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By Amy Zhang June 1, 2016 in Lifestyle, Style 6 Comments

REVIEW: Rent the Runway

Rent the Runway Review

Hi loves! Happy Hump Day andddd first day of June! I took a little break from posting last week, but I promise many more posts to come in June! Coming back to work after the long weekend was definitely a bit of a wake up call. But I’m ready to get back into a routine. If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat (is anyone else loving Snapchat?! Add me: @amylzhang), you saw that I attended a seriously beautiful wedding in Malibu this past weekend. Normally I freak out over what to wear to a wedding, but thankfully Rent the Runway helped me get dressed for this occasion!

Rent the Runway Review

For those of you that aren’t familiar with Rent the Runway, it’s a rental service for designer dresses, clothing, and accessories. I first learned about Rent the Runway in college when it was introduced on my campus as an option for getting dressed for the many sorority events and parties we had. Basically, you’re able to rent designer pieces for a fraction of their retail price. You can choose the size you want, the date you want your item delivered, and the length of your delivery. You can even order a backup size for free (in case you’re unsure about sizing) or a second dress for a discounted rate.

Regardless of your age or style, there’s a dress for you! It comes straight to your doorstep and is packaged so you can easily ship it back when you’re done. You don’t even need to dry clean it. I swear Rent the Runway does everything to make your experience as smooth as possible – seriously easy peasy.

Rent the Runway Rules + Tips:

Whatever events or parties you have, no need to worry about minor wear and tear! Dry cleaning is covered.
You’re able to see reviews from real girls that rented and wore the dresses – they provide photos, fit details, personal size information and the size worn for the particular dress.
Returns are insanely easy – just place your dress/accessories back in the package it came in, use the pre-paid return label, zip up with a security tag, and send back! Your order is subject to late fees if you do not send back in time.
Certain times of years are very busy for RTR – be sure to book dresses in advance for the holidays and NYE!
There’s also a RTR unlimited option – you get unlimited clothing and accessory rentals every month for $139/month.

Designers on Rent the Runway range from affordable (items I would buy for myself) to designer (high end pieces I would only ever wear once that I get to rent for a fraction of the price!).

A couple brands I love: Cinq a Sept, Bec & Bridge, Elizabeth + James, Free People, Tibi, Lovers and Friends, The Kooples, Tularosa, Vera Wang,

Dress rentals are typically between $30-$150, with high end dresses costing upwards of $200+ for a 4 day rental.

Personally, I love the concept.

Instead of buying a dress and wearing it once, you can rent something fabulous and send it back hassle free. Making sure to follow the rules I talked about in this post, I picked two dresses for the weekend: this gorgeous Matthew Williamson printed maxi for the actual wedding ceremony and reception, and this printed Mara Hoffman maxi dress I’ve had my eye on for a couple of months (it’s actually still available online to buy here – after wearing over the weekend, I’m highly considering buying it to have in my closet to keep!).

Photos shot at the Westlake Village Inn – where my girl JoJo stayed during this season of The Bachelorette ; ). If you have anyyy questions about the process of renting from Rent the Runway whatsoever leave a comment below.

xx, Amy

dresses: c/o rent the runway (mara hoffman dress available here or here)

By Amy Zhang May 24, 2016 in Lifestyle, Wellness 2 Comments

5 Healthy Habits to Start Today

Health and wellness goes beyond physical appearance – well being begins with healthy habits incorporated into your daily lifestyle. The older I get, the more focus I put on my personal wellness and developing long term, healthy habits that will benefit both body and mind. Although I’m no health professional, I’ve found that in general small changes in lifestyle lead to lasting results. Here are 5 healthy habits I’ve tried to incorporate regularly into my lifestyle that I have found to help my body and mind.

5 Healthy Habits To Start Today:

1. Drink water.

Duhh. Up to 60% of our bodies are made of water. I aim to drink one ounce per every pound I weigh every day. I always up my water intake BIG TIME when I’m doing a weekend detox. Extreme? I don’t think so. Water is the best beverage out there for you. Period. I keep a liter size water bottle at my desk, in my purse, in my car…

I promise, if you drink more water you will:

– Be more alert. Before you reach for another cup of coffee, first chug a glass of water and see how you feel. We often don’t realize how dehydrated we are and mistake dehydration for fatigue.

