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By Amy Zhang March 19, 2017 in Style 40 Comments

Lighten Up – The Top 5 Prints for Spring

There’s a lot to be said about a minimalist, neutral wardrobe. But that’s just not my style/vibe.

I love a good pop of color. Especially patterns and prints.

If you’re looking to add some color to your wardrobe this spring, consider adding more prints to your closet. You’ll stand out – in a good way.

Let’s talk about the top 5 prints for spring that you need in your closet right now.

You need these. Here are the top 5 prints for spring.

Gingham

Gingham is majorly trending right now! Today’s gingham is more modern and the pattern works well in the form of a top, skirt, or dress. Because the print can be bold, tone down the rest of your look with simpler pieces. Think: denim, a white top, strappy sandals or mules.

Palm leaf

Remember this set? If you’re looking for a festival or beach vacation ready outfit, look no further. Palm leaf prints are perfect for tropical destinations or really any time you want to feel as though you’re on vacation…

Fruit

A little fruit on your outfit just screams summertime. For Love & Lemons finally released a pattern in their namesake – LEMONS – and it is TO DIE FOR. Can’t stop obsessing over this cherry print either. Or watermelon.

Stars

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with stars. Luckily, this trend isn’t going anywhere. If you’re print averse or tend to stick to neutrals, black, and white, little stars are an easy way to add a little pop to your outfit without going full blown pattern.

Florals

Yep, still loving florals. An obvious one for spring, but still a classic.

Unfortunately, this set by Spell is sold out – but there are endless other floral options from Spell and all of my other favorite brands to shop below.

There you have it – the top 5 prints for spring. I’m off for a Sunday of brunch, shooting, a face mask, and catching up on Big Little Lies.

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang March 16, 2017 in Style 31 Comments

On Slowing Down + a New Source of Inspiration

On Slowing Down | The Luxi Look wearing Tru Blu

HI. It’s been quite the week and I feel like I’ve neglected you guys and the blog. Every day feels like a total time crunch which is why it’s so important to have a discussion on slowing down our lives. The other week, I was reading about how our society puts so much pressure on being busy and productive. We constantly view productivity as the most important factor of our down and talk about how it is just so important to “manage” our time and get as much out of it as possible. But what if we changed the way we viewed time and how we spend it? If time is the most important and valuable currency we have, shouldn’t we be spending it more carefully and intentionally?

It may feel contradictory to society’s go, go, go mentality, but lately everything I’ve been reading seems to be pointing to slowing down, being more mindful, saying no to things that don’t serve us, and not wasting our energy on people and things that don’t fuel us. So why is this so damn hard to do?

Raise your hand if you’re super type A.

Hi. Me too.

At the end of the day, the reality is that we can’t always cross off every single thing on our daily to-do list. So how do you find balance? How do you prioritize things? How do you make time for “me time” when it feels like you have no time at all?

You could push yourself harder. Sleep less, drink more caffeine, try to do it all. But if taking time to slow down is one of the best things we can do for ourselves, all signs point to the idea that maybe we shouldn’t wear ourselves into the ground if we want to be working on our craft and ourselves for a long time. Think marathon, not a sprint.

My mind has been on slowing down more lately.

In my attempt to figure this out, I’ve been talking to tons of people, asking them how they get things done. How they manage to do it all. The answers I get in return are refreshingly honest and a gentle reminder that we’re really too hard on ourselves with our expectations and massively unrealistic to-do lists.

In an effort to get insight from all of the insanely inspiring and overall boss babes I’ve been meeting lately, I’m excited to start rolling out interviews that dig deep into these individuals. I’m super excited to share all of the tips and stories I’ve been hearing with you guys – so stay tuned for the beginning of a new series! I hope it inspires you as much as it inspired me.

Full outfit deets below – but I’m thinking you definitely need this choker : ).

top: tru blu | pants: tru blu | bomber: spiritual gangster | necklace: fawnstar

By Amy Zhang March 14, 2017 in Style 20 Comments

Easy Boho Style: The Best Brands for Festival Fashion

Best Brands for Festival Fashion | by The Luxi Look wearing Show Me Your Mumu and Lack of Color

Festival season is right around the corner and chances are you may be thinking about what to wear. If you’re not sure what to wear, here are some ideas to get you inspired. Most spring and summer time festivals tend to be hot so layering and being comfortable are key. This means clothes that fit right, feel good, and work for day and night. I tend to opt for an easy boho style, personally. When it comes to style, these are the best brands for festival fashion that I turn to year after year.

The best brands for festival fashion:

Show Me Your Mumu

Made in Los Angeles and ideal for the girl who’s laid back and fun. Love this line that was started by two badass girlfriends that now includes not only their signature bright and colorful printed pieces, but also activewear and swim. For a festival, I love their rompers, two piece sets, crop tops, and kimonos. Here I’m wearing this fun crop and short combo in my favorite pink + green palm print.

