The Luxi Look | LA based fashion and lifestyle blog

By Amy Zhang June 29, 2016 in Travel 36 Comments

Tulum Travel Diary, Part 2

Part one of my Tulum trip recap covered all the basics – what you need to know to plan a trip there and what I wore. Honestly it was so nice to spend the better part of a week not wearing any makeup and using the ocean as my hair styling product… seriously dying to go back already. Anyway, let’s get to the good stuff now – what to do in Tulum anddddd very importantly where you need to go eat!

Tulum Travel Diary, Part 2

In terms of things to do, there is something in Tulum for everyone. If you want to lay by the beach all day with a cocktail in hand, you can do that. I’ll admit we spent a lot of time lounging around. If you’re looking to be more active and take advantage of a rental car, there are many day trips you can easily do from Tulum.

And as far as the food goes, the locals describe the scene as similar to Austin or Brooklyn. A foodie’s paradise in the middle of a beach heaven? I was completely sold after my first bite.

What to do:

Mayan Ruins

The Tulum ruins are a quick bike or car ride from the beach. It’ll give you a small taste of some of the larger, more well known sites (such as Chichen Itza or Tikal in Guatemala). There is a small admissions fee of 40 pesos (under $3 USD) and the entire site can easily be walked in under two hours. Next trip, I would love to visit Chichen Itza (you will need a car).

Cenotes

These are natural underground freshwater swimming pools formed from limestone collapsing into the ground. SO refreshing on a hot day. There are several in the area, you will need to take a taxi or a car. We actually did a guided tour that took us to one of the most popular cenotes, Dos Ojos. If you have access to a car, I would also recommend checking out Grand Cenote and Ik Kal Cenote. There are several smaller cenotes where you’ll be able to swim in the crystal clear waters without hordes of tourists around you.

Snorkeling/diving

Along with our visit to Dos Ojos, our tour included snorkeling in Akumal Bay and Yal-ku lagoon. I typically avoid guided tours, as I dislike tour buses and the inauthenticity of the spots they take you to. This actually ended being a blast, as we were able to see several sea turtles and many types of fish. We booked through Edventures, which I would recommend if you’re looking for convenience in getting to and from some of the bigger tourist spots in Tulum. We were able to visit the Tulum Ruins, a cenote, and Akumal through this tour.

Salsa at La Zebra

Probably one of my favorite activities of the trip, thanks to a recommendation from a girlfriend. La Zebra hosts Salsa Night every Sunday, with a salsa lesson beginning at 6pm, and dancing commencing later in the evening. I’ll spare you the photos and videos from the lesson, but it was an absolute blast. Definitely do this if you are in Tulum on a Sunday evening.

Shopping

The boutiques in Tulum are on point. I’m still lusting over the bikini selection at Posada Margherita. You always remember the things you don’t buy, and this Marysia bikini continues to haunt me (kidding). Fortunately it’s available on Revolve. Just be sure to keep in mind that prices are on par with boutiques in the states.

If you’re looking for nightlife

Papaya Playa hosts Full Moon Parties every month, but it seemed like a safe bet for any weekend, full moon or not. We were also tipped off on some jungle parties, but by that point I had over 30 mosquito bites and was not eager to get more. Our hotel also recommended Batey in town for the best mojitos. And if you walk the beach, you’ll find a happy hour special for every hour of the day. Go to Gitano for cocktails. Be sure to try their mezcal cocktails.

Yoga

You may have heard Tulum is a paradise for yogis. Many of the resorts will offer classes. If you’re looking for more, stay at one of the many eco-friendly yoga resorts on the beach, such as Yoga Shala or Maya Tulum. Sip on fresh squeezed juices and freshly blended smoothies by the beach or in the jungle. Visit a Temezcal Sweat Lodge. Tulum is a perfect destination for a yoga retreat. Namaste.

And of course, walk the beach. Take naps everyday. Watch the sunrise and sunset. And smile often, knowing that you are in the beautiful paradise that is Tulum.

