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By Amy Zhang January 26, 2018 in Fitness, Lifestyle 13 Comments

Gym Motivation: Finding the Best Workout For You

“Athletlic” is not a word I would use to describe myself. I didn’t grow up playing sports, was not always super active, and relied mostly on my genetics and fast metabolism throughout my teenage years to get by and stay thin. It wasn’t until a few years ago, when I began investing in myself and trying out different boutique fitness classes, that I learned what the best workout is (for me) and found tactics that motivate me to stay motivated and consistent. It’s been a long journey, one filled with periods of giving up and not always having the healthiest relationship with food and my body, but I feel like I have finally made significant strides. Fitness has become a huge part of my life night – over time, I came to actually enjoy working out – and now I seriously cannot imagine my week without exercise.

HIIT Classes

It took me a long time to realize that the “best workout” is the one you actually like. Gyms were never for me – I was intimidated by all of the machines and free weights, and thought the only way to get in shape was to spend hours slaving over the cardio machines. Not only was it tremendously boring and tedious, it did nothing for my body and I dreaded working out.

Then, I was introduced to barre classes – and I was instantly hooked. I loved the classes and everything about them – the instructors, the music, the community, feeling sore the next day. That was the first time in my life I ever really consistently worked out. It felt great, but I still was not getting the results I wanted. Over the years I tried every class imaginable – spin, boxing, pilates, yoga, etc. I finally found my groove and have been going to HIIT classes 3-4x a week for the past year and it has been the best thing for me.

Whatever your goal are, whether you’re looking to lose weight or get in shape, they will take time. Your body won’t change overnight, and any “plan” or “cleanse” that promises to do so is a LIE. The only thing that will change your body is if you change your lifestyle and remain committed to those changes. With that said, there are a few tricks I picked up over the years that have made working out and staying motivated so much easier.

Gym Motivation to Reach Your Fitness Goals:

+ Have a clear goal in mind.

Maybe you have an event coming up you want to look your best for, or maybe you want to be able to do 10 push-ups. Whatever it is, setting a goal and having something to strive for helps to keep your eyes on the prize.

+ Find an exercise you actually love.

If yoga or pilates isn’t your thing, try something else! There’s no “best” or “perfect” workout. It’s whatever you like the most and will actually WANT to do multiple times a week. What do you actually look forward to? Maybe instead of a gym or class, you prefer rock climbing, hiking, or running outside. There are SO many options for whatever your fitness goals are. Try something new!

+ Make friends!

This has been such a game changer for me. Meeting like minded individuals in my bootcamp class has been the best thing for keeping me accountable and motivated. On my own, I’m more likely to cancel a class last minute or half ass it if I’m not feeling it. But making friends has not only made the class more fun (they push me to run faster, use heavier weights, and SHOW UP), I also WANT to go to class because even if the workout is rough, I get to see them! It’s really a win-win.

+ Schedule your workouts.

I plan mine out a week in advance so I know I’ve set time aside for myself and can plan around it. This makes my workout time non-negotiable, just like any other meeting I have planned during the week.

+ Look cute while you sweat.

When in doubt, dress the part. If you’re not so sure about this whole exercise thing, start with your workout clothes. I swear having a couple cute outfits is actually motivating because it makes you want to wear them (and not just to run errands in) and you feel more comfortable and confident in your own skin. Try it out! I’ll do a post on my favorite workout clothes and brands soon.

What’s your workout routine and how do you stay motivated?? xx

bra: vimmia (on sale!) | leggings: koral | shoes: apl | bag: lole

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By Amy Zhang January 17, 2018 in Lifestyle 11 Comments

Diffusing Essentials Oils for a Zen Atmosphere at Home with Vitruvi

Although I’m no stranger to aromatherapy and using essential oils in my daily routine, it wasn’t until recently that I began to regularly diffuse essential oils in my home. It’s kind of silly to even admit this, but properly diffusing essential oils is SO much better than using any old air freshener. I love my essential oil diffuser and incorporating it has become part of my routine. It’s so calming and relaxing – it totally sets the mood right.

Essential oils have long been touted for their benefits and ability to boost our mood. The science behind this is that our brain closely links different scents to feelings and moods. Who knew our nose and brain were so closely connected?

Why I’m all about diffusing essential oils:

Many people just take essential oils and apply them onto their skin, like a perfume or for an essential oil massage. This is completely fine! You’ll totally get the benefits of aromatherapy when you apply oils topically – but breathing in the essential oils will allow you to experience their full benefits. When you diffuse the oil (using a tool to push and send essential oils into the air around you), it changes the entire room.

