The Luxi Look | LA based fashion and lifestyle blog

By Amy Zhang June 18, 2018 in Style 2 Comments

Bridesmaids Dresses You’ll Actually Want to Wear by Amsale

It’s wedding season and there is nothing more exciting than being asked to be part of someone’s special day. Of course, bridesmaids dresses are notorious for being less than flattering and despite everyone insisting that you’ll wear them again, you most likely will not end up doing so. One bridal trend I’m totally behind is picking a color or a color palette for your bridesmaids and allowing them to choose their own dress in that shade. At the end of the day you want to avoid anything that’s too revealing or distracting, but I have noticed some bridesmaids lines creating a range of dresses specifically for this person. With several weddings to attend over the next year, I have my eyes set on bridesmaids dresses by Amsale. I’m wearing the Bray dress in fawn and I can actually see myself wearing this dress again!

Listening to my friends as they plan their weddings also made me realize how important it is to not only be a well dressed guest, but also a well behaved guest! Wedding planning is stressful and not for the faint of heart, anything you can do to minimize added stress and make the day as smooth as possible will be appreciated.

Some simple etiquette tips to follow:

+ Be responsive! When the bride asks for your address, get back to her quickly. When you receive the formal invitation in the mail, RSVP. The last thing a frazzled bride wants to do is chase down her guests.

+ Don’t expect a +1. Weddings are expensive and different couples may have different viewpoints on allowing guests. As a guest, you cannot expect to be given a +1 simply because you were invited.

+ Read the invite carefully and follow the dress code. This is usually made clear on the wedding invite or website. When in doubt, err on the side of caution! If you aren’t sure if your attire choice is right, then go with a safer bet.

+ Be on time! This goes without saying.

+ Buy a gift early. This way you won’t forget, and you’ll have a better selection from the wedding registry. Lately I have been buying my gifts from Zola – they have tons of amazing gift options for any couple in your life (including experiences and cash funds). Think outside of the box gifts for the couples you love. I’ve also partnered with Zola to give you $50 credit towards your registry when you spend $500 or more. Click here to learn more!

By Amy Zhang June 15, 2018 in Wellness 2 Comments

Relax With Copaiba Essential Oil

Copaiba Essential Oil | by The Luxi Look

There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding copaiba oil lately. So I wanted to take a minute to break down what I know about it. There’s some really interesting information out there I’ll admit I’m pretty intrigued. And, as you probably already know, I’m a big fan of essential oils. Consequently, it seemed fitting to dig in on this topic.

Details on Copaiba Essential Oil

To start with the basics, copaiba oil comes from the sap of a tree found in South America. Also, It’s been used throughout Brazil in ointments and other treatments for diseases going back to the 16th century. Needless to say, it’s been around for a while.

There’s also been a little bit of controversy surrounding copaiba oil because of its cannabinoid properties. However, it’s important to note that it’s 100% THC free (which is what gives you that high feeling). In addition, the cannabinoid found in copaiba is BCP, which is actually what gives the oil its alleged health benefits.

And speaking of benefits, here is a list of all the ones associated with copaiba oil:

Copaiba essential oil benefits

Powerful antioxidant
Boosts immune system/response
Liver support
Cardiovascular support
Increased respiratory function
Increased neurological function
Provides relief to blemishes and irritated skin

How to use copaiba essential oil

Historically, Brazilian natives used copaiba topically like I mentioned above, but they also ingested it for internal healing. Both of these methods are still recommended today. A few of the suggested uses include the following:

Add the oil to your toner or apply it to your face directly to help with blemishes
Create a blend and roll it onto your wrists
Add a few drops to tea, water or juice
Last but not least, you can diffuse copaiba essential oil, but remember you only receive benefits through diffusion for approximately 30 minutes

The benefits and varied applications of copaiba definitely make it intriguing and it sounds like it’s definitely worth giving a try.

Have you tried copaiba essential oil? What benefits did you experience, if any?

By Amy Zhang June 13, 2018 in Wellness 5 Comments

Healthy Foods That Can Make You Bloated

When thinking about how to get rid of bloat, we tend to focus on cutting out the stuff that’s obviously bad for you. Too much salt, sugar, booze – the usual culprits. I mean if something is loaded with sugar and saturated fats, you’d think it would also cause bloating, right? But did you know there are tons of healthy foods out there as well that can cause bloat? Well as it turns out, the culprit behind bloating most of the time is actually healthy food.