Where to eat:

Posada Margherita

This beach front Italian restaurant was my favorite place in all of Tulum. The restaurant is perfect regardless of time of day. Go during the day to enjoy one of their fresh juices and admire every Pinterest worthy corner. At night, the restaurant transforms into the most romantic space. The hand made pasta is to die for. We visited three times over the course of five days.

La Eufemia

Another one of our favorite spots on the beach. Cheap tacos, strong margaritas, and major hippie vibes. We loved spending afternoons here, taking turns dipping in the ocean and sipping on watermelon margaritas. We’d forget the time and what day of the week it was – I have some of my best memories from the trip from La Eufemia.

Arca

A jungle side restaurant next to Hartwood. Due to the weather, Hartwood closed during the week we visited. Multiple locals told us to check out Arca instead, and we were so glad we did. All of the jungle side restaurants are gorgeous, and Arca was no exception. Think an open fire grill and craft cocktails.

Casa Jaguar

Go for the tuna tostada and catch of the day. Although many restaurants feature similar dishes (we ate a TON of ceviche and grilled fish during the trip), Casa Jaguar’s stunning atmosphere and flavorful dishes made it a stand out for us.

Hartwood is high on the list for the next visit. We also heard wonderful things about Casa Banana and El Tabano. One important note: be sure to bring cash, as almost every restaurant is cash only. Also, if you’re eating in the jungle (which many of these spots are in), bring mosquito repellent! Restaurants will gladly offer you “natural mosquito repellent” which unfortunately did not work for me, at all. I would highly recommend packing your own tried and trued spray (and lots of it).

We honestly loved every meal we ate in Tulum. Going into the trip we heard prices were in line with the US. But, I found the portions to be quite large, making the prices much more reasonable than expected. Entrees were around $15-30 USD and cocktails around $10-$13 USD.

If you go into town, you’ll find prices are less – go to El Camello for ceviche and garlic fish fillet, and La Chiapaneca for al pastor tacos. Suffice it to say, I don’t think we ate a single bad thing during our entire trip. It was more than worth it, although I definitely indulged more than usual, and am still paying for it with extra cardio sessions…

So, there you have it – everything we did, ate, and drank in Tulum (and more)! It was such a memorable trip, and one that I am already dying to take again. If you have ANY questions about Tulum, feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email: [email protected]. I’d LOVE to hear from you!

As always, thanks for reading!

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang June 27, 2016 in Travel 27 Comments

Tulum Travel Diary, Part 1

Ahhhh, Tulum. You are nothing short of pure magic. After hearing of Tulum’s white sand beaches and crystal clear water in a tropical jungle paradise, I was dying to see it for myself. Once a sleepy beach town, Tulum has grown in popularity as a beach destination for many years now, largely thanks to fashion bloggers and New Yorkers looking to escape the winter. After visiting, I can say that pictures simply do not do it justice. If you’re thinking about visiting, read on for everything you need to know about this magical place.

ocean and the shore for Tulum Travel Diary

Tulum Travel Diary, Part 1

When to go:

We visited in the middle of June, which is technically the beginning of the rainy season. Given that Tulum is in the jungle, you’re always taking a chance with rain. It stormed heavily for a day and a half when we visited, but then cleared up for the remainder of our trip.

On the days it didn’t rain, the weather was hotter and more humid, but nothing terrible. I wouldn’t shy away from returning in June – off-season means fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation.

Winter is the most popular time to visit, with tourists peaking in December and January. Be sure to book accommodation months in advance if you’re planning on visiting then. But, there really isn’t a bad time of year to visit Tulum. I’ve heard February through April are some of the best months to go.

The Luxi Look blogger Amy Zhang at Kiini Tulum

How to get there:

Fly into Cancun Airport, then take a car, bus, or private shuttle to Tulum. Tulum is about an hour and a half outside of Cancun.

We flew in on a red-eye from LAX and hopped straight onto an air-conditioned private van. The hassle free convenience of this experience made it totally worth the extra cost. You can easily book this through your hotel.