Diffusing essential oils not only creates a natural air freshener (that smells amazing!) but it also triggers feelings and emotions when you smell the scent. Different essential oils can trigger different moods in the mind – so depending on the mood you’re in (or want to be in!), diffusing a particular essential oil can take your mind there.

Some popular essential oils and their benefits:

Lavender & bergamot – relaxation & stress reduction (these are my favorites for unwinding at night).

Citrus (orange, lemon, grapefruit) – uplifting, mood-boosting. I often start my day with a citrus essential oil.

Ylang-ylang & jasmine – sensual

Peppermint – energy & focus (think: chewing gum before an exam)

Eucalyptus – immunity boosting, helps with breathing.

My go-to essential oils at home? Lavender, grapefruit, and orange. I really love setting the mood for a relaxing night in or bringing positive energy for the day ahead. You can also mix and combine different essential oils for a different scent or a variety of benefits.

Essential oil recipes

Morning Boost – orange & peppermint

Calm Home – lavender, lemon, & rosemary

Citrus Awakening – lemon, orange, grapefruit

Breathe Well – lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary

Depending on the time of day and mood I’m in, I’ll whip up one of these or try experimenting with something new!

How to diffuse essential oils:

The Process:

Take your diffuser and fill it up with water (there’s usually a line that shows how much water to add). Add ~5-10 drops of essential oil (you can use one oil, or try mixing and matching different ones!). Start with fewer drops and add more as you go – you definitely don’t need to start with more than 5 or 10 drops! Turn on your diffuser and set a timer (some diffusers come with interval timers!) and enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy.

Safety:

As much as I love to diffuse essential oils, after doing some research I learned that there is a right way to diffuse oils SAFELY. Yes, safety is important when you are diffusing essential oils!

A Common Misconception:

First, a common misconception is that you can just keep your diffuser running all day long, like an air freshener. That is actually wrong! You should only diffuse essential oils for short periods of time – think 5-15 minutes (30 minutes max!). Why? Because after diffusing for that amount of time, you’re no longer receiving the benefits of the scent because you have effectively overloaded yourself with it and there is no longer any therapeutic value left.

Never Heat Your Oils:

Another important thing to note is to never heat the oil! Proper diffusers never use heat to disperse the essential oil (they use air). On that note, you should never warm your essential oils over a candle or warmer to diffuse the oil.

How To Clean Your Diffuser:

You don’t have to clean your diffuser often (even if you use different scents), but if you’d like to clean your diffuser, just make sure to dump out the water and clean the inside with a soft cloth or brush.

The Best Essential Oils Diffuser:

I LOVE this stone diffuser from Vitruvi. Not only is it absolutely beautiful (handcrafted from porcelain!), the ultrasonic technology it uses to diffuse the oils keeps them pure and fresh. The diffuser uses ultrasonic waves and water to disperse the essential oil into the air. I’m a total sucker for packaging, and this diffuser looks absolutely beautiful in my home. It’s also functional and getting a lot of use, especially now in the winter!

You can get it here and here.

I’m off to mix up a little nighttime essential oil concoction to help me get to sleep! Thinking lavender and bergamot with a drop of eucalyptus tonight.

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By Amy Zhang January 15, 2018 in Lifestyle, Style 11 Comments

Creating a More Thoughtful Wardrobe

One of my goals this year is to create a more thoughtful wardrobe. I want to be more selective in the pieces I buy and minimize the number of clothes in my closet. This isn’t a new concept. Fashion magazines and bloggers love to talk about investing in “wardrobe staples.” The idea is, if it’s classic, timeless, repeatable, it’s worth spending more money on. Patterns, prints, trendy items should be bought from fast fashion sites and on the cheap. Sounds simple enough, right? But look through your closet and see how often you’ve actually applied that reasoning. I know my closet is filled with dresses, accessories, and shoes I’ve only worn once or twice, which makes me cringe just thinking about it.

Over the years, I’ve come to realize the pieces I wear the most tend to be more neutral and basic. Think: white tees, the perfect pair of denim, leather jacket, black boots. Not reinventing the wheel here, but when I’m throwing on an outfit to grab coffee in, it tends to be more laid back and simple. Now that I’m no longer in my early twenties, I’m slowly replacing my worn in basics with timeless, higher quality versions. As much as I love printed dresses and pieces that pop, at the end of the day, you can never go wrong with wearing all black. For me, a thoughtful wardrobe is a well curated one, filled with staples that fit perfectly with a splash of color and unique pieces scattered throughout.

