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By Amy Zhang December 30, 2016 in Lifestyle, Style 5 Comments

Best of 2016

Happy New Year’s Eve Eve!

I’m such a cliche but the time between Christmas and Jan. 1 has me feeling so sentimental and introspective. My family was in town for the holidays and I took a much-needed break from social media and blogging. If you were to ask me how my year was, I would say “eh it was ok.” Not being a Negative Nancy, but 2016 wasn’t my favorite year, you know? But then I think about it some more and realize that there is a lot to be grateful for. There were ups and downs, but when I look back and think about the year as a whole, a lot of awesome things happened. I’m all about staying positive and practicing gratitude, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite memories and blog highlights of 2016.

Travel

Some of my favorite trips I’ve ever taken were in 2016. I’m not always able to get away as much as I’d like with work and life, so the time I get to spend away is incredibly precious and important. I really believe in taking breaks for yourself and not running yourself into the ground (you’ll get more done in the long run) and taking a little vacation is the best way to do so.

I started the year in Thailand – my kind of NYE. No fancy dress or party, just relaxed beach vibes. Read my recap here.

I don’t often want to return to destinations I visit right away, but Tulum completely won my heart over. If you haven’t been yet, you need to go immediately. Part 1 and Part 2 of my trip in case you’re looking to plan a getaway ; ).

And of course, Italy. Specifically the Amalfi Coast. Absolutely unreal and the highlight of my year.

Outfits

I wasn’t sure what shape or form my blog would take (and it’s changing every day), but I started off as primarily a style blog and that is what has resonated most with my readers. I feel incredibly fortunate that 2016 provided me the opportunity to work with several brands and really help me learn about the ins and outs of the blogging industry. At the same time, it’s important to me that not every item featured on my page is gifted or an ad, so I make a point to feature many brands and items that I buy on my own and would wear anyway. Here are some of the most popular outfit posts of the year.

This dress from Realisation Par continues to be a favorite, even after a year.

My most liked photo on Instagram in 2016 featured this outfit.

Anything and everything by Spell is a personal favorite always.

And Auguste.

Fruit patterns are a bonus.

Looking forward to 2017, and continuing to grow and develop The Luxi Look.

Thanks for following along!

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang December 19, 2016 in Lifestyle, Style 4 Comments

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

First off, THANK YOU ALL for the tremendous amount of love last week. I’m so grateful for all the kind words and more that I received. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave comments, emails, and notes – and thank you for visiting this little blog of mine : ). AND for those of you that didn’t get a chance yet… there’s still time to enter my Kylie Lip Kit Giveaway! (And several ways to enter for more than 1 entry!) We are less than a week away from Christmas! For all the procrastinators out there… it’s not too late. Here are some cute last minute holiday gift ideas that you can run out and get, or shop from the comfort of your own home. Thank goodness it’s 2016 and 2 day shipping exists!

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas:

Candles

Sorry to be basic, but please find me someone who doesn’t love candles. If you’re running out of time and completely out of ideas, you can never go wrong with a candle. Diptyque and Le Labo make my favorites, but anything with a subtle scent and clean design is a safe bet.

Palettes

Nothing speaks to a beauty lover more than a gorgeous makeup palette. As any girl knows, individual products can come at a hefty price – not to mention they are tiny. If you spend a little more, you can buy a palette that feels more substantial and is also extremely functional, especially for the girl on the go.

A Charitable Donation

This takes virtually no time at all and is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give. To be honest, most of us have more than enough things we’ve accumulated over the years. Why not give back in a charitable way under your friend or loved one’s name? Find a list of organizations to give back to here

Subscription

Let’s be honest, we all value convenience. Nothing is more convenient than an on demand subscript. From entertainment (Spotify, Apple Music, Netflix, Hulu) to the truly useful (hello, Amazon Prime), to a subscription box for every hobbyist, there’s something for everyone.

It’s never too late to run out to your local store. Even something small goes a long way : ). I went shopping in Beverly Hills over the weekend – as someone who almost never shops in stores and always does everything online (in bed, wearing PJs, with a glass of wine), it was a nice change of pace. All of the storefronts were so beautifully decorated and even though there was no snow, it felt incredibly festive.

The Outfit

One of my go to outfit combos is a bodysuit (master the shirt tuck without having to readjust) with jeans (shorts in the summer, pants in the winter) and a cozy sweater/leather jacket/faux fur jacket. I have a thing for shaggy jackets and this new addition from J.O.A is going to be worn to death. If you love bodysuits as much as I do, check out how to wear a bodysuit, TRUST me.

Also – despite what every magazine/editorial says, the skinny jean will likely never go away (it’s fun to incorporate flares and other styles in my closet, but at the end of the day my skinnies are my go-to), so you might as well invest in some you love. I’ve had this pair by Rag & Bone for almost 5 years and they’ve held up incredibly wear. This particular material doesn’t stretch either, which I LOVE. If you want a pair that feels more like leggings and has a little stretch to them, these are one of my favorite pairs that goes with anything.