You can also rent a car – it adds up, but may be worth it to you, especially if you plan on doing day trips outside of Tulum.

Where to stay:

Stay by the beach! There are so many charming, intimate boutique hotels lining the ocean where you can fall asleep to the sound of waves and walk to shops and restaurants along the main road.

We stayed at The Beach and loved it for its central location. The staff was beyond kind and wonderful, even going out of their way to ensure we had a memorable trip despite the tropical storm. We loved Ziggy’s for beachfront breakfasts and spicy margaritas, as well as their new restaurant Fresco’s for fresh and organic cocktails and ceviche.

After hearing wonderful things about Coqui Coqui from several friends, we almost booked a room before learning the hotel did not have AC. When we went to visit the spa and perfumeria, we learned that the government had seized 16 resorts in Tulum (including Coqui Coqui) – incredibly sad news.

For future visits, I would revisit The Beach, or stay at Posada Margherita or Be Tulum. IMO, as long as you are by the beach, you will love your experience ; ).

What I wore

I received a lot of comments on the (few) outfits I packed for the trip. Remember my packing tips? I made sure to pack as light as possible. See below for all the details on what I wore in Mexico.

Amy Zhang The Luxi Look blogger wearing Chloe Oliver Balboa Dress for her Tulum Travel Diary

Amy Zhang The Luxi Look blogger wearing Chloe Oliver Balboa Dress

dress: chloe oliver | hat: lack of color | sunnies: karen walker

Amy Zhang The Luxi Look blogger wearing Blue Life Island Halter Dress for her Tulum Travel Diary

Amy Zhang The Luxi Look blogger showing the back details of her Blue Life Island Halter Dress for her Tulum Travel Diary

dress: blue life

Amy Zhang The Luxi Look riding a biker for her Tulum Travel Diary

Amy Zhang The Luxi Look wearing Free People Tulum Dress for her Tulum Travel Diary

dress: free people

Amy Zhang The Luxi Look wearing Kiini Swimsuit for her Tulum Travel Diary

Amy Zhang The Luxi Look wearing Kiini Swimsuit while sunbathing

bikini: kiini | hat: etsy

Amy Zhang The Luxi Look wearing red Reformation Dress Tulum

dress: reformation (sold out) | sunnies: kapten and son

Amy Zhang The Luxi Look wearing Spell Prairie Dress for Tulum Travel Diary

dress: spell (also in white)

Part two of my travel diary will be posted soon. Stay tuned to read about what to do and where to eat in Tulum!

xx, Amy

Trip map courtesy of Wanderlog, a trip planner app on iOS and Android

By Amy Zhang June 17, 2016 in Lifestyle, Travel 31 Comments

Packing Tips

With serious wanderlust on my mind, I thought I would share a few some travel tips and tricks I’ve picked up over the years. My first job out of college was in management consulting, aka I was constantly on the go, practically living in airports and hotels. Having lived out of a carry-on sized suitcase for two years, I’d like to consider myself somewhat of a packing pro ; ).

With summer travels coming up, I often hear people complain about packing and how stressful it is. But with a little practice, packing will become practically second nature. While it might be better to plan in advance (I do not recommend waking up at 3am to pack for a 6am flight), if you follow a few simple suggestions, the entire process will be so much easier and much less anxiety-inducing.

Packing Tips

1. Choose the right bag.

My #1 tip: use a carry-on sized bag. I promise you, it can be done (I’ve packed for over three weeks using one carry-on sized suitcase).

Although there are some exceptions, the vast majority of trips can be tackled with a carry-on size bag. You will live without packing 10 outfits for a weekend trip. Even if you end up checking it (by choice or against your will) there are so many benefits to traveling with a small, compact bag.

The size of the bag you take automatically limits how much you can bring – forcing you to pack smarter and optimize the space you have.

And, we all know flying these days is not always the best experience. Checked bags get lost all. the. time. Speaking from experience, it really, REALLY sucks – especially if you’re on a big vacation. Talk about a serious downer. Storing your bag in the overhead cabin can be annoying, but it’ll minimize the chance of your bag getting lost.

