The Luxi Look | LA based fashion and lifestyle blog

By Amy Zhang September 30, 2019 in Travel 1 Comment

Travel Diary: Scenes from Sardinia

If Sardinia isn’t on your summer holiday radar yet, it needs to be! Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean (after Sicily!) and is a perfect destination for the summer. We just came back from 5 days on the island and it was the best way to end summer. Note that September in Italy marks the end of the high season as the European summer vacationers have left and the weather becomes more unpredictable. On the bright side, this means fewer crowds and tourists – which is an absolute win in my book. We loved Sardinia for many reasons (the food, kind people, beautiful landscape and beaches to name just a few…) but what stood out to us was how the island felt so much less developed and touristy than some other popular European holiday destinations. See below for some of the highlights from our time in Sardinia.

How to get there

From the states, particularly the west coast, getting to Sardinia is a trek! For Europeans, it is a much easier trip to make. We flew from Milan – the island has 3 airports (Olbia, Cagliari, and Alghero) so depending on where you are staying you will want to choose the airport accordingly. Once you are there, I highly recommend renting a car so you can explore more of the island.

When to visit

Sardinia is an island largely driven by tourism in the summer. So, the best time of year to visit is (in my opinion) between May and September. By the time we were on the island in mid-September, some of the beach bars and restaurants were already closed. Tour groups were also showing limited availability. Of course, in July and August, you will be battling much larger crowds. If you do go in the summer, make sure to book rental cars, restaurant reservations, and activities further in advance as things do book up quickly!

Where to stay

We split our time between Olbia and Cagliari. Each of the main cities has something different to offer. Olbia was much closer to Porto Cervo and the beaches along the northern coast of the island. Cagliari was a much larger city and seemed to have more to offer in terms of restaurants and nightlife. It really depends on what kind of vacation you’re looking for. If you are looking for something more ritzy and glamorous, I would look into a resort along Costa Smeralda (the Emerald Coast). Cala di Volpe is the most famous resort in the area. I heard wonderful things about Su Gologone (and their restaurant!) which is further inland as well. Airbnb isn’t as big of a thing in Sardinia (yet) but is also an option I always love when traveling abroad.

What to do

+ Sail around the island

one of our favorite things we did on the trip. You can go with a group or rent your own dinghy for the day. Go from cove to cove to swim in the crystal clear waters.

+ Explore the island by car

again, I highly recommend exploring the island by car. There are so many beautiful beaches tucked away along the coast that you need a car in order to visit (note – the roads are extremely narrow and windy in many parts!). If beaches aren’t your things, Sardinia is also known for archaeological sites and caves. There is so much history on the island!

+ Eat at an agriturismo

these are farmhouses that double as B&Bs and restaurants. Typically for between 30-40 euros per person, you are served a Sardinian feast complete with aperitivo, wine, and several courses of pasta, meat, and fish. It is not a luxury dining experience, but very homey and delicious. If you are looking for something for upscale, there are many fine dining options in Porto Cervo and the surrounding area. Be sure to try traditional Sardinian dishes such as spaghetti with bottarga (salted, cured fish roe), suckling pig, and fregola.

+ Spend a day in Costa Smeralda

Sardinia’s Emerald Coast is renowned for its beautiful beaches and water. This is the area where you will find the nicest resorts and subsequently the highest prices. However, it is absolutely worth it to spend a day wandering around the shops in Porto Cervo and having aperitivo along the water.

+ Spend a day in Cagliari

walk off some of the pasta by wandering through the town (there is a bit of a hike to get to the top of the city where you will find the best views!) and stop along the way to visit local shops and have an espresso. The market is not to be missed, as well.

By Amy Zhang September 13, 2019 in Wedding 6 Comments

My Engagement & What’s to Come…

Some very exciting news to share… I’m engaged!!!

This past summer has been the happiest and most memorable of my life… I intentionally stepped away from blogging a bit to enjoy the moment. I never thought a single milestone would mean so much and bring so much joy, but it really has.

If I’ve seemed distracted or less “on”, it’s because I have been. In a world where social media can be all consuming and we are seemingly showcasing our lives 24/7, I always knew that if and when the time came, I would want to take a step back and live in the moment after my engagement. Believe it or not, I am a very private person… I wanted to share with everyone when the time came. But making space for a very intimate moment between just the two of us was so special.

