The Luxi Look | LA based fashion and lifestyle blog

By Amy Zhang April 17, 2018 in Style 2 Comments

Festival Trends: Cowboy Boots & Gingham

Last weekend was all about #nochella for me, but I still caught some of the artists on the Live Stream (can we say best view in the house?!) and of course, the festival fashion. One trend I noticed everywhere was the return of cowboy boots. No longer just for cowboys or the rodeo, cowboy boots were among the most popular shoe choices at Coachella.

If you weren’t at Coachella last weekend, don’t worry – festival season is just beginning. There’s Weekend 2 of Coachella happening in a few days, followed by Stagecoach the weekend after. Now that music festivals have become a proven model for music and fun (not to mention $$), there seems to be one going on every weekend. My point being – your festival wardrobe has many more opportunities to get more use.

Boots are my go-to festival shoe, they’re a little dressier and more chic than sneakers, but way more comfortable than sandals or (god forbid) anything with a heel. I loved seeing so many people rocking cowboy boots this year as opposed to your typical ankle boot. If you don’t want to commit fully to the cowboy boot trend, these Marc Fisher boots that I’m wearing are a great alternative (they come in black as well!). They strike the perfect balance between cowboy boot and something you can wear every day.

I’ve been wearing these a few times a week – proof that “cowboy” boots can be versatile and worn on the street. Here I paired my white boots with a gingham dress from Minkpink (also love gingham pieces for festivals) – very Little House on the Prairie. You’ll be seeing these boots a lot in the upcoming months!

dress: minkpink | boots: marc fisher | sunnies: amazon

bag: saint laurent from tradesy (< get $50 off your first purchase with my code AMYZ50)

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By Amy Zhang April 13, 2018 in Style 7 Comments

JOMO: Joy of Missing Out

Happy Friday! Although I won’t be heading to the desert for Coachella this year, I still want to share some of my festival season inspired looks since they are some of my most popular posts throughout the year. This is my first year not attending Coachella in a while. Truthfully, I don’t have FOMO… instead, I have JOMO. Not familiar with this concept?

JOMO stands for “joy of missing out.”

Yep, the days where I had FOMO (fear of missing out) over missing parties and events are long gone. These days, I’d choose a quiet weekend and my pup over a crazy festival. How times have changed!

Although going to Coachella and the events over the weekend was super tempting, at the end of the day I had to listen to my body and just say “no.” As much as I love the entire festival and weekend, it was really important to me this year to focus on my own health and my work on and outside of the blog. Even just a year ago I would have had a hard time saying no to the events and projects that come up over Coachella weekend. This year, I’m fine with missing out and staying home to take care of myself and my loved ones.

There will always be another Coachella, another event, another party.

At the end of the day, self care and knowing when to say no is so incredibly important for the long run. Over the past year, I’ve learned a lot of lessons that did not always come easy around my physical and emotional limits.

Rather than running around at 100 mph every day before burning out, I’ve had to take a step back and try to go at a slower, albeit more consistent pace. This has really changed the way I view my work and body, and taught me the value of health.

Burnout is something we all deal with. Everyone is so busy and we all have so much going on in our lives. But it’s ok to say no every once in a while. You can relish in the joy of missing out for once. This weekend, I’ll be taking a digital detox. Leaving my phone at home as much as possible when I go out. Hoping this post inspires you to take some joy in missing out the next time you feel overwhelmed and exhausted! xx

Outfit details below… dress is by Raga (one of my favorite festival brands), accessories are from Sticks + Stones (another festival favorite!) and Rachel Zoe’s Box of Style (which happens to curated by one of my best friends).

dress: raga | cuff: sticks + stones | bag: clare v | shoes: marc fisher

belt & sunnies: box of style (use AMY20 for $20 off your box)

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By Amy Zhang April 10, 2018 in Style 4 Comments

What I Want From the Shopbop Sale

I rarely do sale posts, but the spring Shopbop sale is really too good to pass up. If you’ve had your eye on anything on the site, now is the time to pull the trigger! From today through the 14th (SATURDAY), you get 20% off orders under $500 and 25% off orders of $500 or more, using code EVENT18 at checkout. If you’re looking to do some spring shopping or need to pick up some last minute festival attire, be sure to check out this sale.

I’m really trying to buy less, save more, and in general be more mindful about my spending and shopping. The Shopbop sale is one of the few times a year items to buy items that rarely go on sale. It’s the perfect time to stock up on basics such as denim or t-shirts, or seasonal items such as swimsuits and sandals. Since almost everything on the site is on sale, I’ve loaded up my shopping cart and am now making the decision on what I want to pull the trigger are. These are a few of the things that are in my shopping cart from the sale that I know I’ll be using or wearing for a long, long time.

What I want from Shopbop:

1. Pineapple Smoking Slippers

Every year, I buy a pair of Soludos sandals and they last me at least an entire year (and I wear mine everywhere). They’re the perfect travel shoe – light and comfortable, but still look chic. I love these with the little pineapples on the toe.

