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By Amy Zhang February 16, 2018 in Lifestyle, Style 9 Comments

Happy Chinese New Year! Celebrating the Year of the Dog

Gong xi fa cai! Happy Chinese New Year! Wishing you a happy and prosperous new year! It’s the Year of the Dog, and although I won’t be with my family in Minnesota or China to celebrate in person, you can bet I will still be celebrating in spirit. In Asian countries, Lunar New Year is a VERY big deal – arguably even bigger than the calendar new year. In China, the Lunar New Year is known as the “Spring Festival” and it is a national holiday.

Everyone is off work for days if not weeks (or the entire month) to celebrate with their families. Growing up, this was one of the important holidays of the year for my family. I have such fond memories tied to this annual event and it makes me so proud of my heritage. Cultural traditions are so special and unique – I really wanted to take the time to share some of mine around celebrating Chinese New Year.

Celebrating the Year of the Dog – Chinese New Year Traditions

Lunar New Year isn’t only celebrated in China. It’s one of the biggest holidays in the entire world and is celebrated all across Asia. In fact, Chinatowns across the US will be having parades and celebrating the occasion this weekend. If you live near a Chinatown and have never experienced it during the Lunar Festival, you have to see it for yourself! In China, this holiday is also referred to as the Spring Festival – marking the end of winter and beginning of spring.

People celebrate this occasion by cleaning their houses from top to bottom to get rid of bad fortune and decorating for the festivities. As you may have noticed, red is the most popular and symbolic color. Red signifies happiness, wealth, and good fortune. Many cities will hold lion and dragon dances, parades, and other celebratory festivities. It’s an incredibly exciting time! In many ways it is similar to Christmas in western cultures.

There is a gift-giving component as well!

typically in the form of “red envelopes” that as are given from older to younger. Parents and grandparents will give children these red envelopes and fill them with cash. The money inside the envelopes is said to be “lucky” and will bring good fortune to the younger generation.

And of course, you cannot forget the food.

Growing up, my favorite tradition was making dumplings (jiaozi) by hands with my family. The process would often take hours and was a time we could spend together, laughing and sharing stories. Of course, an entire feast is prepared with all sorts of dishes, but my favorite was always dumplings. When I was only 5 years old, I ate 20 dumplings in a sitting and my mom thought I was going to be sick.

It just so happens that this red oriental print is trending this season. Although I was initially a little surprised, I couldn’t help but fall in love with several of the pieces. This skirt from Revolve is super on point for CNY from the print to the cut, to the color. RED is the color of Chinese New Year and it’s fun to see contemporary interpretations of this popular print in the US. I’ve linked some of my other favorite Chinese New Year inspired pieces below.

What does the year of the dog mean?

The Lunar Cycle is divided into 12 years, each year represented by a different animal in the Chinese Zodiac. You may have noticed this zodiac with the 12 animals on placemats at Chinese restaurants. So if you aren’t sure what zodiac animal you are, read this. This year is the year of the dog.

According to the Chinese zodiac, the dog is loyal, honest, and intelligent. Also, very much like dogs in life – they are loving companions. What does this mean for you? Although it varies by person (much like in astrology, your specific zodiac sign makes a difference), the overall theme of the year should tie back to kindness and giving back. The dog is associated with the EARTH element, much more level-headed and grounded than FIRE. Finally, dogs are very compassionate and kind animals, which bodes well for the lunar year ahead of us.

bodysuit: h.ours | skirt: privacy please | shoes: tamara mellon

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By Amy Zhang February 14, 2018 in Beauty, Lifestyle 3 Comments

The 411 on Retinol – All Your Retinol Questions Answered

What’s the deal with retinol? Not sure what it is or how to incorporate it into your skincare routine? Then you want to read this post. You’ll get ALL your retinol questions answered here. The thing with retinol is it’s all about PREVENTION. Yes, we’re trying to prevent wrinkles and aging by being proactive with our skincare routine. Every year I get more and more obsessed with skincare, prevention, trying new products, and perfecting my routine. It comes with the territory of getting older, I guess.

A few years ago I started hearing about retinol everywhere. I did tons of research on the ingredient and found a lot of conflicting advice, but a general consensus seemed to be that your mid to late twenties was the best time to start incorporating it into your nighttime routine. Fast forward to now and here we are – I’ve started to incorporate products with retinol into my routine and I felt like I HAD to share more about what retinol is, what it does, and how to add it to your routine.

