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By Amy Zhang October 17, 2016 in Lifestyle, Style 28 Comments

Prioritization

As many of you know already know, I work full-time in addition to running my blog. I started my blog as a way to learn about the digital space, express myself creatively (although I hate the overused term “creative outlet”), and connect with like-minded individuals through this incredible community. It’s become a hobby that I genuinely enjoy and have learned an immense amount from.

As my blog has evolved over the past year, I’ve begun to take on more projects and collaborations. Somewhere along the way, what used to be a passion project started to toe the line of feeling like extra work, and I had to re-evaluate my relationship with blogging and learn how to prioritize. It’s so easy to build up stress and negativity in our minds, that something I often tell myself is to take a step back when things begin to feel like too much to handle. Because remember, stress is bad, bad, BAD.

How to Prioritize Your Time

There really are only so many hours in a day (you have as many hours in a day as Beyonce ; )) and I often get asked how I’m able to blog as much and as consistently as I do. The truth is, it’s all about prioritization, which truthfully means sacrifice. You can’t have it all, so pick and choose what matters. Lately, I’ve been all about giving fewer f*cks and only giving one when it matters. This book has been a recent favorite, and there is MUCH more to come on the many gems inside.

Basically, we all have limited time and energy to spend and give. Figuring out what matters to YOU and how to prioritize how you spend your time is everything. It took a long time to really figure out what was most important to me. Here’s what I’ve learned to prioritize:

Your health.

I feel my best when I get enough sleep, eat right, and exercise consistently. When one of these things falls out of sync, I feel sluggish and weak – and get sick way more easily. I function best mentally, physically, and emotionally if I’m well rested – because of this, I do my best to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. I really think getting enough sleep is one of the best things we can do for our bodies, and something many people neglect to do.

As far as diet goes, I don’t do anything crazy, but I do notice a difference in my energy levels and mood when I stick to clean, unprocessed foods – think lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats (AVOCADO, eggs, salmon, nuts), lean proteins, and whole grains. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sugar fiend and love eating out, but in moderation. I also try to stay away from alcohol when I can, because if there’s a major productivity killer, it’s booze.

Finally, exercise. I haven’t always loved to exercise and for a long time avoided the gym like the plague. Over the years I’ve come to love being active and when I’m having a bad day or feeling stressed, nothing boosts my mood more than a good workout (current faves: Barry’s Bootcamp and yoga at Y7).

How you spend your time.

Time is money. I’m still trying to figure out how to prioritize daily tasks and commitments. My main goal is always to work smarter, not harder. I think it’s totally okay to outsource tasks if they take up time that would be better spent elsewhere. For example, if you absolutely hate cleaning, see if you can make room in your budget for a maid. If doing your hair takes hours every week, get a blowout and use that time to work. Make a list of to-do’s and rank them in order of urgency and importance. Figure out how to make time for the ones that matter. Doing this made me realize how many the things that were making me “so busy” were actually pointless errands that I could outsource, streamline, or batch into a couple hours over a weekend to be more efficient.

And as my fellow bloggers know, there is so much time and hard work that goes into blogging. With limited time, what is the best thing to focus on?? Since I only have so many hours to dedicate to my blog after work, I’ve made a point to shift my focus to shoots and content creation on the weekend. And networking during the week when I can. I don’t make it to every event and that’s fine, there will always be another one : ).

Your relationships.

Just as important as how you spend your time, is who you spend your time with. It’s important to surround yourself with people that not only support you and lift you up but also aren’t afraid to keep it real with you. I think we can all agree that toxic and negative relationships are harmful and we’d be better off without them. Stop wasting your time and energy on people that bring you down and give more to those that are there for you and believe in you. It’ll make a world of a difference.

I noticed myself feeling a bit of negativity lately and had to remind myself on the importance of keeping a positive perspective and not complaining. At the end of the day, a lot of our problems are “first world problems” that really are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. It’s hard to keep that in mind when we’re constantly swimming in social media and images of how perfect other people’s lives are. But the truth is NO ONE is perfect and EVERYONE has problems. You’d be amazed at how people with seemingly perfect lives can be incredibly unhappy with their situation.