According to this article, bloating is caused when the small intestine can’t digest certain carbohydrates known as FODMAP (short for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols). Because they can’t be digested, they get passed on to the colon where they are fermented by bacteria, which then produces gas. This doesn’t necessarily mean your body is intolerant of the foods that are digested this way. However, if you experience discomfort from bloating frequently, it is something to consider.

Here is a list of common healthy foods high in FODMAP that can disrupt gut bacteria and cause bloating.

Healthy foods that may cause bloating

+ Cruciferous vegetables – these include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and brussels sprouts. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat them – you should! They are loaded with vitamins and are so good for you. Just be sure to avoid them right before wearing a bikini or crop top.

+ Whole grains – barlery, rye, and wheat are oftentimes the culprit behind pesky bloating. Again, healthy whole grains are part of a balanced diet. However, you should consider cutting them out for a day or two if you’re trying to debloat.

+ Legumes – beans are so good for you (filled with lots of fiber and vegetarian protein!). Unfortunately, they are known for causing gas and bloating as you digest them. Watch out for lentils, beans, and chickpeas.

+ Dairy – the jury’s out on whether dairy has a place in your healthy diet or not (I try to consume in moderation), but it is known to cause bloating, especially if you are lactose intolerant. I read that a lot of models avoid dairy because it makes them bloated. I can’t imagine a life without ice cream or froyo, but if I’m really trying to flatten my stomach, I’ll skip it for a few days.

+ Fruits – yes, even some of your favorite fruits can cause bloating!! Stick to bananas and low sugar berries and pass on apples, pears, and plums.

If you’re looking to find ways to counteract bloating, a simple adjustment to your diet could do just the trick.

Add in some detoxifying spices like cayenne and turmeric to smoothies or your water bottle. These stimulate digestion and can help ease any cramping. Salt is something to look for as well because adding too much of it to any food can cause you to retain water and get that bloated feeling. And of course, there are always some easy tricks to de puff your face when you need it most!

I also want to note that not all of the foods I listed are guaranteed to cause bloating or discomfort, they just simply contain high levels of FODMAPs. Your best bet is to pay attention to how your body is reacting to what you eat and adjust from there.

Did you know healthy foods were the culprits behind bloating?

By Amy Zhang June 12, 2018 in Style 1 Comment

Do One Thing a Day That Sucks

I can’t take credit for all of the thoughts and lessons behind my posts. I’m constantly drawing inspiration from so many different sources – books, podcasts, public figures, the list goes on. One of the biggest influences in my life is my boyfriend. I’m a fairly private person and don’t usually discuss this side of my life on the blog – but I would be leaving out a huge part of my life by not mentioning him and the role he has played in my life. Beyond his constant support in my own journey, he serves as one of my greatest sources of inspiration (it helps that he has been doing that for a living for over a decade). He’s constantly pushing me to be the best version of myself and always has the best advice and words of wisdom.

The latest nugget of wisdom I’ve taken from him is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. He recently interviewed Jesse Itzler for his podcast (I am SO excited to hear this episode) – and he shared something Jesse said. “Do something that sucks” every day. I thought about this a lot over the weekend – at first you might think why would I ever want to do something that sucks? But it’s really in the same vein as “do something that scares you every day” and pushing your personal limits and boundaries to do things that may seem impossible. After all, we don’t grow and get better unless we go through the struggle of learning. It was a much needed reminder to embrace change.

How have you challenged yourself and pushed your boundaries lately? xx

dress: minkpink | shoes: nike | bag: chloe | sunnies: fossil

By Amy Zhang June 7, 2018 in Style 13 Comments

Currently Obsessed: Summer Essentials for the Beach

Planning my trip to Europe next month and these are my beach/summer essentials – think crisp rosé, a good iPhone case to protect your phone, sunscreen, on trend sunnies, and a net bag. Where are you traveling to this summer?

Summer Essentials

Whispering Angel

A glass of rosé keeps the doctor away! A glass of chilled and crisp rosé continues to be one of my go-to summer drinks. You can’t go wrong with a bottle of dry and crisp rosé from the South of France.