The 411 on Retinol – All Your Retinol Questions Answered

So, what is retinol?

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that is used to treat signs of aging on your skin. It’s widely known as the gold standard when it comes to ingredients in your skincare products that work to combat wrinkles and other signs of aging (and is much less invasive than botox or elective surgery). Bonus – it’s used to treat acne as well.

Retinols are actually a weaker form of retinoids, which often require a prescription (think: Retin-A) and can be harsher on your skin (but with better results). However, retinol is more mild on your skin and can be bought without a prescription. So if you’re a little freaked out about the thought of using something as intense as Retin-A, you can ease into it first with retinol, which can be found over-the-counter and at varying prices.

Should I be using retinol?

So, if you’re in your mid to late twenties, now is a good time to start using a product with retinol. Also, retinol works by turning over skin cells, boosting collagen, and smoothing out in your skin. Everyone’s skin reacts differently, but in general, you can expect results after about 12 weeks of consistent use, which include reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and smoother skin. It also has been proven to help with cystic acne and help fade acne scars.

Not sure how much you need? There are products with varying levels of retinol in them on the market. If you’re new to the product, start with something that has very low levels of retinol. The reason for this is retinol can cause dryness, sensitivity, redness, or peeling of the skin, so you definitely want to ease into using the ingredient.

Should I use retinol every night?

If you’re just starting to use retinol, you can try using it every other night to see how your skin reacts. I was recommended to start using a retinol serum every other night and build up to using it every night. This is the serum I’ve been using for the past year without any skin issues.

What’s the deal with retinol and sun exposure?

You may have heard retinol leads to skin being more sensitive to sun exposure. As with any proper skincare routine, you should be wearing SPF daily to prevent any additional sun damage. If you notice your skin gets burned more easily when you’re using retinol, try to avoid the sun if you can.

Shop products with retinol to add to your routine:

1. Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Facial Night Cream

2. Kate Somerville Retasphere 2-in-1 Retinol Night Cream

3. Verso Night Cream

4. Eve Lom Time Retreat Face Treatment

5. SENTÉ Bio Complete Serum

6. Peter Thomas Roth Professional 3% Retinoid Plus

7. Skinceuticals Retinol 1.0

8. Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream

9. The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid (less than $10!)

10. Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Serum

What are your thoughts on retinol? Any experiences, good or bad? I’d love to hear!

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By Amy Zhang February 12, 2018 in Recipes 8 Comments

Healthy Banana Oatmeal Pancake Recipe {Grain & Dairy Free}

Love is in the air this week – my love for pancakes, breakfast, and my boyfriend have come together in the form of this heart shaped, healthy banana oatmeal pancake recipe. This week’s pancakes are heart shaped in honor of Valentine’s Day, but the recipe is good for any time of year. It’s easy, practically fool-proof, and easily customized to whatever your tastes may be. They also happen to be grain and dairy free, yet still happen to taste like pancakes. You won’t even miss the flour, butter, and all of the other delicious (but not so good for you) ingredients.

Pancake Recipe

If you’re familiar with healthy pancake recipes, you may remember the extremely popular two ingredient protein pancake recipe that made its way around the internet a few years ago. These were one of my go-to healthy breakfasts for a while. I love a good simple recipe! This one is as easy as they come– you only need two ingredients (banana and eggs) – and they’re filled with protein and so good for you! They also taste surprisingly good, despite my initial thoughts that they would taste like a weird sweetened egg mixture. I wouldn’t say they taste like pancakes (missing that gluten factor, in my opinion), but they are a great healthy substitute and taste amazing with fresh berries and a little maple syrup.

If you’re looking for a healthy pancake recipe that more closely resembles a traditional pancake, try out this banana oatmeal recipe I adapted from Modern Honey (love this food blog!). The reason why I ended up testing this recipe? I went grocery shopping over the weekend and initially bought bananas and eggs for the 2-ingredient protein pancakes I typically make. However, I had difficulties using the heart-shaped mold I had in mind because the batter ended up being too runny for my liking.

Pancake batter typically includes some type of mixture of dry and wet ingredients, and this variation was missing milk and flour. I had to think quickly on my feet – I had oats and flour in my pantry, but I didn’t have any milk in my fridge! Almond milk is a staple at home, but we very rarely buy cow’s milk. I try to avoid too much dairy, so we typically only buy it if we’re baking or making cauliflower gratin for special occasions. I was also feeling lazy and didn’t feel like running out to the store again. SO, I had to find a dairy free pancake recipe ASAP. This one worked in a pinch, and I will definitely be using it again in the future!