A lot of frequent business travelers and flight attendants use Travel Pro – the bags are reasonably priced and durable. I’ve had mine for years. If you’re looking for a quality investment bag, I like Tumi and Rimowa.

2. Plan out your outfits in advance.

This is where being type A comes in handy. Even if you don’t write out all of the outfits you want to wear, it at least helps to have some outfit combos ready mentally in case you do end up packing last minute.

If you’re going to the beach, you’ll most likely rely on swimsuits, lightweight tunics, and denim cuttoffs. If you’re headed for a big city, you’ll want to bring comfortable shoes, jeans, and dresses/tops that can go from day to night.

It also helps to have a color scheme – sticking with neutrals is a safe bet if you’re trying to maximize the space in your suitcase as pieces can be mixed and matched and re-worn, and no one will be the wiser.

I try to incorporate pieces that are lightweight so I get more bang for my buck in terms of space. For example, when I go home to Minnesota over the winter holidays (and it’s FREEZING) I’ll try to only pack one or two heavy sweaters in my carry-on.

3. Limit your toiletries.

I know, I know – this one is hard. But not only are liquids/gels/creams heavy, they take up tons of space. Not to mention the 3.4 oz liquid maximum is a pain in the ass to deal with, and travel sized toiletries are horrendously overpriced. I try to pack as many samples as I can, and find products that can multi-task.

Did you know that many beauty stores will give you free samples? I tend to hoard these like a crazy person, but they really come in handy when you go on trips. I always make sure to ask for samples whenever I buy anything at Sephora, Nordstorm, Aesop, or Kiehl’s. The sales associates are typically more than happy to hook you up.

This is also a great time to bust out any multi-purpose products you have. Need a moisturizer + sunscreen + a little coverage? A bb cream with SPF will save tons of space. Take advantage of hotel toiletries. Leave whatever isn’t absolutely essential at home. Think about if you will survive without 5 hair products for a week (answer: yes, you can).

4. There is such a thing as too many shoes.

Shoes tend to be heavy and take up a lot of space in your luggage. In all honesty, you probably do not need as many pairs of shoes as you think.

If you’re going somewhere cold – wear your tall boots on the plane and pack 1 pair of booties / heels (depending on where you’re going and what the occasion is) in your carry on. That will usually suffice.

If you’re going somewhere warm (yay, lucky you!), you will have a little more space to work with. I would still recommend limiting it 2-3 pairs of shoes, as well as the pair you wear onto the plane.

Also, I like to pack my gym shoes on almost every trip (wishful thinking, maybe) – so either be honest with yourself (are you actually going to work out?) or use that as a forcing function to limit the pairs of shoes you pack.

5. Maximize your hand held carry-on

In addition to your carry-on suitcase, you’re allowed one personal item. Ladies, take advantage of this situation and bring a giant tote bag! In your bag I recommend packing: a change of clothes, emergency toiletries (toothbrush + toothpaste, anything for contacts if you wear them, any medications you take – this is the stuff you do not want to be without), a book, and a big bottle of water + snacks.

Everyone has them, but Longchamp totes are great for travel for a reason. They’re lightweight, durable, easy to clean, and foldable. You’ll get a great deal on them in France ; ) but even in the US they are more than worth the price.

6. Wear your heaviest layers on the plane.

Jackets take by far the most room, so be sure to wear yours onto the plane. Also, planes tend to be freezing! Even if you’re flying to or from someplace warm, you’ll be glad you brought that extra layer onto the plane. I also like to pack a shawl or pashmina in my tote bag to use as a blanket if I’m on a red eye or long haul flight.

At the end of the day, chances are if you’re on a plane and going somewhere, you’re incredibly fortunate. I try to always keep that in mind and remind myself that I’m lucky to have the opportunity and means to travel. So remember to enjoy the journey and the destination.

I’ll be incorporating more travel posts in the upcoming months, in the meantime, what are your best packing tips?