Here’s how it happened:

We got engaged during our long weekend getaway to Todos Santos back in June.

[ By the way, highly recommend the gorgeous Hotel San Cristobal for anyone who is looking for a more laid back beach vacation. The rooms are perfectly designed to a T, and we couldn’t get enough of the spicy skinny margaritas. ]

In hindsight, it couldn’t have been more perfect… and now we have a destination that holds a special place in our hearts to look back fondly at forever.

We had been looking forward to this trip for some time, and despite some odd behavior from AJ the week of, I had honestly no clue what was about to happen. Looking back, he was so nervous in the days leading up to the proposal (which was so sweet!).

The first day we arrived in Todos Santos was a gorgeous day. It was actually AJ’s idea that we walk the beach during sunset and take some photos – which was a pleasant surprise and one that should have raised an eyebrow or two (apart from some vacation iPhone shots, I generally do not mix business and pleasure in this aspect). We had spent the day lazing in the pool sipping margaritas and enjoying the sun. After changing for dinner, we walked along the beach until it was just the two of us and the ocean.

Long story short…

We snapped a couple photos, exchanged some loving and sweet words… and before I knew it he was there, down on one knee, holding the most beautiful, sparkliest ring. What happened next I don’t remember entirely – I completely blacked out – but lots of tears were shed and of course, I said yes.

[ Luckily this was all captured on video – a sweet memento I will cherish forever. ]

We kept the engagement to ourselves before telling our families and close friends. I didn’t announce it on social media for weeks… I wanted to bask in the glow of being engaged. We spent the weekend in absolute bliss. Then, we stayed up all night talking about shared dreams and vision for the future. Our proposal was tender, low key, intimate… everything I could have hoped for and more. I couldn’t have asked for a more special moment that was so very “us.”

We’ve dated for 6 years and been through so many ups and downs… I couldn’t be happier or more excited to be marrying my favorite person and best friend (<< so cliche but true!). I didn’t think our relationship would change, but it has for the better – being engaged has brought us so much closer. It’s such a special time in any relationship… you’re really only engaged for a short period of time in your life and you only get to call your partner “fiancé” once. I’ve been trying to take the advice I’ve been given and just savor every moment.

Next up, wedding planning!!

I promise I won’t turn this into a wedding blog… but it has been such a steep learning curve for me I definitely want to share some of the more pertinent tips when it comes to planning a wedding. Stay tuned for all of the details! xx

By Amy Zhang September 11, 2019 in Style 2 Comments

Fall Essential: Blazers for Every Budget

Very few clothing items truly stand the test of time and fall under the “timeless” or “wardrobe essential” category. Leather jackets, a classic long coat, and certain handbags fall into that category. There is one fall essential that is also a closet staple- blazers. And there are blazers for every budget.

A Closet Staple

Blazers are never really going out of style and can be worn whether you work in an office or not. Even when worn with a T-shirt and jeans or sneakers, a blazer adds instant polish. If you don’t have one, consider starting your closet foundation with a black and houndstooth version. Personally, I prefer oversized fits to fitted but play around to see what looks best with your frame and goes with your closet. I really love the one I’m wearing by Eggie (<< love this brand, and most items are under $100!) but for the sake of fall wardrobe refreshes, I’ve rounded up my favorite blazers for every budget below. If you’re going to splurge on one item this fall, have it be a killer blazer (take it to your tailor for an even better fit).

Blazers for Every Budget

Under $100

Under $500

$500 and up

By Amy Zhang September 5, 2019 in Lifestyle, Style 1 Comment

3 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Footprint on the Environment

With everything that is going on in the news now, I wanted to take a minute to address sustainability and influencer marketing. I think the environment is a really important topic on a lot of our minds. We could all do more to reduce our footprint that we are leaving on this planet. When it comes to being green and an influencer, it can get a little tricky. Of course it is possible to care about the environment and be an influencer for a living. But I couldn’t help but notice how many aspects of influencer marketing are wasteful. And probably not so great for the environment.

To begin with, influencers are essentially promoting consumerism all the time. By definition, brands utilize influencers to “influence” their target audience to purchase and consume certain products. The downside of our convenience driven, on-demand culture is starting to show in our environment. The reality is, having everything available to buy at the click of a button, with 2 day shipping and free returns, is not great for our planet. I am someone who straddles the line between consumer and influencer. Blogging on the side while maintaining a full time job gives me insight into a few different perspectives I might not otherwise have. I do feel guilt when I receive elaborate boxes of gifted products. Or when I only wear something once before giving it away.