It seems like everyone is so busy these days, so I’d love to hear your thoughts – how do you prioritize and stay afloat?

xx, Amy

jacket: similar | romper: band of gypsies

choker: similar | boots: stuart weitzman

photos: ryan chua

By Amy Zhang September 27, 2016 in Fitness, Wellness 10 Comments

Getting Back on Track

If you followed me on Snapchat or Instagram stories you most likely saw the meals I was eating in Italy… and well, let’s just say I’d be lying if I said I didn’t come back from Italy with a little vacation weight gain. I’m a tiny bit softer than I was when I left. But honestly, no regrets because nothing beats homemade pasta.

I know a lot of people go away and get a little vacation weight gain and freak out – but honestly it’s mostly just your body holding on to excess water weight since you’re most likely dehydrated from traveling and eating differently than you’re used to. Your body is built to handle small fluctuations and will adapt and bounce back in no time.

Vacation Weight Gain: Getting Back on Track

Now that I’m back home, here’s my plan of attack for the next few weeks as I attempt to get back to feeling normal (the jetlag is not helping either) and a little less puffy.

How To Get Back On Track After A Little Vacation Weight Gain

No alcohol.

It’s possible I drank more wine than water in Italy, but the fastest way to get back to normal sleep and eating patterns is to cut the alcohol.

No fried/processed foods.

As much as I love carbs, it’s a definite no-brainer to eliminate the daily chips that came with happy hour (always a spritz!) and cut down on the pasta and bread.

Limit sugar.

Ugh. I have the biggest sweet tooth ever and this is really hard for me, but dessert on the daily was excessive and all signs suggest that sugar is one of the worst substances for you. Studies have shown excessive sugar can lead to heart disease, belly fat, and potentially even cancer. Yikes.

Sweat 3x a week.

I’m horrible at working out on my own, I spend more time “stretching” in the corner than actually doing anything productive, so in an effort to actually be effective I turned to boutique fitness classes years ago and haven’t looked back. My absolute favorites in LA are Barry’s Bootcamp and The Studio MDR.

Lots of whole foods.

Thinking smoothies/eggs/oatmeal for breakfast and lots of fruits, veggies, and lean protein throughout the day. My boyfriend and I love to cook dinner together (actually I got extremely lucky and he is an amazing chef : ) I make small contributions here and there) and we try to keep it very clean. Last night we landed and immediately make a big batch of vegetable soup and garlic chicken thighs for dinner. You’re welcome to come over for dinner anytime ; ).

Overall, I live by the 80/20 rule.

If you take the 80/20 rule literally, my philosophy is that if you eat right 292 days of the year, the remaining 73 you can let loose a little ; ). Like a lot of girls, I struggled with finding out what was right for my body and health for a long time and it really wasn’t until I let loose and became more in tune with my body did I actually begin to feel better. Some of the first blogs I ever read and loved were centered around health and fitness, so stay tuned for more posts on these topics!

Truthfully it’s way less about how I look and more about how I feel. By the end of our trip, AJ and I were desperately craving chicken and vegetables (boring, lol). And my body completely rebelled against any and all wine : (. My skin broke out horribly in the worst way in a year and I knew that my daily diet of espresso, pasta, wine, and gelato needed to change. But all good things must come to an end and as much as I LOVED Italy (full recap to come) I couldn’t be more excited to be home and back to work, as dorky as that sounds.

Last thing – can we talk about this heat wave we’ve been having?! Yay or nay to summer year round?!

xx, Amy

jacket: lovers and drifters club | top: l*space | bottom: l*space

photos: lauren miller

By Amy Zhang September 3, 2016 in Beauty, Lifestyle 10 Comments

Skincare Update

Skincare Routine featuring Murad | The Luxi Look

Hello, hello! It’s been almost a year since I last posted my skincare routine. Since then, I’ve incorporated some new products I want to share. Skincare is so important – even more so than a solid makeup routine IMO. Especially when it comes to your face. Remember my post on eating your water featuring a fun Murad giveaway?

Here are some skincare updates to my routine I’ve made:

Murad Refreshing Cleanser

This is a great, light cleanser. I like to workout in the morning before work, and this has been a lifesaver in my gym bag. Takes away any traces of makeup gently and isn’t drying. LOVE.