Stone Cold Fox

Another local Los Angeles brand I love, love, love. SCF pieces work for any occasion and festivals are no exception. Last year, I scooped up a set from their festival collection, they make killer maxis and crop tops as well. If you’re in LA, their store on Abbot Kinney is a must visit!

Spell

The quintessential boho queen brand from Australia. You will feel like a gypsy fairy when you wear their pieces. If you’re looking for the ultimate boho style inspo for festivals, check out Spell. Their lookbooks and festival round up images are to die for. Their latest collection, inspired by Stevie Nicks, will take your breath away.

Urban Outfitters

If you’re looking for affordable cut-offs, UO has you covered. Their repurposed Levi’s and in house denim are great options for comfortable and flattering shorts.

Reformation

Bonus points for being sustainable. The bodysuits, knits, and vintage denim are perfect for a festival. Layer up with a great belt, booties, and jewelry, and you’re good to go.

Vici

New styles added everyday, with tons of cute festival pieces available. Pieces sell out, so if you see something you like be sure to snag it! I am loving this cactus print top and short combo, any of Vici’s kimonos, and this tie dye romper. And for the most part, everything is under $50 : ).

Best festival accessories to come – think hats, belts, jewelry, bags, and more! What festivals are you attending this year?

xx, Amy

top: show me your mumu | shorts: show me your mumu | hat: lack of color | shoes: isabel marant

By Amy Zhang March 10, 2017 in Lifestyle, Style 27 Comments

“Do One Thing a Day That Scares You” – Why You Should Start Today

“Do one thing a day that scares you.” I don’t know where this quote came from and I’m pretty sure I see it on the internet all the time. Cliché or not, it’s really not a bad motto to live by. Not to be dramatic, but if you’re not doing things that scare you, facing your fears, making mistakes, trying new things, are you really living?!

Through blogging and the internet, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with tons of people that I never would have met or known otherwise. They share stories of how they discovered their passion, made leaps into the unknown to chase their dreams, and how they worked endlessly to make those dreams a reality. These stories are insanely inspiring.

Do one thing a day that scares you.

Reading a book or listening to someone else’s story is great, but most of us learn from actually doing and experiencing things for ourselves. There’s only so much you can take away from someone else’s mistake.

I’ve been thinking about all of the things I’ve wanted in the past and present. I’m sure we all have those skills or hobbies that we always meant to pick up but somewhere along the way they got lost. But honestly it’s never too late to start today! My mom started taking Latin dance lessons a couple years ago and is living proof that it’s never too late to start learning something new. I see entrepreneurs on Shark Tank in their 40’s and 50’s leaving behind life long careers to pursue their own business.

The lesson learned? If you think you’re too old to try something new, you’re wrong!

It’s never too late to start today

So with that said, I am off to Utah for the weekend to ski. Minor confession: I am really horrible at skiing. Just dreadful. And I am absolutely terrified of it – I don’t like heights or going fast. I know, I’m a huge baby! I’ve been putting off getting better for years, just assuming that I wouldn’t be in a situation where I would have to ski in the future (totally false) and thinking hey, at least there’s aprés ski!

But I can’t seem to escape it. My boyfriend loves to snowboard, several of my friends are huge skiers, and if I’m not going to learn now, am I just going to sit out while everyone else hits the slopes for the rest of my life?! So it’s lessons and bunny slopes for me this weekend with *fingers crossed* hopefully some improvement after a couple days. Wish me luck!

So if you’ve been wanting to pick up a new hobby, learn a new language, start a jewelry company, start a blog… what are you waiting for?

xx, Amy

outfit deets:

jumpsuit: sold out – similar options HERE | shoes: steve madden (very similar to these chloe wedges)

By Amy Zhang March 5, 2017 in Lifestyle, Style 50 Comments

Side Hustle: Girl on the Go

Millennials are always on the move. Our mentality is “go, go, go” – and it’s not uncommon for us to have a job and a side hustle. We are seeing this everywhere. Most blogs are a side hustle. Maybe you have a jewelry business. Or freelance consult or write on the side. There are so many options and opportunities to have a side hustle these days.

My thoughts on this arrangement? I think self-improvement and growth are totally badass. I love people that are determined, passionate, and persistent. A little grit goes a long way.

I’ve really been trying to read more, tackling a long list of books to read that I recognized had a lot of self-help and self-improvement messages. (Not as boring as it sounds, I promise!!)

The Pros and Cons of Having a Side Hustle

Pros and Cons of Having a Side Hustle

A common theme that came up in the books I read was the idea of a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset. The belief that you can develop talents through hard work and persistence vs. the belief that talent is innate and to a certain extent, “fixed.”

What I found was that I didn’t always have a growth mindset. In fact, I had spent the better part of my life believing that my abilities and skills were “fixed” to a certain extent and out of my control to change. I had always thought of myself as “analytical, numbers oriented” and “not creative.”