2. Calpak Travel Set

Still obsessed with rose gold everything and I’ve had my eye on this luggage for a while. I’m ready to retire my current carry on, and these rose gold suitcases will be easy to spot at the airport.

3. Michi Leggings

These are seriously the most comfortable and flattering black leggings – notice the strategically placed mesh panels along the side of the leg. My friend and I agreed these are perfect for those days when you need everything sucked in (bloat, anyone)?

4. Luv AJ Hoop Earrings

Loving the return of hoop earrings, and these gold ones (love the silver ones too!) will be on heavy rotation this spring and summer.

5. Anine Bing Lace Bralette

I actually own this bralette in white as well, it’s cute and can be worn with almost anything.

What are you buying from the Shopbop sale? xx

See more style posts HERE.

By Amy Zhang April 2, 2018 in Lifestyle, Wellness 6 Comments

Easy, Healthy Weekday Breakfast Options

BREAKFAST and I have a complicated relationship.

For a long time, I never ate breakfast during the week. I used every excuse under the sun: I was too busy in the morning, I wasn’t hungry right when I woke up, I might as well save the calories for later in the day.

Then I learned about intermittent fasting, and I thought: “This is perfect. It totally fits into my eating philosophy and works with my lifestyle.” SO I would eat dinner after work and wouldn’t eat my first meal until lunchtime the next day. Nothing against intermittent fasting (I think it can totally work, and I had a great experience doing it), but I have grown to LOVE breakfast.

These days I need breakfast.

The reason for my complete 180 is simple – I tend to workout in the mornings, so I want to quickly refuel my body afterward (especially after an intense HIIT class!). The problem is, life still gets in the way / I’m not always as prepared as I would like, so I still end up skipping breakfast from time to time, despite my best intentions. I am really working on this because I truly believe breakfast is an important meal, especially if you’re a morning person/exercise in the morning like me! That’s why I am all about the EASY grab and go breakfast options for the weekdays. Between a couple go-to meals I can make in advance and grab on my way out the door, or options I can pick up on my way to the office, there are now zero excuses for me not to eat breakfast.

Why breakfast matters

Arguments in favor of breakfast and why it’s the most important meal of the day:

+ It gets your metabolism going.

+ Breakfast stabilizes blood sugar levels and prevents your body from going into holding onto fat in starvation mode.

+ Eating a satisfying and well balanced breakfast can help counter cravings and overeating later in the day.

+ Starting the day off on a healthy note encourages healthier choices throughout the day.

+ Breakfast can help improve focus and mental acuity – a must if you’re in school or have a long day of work ahead of you.

Easy breakfast options to make at home

+ Eggs. If you’re not vegan, eggs should be one of your go to sources of fuel and protein in the morning. In my opinion, eggs are basically a perfect food. One large egg packs 7 grams of protein and only 80 calories. Don’t skip the yolk, either – it’s full of heart healthy fats. They’re also easy on your wallet if you are trying to watch your budget. If I have time in the morning I like to make two soft scrambled eggs and eat them with toast and avocado. If I’m in a rush, I’ll make soft boiled eggs in advance and pack a couple to take with me to work. They make great afternoon snacks too and help fight any cravings for junk food you might have.

+ Oatmeal. Oatmeal for breakfast doesn’t have to be boring! I ate overnight oats for breakfast almost every single morning for over a year! Oats are a great source of complex carbohydrates to give your body the energy it needs to get going in the morning. If I’m eating at home, I’ll take the time to make steel cut oats with almond milk over the stove and mix in almond butter and berries for a “healthy PB&J oatmeal.” If you need something faster, make overnight oats! These can be made the night before and are a perfect grab and go option.

Easy Overnight Oats:

1/2 cup oats
3/4 – 1 cup milk (I prefer almond milk)

Mix together and keep in a covered container in fridge overnight. In the morning, add whatever mix-ins you like – nut butters, banana, fresh or frozen berries, chia seeds, hemp seeds, greek yogurt, any sweetener you prefer. The combinations are endless!

+ Smoothies – the definition of a grab and go breakfast. If you’re super pressed for time, you can even freeze Ziploc bags with ingredients for a single smoothie. Then blend them in the morning before you head out of the house. I make different kinds of smoothies depending on my own, but here is one of my go-to protein smoothies that I love to make after an early morning workout.

+ Toast – I keep a loaf of Ezekiel bread in the freezer at home and at my office so I can make toast whenever the mood strikes. If I’m feeling savory, I’ll make my own avocado toast with sea salt, lemon juice, and chili flakes. When I want something sweet, I go for almond butter with banana and honey OR almond butter and natural jam. It never gets old!

