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

I have gone to NYFW a few times and I must say that I mastered the art of packing quite a bit. It can be stressful and tedious, but preparing yourself is key. Thanks to my friends over at CALPAK, packing has always been a breeze, and most importantly, I’m always traveling in style. We’re giving you a chance to win a 3-piece luggage CALPAK set of your own at the end of this post, so don’t miss it!

Here are a few things to consider before you start packing:

• What’s the weather like in the city you’re visiting?  I cannot emphasize how important this is! Make sure to pick pieces according to the weather. You don’t want to be wearing short shorts in 60 degree weather, or wool tops in 80% humidity. It still felt like summertime in New York, so I made sure I brought lightweight pieces to wear.
• How long are you staying? This helps you determine how many outfits you should pack. I always recommend bringing an extra outfit or two just in case—you might need it for any last minute agendas, or a wardrobe malfunction.

• Try to match and color-coordinate your pieces. My closet mostly consists of neutral colors so it’s not much of a problem. However, we often forget that we are limited with what we can bring, and that's why it’s important to plan your outfits accordingly. I usually play it safe and bring a pair of black sneakers and heels because I can pretty much wear them with any outfit. 

• Leave ample room in your luggage, or bring an extra tote bag with you. There’s no reason to over pack because there’s always opportunities to shop! That’s one of the reasons why traveling is fun. I always try to leave room in my luggage because I know for a fact that I’m going to be bringing new goodies with me back home.

Moving on to my NYFW outfits, here's a round-up of all my looks:

NYFW Outfit Day One

Dahli The Label Top + Skirt / Dolce Vita Booties / Sunday Somewhere Sunnies

NYFW Outfit #2 Day One

Lysse Jacket / Blank NYC Tee / Dolce Vita Booties / Sunday Somewhere Sunnies

NYFW Outfit Day Two

Willow & Clay Top + Skirt / Chinese Laundry Shoes / MCM Bag

NYFW Outfit #2 Day Two

Lioness Dress / MCM Bag / Dolce Vita Booties

NYFW Outfit Day Three

Dahli The Label Jacket + Romper / Chanel Purse / Dolce Vita Booties

Now here's YOUR chance to get your very own 3-piece luggage set from CALPAK! Just follow these 3 rules to enter:

• Follow both @paudictado + @calpak on Instagram
• Subscribe to CALPAK’s email list
• Leave a comment below that includes your dream travel destination with a link to your favorite luggage

***Continental U.S. participants only***

Winner will be announced on my blog Friday, October 7, 2016 - GOOD LUCK!

On my way to slay like Bey.

Channeled my inner Yoncé and dressed up for the Formation Tour at the Dodgers Stadium this past Wednesday. I went for a high neckline and thigh high boots, with cropped and cutoff details. Beyoncé was incredibly amazing when she performed—seamless all throughout and killed every set! 

P.S. I'm back to long hair thanks to my girl Niki (@theniksters) - Check her out and book her for an appointment here. 

Motel Top / GRLFRND Shorts / Simmi Boots / Lack of Color Hat

Photography by Virisa Yong

How I style my hair on-the-go.

With the short 'do, I simply use a flat iron to style it. First, I prime my hair with a heat protector spray (I do this before using any hot tool on my hair). I concentrate on the ends to straighten out my hair. The trick is to make an inward C motion to tame the fly-aways and give your face a great frame. I'm currently using José Eber's Petite Series Flat Iron—it's so compact that I can literally bring it anywhere I go! It's the most convenient travel companion, and great for quick touch-ups as well. I finish it off with a texturizing spray to add volume!

A sweet taste of fall.

My trip to the bay last weekend makes me want fall to come sooner. I long for cooler weather so that I can start layering my favorite pieces together! I recently picked up this House of Harlow jumpsuit from Revolve and instantly fell in love. It flatters my petite body with just the right length, and let me tell you, I find it extremely difficult to find a jumpsuit that fits me well. It’s also so comfortable and lightweight, which made it easy to get around the city. I had such a great time in the bay, stay tuned for a recap on my trip! Shop the look with similar pieces below:

Photography by Austin Lau

Nowadays, I feel as though my style is rapidly changing. I used to hate pink but it's been growing on me lately. I've been so hesitant on rocking short hair but I'm loving it so far. I used to hate change but now I welcome it with open arms. It keeps things interesting and sometimes challenging, but overall exciting.

Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly—it’s your masterpiece after all.

Verge Girl Dress / Chanel Purse / Matisse Shoes / Lack of Color Hat / Westward Leaning Sunnies / Haati Chai Neckpiece

Photography ny Virisa Yong

Hello, September!

Man, each month just keeps swinging by! August was a crazy month for me, and with that, I apologize for the lack of posts. I’m glad that we’re finally winding down to September, which means my birthday and NYFW is just around the corner! I’m getting a year older in less than a couple of days and I find myself scrambling for something to do on my “special” day, since it wasn’t really my priority due to last month’s craziness and with fashion week coming up. I just got back from a short weekend trip to SF and I’m leaving for NYC next weekend, so I’m playing catch-up in between and celebrating my birthday while I’m at it.

Have a great weekend!

Photography by Jennifer Wu

My Miami Vlog is finally here!

I had such an amazing time in Miami for Swim Week with KYBOE! and I can't wait to show you my experience. Watch the short clip below for all the fun!

Please give the video a thumbs up and don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel! xo

This season has got me daydreaming about summer romance. I’m falling in love with lace and drapes and how they make this cali heat a bit more fun and breathable. Catch me wearing this outfit strolling through old towns and sunflower fields. It’s the perfect look for a daytime date, don’t you think?

