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By Amy Zhang February 16, 2018 in Lifestyle, Style 9 Comments

Happy Chinese New Year! Celebrating the Year of the Dog

Gong xi fa cai! Happy Chinese New Year! Wishing you a happy and prosperous new year! It’s the Year of the Dog, and although I won’t be with my family in Minnesota or China to celebrate in person, you can bet I will still be celebrating in spirit. In Asian countries, Lunar New Year is a VERY big deal – arguably even bigger than the calendar new year. In China, the Lunar New Year is known as the “Spring Festival” and it is a national holiday.

Everyone is off work for days if not weeks (or the entire month) to celebrate with their families. Growing up, this was one of the important holidays of the year for my family. I have such fond memories tied to this annual event and it makes me so proud of my heritage. Cultural traditions are so special and unique – I really wanted to take the time to share some of mine around celebrating Chinese New Year.

Celebrating the Year of the Dog – Chinese New Year Traditions

Lunar New Year isn’t only celebrated in China. It’s one of the biggest holidays in the entire world and is celebrated all across Asia. In fact, Chinatowns across the US will be having parades and celebrating the occasion this weekend. If you live near a Chinatown and have never experienced it during the Lunar Festival, you have to see it for yourself! In China, this holiday is also referred to as the Spring Festival – marking the end of winter and beginning of spring.

People celebrate this occasion by cleaning their houses from top to bottom to get rid of bad fortune and decorating for the festivities. As you may have noticed, red is the most popular and symbolic color. Red signifies happiness, wealth, and good fortune. Many cities will hold lion and dragon dances, parades, and other celebratory festivities. It’s an incredibly exciting time! In many ways it is similar to Christmas in western cultures.

There is a gift-giving component as well!

typically in the form of “red envelopes” that as are given from older to younger. Parents and grandparents will give children these red envelopes and fill them with cash. The money inside the envelopes is said to be “lucky” and will bring good fortune to the younger generation.

And of course, you cannot forget the food.

Growing up, my favorite tradition was making dumplings (jiaozi) by hands with my family. The process would often take hours and was a time we could spend together, laughing and sharing stories. Of course, an entire feast is prepared with all sorts of dishes, but my favorite was always dumplings. When I was only 5 years old, I ate 20 dumplings in a sitting and my mom thought I was going to be sick.

It just so happens that this red oriental print is trending this season. Although I was initially a little surprised, I couldn’t help but fall in love with several of the pieces. This skirt from Revolve is super on point for CNY from the print to the cut, to the color. RED is the color of Chinese New Year and it’s fun to see contemporary interpretations of this popular print in the US. I’ve linked some of my other favorite Chinese New Year inspired pieces below.

What does the year of the dog mean?

The Lunar Cycle is divided into 12 years, each year represented by a different animal in the Chinese Zodiac. You may have noticed this zodiac with the 12 animals on placemats at Chinese restaurants. So if you aren’t sure what zodiac animal you are, read this. This year is the year of the dog.

According to the Chinese zodiac, the dog is loyal, honest, and intelligent. Also, very much like dogs in life – they are loving companions. What does this mean for you? Although it varies by person (much like in astrology, your specific zodiac sign makes a difference), the overall theme of the year should tie back to kindness and giving back. The dog is associated with the EARTH element, much more level-headed and grounded than FIRE. Finally, dogs are very compassionate and kind animals, which bodes well for the lunar year ahead of us.

bodysuit: h.ours | skirt: privacy please | shoes: tamara mellon

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By Amy Zhang February 1, 2018 in Style 7 Comments

5 Must Have Denim Pieces

As I’m going through my closet and going through the process of slowly decluttering, I’m taking inventory of all of the pieces I have. I’ve also made a list of closet “staples” – foundational pieces that are versatile and can be worn over and over. Denim is an obvious closet essential. I could fill half of my closet with denim and I would still want more. However, there are some key pieces you absolutely need in your closet. These are pieces that are worth spending a little more on and finding the absolute perfect fit. If you do so, you’ll find that you can wear these for years and years (if not forever!) because it’s so sturdy. Also, on a side note – it’s not very environmentally sustainable, so being vintage OR buying fewer pieces and keeping them forever is your best bet for leaving a minimal footprint.

