The Luxi Look | LA based fashion and lifestyle blog

By Amy Zhang February 28, 2018 in Lifestyle 9 Comments

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Healing Powers of CRYSTALS

By now I’m sure you’ve come across crystals. You’re probably wondering what the deal with them is. You might be thinking, “how can people actually believe these rocks have healing powers?”.

However, I was super skeptical too.

So, if you told me a few years ago when I moved to LA that I would be writing a post about the healing powers of crystals, I would have laughed and said absolutely no way. I’m not going to lie, the crystal obsession in LA is real. So, I had to see for myself what all the fuss was about.

First, do they really have magical properties? Second, is there something behind them I’m missing? So, let’s set the record straight once and for all – what’s the deal with crystals, and do they actually have healing powers?

The Healing Powers of CRYSTALS

The history of using them for healing:

Harnessing the healing powers of crystals is not a new phenomenon. Crystals are referenced throughout history in ancient societies and noted for their healing properties. Crystals were also valued in ancient societies for their beauty and value. Ancient Egyptians used various crystals to protect themselves from evil and to improve their health.

Ancient Greeks would wear crystal amulets to protect themselves. Jade jewelry has also been incredibly popular in China for centuries as a healing crystal. Their use has been documented across different societies and religion. The concept of crystal healing came from a belief that different gemstones possessed healing properties and could bring about physical and emotional improvements.

Recently, crystals have grown in popularity with the rise of New Age culture and crystal therapy (placing crystals on different parts of the body). And then of course, crystals can be incorporated in many different ways. Many people admire the beautiful stones and enjoy having them around their home for decorative purposes or to wear as jewelry.

Different types of crystals & their healing powers

First, crystals are believed to possess natural energy that balance your mind, body, and soul. Second, they are believed to be especially powerful with setting and manifesting our intentions. Lastly, each gemstone possesses different purposes and healing powers. The most powerful healing crystals include:

+ Rose Quartz

Known as a “love stone,” rose quartz removes negative energy and relationships and has a calming effect. Use it to enhance love in all areas of your life.

+ Citrine

This is a popular stone to meditate with as it helps to improve focus and bring mental clarity into our lives. If you’re looking to get things done, especially professionally, gravitate towards citrine.

+ Lapis Lazuli

This mystical blue crystal releases anxieties and improves communication.

+ Clear Quartz

Quartz is a universal crystal, suitable for everyone. Clear quartz is pure and powerful. This stone is over favored for its powerful and positive energy.

+ Amethyst

Use this powerful stone for for getting rid of negative energy. In particular, “energy vampires” – or the things that suck up your energy in life.

Do crystals really have healing powers? My two cents.

So, the healing crystals are largely attributed to the New Age movement. The concept of crystal therapy is often discarded as pseudoscience with no proven scientific benefits. Also, it certainly does fall more into the mystical and alternative realm than scientific. Moreover, you may not believe in crystal healing – and that’s ok. If you do, I’m for that as well. When I’ve gone through tough phases in life, I’ve found myself gravitating towards crystals. Not so much for their healing powers, but because they signify positive intentions to me.

Many people tie their affirmations and positive mantras to crystals. So, choosing different affirmations for different gemstones may need lead to actual physical or emotional healing – but it can serve as a daily reminder of our goals and intentions, which can be powerful. Perhaps you like to meditate with crystals to remind yourself to stay grounded and focused. Maybe keeping a citrine crystal at your desk reminds you to keep working towards your goals, or having rose quartz in your home serves as a reminder to take a deep breath and exhale love everyday.

What are your thoughts on crystals? Share it on the comments and follow me on Instagram.

What I Want for Spring

Spring Closet Refresh | by The Luxi Look

Spring cleaning is a real thing, I’ve been really trying to get rid of something for every new item I buy in an effort to streamline my closet and avoid unnecessary spending. I love dressing for warmer weather and have my eye on a lot of new pieces for spring, but these are some of the pieces I think have more wear-ability and have quickly shot to the top of my”What I Want for Spring” wishlist.

Spring Closet Refresh: What I Want for Spring

+ Cami NYC Tank –

It’s pricey for a black tank, but high quality basics are always worth it. I actually rented some tank tops from Cami NYC last year from Fashionpass and loved how versatile they were. It’s something you can wear all the time, from work to going out. A basic black camisole is absolutely a closet essential!

