotion may not be combined with other offers
• Discount applies to room only or bed and breakfast
• Reservations subject to availability of special allotment assigned to this offer
• Offer valid for travel dates between January 24th, 2017 and December 31th, 2017
• Reservations must be booked between January 24th, 2017 and March 31th, 2017

No room service here, but they provide complimentary breakfast, located at the first floor.

The room has big windows for great lighting.

The sunsets were absolutely beautiful.

The weather is perfect this time of year. Not too hot, and not too cold!

Athletic-inspired and casual cool.

Photography by Jennifer Wu

One piece I’m really loving right now are my Adidas track pants. I’m currently cleaning out my closet and found them neglected through the excessive pile of clothes I have in my room. I forgot how comfortable they are and I’ve been wearing them a lot on my off days. I just love how you can easily dress it up with heels or dress them down with sneakers. You can get away by working all morning at home and stepping out later in the day by simply adding strappy heels and a staple knit to look instantly chic! I’ve put other options below in case you want to try this look for yourself.

I once told myself I would never wear a beret just because I thought it was just cliché to wear one. Until one day I saw a beret from the Zara sale back in November and thought, “What the hell, let’s give it a try!” So I got a grey wool beret and wore it to my last trip to New York. I loved it so much that I snagged another one from Forever 21. This black beret has studs on the side, which I think has a very cool and edgy feel to it. It’s safe to say that I’m obsessed! And here’s 3 reasons why:

It’s cute, but also sophisticated.

While everyone else wears a knit beanie, try something new and get yourself a beret to keep your head warm this winter season! You can go monochromatic, just like I did here, or you can add a pop of color by wearing a red beanie with your neutral basics.

Look more put together.

You can wear a plain tee and your favorite pair of jeans and still look like you tried with a beret. It’s effortlessly chic and adds personality to your look!

No one will know you’re having a bad hair day.

Whenever you feel like your hair is too limp or too dirty, simply throw on a beret and you’re good to go!

Now that I (hopefully) convinced you, here are some styles that I LOVE:

In terms of choosing outfits to match your beret, I'd say to go for timeless, neutral pieces. And always remember that less is always more. Keep in mind that your beret is the statement piece in this look!

Photography by Vincent Elejorde

It’s the new year and we’re given another fresh, clean start. Instead of writing my resolutions, I want to share with you my goals for the year. I believe that these goals will help me become a better version of myself, and help me make 2017 an amazing one.

2016 was so good to me. It was definitely a time of learning and transitioning. Shortly after I decided to quit my job and start full-time blogging, I came across so many great opportunities I never thought would come my way. I worked with brands I only dreamed of working with. I got lost and fell in love with new cities, experienced life-changing adventures, and most importantly, I learned so much more about myself and I’ve never been happier.

So to make 2017 just as great, here are my goals for the new year:

1. WELLNESS FROM WITHIN

This year, I will make more time for to nourish my mind, body and soul. I was so focused on working my ass off this past year that I forgot to take care of myself in all aspects. All I cared about was growing my business, not thinking about the consequences. I was often unmotivated and worn out, and all of this was because I wasn’t nourished from within. So here are a few short term goals to help me:

To nourish the mind, I plan to buy good books and make time to read them no matter how busy I am; to nourish the body, I plan to drink lots of water and exercise daily even when its sounds like a terrible idea; and to nourish the soul, I plan to dedicate my time on a cause close to my heart, and to always try to see the best in others.

2. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

This year, I will shift my focus on things that add value to my life. And if it doesn’t, I will let it go. I’m currently cleaning out my room and renovating it soon after. Looking at all the things I acquired from the past year, it made me realize that one) I’m kind of a hoarder (LOL) and two) there’s a lot off stuff I keep that I don’t need or never even used. So this year I plan to focus on quality, whether it’s shopping for clothes or making/keeping relationships. I will purge the unnecessary and decrease clutter, and most importantly, make time for people and things I really care about.