Easy tips for creating a more thoughtful wardrobe:

+ Wait before pulling the trigger.

Before you buy anything, wait at least 24 hours. You’ll find that once something sits in your cart for a day (or more), you might change on your mind on just how badly you *need* that new swimsuit.

+ Set an expiration date.

Determine what amount of time an item can go unworn in your closet before it gets tossed. I made a rule that if it doesn’t get worn in a year, it’s out. Don’t be afraid to throw out or donate clothes you don’t wear anymore!

+ Create a clothing hierarchy.

Not all items are created equal. Think long and hard about how much you’re willing to spend on clothes. Set some guidelines for where you’re willing to splurge. Ex: a good leather or denim jacket will last you forever. It will also most likely be pretty badass once it’s worn in and vintage. Sunglasses, on the other hand, often get lost (depending on who you are). So they might be an area where you want to spend less. Same goes for swimsuits – I’ve found that I’m in a swimsuit less than 20 times a year, but have enough suits that I could wear a different one each time.

+ Determine what pieces get the most wear.

I spend the majority of my week in clothes I can wear to the office (which luckily is fairly casual) and workout clothes. With that said, I’d still rather buy a classic pair of denim or a cozy sweater than yet another pair of black leggings.

+ Allow for some “fun” or one time pieces.

Sometimes you just gotta get a special piece for your birthday, or your friend’s birthday, or whatever. If it’s something you know you’re only going to wear once, think about if there’s any potential for it afterwards. Can you gift it to a sibling or friend? Maybe it has good resale value on a site like Poshmark? Or you’ll wear it again a few times a year for many years to come? (Ski clothes, a dress you’re determined to wear to more than one wedding, a beach cover up you’ll pack for every upcoming trip). If it can’t be worn to the office, needs to be reconsidered.

Some pieces of mine that have been getting a ton of wear lately? These striped pants from Flair the Label (surprisingly versatile – think with a plain tee or black turtleneck during the day or paired with a crop top or bodysuit at night), my favorite backpack from Sticks + Stones, and these white slides from Chinese Laundry.

top: similar | pants: flair the label | hat: michael stars

backpack: sticks + stones | shoes: chinese laundry

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By Amy Zhang January 12, 2018 in Lifestyle, Style, Wellness 11 Comments

Kicking Off the Year With Sober January

It’s Friday night after a long week. How do you unwind? In my early twenties, Friday nights were typically extremely boozy occasions with all of my best friends. Now that I’m in my late twenties, Friday nights are much tamer, to say the least. But they often involve unwinding with a glass of wine, an Aperol spritz, or spicy marg. But not this month. On December 31st, my boyfriend announced he would be doing a Sober January. I thought about it for a second and decided quickly I would join him. That means for the month of January, no alcohol. No evening glasses of wine, no cocktails with dinner, no drinks out with friends. So – what’s the deal with Sober January?

Why we decided to do Sober January

After the holidays, which were indulgent and booze-filled, to say the least, we were both ready for a reset. Combine that with a desire to get sh*t done in the month of January (hey, resolutions + goal setting!) and extremely busy work schedules, and we both knew we had to cut the booze.

I’m not a big drinker to begin with, but a glass or two of wine with dinner can quickly become a habit, especially over the holidays when I wasn’t working every day. Then, of course, there are the more obvious reasons to cut down on alcohol – it can lead to weight gain, interferes with sleep, is horrible for your skin, it’s filled with sugar, etc. etc. I could go on and on.

To be completely honest, we both wanted to debloat from the month of December and not have to deal with hangovers and all the other expenses of drinking. We honestly couldn’t afford to be out all night, wake up late in the morning hungover, and eat junk food. #adulting

The Challenge

It’s also funny how our minds work sometimes – I swear when I tell myself I can’t have something, I just end up wanting it more. Does anyone else feel this way? Even though I often usually go days and weeks without drinking, I noticed that when I set a challenge of having NO drinks, I found myself being more aware of the times I was in social situations and wasn’t drinking. I also quickly realized how much alcohol is ingrained in social outings and our culture in general. You don’t even realize how alcohol is everywhere and so many social situations often involve drinking. Now that we aren’t drinking this month, we’re definitely being more creative with the activities we choose to do with friends. Workout date, anyone?