Murad Advanced Active Radiance Serum

I always make sure to use a product that has a concentrated amount of Vitamin C. This helps your skin fight sun damage and improve your skin’s radiance. I’ve been told Vitamin C is basically the all natural fountain of youth… so drink up. I also throw this in my gym bag to use after my cleanser and it’s a great on-the-go product.

Emininence Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum

I love the Eminence line because everything is all natural and organic. A lot of their products have yummy fruit-based ingredients – this serum smells like strawberries! Also, hyaluronic acid is AMAZING for your skin. Why? It helps your skin retain moisture, which in the long run will keep your skin firm and wrinkle-free longer. DEFINITELY get a product with hyaluronic serum.

Dermalogica Phytoreplenish Oil

I was using Aesop’s Facial Oil (LOVE!) but recently ran out. Since then I’ve been using this one by Dermalogica. I have dry skin, so facial oils are especially great for my skin type. However, even if you have oily or combination skin, don’t let that shy you away from trying facial oil! The moisturizing benefits are unreal and help give your skin a dewy, glowy look with or without makeup.

Sheet Masks

as much as I love facials, I think sheet masks are a great alternative (especially for your wallet). I try to do one once a week, usually on Sunday nights. I bought a bunch from Peach and Lily (Korean skincare ftw!) and to be honest can’t tell the difference between most of them. I do love them all, though! Since I have dry skin I just look for masks that are hydrating – my skin sucks up the serum and actually glows for days after. They have different masks for every type of skin, so check out Peach and Lily or Sephora!

Oh, and if you haven’t entered the $150 Murad gift card giveaway yet, it’s not too late! Seriously no strings attached, and their products are AMAZE. See below for details : ).

Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone! What are your plans??

xx, Amy

Murad $150 Gift Card Giveaway

By Amy Zhang August 22, 2016 in Beauty, Style 32 Comments

Why You Need to Eat Your Water + a Fun Giveaway !!

Reformation Watermelon Dress | The Luxi Look

I had the honor of attending the re-opening of the Murad store on 3rd Street a few weeks back. (If you’re in LA, check out the brand new store!) Murad was actually one of the first skincare brands I splurged on after I graduated from drugstore products in high school. Needless to say, I was super excited to meet Dr. Murad himself, who happened to be in attendance that evening! Dr. Murad was an absolute DELIGHT in person and full of wisdom (on skincare among many other topics). One skincare tip he really emphasized was how important it is to eat your water.

Why You Need to Eat Your Water + a Fun Giveaway !!

Wait, what? Eat your water? YEP. Think about it this way – we’re often told that we need to drink 8 glasses of water a day, but what about the foods we are eating?

It only makes sense that nourishing, water filled foods such as fruits and vegetables would be better for your skin than icky, preservative and sodium filled crap. Right?! When we eat our water, we are able to nourish our body from the inside out. The average human body is about 60% water, which explains why fruits and veggies help our skin glow.

Some other benefits of drinking + eating your water when it comes to skin – less prominent wrinkles, brighter skin, and fewer breakouts. Lesson learned – stay hydrated!! If drinking your 8 glasses a day is tricky, try adding lemon, cucumber, or mint! And, eat your water!

Speaking of eating your water, I LOVE fruits and veggies. In case you can’t guess from this dress, I love watermelon (which just so happens to be 92% water – yesss!). After hearing Dr. Murad speak, I’ve made a point to eat as many fruits and veggies every day as possible. I definitely notice a difference in my skin when I load up on fruit based foods vs. dehydrating foods such as foods high in sodium (anything processed, ick) and alcohol.

I’ve also been incorporating some Murad products into my skincare routine and so far am LOVING them!! Full review of everything to come.

Finally, I wanted to say that I am so incredibly thankful for each and every one of you that follows me and comes by my page to read my posts. I love you guys! That’s why I am SO excited to be partnering with Murad to give away $150 worth of Murad products! There’s no better time to start a new skincare routine than with the changing seasons!

