The Luxi Look | LA based fashion and lifestyle blog

By Amy Zhang July 27, 2016 in Lifestyle, Style 29 Comments

What’s in a Name?

Hi babes! Some of you have been wondering where my blog name The Luxi Look came from. So, I thought I’d share the meaning behind it today. Also, I’m sharing some thoughts on how to name your blog if you’re struggling like I was! The word Luxi is not only a play on the word “Luxe,” it also happens to be my middle name!

What’s in a Name? And How to Name Your Blog – The Luxi Look

A little backstory about my blog: I started The Luxi Look in November of 2015. Officially “launched” the site to my close friends and family in December. The process of starting my blog took so much longer than I expected. If I’ve learned anything from my short period of time blogging, it’s that perfect is the enemy of good. Meaning, sometime good enough is enough.

I talked about starting a blog for such a long time. Eventually, I knew I had to just do it. Naming my blog was the hardest part. For whatever reason, the name simply would not come to me for the longest time. But, I knew I wanted to incorporate something that was uniquely me into the name of my blog.

“Luxi” is actually Mandarin and reflects a very important part of me and who I am – my heritage and culture. I was actually born in Beijing and moved to the US when I was very young.

I grew up speaking Mandarin with my parents, going to Chinese school on Saturdays, taking Chinese dance lessons, eating Chinese food (rice with dinner every. single. night.) – my parents did the best they could to infuse Chinese culture into my upbringing so I would have that when I grew up. Actually, I chose the name “Amy” in kindergarten so that I could fit in by not having a name that other people couldn’t pronounce. I always went by “Amy” with friends growing up.

Fast forward twenty years and I realize now there was never any reason to be embarrassed that I had a name no one could pronounce. In fact, it’s really cool when you have a name no one else does. So, I created The Luxi Look as a daily reminder to love and embrace every part of yourself – past and present. As a lesson to never apologize for who you are and to always be unabashedly yourself. That is what The Luxi Look is about – a safe space and community to share thoughts, ideas, and grow.

When I was thinking of names for my blog I took every word I can think of that described myself/my interests and wrote them down. You never know what combination might spark your interest! When it comes to naming your own blog, I would recommend finding ways to get personal and find a name that is uniquely you – whether that is through a piece of you or even just your interests. It’s an important part of starting a blog! BUT not the most important part. I hope this post was helpful and inspiring to you.

Starting this blog was a huge step for me, and I’m so thankful for the incredible people I’ve met along the way in such a short amount of time. I love sharing this journey with you all and I can’t wait to see what the future will bring.

As always, thank you so much for reading and following along – I read each and every single comment and email I get and am so grateful for every single one of you!

xx, Amy

matching set: urban outfitters (top sold out, bottoms) | shoes: sold out, similar here

photos: ryan chua

By Amy Zhang July 23, 2016 in Wellness 19 Comments

Best Healthy Snacks

When that afternoon hunger pang sets in, what do you reach for? For years I would just grab the nearest thing I could find to eat, and often it wasn’t the healthiest choice. I work a desk job during the week and inevitably always get hungry between lunch and dinner.

Best Healthy Snacks

Over the past few years, I’ve cleaned up my eating habits a lot, but I still have a tendency to indulge in sweets (I have a serious, serious sweet tooth). I’ve made it a point to try and choose snacks that are as fresh and unprocessed as possible. Also, low sugar is key. Some of the best healthy snacks I always keep on hand are:

If I’m craving something sweet…

Tropical Fruit Salad

A little trick I learned from street fruit carts abroad and in LA – I love taking tropical fruits such as pineapple, watermelon, and mango, and adding fresh lime juice and chili powder. I love using Tajín, if you are able to find that at your local grocery store!

Fruit is my go-to snack when I’m craving sweet. Bananas, apples, berries are all great choices. Sometimes I’ll whip up a quick fruit smoothie as well. Natural sugar > added sugars. A square of dark chocolate or too doesn’t hurt either ; ).

If I’m craving something salty…

Seaweed

These seaweed chips from Trader Joe’s are SO addictive. Whole Foods has them as well. Kind of like potato chips, but so much better for you! They are just the right amount of salty and crunchy to satisfy any salty craving.

If I’m craving something fatty…

Avocado

Healthy fats FTW! Avocados are full of heart healthy fats that keep you full longer. I like to make avocado toast using toasted ezekiel bread (+ lime juice, pink sea salt, and chili flakes). I’ll even eat them on their own sometimes – SO GOOD. I cannot get enough of avocado.

Protein

Eggs, nuts, turkey slices, Greek yogurt. Protein is essential if you are working out for building muscle and also keeps you full longer. Not to sound like a bodybuilder, but it is so important to make sure you are eating enough protein!! When I upped my protein intake, I found it so much easier to see the benefits of my workouts.

