Now that we’re done eating, let’s talk shopping. Because after Thanksgiving comes Black Friday… and Cyber Monday. Meaning SALES, SALES, SALES. There are so many sales going on it can be tough to sift through all the noise… so I thought I’d share all the Black Friday sales I’m shopping.

I for one am a huge fan of ONLINE SHOPPING. There is nothing better than browsing sites from the comfort of home, glass of wine in hand, stretchy pants on. Let’s face it, braving the crowds in an actual store after stuffing my face sounds like the last thing I want to do. And with all of the free shipping and return promotions that go on over the holiday season, online shopping is my preferred method of shopping for myself and others.

Soooo! I’ve rounded up my personal favorite Black Friday sales (the ones I’m actually browsing and shopping!) below.

My favorite Black Friday sales to shop:

Bandier – 20% off everything sitewide

Barneys Warehouse – 50% off sitewide

Blue and Cream – 20% off sitewide using code THANKS

B-Low the Belt – 30% off sitewide with code THANKFUL30

Carbon 38 – additional 30% off sale with code HOLIDAY38

Elizabeth Stone – 25% off sitewide with code FRIYAY17

Glossier – 20% off sitewide

Lili Claspe – spend more, save more (15-30% off sitewide)

Nasty Gal – 50% off everything

Outdoor Voices – 20% off sitewide

Reformation – 30% off sitewide

R+CO – 20% off any purchase over $50 with code BLACK20

Shopbop – up to 30% off full-priced items with code MORE17

Soleil Blue – 40% off almost everything with code BLACK

Solid & Striped – 25% off sitewide

Urban Outfitters – buy one get one 50% off everything

Van de Vort – 40% off entire site with THANKFUL40

Varley – up to 30% off select styles

HAPPY SHOPPING!

[ Little tip – some the best sales of the year actually happen after CHRISTMAS. That is when stores do major markdowns on fall/winter inventory to make way for spring/summer arrivals. That’s why you start seeing swimsuits in stores in January ; ) but if there’s something you see now that you have to have, you may want to pick it up before it sells out. ]

xx

When you think of Thanksgiving, the first things that come to mind: family, gratitude, and of course, a feast. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of a month of holiday parties and gatherings through the end of the year. We love it for being the happiest time of year… but hate the weight gain that come with it. When it comes to maintaining healthy routines and our waistline, every little bit of effort makes a difference. Read on for some easy tips for a healthier Thanksgiving (and holiday season!).

Tips for a healthier turkey day:

+ Sweat before you feast. Most fitness studios will offer some variation of a “turkey burn” class so you can get your workout in before you feast. Or get the whole family in on it for a 5k/local turkey trot! Every year, I do a turkey day yoga sculpt class in the morning before I spend the rest of the day cooking and eating – so worth it!

+ Drink water – a no brainer, but it’s so easy to mistake boredom or thirst for hunger. Constantly sipping water throughout the day will help you better gauge how hungry you are for the big feast. Which brings me to my next point…

+ Eat breakfast! Too often we automatically think that in order to eat X, we have to starve ourselves first. This is so bad for your body for so many reasons! As a general rule of thumb, when you starve yourself, your body goes into starvation mode and begins hanging onto fat. Also, skipping meals causes your blood sugar to drop, slows down your metabolism, and makes it more likely to overeat when you do eat next. If you’re looking to eat a light meal before your big Thanksgiving, opt for eggs (PROTEIN), a smoothie, oatmeal, something to get your digestion and metabolism going!

+ Be a social butterfly. Catch up with everyone at Thanksgiving. Cousin’s new significant other? Introduce yourself. Extended family you haven’t seen in years? Ask them about their lives. Ever notice how when you’re busy talking and socializing, you tend to eat less? Keep yourself busy and distracted from shoveling food into your mouth.

+ Eat slowly. In between chatting with everyone, don’t forget to put your fork down in between bites and eat slowly. It’s much easier to overeat when you wolf your food down, so take small bites, chew, and re-evaluate how hungry you are. Thanksgiving food tends to be decadent, and you might find you’re full sooner than you expected.

+ Go for your favorites. I am not a fan of deprivation at all. Personally, I find that when I tell myself I can’t have something, I end up wanting it more. This is also true with food. When it comes to Thanksgiving, nothing is off limits, but listening to hunger cues is important! I try to load my plate with my favorite side dishes, and skip the ones I don’t care for as much.

+ Make a healthier plate. If you are trying to be more conscious of what you’re eating, even on Thanksgiving, then there are a few simple things you can do to load your plate accordingly. Go heavy on the protein (white meat turkey), load up on veggie sides (roasted vegetables, crunchy salads), go easy on the carbs (stuffing, rolls, mashed potatoes), and limit dessert.

+ Move after you eat. A light walk, stretching, anything to get your blood flowing and digestion going. Fresh air is the best after a large meal! Oh, and a cup of detox tea.

+ Practice gratitude. Get rid of the guilt! Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and appreciating what we have. Getting rid of negative thoughts about food and focusing on the present and everything we have to be thankful for (loved ones, our health, our bodies, the meal we just ate…) is what the day is about. Tomorrow is a new day, and the perfect chance to get back on your healthy routine.