– Be more in tune with your cravings. Same thing goes for hunger – it’s easy to confuse hunger and thirst. If you’re having pesky cravings, have a glass of water before choosing a snack – you’re more likely to make a healthy choice, or realize that you may not have been hungry after all.

– See an improvement in the texture of your skin. I’m no dermatologist, BUT I have noticed a correlation between the amount of water I drink and how my skin looks and feels. If you’ve ever been on a plane, you know what I’m talking about. The morning after a night of drinking? Your skin is probably rebelling. Also, living in an extremely dry climate sucks the moisture of your skin, so drink up!

– Have to go to pee more. Ha.

2. Write down everything you eat.

I know, you’re probably thinking I’m a psycho. But hear me out – if you work a full time job that involves sitting down at a desk for the majority of your day, you’re probably not the most active person.

You don’t have to do this everyday, but it’s a helpful exercise to understand exactly what you’re eating and when you’re eating it. Keeping a log of what you eat, even if it’s only a week, helps you identify patterns such as when cravings hit or if you’re waiting too long in between meals.

Keep yourself accountable – you might be surprised how quickly little bites and snacks here and there add up. It’s a little crazy and OCD, but I largely credit this as one of the healthy habits responsible for maintaining a steady weight despite sitting down in front of a computer for 10 hours a day and only working out 2-3x a week.

3. Wear SPF.

I have talked about the importance of wearing SPF every. single. day. and I will say it again – for the sake of your future self and skin, wear SPF!! You will NOT regret this in 10 years.

4. Eat fats.

Fats are the BEST. I could do an entire post on my love for fats. They are SO GOOD FOR YOU. The negative myths on fats have been largely dispelled, but it is amazing how many people still shy away from them. People, fats are the bomb.com: they keep you full longer and nourish your body from the inside out. I swear my skin glows when I eat more fats.

My favorite fats include avocados (one of my favorite foods ever), eggs WITH the yolk, almond butter, and wild caught salmon. If you eat dairy, I prefer full fat dairy – yes there are more calories, but recent studies have suggested that full fat dairy may be better for you than low-fat.

5. Be Mindful

Meditate – even if only for a few minutes a day. Meditation has been shown to reduce stress, improve concentration, and increase happiness. In fact, studies show that meditation can actually change your brain. I also try to write down three things a day that I’m grateful for. It doesn’t have to be big – the mere act of practicing gratitude can lead to a more positive mood, self-awareness, and being more compassionate. A healthy mind feeds a healthy body and soul.

At the end of the day, I’m human. I am the furthest thing from perfect and I have to remind myself on a daily basis to incorporate healthy habits. Don’t even get me started on the pile of clothes on the ground that never seems to disappear, no matter how hard I try…

Building healthy habits take time but if you stick with them the results are always worth it. I know we’re 6 months out of our New Year’s Resolutions, but I’d love to hear your thoughts. What habits have you been trying to incorporate into your life or break? I’m always open to suggestions.

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang May 21, 2016 in Lifestyle, Travel 5 Comments

Korakia Pensione

My daily life tends to be go, go, go – I’m constantly reminded by others (and myself) on the importance of slowing down. In my opinion, Palm Springs is the perfect Southern California weekend getaway when you’re looking to do just that. It’s by far my favorite place to escape the daily grind of city life and unwind.

My weekends in Palm Springs typically consist of sleeping in (which I rarely do normally), laying by the pool with a cocktail and book, riding bikes around town, and long dinners at local spots. Driving into the desert gives me an instant mood boost and I always come back feeling refreshed and grounded.

After two years, I finally made it to Korakia Pensione.

I had seen photos of the resort online and fell in love with its quaint charm. The property did not disappoint. Every corner is lush and totally Instagram-worthy. The decor is seriously on point and the entire resort was even more beautiful than I had imagined. I also loved the emphasis on disconnecting – while there is wifi on the property, the rooms have no TVs – you really feel as though you’re in a desert oasis away, despite being only a short walk from the bustling downtown strip.

Excuse the quality of my iPhone photos – I forgot the proper lens to my camera at home. Hopefully, you can still get a feel for just how beautiful Korakia is! In addition to the beautiful Moroccan and Mediterranean inspired grounds (the resort is split into 2 sections), other highlights of our stay included: quite possibly the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in, a simple yet delicious breakfast in the morning, free bikes to explore Palm Springs, sunscreen by the pool, and afternoon tea in the courtyard.