Healthy Banana Oatmeal Pancake Recipe

Adapted from Modern Honey. Serves 2-4 (makes 12 pancakes).

Ingredients:

1 banana
2 eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 cup oats (I used steel cut oats and had no issues)
2 teaspoons baking powder

Optional Add-Ins:

1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon nut butter
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 cup chocolate chips
Cinnamon

How To Make This Healthy Banana Oatmeal Pancake Recipe:

Blend ingredients together until smooth. Add more oats or almond milk to adjust consistency if needed. Heat a non-stick skillet on low to medium low (if the skillet is too hot the pancakes will burn) and add butter, oil, or cooking spray. I like Trader Joe’s coconut cooking spray, but whatever you have on hand should be fine. To make the heart-shaped pancakes, I used this mold. I used about 2 tablespoons of batter for each pancake. Cook on one side for one to two minutes before flipping over and cooking for another minute. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings (suggestions: maple syrup, agave nectar, berries, coconut flakes, slivered nuts, whipped cream).

I loved these pancakes for weekdays or when I’m craving pancakes but want something a little healthier. They’re fluffy and have the texture of regular pancakes, but are so much lighter and better for you. If you prefer a sweeter batter, just add in a couple tablespoons of maple syrup or agave into the batter before mixing. I promise these will be your new go-to healthy pancake recipe!

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By Amy Zhang February 8, 2018 in Beauty, Lifestyle 7 Comments

Boosting My Routine with Neutrogena + A Giveaway !!

Boosting My Routine with Neutrogena | by The Luxi Look

This post was sponsored and written in partnership with Neutrogena. As always, all opinions are my own.

As much as I love spontaneity and adventure, I’ve come to love a good routine. There’s something about having a daily routine and the familiarity and comfort that comes with it. Routines keeps me grounded and focused during the week. As I’ve gotten older, a huge part of my routine has become centered around wellness and taking care of myself overall.

Boosting My Routine with Neutrogena + A Giveaway !!

I’ve been making a more concerted effort to sleep more, drink water, eat well, and exercise, and it has truly helped so much in terms of mental and physical health. Another huge part of my routine is skincare. I firmly believe that proper skincare does not need to take lots of time everyday, and good products do not have to be expensive. In fact, some of my favorite products can be found at the drugstore for under $20. That’s why I’m so excited to share how I’ve been boosting my routine with Neutrogena products – one of my absolute favorite drugstore brands.

Growing up, my mom was adamant that I could find great and affordable skincare products. Together, we would scour magazines for tips and explore the drugstore aisles. One brand that was always in my skincare rotation – Neutrogena. The sunscreen was a staple in our household (thank you, Mom, for teaching me the importance of wearing SPF, even if I did not always listen!), and the eye makeup remover and makeup removing wipes were must-haves when it came to removing harsh dance makeup. Today, I find the same products and more under my bathroom sink. After over a decade of using them, they really are tried and true products.

Makeup Remover Wipes

Makeup removing wipes are one of those products that really are a lifesaver. I keep these wipes in my gym bag to remove any makeup on my face before and after a workout. This step is absolutely crucial if you have a full face of makeup on. Nothing clogs pores and causes breakouts more quickly than not removing your makeup. Seriously, do not sleep in your makeup! Coming from someone who has learned the hard way. The best part about these wipes is they remove even the most stubborn eye makeup. Total winner in my book.

I also like to keep an extra set of skincare products in my gym bag (currently loving this cute tote bag from Sticks + Stones) – I’ve added the new Hydro Boost Multi-Vitamin Booster with the tried and true Hydro Boost Water Gel to my bag so I’m never stuck without a hydrating facial product. I have extremely dry skin. So between the daily sweat sessions and extra face washes I’ve added to my routine, I need a good (but affordable) hydrating moisturizer to make sure my skin stays hydrated and healthy.

Before I added this step, I would wash my face with a cleanser I kept in my gym bag. Although I often would not moisturize afterwards because I didn’t have one on hand. Big mistake – so now I’ve learned my lesson. This combination of makeup removing wipes, sunscreen, hydration booster, and moisturizer has made my daily routine simpler and more effective.