Easy breakfast options to pick up

If you’re REALLY short on time or just do not feel like making breakfast (this happens at least 1x a week), a quick trip to the grocery store or your local Starbucks can make your morning. Some of my favorite picks:

+ Individual servings of Greek Yogurt

+ Pre-made juice or smoothies

+ Berries

+ Banana or apple with almond butter

+ Sous vide egg bites at Starbucks

+ Starbucks oatmeal

+ Starbucks egg white breakfast sandwiches and wraps (sometimes I’ll remove half the bread if I’m not feeling the carbs)

Luckily in LA, there are so many easy + healthy options I can pick up on my way to the office! My favorites are Erewhon, Whole Foods, and Earthbar, but you can never go wrong with Starbucks! (+ you can find Starbucks just about anywhere in the world).

So there you have it – absolutely zero reasons to skip breakfast! You can start your day off on the right foot without spending tons of time in the kitchen. Making breakfast a priority can be super easy – it just takes a little preparation and planning ahead! What are your favorite easy + healthy breakfasts?

By Amy Zhang March 30, 2018 in Lifestyle, Wellness 2 Comments

These are the Best Natural Detox Teas

Remember the detox tea craze a few years ago? For a while, there were all these teas being promoted on Instagram that claimed to help you lose weight while detoxing your body.

The truth about those tea-toxes?

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. As nice as it would be to have a miracle liquid that would instantly help you loose weight and flatten your stomach, the reality is many “detox teas” on the market are not what they appear to be. Many of them contain (not so) mild laxatives, which might help you lose weight in the short term (because they are literally emptying you out), but are not good for you in the long run (your body can become dependent on laxatives). Personally, I am not a fan of the tea detox, and prefer more natural alternatives to “detoxing.” Lots of water, greens, and natural detox teas.

There are so many types of teas with so many different health benefits – tea is so good for you! I could go on and on about all of the health benefits of drinking tea. Tea was always a staple in my home growing up – I loved jasmine, ginger, and green tea and would drink it all day. Today, I have an entire cabinet dedicated to different kinds of teas that I drink on different days. When I’ve had an indulgent meal or two, I turn to detox teas to help me feel better. Same goes for when I’ve had too much booze over the weekend. There’s nothing worse than feeling bloated or having tummy troubles – but a good cup of “detox” tea helps so much!

I keep a stash of tea at my desk as well. On Mondays, I’ll make myself a cup of “detox” tea and drink this throughout the day. I say “detox” lightly, because these aren’t like the detox teas you see on Instagram – they don’t “detox” your insides per se, but they do help stimulate digestion and balance your body. These are the best natural detox teas I always keep stocked in my cabinet that I absolutely love.

Benefits of “Detox” Teas

Detox teas typically contain ingredients such as ginger root, licorice, hibiscus, burdock, and dandelion root. These ingredients can help with repairing leaky gut and improving liver functions. They are also anti inflammatory, help boost your immune system, and can help aid with weight loss. I love sipping on tea throughout the day because I swear it helps with bloating and cravings. If I am craving something unhealthy, I always try to chug water and drink tea because 1. you might just be dehydrated and 2. tea can help curb cravings and suppress your appetite.

Detox teas tend to be herbal teas without any caffeine, so they are safe to sip throughout the day. and even at night before going to sleep Of course, you can never go wrong with loose leaf green tea (so many antioxidants!) – but these are the specific teas I drink to “detox” my body.

What Teas are Good for Detox:

Dandelion

Dandelion is more than just a yard weed! In fact, dandelion root is a popular ingredient used in detox teas. Believe it or not, dandelion flowers are filled with healthy nutrients. Plus, you can receive all of the benefits of from just a single tea bag! If you’re looking to do a one day detox, you definitely want to incorporate dandelion tea. Some of the benefits of this tea include: detoxification, cleansing the liver, aiding in weight loss and suppressing appetite, improving digestion, and balancing blood sugar. The taste is strong, but I swear after sipping on a cup of this tea, I feel so much better and lighter.

Fennel

From the first time I tried fennel tea, I have been hooked. Fennel naturally helps with bloating and digestion, and one cup of fennel tea can almost instantly shrink your stomach. In fact, Heather’s Tummy Tea is a must have in my purse and travel bag. Stomach and digestion problems happen, and bloating is a fact of life when you travel or have a bad meal. I tell everyone I know about this miracle tea!

Yogi Detox

The name says it all! Yogi makes several varieties of detox teas that are chock full of different detoxifying herbs. They include: cinnamon bark, ginger root, cardamom pod, licorice root, clove bud, orange peel, dandelion root, and more. The taste is a little strong and intense, but one tea bag and stretch for several cups of tea, and you honestly feel like your insides are being cleansed.

Lemon & Ginger

This is a homemade tea that is delicious and easy to make any time of day. Hot water with lemon is so good for you (one of the best ways to start your day). It instantly gets things moving, if you know what I mean. Lemon is also a diuretic, which helps with bloating and detoxification. When I feel a tickle in my throat, one of the first things I do is brew a big pot of tea with the juice from a whole lemon, several slices of ginger, honey, and as much cayenne pepper as I can handle. So easy to make yourself and it tastes incredible!

Okkkk, now I’m off to make myself a cup of tea!! xx