3. STEP OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE

This year, I really want to challenge myself more. Whether its being more open-minded and creative with my style or craft, or doing more activities to face my fear of heights. This will be the year where I push the boundaries, MY boundaries. I know I played it safe this past year because I had some doubts and insecurities. But now that I have a better understanding of myself, it's time to really push myself to the limit. I want to try new things, learn new ways, and become more daring than ever.

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something. So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever.””

— Neil Gaiman

I hope that this inspires you to reflect and make your own goals or resolutions for the year because it never hurts! It only set us up for success and helps us become a better version of ourselves. I love listing out my goals not only at the beginning of the year but all throughout, because it always gives me something to look forward to, and I know that I’m constantly working on myself. Each day is a fresh start, so let’s strive to be better than we were yesterday.

Cheers to 2017 and to new beginnings!

(Dress by Lioness c/o Princess Polly + Heels by Missguided)

The past couple weeks have been crazy hectic: finishing work deadlines, spending time with family and attending holiday parties all in between. The list goes on. The holidays is a busy time and that’s why I’ve partnered with Dove and joined the Dove Hair #SkipAWash Challenge to keep my hair in perfect shape while jumping between all the madness! I’m actually an avid user of dry shampoo for a couple of reasons: it helps you save time AND keeps your hair in good shape.

Washing your hair means having to dry it out and style to finish, which may take up to an hour. Now, I say #SkipAWash and instantly refresh your day two hair by spraying Dove Dry Shampoo onto your roots! The weightless formula of the new Detox + Purify line removes oil and leaves no residue, which leaves your hair feeling nice and cleansed. Now all you have to worry about before heading out is your make-up and outfit, and you’re good to go!

For extremely processed hair like mine, one of my hair secrets is skipping not only two—but a few days of washing my hair. My hair has been bleached numerous times to maintain its silver color. It is extremely fragile and dry so I try to be as gentle with it as possible. All that tugging, pulling and heat from styling may do more damage to your hair. And that’s where the Dove Dry Shampoo comes to the rescue! It not only refreshes, but it also revives by adding volume to limp and weighed down hair. With minimal effort needed, you can have beautiful hair in seconds!

With just moments away from New Year’s Eve, I’m challenging you to join the Dove Hair #SkipAWash Challenge with me! Are you in?

Christmas and New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, which means there are endless holiday parties to attend to! For this video, I wanted to share three outfit ideas for different party situations. I hope this gives you some inspiration to dress up and have fun with your look!

Look 1: Faux Fur Fab

There’s no better way to stay warm and make a statement other than these faux fur jackets! They’re a must-have this season because they elevate your look so effortlessly. Just throw in on and bam! Instant glam. I paired this statement piece with my favorite LBD and OTK boots. I would wear this outfit to one of my formal events.

Look 2: Shine in Silk

Who doesn’t love slip dresses? They’re comfy yet luxurious. You can literally roll out of bed in it and go out pretending that you actually dressed up for the day lol! I paired it with my favorite moto jacket to dress it up and add an edgy vibe to the look. Don’t forget to wear your favorite choker for that 90’s glam. Planning to wear this outfit at a house party with friends!

Look 3: Mixed Metals

Nothing says party like some sparkly metallics! I wanted a bolder look and mixed sequin, matte copper and shiny silver altogether. One unwritten rule in mixing metals is to combine warm and cool tones together, and that’s why I paired this purple sequin kimono with a rose gold/copper playsuit! The kimono actually has some rose gold undertones that matches with the playsuit well. I added my silver chrome heels (and nails) to finish the look. I imagine myself wearing this for New Year’s Eve!

Hope you enjoyed my Holiday edit! Please give this video a thumbs up if you liked it, and let me know if you want to see more styling videos like this in the future!

Rounding up a few of my favorite camel coats.

