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By Amy Zhang September 25, 2017 in Lifestyle, Style, Wellness 9 Comments

Starting the Week by Practicing Gratitude

Happy Monday! How was everyone’s weekend? Some of the highlights of mine included shopping for autumnal decorations for the apartment (really into fall right now if you can’t tell) and taking an insane 90 minute dance class that was a total blast.

I’m not the best dancer at ALL, but I couldn’t help but feel 1. exhausted and 2. grateful after taking the class. Why grateful? Because gratitude is something that has been on my mind a lot lately. I’m trying to journal more as part of my daily routine, one part which consists of writing down what you are grateful for.

Starting the Week by Practicing Gratitude

There are so many surprising benefits to journaling – cultivating self awareness, boosting creativity, helping with memory, and keeping track of goals. Of course, all habits take time to build. One habit I heard time after time to add to my routine is journaling.

Here’s why and how you should keep a gratitude journal:

Journaling is an incredibly personal activity that looks very different for everyone. How much and what I write depends largely on my mood and current emotional and mental state. My boyfriend suggested The Five Minute Journal as a way to ease into journaling. I love this journal because it is clean and organized, and already has the various sections I need to fill in every day laid out for me. Oh, and it only takes five minutes a day (sometimes less!).

My favorite part to fill out everyday is the section on gratitude. I’d like to think that I don’t take things for granted and focus only on my problems, but the truth is ever since I started practicing gratitude on a daily basis, I’ve noticed a shift in my mentality and mindset. It’s so easy to do – there’s no right or wrong answer, it’s just what you’re grateful for that day, in the moment.

It doesn’t have to consist of the most profound thoughts you’ve ever had. But the simple act of writing down three things a day you’re grateful for can help improve your overall well being and happiness. Think about how often we compare ourselves to others or take what we have for granted. Oftentimes it isn’t until something unfortunate happens or we see something in the world that triggers certain emotions that we stop to appreciate what we have.

So yesterday, the three things I chose to be grateful for were looked something like this:

Having the physical ability to run and move freely for 90 minutes.
Surrounding myself with people that lift me up and inspire me – especially good friends, which can be hard to find.
A weekend to myself with my dog that allowed us to bond and spend lots of time together.

Today, I am grateful for:

New beginnings at work – a new opportunity to learn and grow.
Having a platform that allows me to reach others with my message and connect with them in ways I never thought would be possible.
Coffee. Because it’s Monday.

Practicing gratitude allows you to focus on the positive in your life, realize even the negative is not always so bad, and that there’s always more to be grateful for. Each new day is a new opportunity to reflect. I’m so happy I started this exercise and have found it has really helped me approach every day more positively. Even when I’m having a bad day, stopping for five minutes to think of three things I’m grateful for allows me to pause.

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” < one of my favorite quotes, and so true!

And yes, I know it’s officially fall – but it still feels like summer and I’m holding onto every last sun soaked day I can. Wearing a two piece set by one of my all time favorite brands, Spell.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

PS – If you’re loving these more

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang September 22, 2017 in Lifestyle 5 Comments

Hostess with the Mostess: How to Make An Eye-Catching (and Delicious!) Cheese Board

Hosting or attending an event this weekend? Not sure what to make or bring? Every hostess knows an appetizer board is not only a real crowd pleaser, it’s also ridiculously simple and requires no actual cooking. If you’re short on time or not the best in the kitchen, there’s no easier way to trick your guests into thinking you’re domestic AF than by making the perfect cheese board. Learning how to make the perfect cheese board is easier than you think, trust me.

Cheese and charcuterie or raw vegetables (crudités if you want to be fancy) artfully arranged on a board look impressive and require very little prep time. Not to mention, your guests will most likely love it (and devour it). It’s a win-win for everyone and a must have at your next gathering. Whether you’re hosting or attending a party, a cheese board is an easy way to contribute while doing minimal work. Which in my book, is a huge win!

If you follow me on Instagram, you might already know I have been LOVING cheese/charcuterie/crudité boards lately and making them at every chance I get. They are a staple whenever we have people over at our apartment – it’s easy to see why when you learn how easy they are to prep and assemble, and how much our visitors love them!

Here’s how to make the perfect cheese board

+ First, decide what’s going on it.