5 Must Have Denim Pieces You Need:

1. Black jeans – fit is everything here. Black denim is obviously more slimming and very flattering on all body types. Experiment with different cuts – skinny jeans are best for elevating your outfit beyond yoga pants (generally a no-no), but boot cut or boyfriend fits may be more your style. Try different brands and cuts until you find your perfect pair. Some of my favorite brands: Frame, Paige, and Current/Elliott.

2. Denim jacket – everyone’s favorite spring/summer outerwear. A denim jacket is beyond classic and an absolute must have in your closet. Go for a slightly distressed, oversized fit or scour your local vintage stores/flea market for a piece that’s worn in and one of a kind. This one from BLANKNYC is $100 and sure to be something you’ll wear over and over again.

3. Denim shorts – you cannot have too many pairs of denim shorts in your closet, especially come summertime! Go for something more contemporary from One Teaspoon or opt for a vintage look from Re/Done (or even better, make your own!).

4. Classic wear-with-everything denim – I for one am so happy “mom jeans” have been back in style. Re/Done makes the best repurposed Levi’s but again, I think searching for your favorite pair at the flea market (I love Melrose Trading Post in Los Angeles on Sundays) is more fun, rewarding, and cost effective.

5. Denim skirt – a childhood staple brought back today. I bought this denim skirt from GRLFRND a year and a half ago and cannot stop wearing it.

What are the pieces you can’t stop wearing?

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By Amy Zhang January 30, 2018 in Style 7 Comments

Rocking Winter Florals

Florals aren’t just for spring. This feminine and romantic print is actually easy to incorporate into your wardrobe year around. Even as I’m shifting to neutrals and more classic pieces as I get older, I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for floral prints. For spring, I’ve got my eye on something from Zimmermann. How swoon-worthy are these prints and dresses?! When it comes to winter, you can still incorporate florals into your outfit without looking completely out of place.

How to wear winter florals

Of course, in Southern California, winter can often mean 80 degrees outside – yes, we’re extremely lucky! – so we can get away with wearing off the shoulder maxi dresses like this one from Flynn Skye that I’m wearing. I know this isn’t the case everywhere! For colder climates, I would totally wear this print in the form of a blazer, jumpsuit, pants, or top for the winter. Having lived in the Midwest for the majority of my life, I can speak from first hand experience on how to transition some of your warmer weather pieces and prints through the fall and winter.

+ Choose a darker color palette. Black, gray, navy tones create more muted floral prints that don’t scream “SPRING!” as loudly. Florals don’t always have to be girly or super feminine – sometimes a darker floral palette can make for a grungier look.

+ Pick a heavier fabric – velvet and silk are always safe bets for colder months. Avoid fabrics such as linen or chiffon – anything too summer-y or meant to be worn on a vacation.

+ Make sure the rest of your outfit is seasonally appropriate. If you want to rock a floral skirt in the middle of winter, make sure to wear (ideally fleece lined) tights! In general, try to avoid too much exposed skin.

+ Go subtle or bold… the choice is yours. Thinking about wearing a floral jumpsuit? Pair with a blazer or duster coat. Maybe you want to wear some floral pants? Throw on a cozy cardigan or oversized turtleneck. Or perhaps you want to go all out with a printed coat.

Of course, I love to layer tons of dainty gold jewelry over my floral pieces. Mine are from Dogeared, Monica Vinader, and Luv AJ. Throw on your favorite pair of shades and you’re good to go!

Shop my favorite winter floral pieces:

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By Amy Zhang January 20, 2018 in Style 10 Comments

Party Pants For Your Closet

Some weekends are for catching up on reality tv re-runs (The Bachelor and Real Housewives, anyone?) and eating froyo… this being one of them. We’re almost done with Dry January, and to be honest it’s been the best way to reset and start off the year. I’m not one for crazy cleanses or detoxes, so cutting out booze and getting some extra zzz’s is the easiest and healthiest (IMO) opinion for me to feel and look better quickly.

Inadvertently, the theme of January has been detoxing – in multiple ways. I talked last week about cleaning out my closet and being more thoughtful in my clothing purchases. With that said, many of my favorite looks this year have incorporated pants. Wide-legged, metallic, cropped – you name it, I am loving all types of party pants at the moment. The best part about different types of pants is, you can wear them to work, brunch, even out for dinner or drinks. They’re super versatile and a fun way to mix up your outfits. Shop some of my favorites below with some easy styling tips for any occasion.