Sober January Updates

It’s only been a couple weeks, but we’ve already noticed a difference in our bodies and energy levels. My skin has definitely cleared up and smoothed out. I feel way less bloated, and I’m sleeping well and waking up naturally. This isn’t to say I’ll never drink again. I definitely miss having the occasional glass of wine. The other night at dinner I definitely stared at the spicy margaritas at our table enviously. But the mental clarity and focus have been much needed this month to tackle our to-do list and I’m happy with the decision and the little mini-challenge we gave ourselves.

We kicked off the challenge after a champagne-filled New Year’s Eve… I loved the sequined dress I wore from Revolve so much. I know sequins are such a NYE thing, but I really think this dress could be worn during the year as well. Maybe I’m just looking for an excuse to wear it again ; ).

What are your thoughts on doing a dry January?

dress: its nbd | jacket: bb dakota | shoes: raye

By Amy Zhang January 11, 2018 in Beauty, Lifestyle 11 Comments

Skincare Line to Know: The Ordinary

Let’s forget about clothes for a second and talk about skincare. In my opinion, your skin is the most important thing you wear every day! I don’t know about you, but the texture and appearance of my skin can help make (or break) how I feel about my appearance any given day. That’s why I’m always trying out new products and skincare routines – because I’m all about that skin first motto (thanks, Glossier!). Full disclosure – as a blogger, I receive a lot of makeup and skincare samples from brands to try. There are so many incredible brands and products out there – it’s overwhelming! But recently I discovered one on my own, and these products are so good and so affordable. If you haven’t heard of the skincare line The Ordinary, you’re totally missing out. Here’s my honest review.

Review of The Ordinary Skincare Line

I came across The Ordinary on the internet, and instantly became obsessed with their minimalist, no nonsense packaging. But there’s more to a product than what meets the eye, so immediately I had to investigate further. What caught my attention next were the names of the products. No cutesy names here – each product was named after the active ingredient inside. No frills, no scents, no fillers – just pure, simple ingredients that are proven to work on skin. On top of that – almost every single product was under $10. I was instantly sold.

Almost everything on The Ordinary’s website was sold out or waitlisted for months, so I figured the rest of the internet had to be onto something. I waited patiently for a few simple serums before biting the bullet when the majority of the line became available on Sephora.

You guys, this stuff is SO GOOD. Whatever your skin type and whatever skin woes you have, The Ordinary has a product (or entire skincare regime!) for you. My skin tends to be dry and sensitive, so I have been loving the hyaluronic acid, rose hip oil, and Vitamin C serum. My boyfriend, who has oilier skin, has been digging the salicylic acid and caffeine serum (<< I steal his for those days when the under eye bags are out in full force!). The products are simple and help you streamline your routine by figuring out exactly what ingredients you need for you skin type.

Their motto – “clinical formulas with integrity” – is so spot on. These products aren’t messing around. Learn more about and shop some of my favorite products from the line below!

Best Products From The Ordinary Skincare Line

1. Buffet – a combination of ingredients for maximum anti-aging benefits.

2. Hyaluronic Acid – hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients you can use for moisture and dry skin. Read more about hyaluronic acid here.

3. Vitamin C – such an important ingredient for brightening and maintaining youthful skin. They have different varieties of Vitamin C products with varying concentration levels. This is super helpful if you have dark spots or pigmentation from the sun.

4. Retinoid – I’m working on a full post on retinol and retinoid right now, but they’re some of the best anti-aging ingredients available. I’ve been doing a lot of research on it and most skincare experts tend to agree that your early or mid-twenties is a good time to start adding this to your skincare routine! Essentially it helps your skin cells turn over more quickly (as we age, our skin cells begin to turn over more slowly, leading to wrinkles) and promotes new cell growth underneath.

5. Rose Hip Oil – I love rose hip oil so much and really appreciate The Ordinary for coming out with a pure and powerful version that is affordable. This one I’ll be replacing on the regular! I use it all over my face and parts of my body that need a little extra moisture and it is the best!

6. Caffeine Solution – does for your under eye bags what a cup of coffee does for your energy level – amazing.

The Ordinary has quickly become one of my favorite skincare lines – and for good reason. If you’re on the fence, I definitely recommend checking out the website to find the products that will work best for your skin type. And with prices in line with your local drugstore, what’s not to love?