If I’m craving soda…

Sparkling water

Technically not a snack, but hear me out. First things first, I make sure I’m not confusing hunger with thirst. I have a tendency to mindlessly graze (especially if I’m working!) so I always drink tons of water throughout the day. I cut out drinking soda daily years ago but sometimes I miss the carbonation. Sparkling water with a squeeze of lime is refreshing and more interesting than water.

Kombucha

I love, love, love kombucha. I could write an entire post on kombucha. I brewed my own kombucha at home for a while but it got to be too time consuming. Thankfully kombucha has gotten to be so popular, most stores carry it now. Note: many varieties of kombucha contain TONS of sugar, so make sure to look for bottles with <2g of sugar per serving. GT Kombucha flavors I like that fit this requirement are: original, multi-green, trilogy, and gingerade (this is the most common brand you’ll find at supermarkets).

Snacks I try to avoid

Protein bars (full of crap and contain more sugar than a candy bar), cereal/granola bars (tons of sugar and very processed), processed “healthy” food (anything “sugar-free” or “fat-free” tends to have additives that are actually terrible for you).

I’m not a nutritionist by any means… but I think we can all agree that whole, unprocessed foods are some of the best foods you can eat! And clearly I’m not much of a cook… hence why all of these snacks are quick and easy, in addition to being healthy. What are some of your favorite snacks?

Follow me on Instagram for more updates!

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang July 20, 2016 in Style 31 Comments

Sample Sale Tips

I can’t believe I was only recently introduced to the world of sample sales. I tend to be OCD about shopping and rarely ever shop without a plan. Or go into a store without knowing exactly what I want to buy. I used to write off sample sales because I was convinced they were all as crazy as that sample sale scene in Broad City (anyone know what I’m talking about)? But, I started giving sample sales a chance this past year and am now obsessed. Case in point, I was able to snag this amazing Reformation dress for over 75% off (!!!) – and because I loved it so much, I just had to get it in two colors.

Although I’m still a bit of a sample sale newbie, these are the best sample sale tips I’ve picked up over the past year. I will say NYC is by far the best city in the states for sample sales (LA has more and more each year as well!), but I am sure local designers/boutiques in other cities will also have them from time to time.

How to find out about sample sales:

This is one of the most important sample sale tips. If you follow brands you love on social media, they will usually promote sample sales there. I like Instagram best for this. I also like to follow Racked LA as they post a comprehensive list of all the best sales in LA that are happening each week. Some LA based brands that have had sample sales in the past year include For Love and Lemons, Stone Cold Fox, Flynn Skye, Show Me Your Mumu, Minimale Animale, Nasty Gal, and more…

What to wear to sample sales:

In my experience, it’s typically a bit of a free for all when it comes to trying on clothes. There isn’t usually a formal dressing room, maybe a section that is partitioned off from the merchandise – needless to say, you will most likely be trying on clothes in front of a lot of other people (no boys allowed). Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes that you can easily change in and out of. I also recommend nude underwear so you can better gauge how items will look on.

Come prepared.

This is one of my sample sale tips you should not take lightly! Depending on the popularity of the sale, there may be a long line. Bring a friend, snacks and a bottle of water, an extra phone battery, whatever. Patience is key. If you’re really into a brand, go early.

Be prepared to DIG.

This is a sample sale, not Saks. At best clothes will be hung up on racks and organized at the very beginning of the day, but after hordes of girls have combed through, there won’t be any method to the madness at all. Better yet, clothes might just be thrown into giant bins and you’ll be diving in with a bunch of other girls looking for your size. It’s like shopping at Forever 21 x100.

Some of the clothes might be last season’s designs but sometimes you can come across items from this season if they have a minor defect or were originally a sample. Always be sure to check for minor defects (they should be disclosed, but sometimes they aren’t) – keep an eye out for things such as minor stains, small tears, or a broken zipper. Definitely try to negotiate on the price of these items if your heart is still set on them.

Be open minded.

Try not to go into sample sales with too many expectations. You might still be haunted by the dress you fell in love with last season that got away, but it may or may not be there. Instead, keep an open mind to the opportunity in front of you. You can truly find astounding deals at these things. However some days there might be nothing that catches your eye, which brings me to my last point…

Don’t be afraid to walk away.

Just because something is on sale, doesn’t mean you’ll wear it. A sale isn’t enough to motivate me to purchase. If it isn’t something I love and would have bought at full price, I won’t buy it. I’ve learned through experience that those pieces usually just end up in the back of your closet and you end up spending way more than if you had just invested in one quality piece you will end up wearing over and over.