One of my favorite Autumn/Winter staples is the camel coat. It never goes out of style and goes with just about anything! You can wear it to any occasion—either you’re going for a business meeting or weekend brunching. Just simply throw it on bam! Instant chic. And the best part is, the neutral color is flattering on every skin tone! I like wearing my camel coat on my busy days and long commutes. I got this one from Rudsak and it's my best one yet. Want your own? I’ve listed a few of my favorite camel coats below:

Photography by Virisa Yong

Getting cozy with Ramy Brook.

The cold winter mornings make it harder to get up on a Monday. The only way to get through the day is dressing down in the coziest knits. This Ramy Brook knit top is chic yet sophisticated with its asymmetrical cut and design. I’m obsessed with the lace-up detail intertwined with silver rings. I don’t know about you, but I feel very festive in knits! Now, off to some last minute holiday shopping and gift wrapping.

Shop The Look:

Photography by Virisa Yong

Introducing the AW16 Peace + Love collection by Missguided.

The latest range is next level premium—beautifully designed in the most luxurious details and intricate embellishments. These ready-to-wear pieces were inspired by the strong, confident female—for the trailblazers who work hard and live fast. Check out the rest of the collection here.

This season I’m all about embellishments—it gives off the party vibes, and that I’m ready for a fun time. The nude mesh mixed with silver accents gives a very elegant roaring 20’s feel, which I love. Get the dress here or shop the look at the end of this post!

Shop The Look:

Photography by Virisa Yong

Ready, set, shop! 

Happy Cyber Monday, loves! Now that the long weekend has come to an end, today just got better with some amazing online deals. I did some Black Friday shopping for myself, but today, I plan to shop for friends and family. It’s best to start your holiday shopping now to avoid all the last minute stress. I’ve listed my my favorite places to shop below and I hope you find something for yourself!

ALL SAINTS: 30% off sitewide with code CYBER

AMAZON FASHION: 30% select items

ASOS: 30% off sitewide with code THANKFUL30

BEBE: 30% off with CYBERSALE

BNKR: extra 50% off sale items with code OMG50

COLOURPOP: 20% off sitewide (no code necessary)

DOLCE VITA:  60% off items and an extra 20% off sale with the code CYBER20

FOREVER 21: 21% off with code CYBER21

FOR LOVE & LEMONS: 25% off sitewide with the code OUIOUI

FREE PEOPLE: 25% off sale items (no code necessary)

KYLIE COSMETICS: 20% off sitewide (no code necessary)

LEVI’S: 40% off sitewide with code HOLIDAY40 

NARS: 20% off sitewide (must enter your e-mail to get code)

NASTYGAL: Up to 80% off sale items (no code necessary)

NORDSTROM: 20% off select sale items (no code necessary)

SCHUTZ: Up to 70% off select items (no code necessary)

TOPSHOP: Up to 50% off select items (no code necessary)

URBAN OUTFITTERS: $50 off on orders over $150 or $15 off over $75

ZERO UV: 40% off sitewide + free worldwide shipping with code BLKFRDY16

Happy Shopping!

Photography by Virisa Yong

A quick outfit recap from the weekend.

I took a stroll through downtown this past weekend and stopped by my favorite ice cream shop because it sure doesn’t feel like fall in Los Angeles lately. What is up with this bipolar weather? Anyways, there's nothing else to do but take advantage with light statement pieces. I wore my silky jumpsuit from Miss Pap and dressed it down with a woven belt and my Sigerson Morrison mules. I tied my hair in a bun to try something new, and added retro aviators to spice up the look. Overall, it was a good weekend because I was able to spend time with friends—old and new. How did your weekend go?

The Look:

Miss Pap Jumpsuit / Hita Leather Bag / Forever 21 Belt / zeroUV Sunnies /  Sigerson Morrison Shoes

The temperatures are finally dropping and I look forward to dressing more cozy. 

On gloomy days like today, I opt for my favorite basics and cardigan. My new obsession though is the maxi cardi just because more knit is better! It keeps both your upper and lower body warm, which is much needed on those colder days ahead. I also love how the maxi cardi has a dressier look and just puts the whole outfit together. I paired mine with a ribbed bodysuit and stretchy skinnies for a completely comfy feel. Shop the look below!

