Tan Skirt: Hello Autumn

Zara skirt and heels, random knit, floral scarf from Spain, American Apparel socks 

Look number three of four: channeling darker autumn neutrals and fall floral pairings. Tried to be creative with the black kneehigh socks and strappy sandals combination. Reminds me of a fashion faux pax moment I had in high school, where I dressed a brown Hollister longsleeve two sizes too small with a flouncy white miniskirt, kneehigh socks in yet another poop color, and fuzzy black flip flops. If I've learned anything at all over the years, it's to not dress like something edible (i.e. a walking s'more).

In other news: (1) Carmageddon on the 405 strikes this weekend oh lucky me, (2) I'm watching The Book of Mormon tomorrow, and (3) I'm moving up to San Francisco for work next year!

But please do share. What were some of your fashion faux pax moments? 

Tan Skirt: Peekaboo Blues

Zara skirt, leopard top from boutique, vintage blazer, Movado watch, Steve Madden Pembrook booties 

Here's post number two of the four part series on how to wear this tan, suede skirt different ways. The shockingly blue blazer does its part in salvaging the ensemble from its uber brown hue monotony, or at least, I'd like to think so. Not sure if you can tell, but that teeny tiny ring on my finger is actually square-shaped and is one of my favorite souvenirs from my summer in NY (I bought it at Artists & Fleas inside the Chelsea Market, but you can check out the designer's collection here).

Tan Skirt: Strange Neapolitan

 Zara vest, skirt and heels, top from San Francisco boutique, American Apparel bra 

Last week, I mentioned that I had been tagged by blogger Sarah of Lamé Chic to do a post on different ways to wear a particular item (see Sarah's post here).

For this series (which I'm spreading out across the rest of the week), I'm featuring this tan, suede miniskirt from Zara I bought many seasons ago. It's a pretty neutral piece, so I thought it'd be fun to see how many different outfits I could possibly spin out of it. In retrospect, I realize that this particular outfit is Zara overkill. Oops. In any case, it's a funky twist on something reminiscent of neapolitan ice cream, and therefore fun.

While I still have your attention!! Ambassadors for Sustained Health (ASH), a non-profit founded by my dear friend Michelle Chang, is celebrating its second birthday this Saturday, September 29th. With branches in Los Angeles, New York, Boston and San Francisco, ASH is hosting ASH Bash to celebrate, with everything from food to entertainment to music to raffles and a silent auction! Admission is FREE!

I'll be attending the ASH Bash in Downtown LA this Saturday, from 11am to 4pm, so join me for the festivities! RSVP here for the LA event. Check here for ASH events in NY, SF and Boston.

Thank You + Giveaway

As a thank you for all your continued support (and for bearing with me as I've been MIA), I wanted to give away this Superdry First Aid Corpman Weekender Bag to one lucky reader. This comes at a good time as I officially ended my internship with said British company yesterday.

The bag retails for $300 and is actually out of stock online. More details pulled from the UK site: "Superdry First Aid Corpman weekender bag, with rope handles and carry strap and faded union flag print. Outer toggle closure compartment. First main compartment has double zip closure and two inner compartments, one with printed union flag. Second main compartment has popper flaps for umbrella storage. Two zipped and two popper closure outer compartments with embroidered rising sun logo."

To enter, simply leave your name, your email address so I can contact you, and a comment. All shipping costs will be covered, and the winner, drawn at random, will be announced on Sunday night.

Good luck!

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 Update: And by Sunday night, I meant Monday morning. In any case, congratulations to BRENDA WONG for winning the bag!

Five More Days

Radio City Music Hall / ant's view of the Empire State Building / shots on and of the Brooklyn Bridge / World Trade Center Memorial / Central Park / art near the High Line / Shake Shack, baby! / out and about Brooklyn / overlooking Chelsea / peek into my apartment / Times Square night lights

Between work and more work, having a new guest in town literally every weekend has left me with no time to shoot any new outfit looks. Apologies! As the title suggests, I'm counting down the last five precious days of my time in NYC before flying back to LA on Tuesday. Hopefully these shots (courtesy of my lovely cousin, Bonny, pictured above) will give you a small glimpse of what the city has to offer. It appears I don't have any immediate plans to move back to the east coast, but I do have some rather exciting news to share, in due time.