What is everyone doing over the holidays? Any fun travels? As much as I’d love to be in Thailand again, I’ll be staying put this year! My family will be joining me in LA and we’re going to Joshua Tree over Christmas. Happy Holidays everyone, and stay tuned for more posts!

cardigan: j.o.a | bodysuit: forever 21 | jeans: rag & bone

shoes: acne | bag: similar

By Amy Zhang December 8, 2016 in Lifestyle, Style 16 Comments

The Luxi Look Turns One!

Today marks one year since I launched my blog!

Looking back, I had no idea where to begin (or even what to name my blog). Also, I didn’t know anything really about blogging and everything it entailed. Here’s the thing – blogging is what you make of it and can be whatever you want to be. It can be a side hobby, passion project, or even a full time job! Although I had some idea of the ins and outs of blogging before I first started, it wasn’t even close to the actual extent of the entire industry behind it.

The Luxi Look Turns One!

Since last year I’ve learned so much about blogging, working with brands, having my own (very) small business, and myself (cheesy but true). A year ago I couldn’t have imagined any of those things. I’m I decided to just get started and figure things out along the way. For anyone thinking about starting a blog or any new venture, that’s really the biggest piece of advice I have to give. Nike’s really onto something with their motto: just do it. You can overthink things all you want, but you’ll never get anywhere if you don’t get started.

It’s not always easy to stay motivated or balance a full time job in addition to blogging. But it’s truly become a part of my daily life. Coming from a more analytical background, I love having the opportunity to express my creativity in my own way and in my own space. I know so many girls are working hard and juggling multiple jobs and commitments, and having the opportunity to connect with so many of them over the past year is a huge part of what keeps me going. It’s hard to make friends once you’re an “adult,” and more than anything blogging has been great in allowing me to meet new people, some of whom have become close friends.

I can’t wait to take on year two and see what the next year brings.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful December and ending the year on a high note!

xx, Amy

top: lpa | skirt: grlfrnd | boots: steve madden

sunglasses: chloe | bag: botkier

By Amy Zhang November 23, 2016 in Lifestyle, Style 2 Comments

Venice Boardwalk

I’ve lived in LA for over two years now but have yet to fully explore the Venice Boardwalk. Partially because… it’s a bit of an interesting scene and I really dislike large crowds/tourist attractions. One day I decided to get up early and check out the beach, rent a bike, and actually explore a part of the city I’ve been dying to see more of! I love Venice – if nothing else this part of town is so full of character and such a welcome change from West Hollywood!

If you go early enough, you can beat the crowds and get the boardwalk mostly to yourself. I also get asked a lot by my out of town friends how often I make it to the beach – the answer is embarrassingly only a couple times a year, at best! One of my resolutions (why wait for 2017 when you can start now?!) is to explore the city more and not make distance/traffic/other excuses a barrier to making the most of where I live.

Even in November, LA can be hot, hot, hot – and the last thing you want is to be a sweaty mess (especially when wearing all white – eek!). Thank god for deodorant. My favorite deodorant now comes in a spray version – Dove Dry Spray deo smells amazing (the cucumber scent has been my go to for YEARS and translates wonderfully in the spray version), dries instantly, and keeps you fresh for 48 hours. What’s not to love?

Thank you to Dove and Simply for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving babes!

xx, Amy

matching set: zoey reva | shoes: isabel marant | sunnies: chloe

bag: botkier

By Amy Zhang November 18, 2016 in Fitness, Wellness 16 Comments

Why You Should Practice Yoga

Happy Friday!

Wanted to quickly chat with you guys about YOGA before the weekend. I’ve shared my workout routine before, but something I’ve been trying to incorporate more lately is yoga. I find exercise to be the #1 form of stress relief for me, but nothing clears my mind the way yoga does.

I know a lot of people think yoga is “boring” and “not real exercise” (I disagree with both statements!) – but I really do believe yoga is one of the best things you can do for your body.

The benefits of yoga are practically endless.

Increased strength and flexibility, improved circulation, posture, bone health, stress relief, the list goes on and on… It’s also a great cross-training option – especially if you run and/or lift weights! I especially love hip opening stretches (LOVE/HATE half pigeon pose).

The key is to find the type of yoga that is right for you.

Here’s a helpful guide to different types of yoga. My personal favorite is heated vinyasa (the heat is so detoxifying), so I stick to that. Although LA has a seemingly endless amount of yoga studios, I had a hard time finding a studio I really loved. Lately I’ve been really into Y7 studio – basically heated vinyasa set to badass music (think tons of hip hop).

Why You Should Practice Yoga | The Luxi Look

In terms of what to wear to yoga, it helps to wear something slightly more form fitted so you’re not constantly readjusting your clothes. There are so many stylish athleisure brands out there today – if you’re looking for a wide selection definitely check out Sculptique – some of the cutest workout clothes out there.

I’ve always wanted to get my yoga teacher training certification – any trained yoga teachers out there with insight or advice?

Happy weekend babes!

xx, Amy

top and leggings: koral activewear from sculptique