As a disclaimer, this is not to bash on influencers in any way! I understand the market behind influencers, PR packages, gifted clothing, sponsored content – maybe a topic for another post – and am not implying in any way that it is bad or should not exist. I really wanted to take a moment and reflect on many of our purchase and consumption habits, and offer up simple ways to be less wasteful and a little more green. Some of my thoughts are more geared towards influencer marketing, but I think a more thoughtful approach to consumption is something we could all benefit from!

3 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Footprint As An Influencer

1. Say no to unnecessary gifted product

Yes, unboxing videos are fun, and who doesn’t love receiving presents in the mail? But at a certain point (you’ll know when your house starts to look like a UPS center), there is such a thing as too much product. Working with brands and sharing your favorite products is great and all. But if you’re not using all of your beauty and skincare products, and you’re not even wearing everything you receive, it might be time to start cutting back and telling brands to limit the PR packages. It also feels wasteful when a brand sends their entire line of foundation or concealer. Obviously, one person cannot have every skin tone! Some brands have recently started including options for recycling unused product with their PR packages. This is a move I love and can certainly get behind.

2. Conscious consumption

On a similar note, we all stand to benefit from looking at our closets and bathrooms. Let’s examine what we actually use and wear on a regular basis. By only buying items and clothing we actually use and practicing more conscious purchasing behaviors, we’ll be gentler on both our wallets and the environment. Eliminating or reducing your purchases at fast fashion retailers is a simple step as well you can take.

3. Consider renting clothing

Hey, there is absolutely zero shame in the rental game. I wrote a review about Rent the Runway’s Unlimited service a while back. After taking a break and trying it out again, I have to say it has become greatly improved! The selection of designers and items on the platform continue to get better. If the chance of wearing the same dress as your coworker or best friend doesn’t sound so fun to you, never fear! A whole slew of new high-end rental companies are popping up. Check out Fashaholic, Armarium, and Novo Octo. I’ve been using the Unlimited service for the last month and already rented some items I absolutely love – including this Ulla Johnson maxi dress that is wearable for both work and play.

What are your thoughts on incorporating more sustainability into your everyday life as a fashion girl?

By Amy Zhang August 26, 2019 in Style 4 Comments

Summer Office Go-To: Midi Dresses for 9 to 5 and Beyond

Summer Office dresses include this floral dress

Dressing for the office is oh so tricky in the summer.

Even if it’s 90 degrees outside, chances are your office is blasting the air conditioning and you’re probably freezing. This is the perpetual dilemma for pretty much even woman I know who works in an office. Some real solutions involve leaving a warm jacket or blanket at the office, or even bringing in your own space heater. An ideal outfit for warm days and cold offices is a midi dress – stylish enough to wear to happy hour but also work appropriate for your office dress code (just be sure to layer if you get cold!). One of my favorites this summer has been this purple printed midi dress from Astr the Label (< if you haven’t checked out this brand yet be sure to – I love their midi/maxi dresses and casual summer tops). If you’re looking for some inspiration for summer office style, look no further!

Summer Midi Dresses Perfect for the Office

+ LoveShackFancy Rebecca Midi Dress – LoveShackFancy has consistently been one of my favorite brands this year. I love their feminine and romantic styles, every one makes me feel like I’m going to a tea party (in the best way possible). Their email newsletters are beautifully styled as well, and one of the few brand emails I actually look forward to receiving and opening.

+ MISA Rania Midi Dress – I love the details on this dress. Florals, ruffles, a high neck. Elegant yet playful.

+ Reformation Mary Dress – the epitome of hot girl summer in a midi dress form. Yes, it’s animal print – but don’t fear, it’s still appropriate for the office layered a chic blazer on top.

+ Ulla Johnson Aliya Dress – bohemian office style at its finest. If you’re looking to add modern yet bohemian style clothing to your wardrobe, look no further than Ulla Johnson. The dresses are loose and flowy, but you don’t end up looking like a shapeless sack of potatoes.

+ Keepsake Passion Midi Dress – if you’re not afraid of prints, opt for this polka dot midi dress from Keepsake. The fabric is lightweight so you can walk outside and still feel cool.

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