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang June 15, 2016 in Lifestyle 22 Comments

Splash House

This past weekend was my third time attending Splash House. I love Palm Springs and music festivals, so it really was a perfect weekend. I’ve said it before, but Splash House > Coachella any day. Pool + fun music + laidback vibes + the nicest crowd I’ve ever encountered at a music festival = SUCH a fun weekend (adult summer camp, anyone?).

Splash House

It’s not too late to make plans for August – if you’re in the SoCal area (and even if you’re not), definitely look into Splash House for a fun weekend with friends. I apologize for the lack of photos, but when you’re by a pool all day, the last thing you want to do is drop it in the water or break it somehow. Some tips if you do plan on attending in the future:

Bring Your Own Floaties.

Yes, inflatable pool toys are your best accessory for the weekend.

Stay at the Saguaro.

This year rooms at the Saguaro sold out quickly. If you are lucky enough to snag a room at this hotel, you’re in luck, because it’s the best home base to have for the weekend. If you stay at either of the Splash House sponsored hotels for the weekend, be sure to decorate your balconies for the #bitchinbalconies contest!

Hydrate.

It’s a little crazy to head to Palm Springs in the middle of the summer. Temperatures are regularly above 100 degrees, when you combine that with day drinking, it’s a recipe for disaster if you don’t hydrate properly. Take care of yourself and your friends, and be sure to chug that H20.

swimsuit: minimale animale (top, bottoms)

Wear Sunscreen.

The desert sun is no joke. I like Sun Bum best (and if you happen to get sunburnt, their cooling gel is amazing).

Buy Cheap Sunglasses and Shoes.

The pool deck is a bit of a free for all – people end up grabbing whatever footwear they can get their hands on, so I would advise against wearing your favorite shoes. Same goes for sunnies – don’t wear anything you would be heartbroken to lose.

romper: minkpink

Are you attending any festivals this summer?

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang June 13, 2016 in Style 12 Comments

3 Summer Dresses

Hiiiii! I just got back from Palm Springs and am off to Mexico later this week! Lots of exciting stuff – I haven’t taken a big trip since Thailand (trip recaps here and here) and have been itching to travel. Oh, and if you haven’t already, feel free to add me on Snapchat to follow along: amylzhang. Now, moving on to talking about summer dresses…

I’ve always been more of a dress/skirt kind of gal over pants, especially in the summer when the ideal outfit is something lightweight and breathable. See some of my previous posts on dresses (boho maxis, wrap dresses here and here, and off the shoulder frocks) for some options.

3 Summer Dresses

As much as I love maxis, a good mini dress (remember this Jen’s Pirate Booty dress??) is the way to go when the temperatures rise. Some of my favorite options for summer dresses include:

photos: jennifer wu

The Little White Dress (LWD)

I would choose an all white ensemble over all black any day, especially in the summer when you’re rocking a tan (real or fake). Bright white is my absolute favorite color to wear, the only downside is many pieces end up having to go to the dry cleaners often. The key is to choose fabrics that are easily washable, if you go with materials that need to be dry cleaned such as silk, it’s best to be very careful when you’re out and about!

dress: urban outfitters | shoes: sigerson morrison

Cut Outs

My preferred way to show just a little skin. Showing some skin is totally acceptable in summer dresses. I like cutouts that are subtle, backless anything is a yes in my book as well. This dress is another steal from the Reformation sample sale that I loved so much, I actually got in two colors. Speaking of which, I’m totally obsessed with sample sales now.

dress: reformation (sold out) | shoes: steve madden

Slip Dresses

Slip dresses still get my vote for versatile, effortless piece you need in your closet (remember this velvet number?) Wear it on its own, over a bralette (or even better, a chain bra!) or layer it over a T-shirt. The options are surprisingly endless. Go for silky or velvety slip dresses, you may look like you just rolled out of bed, but in the best way possible.

dress: reformation (sold out) | shoes: aquazzura

Which of these summer dresses styles will you be rocking this summer?

xx, Amy