Photography by Mark Nguyen

Finally, eyewear that fits perfectly!

My career as a fashion blogger includes a lot of driving or getting in and out of meetings and events, which means I spend a good amount of time outdoors. For that reason, sunglasses have become a part of my lifestyle. I have an enormous collection in different styles and colors, each to match any outfit or occasion. But unfortunately, it’s really hard to find a pair that perfectly fits my face.

Did you ever own a pair of frames that either sat on your cheeks or slid down your nose? I had the same problem, and most Asians do. COVRY Founders Athina Wang & Florence Shin addressed this problem and created a design to solve it in what they named the Elevated Fit. It features longer nose pads, a reduced frame curvature and a narrowed nose bridge. With this design, you can finally wear your eyewear confidently (without any worry)! You can read more here.

They also recently launched their Specs Collection, which I’m really excited about since I’m due for a new pair of reading glasses! You can check out the full collection here. My personal favorite is the RIGEL frames for its minimal and lightweight style!

A fall must-have for this endless LA summer.

The warmer days of fall has got me weary. I’m impatiently waiting for the colder days to come because let’s face it, we’re over the heat and cannot wait to wear layers, knits and more! Until then, the sleeveless trench will be our best friend. It’s an outerwear piece that allows much breathing room and puts your whole look together! I got these cream high-waisted skinnies a while ago and thought it would look great with the ivory coat. I'm loving the major boss babe vibes in this outfit overall!

J.O.A Coat / Zara Pants / Tony Bianco Shoes

Photography by Virisa Yong

Moto jacket weather is my favorite kind of weather, and you’ll be seeing me rocking them all season long. I have a huge selection of moto jackets and I’m adding this Line and Dot piece to my collection. What I appreciate most about this piece is the gunmetal studs and large collar flaps—wearing it makes me feel like a rockstar! It definitely gives off an edgy vibe to my look.

Photography by Virisa Yong

My favorite hairstyle and my go-to look:

The Tousled Waves

Tousled hair stays in style because it gives off that effortless cool-girl vibe to any look! My Asian hair is naturally fine and straight, and I absolutely dislike how it gets flat really easily. After trying different hairstyles, I discovered tousled waves and became obsessed. If I had to describe it, I'd say it's something in between beach hair and bed hair. Fun and effortless.

So get ready to channel your inner Beyoncé and look like you "woke up like this" because on today's post, I'll be sharing you how I get my everyday tousled waves! Simply follow the three easy steps below.

Bit first, you’ll need:

• Jose Eber’s Curling Wand
• Dry Shampoo
• Sea Salt Spray 

Step 1: Prep + Section

Spray heat protectant all over your hair and section it. Start curling from the bottom section and work your way up.

Tip: Day-two hair is usually the best to work with because it holds your curls better!

Step 2: Wrap + Wave

Wrap each section of your hair with a curling wand for 10-15 seconds to create waves.

Tip: Don’t leave it on for too long to avoid stiff-looking curls

Step 3: Shake + Shape

Use your fingers and shake your hair from the roots. This technique will separate and loosen your waves for that effortless, tousled look! Spray dry shampoo to add texture and sea salt spray to set the waves. Then, scrunch up parts of your hair to give it more shape.

Tip: Do an upside down hair flip to add more volume

Hair by Niki Nguyen

Let’s face it: no other color will be the new black. 

 Like the saying goes, “I’ll keep wearing black until they invent a darker color,” which, is most likely never. It’s safe to say that I’m obsessed with the color by looking at my wardrobe choices, and the fact that it fills up about 60 percent of my closet space. 

I like to keep it fun by mixing different textures of the same color. I enjoy putting delicate accents with tougher pieces together, just like this lace top and leather skirt. The combination of different textures really makes those details pop!

Shop the look below:

Photography by Virisa Yong