Now, I want to make your routine more simple as well!

I’m giving away a $50 Rite Aid gift card to one lucky reader! So you too can boost your routine with some new drugstore products. If you’re interested in trying out any of these Neutrogena products, they will be Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off the rest of this week as well as the weeks of 2/18 and 2/25 this month. To enter, comment below with your favorite tried and true skincare product!

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By Amy Zhang February 2, 2018 in Lifestyle, Wellness 7 Comments

What Happens When You Give Up Alcohol for a Month

At the beginning of the year, my boyfriend and I embarked on a 31-day no alcohol challenge (or “Dry January” as it’s called) to kick off the year on a healthier note and reset after the craziness of the holidays. Well, it’s now February, and Dry January is “officially over.”

So, what happens give alcohol month off?

I wish I could say I had some insane life changes over the past month or some enlightening revelations to share, but the month really just came and went (for me). Sure, there were stressful moments when it would have been nice to unwind with a glass of wine at night, and there were plenty of occasions (Mexico, anyone?!) when a spicy margarita or good tequila at the rocks would have been appropriate. But overall, the experience helped us both reset, focus on our goals for the month and clear our minds (and bodies). And when February 1st came, I still opted for sparkling water over champagne.

What I learned from giving up alcohol for a month

Social plans can get dicey.

It immediately became very apparent just how heavily alcohol is used as a social lubricant. Once you say you’re not drinking, it seems like every social event revolves around alcohol. I found myself thinking, “well if I’m not going to drink, is it even worth going?”

Expect some strange reactions.

You’ll also definitely get some strange (and weirdly strong) reactions from friends and coworkers. People seem to LOVE giving you a piece of their mind on your decision to not drink. Some people in your life will be positive and encouraging and look for other ways to make time for you. Other friends you might not see as much anymore, and you realize how much of your relationship was based off of going out and getting drinks together.

Opt for mocktails if you have to.

I will say that in many industries, social drinking is a huge part of networking and getting ahead, so sometimes the pressure to drink is not only social, it’s professional. If you’re trying to drink less in these situations, I would recommend nursing one drink the entire evening, or sticking to sparkling water or soda in a cocktail glass (a water glass is a dead giveaway for no booze).

Were there any benefits of not drinking for full month?

For me, hands down yes. There are real benefits. The ones I experienced: waking up every morning naturally refreshed. Not having a hangover (or regret). Not eating crap food or wasting a Sunday away on the couch because of said hangover. Clearer skin and better digestion. Feeling less bloated – dare I say, I see the beginning of some baby abs? Holding myself more accountable to my goals. Having more time to focus on other things that are important to me. Being more productive. Working out more.

One of the biggest (and most obvious) benefits:

Alcohol is expensive! Especially when you’re not drinking at home. When we went out to eat, our dinner bill seemed to be half of what it would normally be if we had each gotten a couple cocktails or split a bottle of wine. To be fair, selling liquor is how most restaurants make a profit, which is understandable. Although we definitely noticed it in how pushy our waiters would be when we turned down drinks.

At our resort in Mexico, it felt as though we were being asked every 5 minutes if we wanted something to drink. Can I get you something from the bar? Are you sure you don’t want a margarita by the pool? While we didn’t go into the month with the intention of cutting out booze to save money, it turns out that you can save a lot of money by eliminating that glass of wine every time you go out to eat.

My final thoughts on giving up alcohol for a month:

Going a month of intentionally saying no to every drink that was offered to me made me rethink my own drinking habits. I’m not a big drinker and have a relatively small frame. So even one drink at night can sometimes lead to me not sleeping well and waking up groggy the next day. Also, now that I’m in my late twenties, the two day hangover is REAL, guys.

Then there’s the whole “adulting” of it all. Most corporate jobs aren’t a 9-to-5 gig anymore, and it’s a busy time of year at the studio where I work. I had to set priorities for myself, and they were: family and friends, work, wellness, and blogging. I don’t drink much because I really just can’t afford to. And a lot of my friends my age and older agree. I know, it doesn’t sound so fun – but I’m also a huge proponent of having fun without booze. I 100% believe you do not need to be liquored up to have (or be) a good time.

That’s why when February came around, I wasn’t jumping to drink and passed on the opportunity. I’m not saying I’ll never have a drink again, but Dry January definitely made me rethink my priorities and set some new intentions. So with that said, happy February everyone, and cheers! xx

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