+ Gucci Belt Bag –

Definitely a trendy piece, but one of the it bags this year. Fanny packs are cool again guys, and this one will surely be a festival favorite and make the rounds on all of your favorite street style stars.

+ Chinese Laundry Slides –

White shoes are a must have trend this year. Yes, you have to be extra careful when wearing them to keep them clean. They really make every outfit look put together and polished.

+ For Love and Lemons Eyelet Top –

Every year when spring comes around, I find myself gravitating towards eyelet pieces. This top from For Love and Lemons has the most beautiful details and pairs perfectly with any high-waisted shorts you already have in your closet.

+ Clare V Straw Tote –

Just ordered this bag from Shopbop since they’re having their Buy More, Save More Sale right now and I could not be more excited! Planning on taking this bag with me everywhere this summer. And as if you needed an excuse to buy something new, you can get 15% to 25% off your purchase at Shopbop this week.

+ Lack of Color Cap –

I’ve had my eye on this suede cap for months now. With spring coming, it might be the perfect accessory for those days when you just don’t feel like doing your hair.

+ Hoop Earrings –

One of my favorite jewelry trends at the moment, these hoops from Ettika work with any outfit and are the right price as well.

+ Frame Palazzo Denim –

How cool are these jeans? All about a good wide-legged pant and these certainly fit the bill of unexpected and unique denim. Why not try something new with your denim this season?

What’s on your spring shopping list?

By Amy Zhang February 23, 2018 in Style 19 Comments

Spring Denim Update

And we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming! It’s almost the weekend and yet I still feel like I’m still recovering from the last weekend. But now I’m finally back to my routine and on a good schedule again. Currently: lounging, writing, watching Real Housewives and dreaming of warmer weather. I’m so looking forward to spring and mixing up my wardrobe with some new looks. My closet needs a major refresh – there is so much stuff that needs to be cleaned out. In the meantime, I’m exercising extreme restraint with everything I have in my shopping cart right now.

Spring Denim Update

My daily outfits tend to be VERY laid back and casual. I’m just not a dress + stilettos kind of girl on a regular basis. My denim collection has been getting by far the most wear out of everything I own recently. One type of jeans in particular – high-waisted jeans like these. As much wear as my Re/Dones have been getting, it’s time for a denim update in my closet. When it comes to jeans, fit is everything, and you have to recognize when it’s time for a new pair. Right now I have my eye on some from Frame and Mother.

Blue jean baby, LA lady:

I can’t get enough of denim, particularly high-waisted denim. This vintage/worn in look has been one of my go-tos for several years now. It even works for the more casual office setting. I’m all about multi-tasking, even with my clothes. If I can wear it to work and on the weekends, major bonus points. The two dress codes don’t always overlap (although they seem to more and more the older you get), so when you find pieces that work for multiple occasions and settings, splurge on those and get the best, because you’ll wear them literally all the time.

Once you have the essentials in your closet, it’s time have some fun with your wardrobe and add some more unique touches. I’m currently on the hunt for a pair of wide leg denim and a more unconventional denim jacket. I recently added a denim dress to my collection and it’s become another one of those pieces that doubles for office attire as well as off duty. Who ever said shopping can’t be strategic? I’m wearing this denim dress from Lucky.

Both denim looks featured here are from Lucky Brand as part of their recent “Lucky You” campaign, which is all about highlighting makes YOU unique and lucky. I loved the concept because it really forced me to think a lot about myself and what I felt made me unique and different. It also made me think a lot about my life and everything I’m grateful and appreciative of – something that’s worth doing every day.

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By Amy Zhang February 22, 2018 in Travel 6 Comments

Travel Diary: 72 Hours in San Diego

One of my favorite things about living in California is how many options there are for weekend getaways. As much as I love flying somewhere new and exciting, there’s something easy and relaxing about exploring your own backyard. That’s why I was so excited about the opportunity to partner with San Diego Tourism to get out of town and share some of the highlights of this SoCal city. San Diego is about a three hour drive from Los Angeles (with gorgeous coastline views for the second half!), but despite how close the two cities are, they feel completely different. San Diego was a perfect and much needed long weekend escape from the city.

Travel Diary: 72 Hours in San Diego

To be honest, I could easily spend over 72 hours in San Diego. The city has so much to offer, and truly has something for everyone. My boyfriend and I made the drive down with our pup. San Diego definitely gets bonus points for being a super dog friendly city!). Then we got straight to exploring.