This was a major wake-up call, and honestly when the blog was born. I was determined to prove to myself that I was creative and if I wasn’t great at flexing those muscles then, I would get better.

I was letting my mindset and self-perception get in the way of my own success.

So the blog has been my side hustle. I work full time and while sometimes it’s exhausting and overwhelming to do both, for the most part it’s been exciting, stimulating, and immensely rewarding.

Why do I do both? For me, it’s yin and yang. My full-time job works one part of my brain and my blog the other. I get to build two very different skillsets: taking on challenges with the blog that I’m interested in, shaping every aspect of the creative direction, and learning new skills I otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to. I get to interact with different kinds of people and develop a deep understanding of very different industries.

To be honest, I like the combination and challenges of both.

Pros and Cons of Having a Side Hustle

The pros of having a side hustle:

+ A new challenge and something to learn from.

You never know what opportunities might come out of it.

+ Learning new skills.

Social media, digital marketing, content strategy, writing were all new to me before I started the blog. I’m learning so much every day, and it’s even helped shape my perspective on where I want my career to go in the long run.

+ Perspective.

Having a side hustle has really opened my eyes in a way that working in a corporate environment never did (in a good way!).

+ Flexibility in the projects you take on and the kind of work you do.

A lot of people dream of turning their side hustle into their job. What they fail to recognize is that doing something for fun vs. doing it for work/your main source of income is very different. When you have a side hustle, it’s purely a passion project that allows you to express yourself.

+ Extra income.

The cons of having a side hustle:

– Say goodbye to your social life/sleep/other hobbies.

I’d be lying if I said I was able to have and do it all. Social media is not reality. For every picture of me in an outfit drinking iced coffee, there are countless hours behind a desk in an office and working on a laptop at home. Not that glamorous! But having a side hustle requires some sort of sacrifice. There are only so many hours in the day.

– It can be distracting.

Contrary to popular belief, multi-tasking really isn’t that great. In fact, it can be downright awful. When your brain is constantly jumping from one thought to another it can be next to impossible to do any one thing well. Staying focused through time blocking and prioritizing daily tasks has been essential for me.

– All of this can lead to emotional ups and downs.

It’s hard not to compare yourself to other people and feel like you’re not doing enough in either job. The best advice I’ve come across is to just focus on yourself.

As for how I balance a job and a side hustle?

I try to do as much as I can, when I can. And I don’t beat myself up when I can’t.

Specifically: I’ll wake up an hour earlier or go to bed an hour later. I make my workouts more intense so I don’t have to go to the gym as often (think: high-intensity bootcamp or pilates on the megaformer 2-3x a week vs. the elliptical for an hour every day). I don’t say yes to every party, event, or happy hour invite. Some days I’ll get a lot done, other days I won’t do anything for my blog.

A little bit of effort goes a long way. Growing up, my parents would always tell me the Chinese saying, “constant dripping of water wears away the stone.” I’ve finally come to appreciate it. If you pour a bunch of water on a stone, it won’t change. But if you consistently drip water on it, over time, the stone will wear away. That’s what I’m going for.

The key word here really is “balance.”

I never want to feel like I’m overwhelmed and stressed for prolonged periods of time. What I try to remind myself is that I’m in it for the long game. My career is going to be a marathon, not a sprint, and I have to pace myself if I want to make it all the way.

Eating well, getting enough sleep, yoga, and lots of “me time” are key for me to staying grounded and balanced.

I also have an amazing support system – which I really think is key! Behind every successful person, there’s a team. It really does take a village ; ).

The Luxi Look wearing Botkier Quincy Bag for Spring

Pros and Cons of Having a Side Hustle

And of course, blogging has forced me to be more put together (with the exception of mornings when I take my pup out at 6 am and some weekends when my style can be described in no other way than derelict) and conscious of my appearance. When I have more than 5 seconds to get dressed, I still try to keep it simple. Think: out the door in 5 minutes.

For spring, I am all about a white bag. Kinda risky, but I can’t help it – white is my absolute favorite color and nothing screams SPRING (or bridal) more than the color white.

Botkier has been a long time favorite brand of mine.

I don’t have the budget for a closet full of Chanel but a good mid-range bag (think: between $100-$500) can be hard to find.

Botkier keeps is clean, simple, and chic. This crossbody is perfect for a girl on the go. Maybe a girl with a side hustle? Ha!

And, they just launched SHOES this spring! I am digging every pair in the new collection. Although I am absolutely horrible in heels, two things make them more bearable – a chunky heel and an ankle strap. This pair has both and I am in love.

This look is perfect for brunch, no? Speaking of which – I’m off to make some avocado toast. Trying to make some changes to my diet, one of which is more healthy fats! You don’t have to ask me twice if I want more guacamole. Happy Sunday babes!

xx, Amy

two piece set: similar (more options below) | bag: botkier | shoes: botkier