Are you sticking to strictly cheese? Is a cheese and charcuterie board? Or maybe you’re adding some raw vegetables? The general rule of thumb for a cheese board is 3 different types – one hard, one soft, one goat. In my opinion, this is a rule that is meant to be broken! I usually like to have a soft cheese (brie, camembert), a hard cheese (gruyere, comte), and a spreadable goat cheese (Trader Joe’s has amazing goat cheese logs!). But I also like to include a good cheddar, gouda, or something different that comes recommended to me. Be sure to experiment to figure out what types of cheeses you like and want on your plate.

+ Are you adding meat?

If so, hit up your local deli counter for different cuts of cured meats. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider adding a pâté or mousse.

+ For your vegetarian/vegan friends

Did you know there is actually VEGAN cheese? If you live in LA I highly recommend Vromage for your vegan cheeses. These nut-base cheeses are made in house by the owner who happens to be the sweetest man, and they honestly taste closer to real cheese than anything I’ve had before. Go there!!! Otherwise, if you want to include your vegan friends on the action, consider adding crudité and fresh fruits.

+ Examples of raw vegetables for a crudité plate:

Zucchini and squash (sliced long and thin), carrots, mini tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, radish. The possibilities are endless! Don’t forget the dips – homemade or store bought are both great. We usually have a hummus (vegan option) and tzatziki (non vegan option) on hand.

+ Think of extras to add – fruit, jams, and different flavors.

Think outside the box! It’s your board to play with – add whatever flavors you think work well with the ingredients you have on hand. Honey, fig jam, and various mustards tend to be popular for cheese and charcuterie plates. For fruits, I like to add grapes, apple or pear slices, figs, berries, or apricots. I always keep some dried fruits and nuts in my pantry as well.

+ Don’t forget the bread and crackers!

You can never go wrong with a baguette or whatever small crackers you of your choosing. Long breadsticks are a nice touch as well!

+ Make sure you have the right board on hand.

Consider how large your gathering is and how many people are attending and choose the size of the board you use based on that. I bought a beautiful long marble board from William Sonoma – initially I thought it would be too large but it has been the perfect size for everything I’ve made so far!

+ Assembly is everything!

You could just throw everything on the board and call it a day, but what’s the fun in that? Take some time to visualize a pattern and arrange all of the ingredients on the board in a visually pleasing and cohesive way.

+ Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

I love appetizer boards not only because of the easy assembly, but because they are tasty and relatively healthy appetizer options (especially if you have lots of fruits and vegetables highlighted!).

+ Always keep extra ingredients on hand

Make sure veggies are pre sliced so they are ready to go!

+ Be sure to provide serving plates, napkins, and the appropriate cutlery.

Cheese knives are not necessary but add a fun touch (they make a great hostess gift as well!)

Doesn’t hurt to have some wine on hand either ; ).

Bon appetit!

By Amy Zhang September 18, 2017 in Lifestyle 7 Comments

The One Tool You Need if You Shop Online

When it comes to certain things, I am downright lazy. Shopping is one of them. I never enjoyed browsing in stores or spending the whole day shopping. In fact, I prefer online shopping, wearing sweatpants, with a face mask on, and drinking a glass wine, over the in-store experience any day. But the truth is, the majority of my purchases are made online (I mean, who can resist free shipping?). That’s why anything that makes my online shopping experience easier is a huge WIN in my book.

The One Tool You Need if You Shop Online

One tool I’ve been using this year and loving? HONEY!

With online shopping comes the beauty of digital coupon-ing. How often do you buy something online and wonder if you’re missing out on a discount? Have you ever googled “Sephora coupon code” or “Nordstrom discount”? I do it all the time. I’ve gotten free shipping, 10% off, a gift with purchase, and more with this simple little trick.

Most retailers will offer a discount for your first purchase if you give them your email address. Or they might be running a promotion you missed on the site. It’s amazing what a quick little search can yield in terms of dollars saved. And as you know, I’m all about a good deal. But to be honest, sometimes I forget. I go back to find out I could have saved more if I had dug a little deeper for a coupon code. So my boyfriend and I found and installed a browser extension called Honey, which claimed it would be able to aggregate discounts and help us save money online.

Honey is the best online shopping I’ve found.