While the Korakia Pensione resort seemed to occupied exclusively by couples when we visited, I think it would be nice for a girls’ getaway as well. If you’re looking for something with a bit of a livelier scene, I would recommend the Saguaro, Ace Hotel, or Parker.

But seriously – the most charming, relaxing getaway. Although summer in Palm Springs is extremely hot, it’s not so bad if you spend it by the pool ; ) (wearing tons and tons of SPF, of course) – I’m hoping for a few more desert getaways in the coming months.

Have you been to Palm Springs? If so, what are your favorite things to do / where are your favorite places to stay? I’m always looking for new things to do and see – I still haven’t been to Joshua Tree, which is next on my list. Be sure to make time for yourself. Sometimes a weekend getaway is exactly what you need to focus and hit the ground running again.

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang May 18, 2016 in Lifestyle 11 Comments

Getting Shit Done

One of the most common questions I get asked is, “are you a full-time blogger?” The answer: no.

I work a full-time job in entertainment. I started blogging on the side (a post for another day) and have come to love the creative aspect and community that comes with it. Also, I love blogging and make a concerted effort to fit it into my day when I can.

Unfortunately, there are only so many hours in a day. I have a tendency to overload myself with a massive to do list (anyone obsessed with making lists?!) and get anxious when I can’t seem to cross everything off.

Getting Shit Done

Over the years, I’ve learned that multitasking is a myth and prioritization is everything.

Personally, I’d rather work smart than (unnecessarily) hard.

It all comes down to being focused. Which isn’t easy (for me). I get distracted easily and always have a million thoughts running through my head.

The number thing I do when I need to focus – the Pomodoro Technique. Yes, like the tomato.

Basically, it’s a time blocking method. You might think you’re great at multi tasking, but recent research suggests that, surprise, it doesn’t actually work! Think about it: You’re much more likely to get stuff done and do it well if you focus on one thing at a time.

Here’s how it works:

1. Turn your phone on airplane mode (seriously, the biggest distraction. Put it away!!)

2. Put in noise cancelling headphones. I like to listen to white noise or a track of the rainforest.

3. Set a timer. I use my phone’s alarm and set it to 25 minutes.

4. Focus 100% on the task ahead of you. Nothing else.

5. When the timer goes off, take a 5 minute break. Do whatever you want during this time.

Rinse and repeat.

** Feel free to experiment with your times. If you’re on your work flow and can grind through an hour of continuous work before taking a break, more power to you. Also, if you’re having a hard time focusing, take longer breaks.

If it’s really not happening, I suggest taking a few hours, or even a day off entirely. You’re better off coming back when you’re refreshed and ready to work.

I’m still working on prioritizing my to do list and really focusing on one task at a time. For now, I’m really loving the Pomodoro Technique.

What are your tips for getting shit done?!

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang April 13, 2016 in Fitness 2 Comments

Athleisure Picks

Let’s be honest, getting to the gym itself is an accomplishment. Looking cute while you sweat is an added bonus.

The athleisure trend has been going strong for years and is here to stay. After all, who knows where you might go after your pilates or spin class? I’ve rounded up my favorite fitness picks of the moment to make your transition from gym to errands as flawless as possible.

Athleisure Picks

1. Mesh Hoodie – breathable layers are the best to throw on after a sweaty workout session, especially when the seasons are transitioning. Love that this one is mesh and perfect for showing off your sports bra or top underneath.

2. Essential Sports Bra – find a sports bra you love and buy it in every color. I love the fun back details on this one, but make sure you find one that provides the right support!

3. Cute Sneaks – I don’t recommend running in Nikes, especially if you’re like me and have high arches – hello IT band/knee pain! You’ll most likely need more support for your feet and it’s best to get fitted at a specialty store for running shoes. However, I do love Nikes for running errands, going to-and-from the gym, and with your favorite casual outfits.

4. Water Bottle – be green, use a reusable water bottle. This one is sleek and will keep your cold drinks cold and your hot drinks hot. Drink up!

5. Gym Bag – I’m all about the prints! This bag is large enough to carry all your gym essentials and have you going to and from in style.

6. Printed Leggings – I looked in my closet the other day and sifted through a sea of black leggings. I love all things marble and have my eye on these leggings.

Have you come across any fitness finds recently you’d like to share? Please tell, I’d love to see!

xx, Amy