Party Pants For Your Closet

Easy ways to style statement pants

+ Tuck in an oversized turtleneck for an easy, cozy chic look.

+ Wear with a crop top or bralette and layer a duster jacket over.

+ Keep the rest of your outfit monochromatic for a look that can take you from day to night.

+ Play with textures: think classic pieces in silk or velvet for the winter.

+ Don’t be afraid to accessorize with statement pieces.

+ Stick to your basics: you can’t go wrong with a plain white t, or a silk blouse / cami.

top: flynn skye | pants: amuse society | necklace: sticks + stones

purse & shoes: who what wear collection

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By Amy Zhang January 15, 2018 in Lifestyle, Style 11 Comments

Creating a More Thoughtful Wardrobe

One of my goals this year is to create a more thoughtful wardrobe. I want to be more selective in the pieces I buy and minimize the number of clothes in my closet. This isn’t a new concept. Fashion magazines and bloggers love to talk about investing in “wardrobe staples.” The idea is, if it’s classic, timeless, repeatable, it’s worth spending more money on. Patterns, prints, trendy items should be bought from fast fashion sites and on the cheap. Sounds simple enough, right? But look through your closet and see how often you’ve actually applied that reasoning. I know my closet is filled with dresses, accessories, and shoes I’ve only worn once or twice, which makes me cringe just thinking about it.

Over the years, I’ve come to realize the pieces I wear the most tend to be more neutral and basic. Think: white tees, the perfect pair of denim, leather jacket, black boots. Not reinventing the wheel here, but when I’m throwing on an outfit to grab coffee in, it tends to be more laid back and simple. Now that I’m no longer in my early twenties, I’m slowly replacing my worn in basics with timeless, higher quality versions. As much as I love printed dresses and pieces that pop, at the end of the day, you can never go wrong with wearing all black. For me, a thoughtful wardrobe is a well curated one, filled with staples that fit perfectly with a splash of color and unique pieces scattered throughout.

Easy tips for creating a more thoughtful wardrobe:

+ Wait before pulling the trigger.

Before you buy anything, wait at least 24 hours. You’ll find that once something sits in your cart for a day (or more), you might change on your mind on just how badly you *need* that new swimsuit.

+ Set an expiration date.

Determine what amount of time an item can go unworn in your closet before it gets tossed. I made a rule that if it doesn’t get worn in a year, it’s out. Don’t be afraid to throw out or donate clothes you don’t wear anymore!

+ Create a clothing hierarchy.

Not all items are created equal. Think long and hard about how much you’re willing to spend on clothes. Set some guidelines for where you’re willing to splurge. Ex: a good leather or denim jacket will last you forever. It will also most likely be pretty badass once it’s worn in and vintage. Sunglasses, on the other hand, often get lost (depending on who you are). So they might be an area where you want to spend less. Same goes for swimsuits – I’ve found that I’m in a swimsuit less than 20 times a year, but have enough suits that I could wear a different one each time.

+ Determine what pieces get the most wear.

I spend the majority of my week in clothes I can wear to the office (which luckily is fairly casual) and workout clothes. With that said, I’d still rather buy a classic pair of denim or a cozy sweater than yet another pair of black leggings.

+ Allow for some “fun” or one time pieces.

Sometimes you just gotta get a special piece for your birthday, or your friend’s birthday, or whatever. If it’s something you know you’re only going to wear once, think about if there’s any potential for it afterwards. Can you gift it to a sibling or friend? Maybe it has good resale value on a site like Poshmark? Or you’ll wear it again a few times a year for many years to come? (Ski clothes, a dress you’re determined to wear to more than one wedding, a beach cover up you’ll pack for every upcoming trip). If it can’t be worn to the office, needs to be reconsidered.

Some pieces of mine that have been getting a ton of wear lately? These striped pants from Flair the Label (surprisingly versatile – think with a plain tee or black turtleneck during the day or paired with a crop top or bodysuit at night), my favorite backpack from Sticks + Stones, and these white slides from Chinese Laundry.

top: similar | pants: flair the label | hat: michael stars

backpack: sticks + stones | shoes: chinese laundry

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