Jetset Diaries Top + Skirt / B-low The Belt / Raye Heels

Photography by Jennifer Wu

My first Miami Swim Week was short and sweet, but definitely a memorable one. It was my first night in Miami and I wanted it to be special, so I put my favorite black maxi dress on to match my KYBOE! watch. Mine was black and bedazzled, and I love how it matches my style and aesthetic perfectly. I’m all about that edge and glam! My watch was from their Radiant Collection, which features watches that are adorned with Swarovski crystals. Stay tuned for my Miami Swim Week Recap next! For the meantime, you can shop the look below:

I'm all tied-up.

I’ve spent more time indoors than outdoors for the past couple weeks. I think the heat is really getting to me lately. I’ve been keeping myself inspired while recharging my batteries, so expect more content coming your way! For this style post, I’m finally pulling myself together and showing you my go-to summer look. All you need is a good bodysuit and a cute pair of short-shorts to get you through this summer heat. This bodysuit is appropriate in so many ways, and anything lace-up is always a good idea. 

Bare Anthology Bodysuit / B-low The Belt / Glamorous Shorts / Bonnie Clyde Sunnies / Missguided Hat

Photography by Johnson Le

This summer heat has got me wanting to wear more color!

The summertime calls for more feminine and flowy pieces. I rarely wear color, but I’m really digging the dusty mauve shade.  This Bare Anthology top is feminine but still has a little edge to it. The sleeves create a nice silhouette to elongate the arms, and I just love how it flows to every movement. I paired it with my favorite short-shorts to balance the proportions. Shop something similar below!

For my summer getaway to the Philippines, I had the chance to partner up with CALPAK to show you my travel diary on their blog! There I talked about visiting Manila, which is the capital city—and Boracay, which is one of their island destinations.

Read about all the places I enjoyed visiting and all the amazing food I ate. I had the best time with all my adventures there and I can’t wait to share with you, so check it out here! :)

The summer heat is here and I find myself wanting to wear nothing but my bodysuits and a good pair of jeans. What drew me to this bodysuit is the unusual cut on the chest area; it gives a tasteful reveal for the itty bitties. I also love the choker detail it has since I’m so obsessed with them right now. Felt so effortlessly badass with these raw-edged mom jeans, and added a great pair of minimal heels to finish off the look.

 Bare Anthology Bodysuit / Jeans + Heels

Photography by Jennifer Wu

Short hair don't care, thanks to Bellami Extensions!

I've decided to chop my hair off on a whim, and there's no regrets here. Now my hair feels lighter and healthier since all the split ends are gone. I'll be honest, I've been brutal to my hair; dyeing and bleaching it every month so that I can get it to the perfect silver color that I've always wanted. The result? Damaged locks with so. much. breakage.

Thanks to my Bellami Extensions, I'm able to go from my short 'do to mermaid hair anytime! It's crazy how Samantha's Sterling Silver line perfectly matches my silver hair that there was no dyeing or toning needed! I simply popped it right off the box and clipped it to my hair. It has the perfect silver color that I absolutely love. Get ANY set of hair extensions for $5 off when you use my code "PAU"!

Special thanks to my hairstylists, Niki and Linh for my hair color and cut! :)

Shop the look below:

This season, I got the chance to partner up with Missguided to bring you some summer outfit ideas! I’m loving their new swim collection because they offer a variety of styles—whether you’re partying by the pool or bumming it at the beach—you’ll be bringing the heat all summer long!

Look #1: Sporty Chic in pink mesh // Sunnies by Bonnie Clyde

Look #2: White Hot in a crochet one-piece // Sunnies by Bonnie Clyde

Look #3: Boho Babe in fringe // and silver accents // sunnies by Bonnie Clyde

Look #4: Beach-day Ready in all-black everythin (Shop the look below)

Look #5: Metallic Music in a rose gold max (Shop the look below)

Don't forget to watch my Summer Lookbook below :)

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This past weekend, I had the chance to visit Koi Los Angeles for dinner.

Koi offers contemporary Japanese cuisine that will excite your taste buds in a modern, yet Zen-inspired setting. The décor is elegant, yet sophisticated; the ambience is perfect for a date night, or a night out with the girls!

Our host gave us a rundown on Koi’s signature and must-try dishes. They’re well-known for their crispy rice so this was first on our list. We had them with kobe beef and spicy tuna on top, it was delicious!

Roasted Shishito Peppers

The roasted shishito peppers had a nice, spicy kick to it (spicy food lovers, I suggest you get this!) It was served in sweet soy sauce, which was a good balance to the spicy flavor.

Oysters

Sea Urchin

Omakase Roll

Lobster Tacos

The lobster tacos was bite-sized and fun to eat! The taco shell was made with wonton wrapper, which gives it a good crunch. The lobster was topped with mango salsa, and a refreshing yuzu guacamole on the side.

Creamy Shrimp Tempura

The Creamy Shrimp Tempura was creamy on the outside and meaty on the inside, topped with crispy grilled onions.

Toro Sushi

The Toro Sushi is my favorite. It was fresh, delicious, and most of all, fatty. It's $20 for two, but it was definitely worth every penny.

Salmon Carpaccio

The Salmon Carpaccio was beautifully plated with black truffles and ponzu.

Overall, my dining experience at Koi was amazing. Everything I ordered was delicious, and most of all, service was great! Our server was really helpful, and food came in a timely manner. I look forward to coming back. :)

Tips:

• Top 3 must-try dishes are: Crispy rice, Toro sushi and Omakase roll
• Make reservations, especially ahead of time for the weekends. They get really busy!
• If you can, reserve a seat at their patio—it’s gorgeous! (for my fellow foodies, go get that perfect lighting outside)

For more info and reservations, visit http://www.koirestaurant.com/