When Honey reached out to me regarding a potential collaboration, I was super excited because I’ve been using it for a while and as a result have saved time and money. If you’re not familiar with what Honey is, it’s a free browser extension that searches the internet for exclusive savings, deals, rewards, and discovery through a community-powered engine. What that means is when you’re checking out online, Honey will do the work for you in helping you find any uncovered discounts. The extension automatically applies discount codes so it’s super easy to use. I especially love Honey for shopping on Amazon because the prices on the site are constantly changing. Honey alerts me about any price drops on items I’m interested in.

If you online shop at ALL, I recommend checking out Honey. Because who doesn’t love saving a little $$ without doing a thing?!

Click here to get Honey.

Disclosure – this post was written in partnership with Honey. All opinions expressed are my own.

By Amy Zhang September 15, 2017 in Lifestyle, Style 13 Comments

Mastering the Art of Doing Nothing

Talk to anyone these days and they’ll tell you they’re busy. Juggling multiple jobs, obligations, a full social calendar, school, etc. Everyone is busy. So busy, in fact, they don’t have time for anything else. At least it feels that way sometimes. What happened to relaxing and living slowly? What happened to doing nothing? Lately I’ve been taking a step back and re-evaluating my calendar. What I realized is I tend to say “yes” blindly to many things and end up with a calendar that is too full and overwhelming.

The result? Event burn out (I’m claiming it’s a real thing!) or cancellations. Either way, it’s no bueno. I’m now convinced a balanced calendar of work + play combined with enough time to actually do nothing is what I need to recharge and stay sane. I’m fully committed to mastering the art of doing nothing.

Ever read the book or see the movie Eat Pray Love? If you haven’t, I recommend it! If nothing else, you will drool over the food in Italy and want to escape to Bali immediately to find your center. The point is, sometimes escaping the day to day and having no agenda is what we need to feel good again! Life can be stressful, we all could use a deep breath and some time doing absolutely nothing every now and then.

I’ve read that one habit successful people exercise is saying “no” to anything that does not move them closer to their goals. That isn’t to say they’re doing nothing – they’re incredibly busy people! But they know when to say no to non-essential activities and focus on only the things that matter. Prioritization is key!

Mastering the Art of Doing Nothing

Right now I am really focused on prioritizing “me” time and trying to make time every week to do absolutely nothing. No work, no errands, no obligations. It isn’t always easy when you get antsy quickly or have a to-do list in your head that is a mile long. But after some practice, meditation, and lots of yoga I’m convinced it’s one of the most important things you can do.

The phrase dolce far niente, or “sweet to do nothing” comes to mind. Beyond being poetic AF, it’s actually an important life lesson we could all learn. According to the dictionary, the phrase means pleasant idleness. Now isn’t that a novel concept? Being idle is so often labelled as BAD, and being busy is GOOD. But if the Italians are on to something here (and I think they are), could it be true? Can being idle be pleasant and productive? Could there be benefits to doing nothing?

How to Do Nothing

Stop doing things you don’t want to do.

Obviously, there are some things in life you can’t escape. You have show up to work, pay the bills, etc. I’m not saying go rogue and make it a free for all. But if there are things you truly don’t want to do, it’s okay to say no! I never understand for the life of me why people do things they don’t want to do and proceed to complain about it. Guess what? It’s most likely in your control – and all you have to do is say no.

Ask yourself: “What do I want to do right now?”

How often do we practice this exercise? It’s so simple, yet so difficult to do. For the longest time I was the biggest people pleaser – always thinking about other people and putting their needs above my own. I’d get sick all the time and never knew why. Once I started listening to my body and staying in when I needed to, going to sleep early, skipping workouts when I felt a tickle in my throat, I started getting sick less and recovering more quickly. I still have to remind myself, but on weekends I try to give myself at least a couple hours, if not a full day, of asking myself what I want to do. Some days it’s being out and about, other days it’s staying in to cuddle my dog and read a book.

Stop feeling guilty.

Stop feeling guilty for saying no. Your physical, emotional, and mental health is the most important thing. Your body and mind is the most important possession you own. You only have one body and it’s no good if you’re burnt out and run into the ground! Giving yourself an opportunity to rest and do what you want to do will make you a better family member, friend, coworker, etc. Those around you will be getting a better version of you, which benefits everyone! When you do nothing, you might also find that some things you viewed as “essential” actually are not. The world will go on, people will continue living their lives, and you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Do as the Italians do.

Drink wine with your meal, eat dessert, cook something special. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and food is part of that! Our relationships with food are often complicated – a post for another time – but savoring the little moments and enjoying a good meal are easy ways to get into the lifestyle of dolce far niente.