You can enter with your email, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram – see below for rules and regulations. This giveaway will be open until September 9th. Good luck babes!! And thank you so much for reading.

xx, Amy

Murad $150 Gift Card Giveaway

dress: reformation | shoes: topshop

photos: jordan zobrist

By Amy Zhang August 20, 2016 in Beauty, Style 23 Comments

Blonde Ambition

The Luxi Look Dying Your Hair for the First Time

You may have noticed that something about me is a little different… I colored my hair! As anyone that knows me well can tell you, I went back and forth on the decision for years before finally taking the leap and doing it. I knew that anything other than my natural hair color would look very… unnatural, so I was apprehensive to say the least. If you’re thinking about dying your hair for the first time, read on…

Blonde Ambition

So the title of this post may be slightly misleading, I’m not actually blonde. (Nor am I ready to make that dramatic leap yet.) I am really more of a sandy/honey-colored bronde. I was VERY specific about what I wanted and went in with pictures and a long list of attributes I did and did not want. (TBH I was a complete nightmare of a client. Not too ashy, not too warm, not too brassy, not too high maintenance. The list went on and on).

Dying your hair for the first time

If you’ve never colored your hair before, I highly recommend doing your research in advance to temper expectations and minimize disappointment. It is a BIG change (or was for me, at least) and definitely an investment that requires a LOT of maintenance. With that being said, it is a fun way to change up your appearance. And add some dimension to your hair!

The Luxi Look First Time Coloring Hair Lighter

The Luxi Look Lightening Asian Hair Color

The Luxi Look First Time Coloring Dying Hair

First, know that everyone’s hair reacts to dye differently. And if you have virgin hair (never been colored before) you won’t know how your hair will react to bleach. I’ve always been horrified seeing photos of girls with super brassy hair but I quickly learned that can happen to anybody. This is because underneath your natural hair color are underlying pigments that can show up when you bleach your hair. So underneath dark hair you have red and orange undertones, which explains why dark hair can turn super brassy and orange.

If you have dark hair, know that you won’t be able to go from black to blonde in a day. (At least not without SERIOUSLY damaging your hair.)

Lightening your hair is a process that takes time.

After doing endless research behind the science of coloring hair, I had to find someone I would trust to do the actual service. Instagram is surprisingly helpful – many colorists have and will post on Instagram these days! I stalked my colorist (@biancacolour – she is AMAZING) for a year before biting the bullet and booking an appointment.

The Luxi Look First Time Coloring Hair Blonde

I noticed that Bianca colored a lot of ASIAN hair – that was immediately a huge plus in my book (as I mentioned above, Asian hair can turn brassy and orange easily if you’re not careful). If you’re looking on someone’s page and don’t see 1. any final results that you absolutely love or 2. anyone that has your type of hair, you might want to look elsewhere.

When it comes to the actual appointment, pictures are a lifesaver. When it comes to any beauty service, you can’t expect people to read your mind and give you what you want unless you tell them!

After the whole process is done, it’s time to focus on proper care.

I’m still new to the colored hair game, but I made sure to grill every person I came across in the salon on tips and products to use. Bianca mentioned regular toning sessions to maintain the color and to stay out of the sun as much as possible. I’ll do a post on hair color maintenance as soon as I have more experience living with and caring for colored hair!

The Luxi Look Delacy Set Lili Claspe Horn Necklace

The Luxi Look Delacy White Two Piece Set

With Labor Day coming up quickly, it’s clear that summer is almost officially over. While that may be the case, I have always been the biggest proponent that white CAN be worn after Labor Day (and in fact, is encouraged). Why wouldn’t you want to show off that summer tan before it fades away in winter?? For most, black is the old standby but I have always been obsessed with the color WHITE.

This matching set by De Lacy is not only comfy but also flattering, all white (and tight) can be intimidating to wear, but there is well positioned wrapping and ruching to protect you even if you eat one too many tacos… seriously the best for those days and nights out. If you’re looking for quality basic pieces, De Lacy has you covered – shop my favorite picks below.

As always, thank you for reading (!!) – have a beautiful weekend loves! Let’s make the most of these last few weeks of summer!

xx, Amy

two piece set: c/o de lacy (top on sale!, skirt – both in black)

photos: lauren miller