What I really loved about the city was how unique every neighborhood is. We explored the Gaslamp Quarter, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Sunset Cliffs, Little Italy, and more. We stayed in North Park and it was just so charming. It had the best neighborhood vibes and was about a twenty minute drive to everything we wanted to do.

Some of my favorite spots in North Park:

+ Coffee, coffee, coffee.

There was no shortage of good coffee and Instagram-able coffee shops in the neighborhood. Naturally, I was extremely well caffeinated for the duration of my trip. Some of the standouts in the neighborhood: Holsem Coffee (the banana bread cold brew is a MUST, trust me), Communal Coffee (best lattes and happens to share a space with The Native Poppy – THE cutest flower shop), Young Hickory (serves Bird Rock coffee!), and Dark Horse (go for the espresso).

+ Shopping – if you’re not sure where to begin, start on University Ave and walk around, checking out the various vintage shops. Some of my favorite boutiques: Pigment (quite possibly the most Instagram-able store ever), Sage Sisters, and Artelexia.

+ Burritos at Lucha Libre or The Taco Stand

Because you can’t come to San Diego without having a California burrito (or two)! Which brings me to my next point… food.

I love eating my way through a city when I travel – I can’t leave without getting to know the food scene intimately! We couldn’t eat our way through the entire city over the course of a weekend, but we did our best. My favorite brunch spot? The Little Lion Cafe in Point Loma – you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Everything is seasonal, local, and fresh!

My favorite dinner we had was at Juniper & Ivy – former Top Chef winner Richard Blais’ restaurant in Little Italy (next door is his famous Crack Shack, which we did not have a chance to try, but bookmarked for next time!). Other Little Italy joints that came highly recommended to us – Craft & Commerce, Kettner Exchange, Herb & Wood, and Cloak & Petal.

And of course, you can’t visit San Diego without mentioning all of the different craft breweries – admittedly one of the most popular weekend activities we saw. We saved the brewery visits for our next trip down since we had our dog with us, and opted instead for outdoor activities that allowed us to bring him along (I know, total dog parents over here). This visit, we opted to spend as much time as possible outside, particularly by the beach.

Dog friendly beaches are hard to come by in LA, so we were excited to bring our favorite boy along with us to Ocean Beach, which happens to be dog friendly and centrally located in the city. Needless to say, he had a blast.

Balboa Park

We also brought him along with us to Balboa Park – usually I try to avoid overly touristy spots, but I could spend all day at Balboa Park. I love visiting all of the different museums and just walking through the grounds, people watching and admiring the architecture. It’s a must visit, especially if you love museums and are looking to add a more cultural aspect to your trip.

Walking tends to be my go-to form of exercise when I go on vacation. To compromise for all of the food we eat! Luckily, San Diego is home to some breathtaking hiking trails. This trip, we spent half a day hiking the different trails at Torrey Pines. It gets busy, particularly on the weekends, but the views are well worth it.

We also headed to Sunset Cliffs to watch the sunset – this is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Every night, people come out to watch the sunset along the road or further down the rocky cliffs, and for good reason – the views are stunning. It was the perfect way to end each beautiful day.

* Funded in part with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment Funds.

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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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The Healing Powers of CRYSTALS

The history of using them for healing:

Different types of crystals & their healing powers

+ Rose Quartz

+ Citrine

+ Lapis Lazuli

+ Clear Quartz

+ Amethyst

Do crystals really have healing powers? My two cents.

See also: How to diffuse essential oils

Spring Closet Refresh: What I Want for Spring

+ Cami NYC Tank –

+ Gucci Belt Bag –

+ Chinese Laundry Slides –

+ For Love and Lemons Eyelet Top –

+ Clare V Straw Tote –

+ Lack of Color Cap –

+ Hoop Earrings –

+ Frame Palazzo Denim –

Spring Denim Update

Blue jean baby, LA lady:

Travel Diary: 72 Hours in San Diego

Some of my favorite spots in North Park:

+ Coffee, coffee, coffee.

+ Burritos at Lucha Libre or The Taco Stand

Balboa Park

* Funded in part with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment Funds.

Celebrating the Year of the Dog – Chinese New Year Traditions

There is a gift-giving component as well!

And of course, you cannot forget the food.

What does the year of the dog mean?