I've also recently been tagged by blogger Sarah of Lamé Chic to do a post on different ways to wear a particular item (take at look at Sarah's post on the trendy high-low dress), so stayed tuned for that!

And since I'm all about new sounds, a friend just introduced me to trap music. I'm pretty obsessed with this track. Give it a listen, let me know what you think, and cheers to the fast-approaching weekend.

Deadmau5 ft. Kaskade - Trap For Me (Van Toth Remix) by Thissongissick.com

Not Everything's Black & White

Helmut Lang sweater, Elizabeth and James boots, Jean Yu bra, The Row sunnies, 3.1 Phillip Lim bag, House of Harlow bracelet, Balmain leather skinnies

Just a few materialistic cravings for the fall.

Apologies that my blog has been on hiatus. I've been meaning to adhere to a MWF posting schedule, for consistency's sake, but I've been busy entertaining some guests from out of town. This past week has been spent in all sorts of euphoric gluttony and fulfilling an unsustainable lifestyle since my time here is abbreviated. It pains me to be counting down my last few days in the city, so in the meantime, I'll be trying to make the most of it (photos to go up soon, maybe).

Let's stay connected! Follow me on Instagram (@cutandtaylored) and Twitter!

Cat Lady

H&M sheer top & sunnies, White House | Black Market slit maxi, Zara heels, Longchamp bag

Take a sheer top splattered with faces of jaguars, pair it with a flimsy excuse for peplum, and what you've got is a current wardrobe favorite. This nude skirt (a $4 victory from a thrift store back home), with its scandy mid-thigh slit, also has my heart in a headlock and has been deemed a perfect transition piece from summer to fall. I'm particularly sentimental when it comes to jewelry, so I'm wearing a gifted cross bracelet from Coachella (TY Annie) and a silver/leather bracelet from my recent trip to Argentina. Now, if you're sick of seeing my repetitive Zara footwear, you're not alone. I'm sick of it too and cannot wait to be reunited with the surplus of heels I never wear in LA.

 For those of you who have asked, the wonderful person behind the camera is none other than Mai Shi, a talented photographer here in New York. I'll be sure to link her portfolio/site once I get it!

You Sneaky Wedge Sneak

Report Daysha Wedge Bootie (available here and here)

Felt my thoughts on the current wedge sneaker trend merited more than a Tweet. Truthfully, I like the idea. Comfort of sneakers + benefits of added height. Obviously Isabel Marant had the right idea. Can't seem to see enough knock-offs, including some from Steve Madden and Jeffrey Campbell.

I was on the hunt for boots yesterday when I stumbled across some wedge sneakers, including the black ones pictured above. I nearly bit the bullet on them until, after making a few laps around the store, the intrigue wore off. It's a seemingly nice concept, but a few glances in the mirror later and I'm convinced that unless you have Miranda Kerr's legs, this trend is an easy street to Cankle Land.

What do you guys think?

NYC Snapshots

brunch at PhD Lounge in NYC, art outside Electric Room

 

chandelier & Thai food at Room Service, dandelion pesto cuttlefish at Google NY 

a peek at Superdry SS13 buys, gifted Coachella cross bracelet 

Tiesto at sundown, angelic skies at Electric Zoo 

overexposure at Avenue NYC, Intern Queen Party 

thrifting in Williamsburg, neon graffiti in Brooklyn 

gluttonous at Serendipity, oyster eating in hipster Williamsburg 

sunset from our apartment, watermelon soju & lights at Pocha in K-Town 

chandelier at The Griffin, Electric Zoo ready with the roomie

jewelry making at Brooklyn Charm, a somewhat healthy cleanse

margarita night with fellow NYC interns, The Museum of Modern Art

an empty Times Square, Starbucks on the Brooklyn Bridge

I hope you all had a marvelous Labor Day weekend. Mine was well spent not laboring and instead, enjoying the city in great company. I kid you not, there is never a shortage of things to do in New York, and with every week I spend here, I feel myself getting pulled in deeper and deeper. Already anticipating serious NY withdrawals when I fly back to LA later this month.