Unplug.

Turn off the social media, your TV, and a ll the other distractions in your life. Going into nature is optional but highly recommend. Trust me, your Instagram feed can wait. A little social media detox is good for you, I promise. My goal is to have one day a week where I unplug and do nothing – that’s what Sundays are for, right?

The Benefits Of Taking Time For Yourself:

Doing nothing can go against your personality or current lifestyle. But I’ve found that even a day of doing nothing every other week has had tremendous benefits for my mind and body. I feel more refreshed on Mondays and ready to take on the week. I find myself recovering more quickly from tough workouts. My mind is buzzing with creative energy which is perfect for my work and blog. I sleep better, eat better, have fewer food cravings, feel calmer and more at peace in general.

I’m a huge believer in mind body connection. This is a principal I grew learning from my mother and have explored more as I get older. I don’t know about you, but I would rather take small breaks every now and then and prevent burn out from happening in advance. If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it can be easy to try to take on more or get more done.

My mom always tells me to relax and make time for myself – she’s seen me at my worst and most stressed, and what do you know? Moms are always right. They always know best! She’s been telling me to take time to do nothing for years, and I’m only now just starting to listen to her (sorry, mom!).

All right, I’m off to Palm Springs for the weekend… to try to do exactly this! My boyfriend and I are staying at the Parker (our favorite hotel) for a quiet weekend away from LA to do nothing. Hope you’re able to do the same this weekend!

swimsuit: midsommar

By Amy Zhang September 12, 2017 in Lifestyle, Style 8 Comments

My Favorite Coffee Shops in LA

Most mornings start with a glass of coffee. Some days my boyfriend and I have a ritual of making it at home (he hand grinds the beans, sometimes I help : )). Others I grab a cold brew to go. When I have the time, I love visiting coffee shops. Do you enjoy ambiance of a good café and often choose to work or hang out there? Or maybe you’re just downright addicted to caffeine? LOL.

Whether you love coffee or NEED coffee, there’s no shortage of coffee shops in LA. I’m not a coffee snob and I’ll happily go to Starbucks for my fix (I’ve been judged for this before and I don’t care), but these are some of my favorite coffee shops in the city for working, catching up with friends, or just a grab a drink to go.

The Best Coffee Shops in Los Angeles:

Conservatory:

This Culver City shop is such a gem. It’s family run and their coffee is the best I’ve had in the city. They roast all of their beans and I always have a pound of the French or Italian roast at home. It’s tied with Joshua Tree Coffee Company for the top spot on my list and I would go here every day if I could. The people are the nicest, the pastries as SO good, and they make hands down the best specialty drinks. GO HERE. The only downside is there’s no wifi, but it’s really not the end of the world.

Conservatory address: 10117 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232

Verve:

Always reliable, with an extensive selection of coffee, tea, and juices (from Juice Served Here!). The food and pastry selection is solid as well, and the wifi is solid. Bonus points for having locations all across the city. I love me some Verve.

Verve Coffee address: 8051 W. 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90048

Blue Bottle:

If you like sweeter coffee drinks, you will LOVE the New Orleans. Their espresso drinks and whole beans are decent as well. Blue Bottle is blowing up and it’s easy to see why – each location is bright, clean, and modern on the inside. Some locations serve food (their avocado toast is the bomb) and all of them are a great place to hunker down for the day if you’re looking to get some serious work done.

Find a Blue Bottle near you HERE.

Alfred:

Let me preface this by saying that Alfred wins because #aesthetics, not necessarily because of the coffee (sorry!!). They serve Stumptown which just isn’t my favorite, but that’s a personal preference! In terms of location it is very convenient because I find myself on Melrose Place at least once or twice a week for various reasons. I live in West Hollywood and frequent the Melrose Place Farmer’s Market, which is conveniently located right outside Alfred Coffee AND Alfred Tea. Personally, I like Alfred Tea more (the kombucha on tap is my go-to), but if I need an iced Americano or a latte, I will stop by Alfred. It can be a bit of a scene, but there’s nothing wrong with that every now and then.

Alfred locations HERE.

What are your favorite coffee shops in LA?

xx, Amy

top: l’academie | skirt: grlfrnd | belt: b-low the belt

sunnies: similar | shoes: similar | bag: chloe