So there you have it. What I’ve learned by going to sample sales. Sometimes it’s a gold mine, sometimes you go home empty handed. Either way, it’s worth checking out for yourself. What are your thoughts on sample sales? Do you have any sample sale tips? Love ’em or hate ’em?

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang July 18, 2016 in Style 10 Comments

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks

If you follow any bloggers or love Nordstrom, you probably already know it’s time for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I’m a few days late with this post, but if you’re a Nordstrom cardholder you’ve already had early access to the famous #nsale for several days. I’ll be honest, I am a picky shopper and just because something is on sale, doesn’t mean I’ll bite. Quality and re-wearability (just made that word up) are key. So with that being said, I’ve gone through all 68 pages of the women’s sale so you don’t have to, and chosen my top picks.

You can shop my favorite items (seriously, these are the items I would buy out of the thousands on the site) by directly clicking on the image. Happy Shopping babes! Can’t wait to see what you pick out!

1. adidas crop hoodie

Still feeling the athleisure trend, pair these with your favorite leggings for a sleek look.

2. steve madden ‘claara’ sandal

I love Steve Madden shoes, tan suede is SO flattering, plus block heels are guaranteed to be comfortable. It’s a total win in my book.

3. alo ‘motion’ leggings

Alo leggings are AMAZING. I am totally obsessed with the color and mesh blocking on this pair.

4. nars ‘nordstrom’s best’ cheek palette

I’m a self proclaimed narsissist and this palette is such a great value. If you don’t own any Nars blushes (or even if you do!), be sure to pick up this palette.

5. astr stripe romper

ASTR is one of my new favorite brands for affordable and on trend pieces that are flattering and perfect for any occasion. This striped romper would be so cute to wear on the weekend…

6. mara hoffman twist front one piece swimsuit

talk about a one-piece suit that is on fire! This particular suit has been sold in several other prints, but this one seems to be an exclusive for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and I am seriously considering adding it to my swimsuit collection!

7. blank nyc ‘easy rider’ faux leather moto jacket

I’ve talked about Blank NYC before – I love their denim but their faux leather pieces are also on point, especially for the price!

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang July 16, 2016 in Beauty 5 Comments

The Best Bronzers for Medium Skin

I am forever in pursuit of the perfect sun-kissed glow. I really do believe that most people look better with a tan! I’m not a makeup expert by any means, but I do love trying new products. Bronzer is a year-round staple in my makeup bag. I have medium toned skin and have found many bronzers do not really show up on my skin. I’ve tried so many different products throughout the years, but in my opinion, these are the absolute best bronzers for medium skin tones. Read if you’re looking for the perfect bronzing powder for medium skin tones and warm undertones.

These are the best bronzers for medium skin

Nars

My OG bronzer (seriously obsessed with everything Nars). This product is the bronzing master. Sometimes I’ll even use just this product on my natural skin without applying foundation! (But it does admittedly work better with a smooth canvas). I fell in love with NARS products years ago because I liked their packaging. The products happen to be amazing as well ; ). There’s a reason why their bronzers are loved by makeup artists. Laguna is sometimes a little too light for my skin in the summer, but I like it for a soft shimmery glow. Casino is a darker shade that is gorgeous on medium skin tones. Although these bronzers do have a little shimmer in them, it’s just the right amount. You don’t need to worry about looking like a disco ball with NARS products.

Too Faced

Recently I wanted something a little more matte and bought this bronzer off a recommendation. I absolutely LOVE it. This is another powder bronzer (I prefer powder to any other form) that I use almost daily. I think matte bronzer can give you a more natural look, plus this one smells like chocolate when you brush it across your face. I never really mastered contouring but I think this matte bronzer would be great for it if that is something you do. The deep shade is dark enough to be a contour for even my tan skin tone. Apparently even the queen of contour, Kim Kardashian said contouring is over, so I’m not going to sweat it if I can’t get it right completely.

Benefit

Benefit products are some of my faves as well! Again the packaging is super cute and I love the little brush it comes with. This one is matte as well and seems to be loved by many beauty bloggers and YouTubers. I actually think the Benefit and Too Faced bronzers are pretty comparable but I use enough bronzer that I like having both.

Again, these are all great products that come in a variety of shades for all skin colors and undertones, but I specifically love them for matching my warmer coloring and more yellow undertones. I love powder bronzer best as it goes on easily with a good brush and is easily layerable, but if you have a cream or liquid version you like better, please let me know!

I am ALWAYS looking for product recs – do you have a list of the best bronzers you’ve come across? And what are your thoughts on contouring – still a good look or are you all about the non-touring now?

xx, Amy