Follow me on Instagram and Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! xx

This weekend my boyfriend and I hosted our first Friendsgiving. It was so much fun, and I’m seriously still full from all of the amazing food! Recipes to everything we made below… including an unexpectedly delicious mashed potatoes recipe from 2 Chainz ; ). As a newbie hostess, it was also a learning experience! AJ and I love hosting people for hanging out by the pool, birthdays, football, etc. I’m on my way home to Minnesota where I’ll be spending actual Thanksgiving with my family! If you’re hosting Thanskgiving this year, here are some last minute, easy hosting tips that will make the day run smoothly!

Easy Hosting Tips for Thanksgiving | by The Luxi Look

Easy Hosting Tips for Thanksgiving | by The Luxi Look

Easy Hosting Tips for Thanksgiving | by The Luxi Look

Easy Hosting Tips for Thanksgiving | by The Luxi Look

Easy Hosting Tips for Thanksgiving | by The Luxi Look

Easy Hosting Tips for Thanksgiving | by The Luxi Look

Easy Hosting Tips for Thanksgiving

+ Plan ahead – the week before, we planned out our menu and got all of the ingredients in advance. Some recipes can also be made ahead of time, making the actual day itself easier!

+ Timing is everything – when you’re preparing a large meal, it can be difficult to time all of the dishes perfectly! The turkey finished cooking much earlier than we anticipated, and there was a bit of a scramble to keep it warm until dinnertime. Do a little mental math beforehand to make sure all of your dishes will be done around the same time (some will need to be kept warm in the oven!).

+ More food is better than less – you don’t want to run out!

+ Simplify clean up – consider using disposable plates, cutlery, and napkins. I found some chic bamboo plates and cutlery online, as well as some thicker disposable white napkins. We also used plastic cups to avoid broken glass. This made cleaning up a relative breeze!

+ Set the scene – decorations don’t have to be complicated! Small votive candles always add a nice touch to any table, as well as flowers! This time of year especially, there are so many gorgeous burgundy and orange colors you can incorporate into your decor.

+ Fresh blooms go a long way – you can never go wrong with fresh flowers. Gathering a ton of inspiration from Pinterest, I was determined to make some DIY table runners. Visiting the LA Flower Market is an experience in and of itself, and I came out with so many fresh flowers and greenery, and had a blast making eucalyptus garlands at home. It’s also super easy to do yourself! Thinking of making a tutorial on this.

And a couple things I learned…

+ Assign seats – this will make sitting down for dinner a breeze, as your guests will not be scrambling to find a spot to sit.

+ Provide entertainment. Avoid awkward table talk (the worst thing: politics) and provide games or other entertainment for guests when they aren’t eating.

+ Create little tasks for guests to help with – more often than not, they want to help! This gives them time to hang out with you as well.

+ Stop and enjoy the evening – not everything has to be perfect! Take a moment to stop running around and make time to speak with every guest and thank them for coming.

Easy Hosting Tips for Thanksgiving | by The Luxi Look

table setting with leaves and candles

table setting on a black table for Thanksgiving

table setting on a black table

Our Thanksgiving Menu

+ Spatchcocked turkey (note: cooks very quickly and looks obscene, but the meat is incredibly juicy and tender)

+ Gravy

+ Cranberry pomegranate sauce

+ Classic sausage and sage stuffing

+ 2 Chainz garlic mashed potatoes

+ Mashed sweet potatoes

+ Cauliflower gratin

+ Balsamic brussels sprouts with cranberries

+ Green bean casserole

+ Cornbread (usually cheat and buy from store or make from the box, sorry!)

+ Assorted pies (we went the store bought route this year, but I want to tackle this on my own next year).

Do you guys like these types of posts? Should I do more home/hosting/decor related posts?

Happy Thanksgiving week, everyone! xx

See also: Tips for a healthier Thanksgiving.

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Is it just me, or has the holiday madness already started?! I started putting up (light) holiday decorations last week and have been planning my Thanksgiving menu, working on my holiday gift guide, and trying to get a head start on all the errands that need to get done this month. No complaints at all, this is my absolute favorite time of year and I am intent on enjoying every last minute. With that said, it can be so easy to get burned out or sick when there is so much going on.

As much as I want to say yes to every event and party, I’ve come to learn that my body just can’t take that much excitement. One thing I realized is that I don’t have a consistent morning routine. I wake up early almost every morning and although I consider myself a morning person, I don’t have a routine that helps me get grounded and clear headed every morning. After talking to several different people over the weekend, I learned how important a morning routine is and why I need to invest some time and energy into cultivating one for myself.

Creating a Morning Routine & Why It Matters | by The Luxi Look

Outfit details: top: mister zimi | skirt: mister zimi | shoes: who what wear x target | earrings: bauble bar | bag: chloe | bracelets: elizabeth stone by The Luxi Look

Creating a Morning Routine & Why It Matters | by The Luxi Look

Why do morning routines matter?

Morning routines don’t have to necessarily mean you’re up at the crack of dawn! What does matter is taking time. Whether its 10 minutes or an hour. Start your day the same way and develop rituals that allow your mind and body to prepare for the day ahead. I love waking up early but I find that more often than not my mornings consist of laying in bed until I have to get ready for work. Or rolling out and rushing to a workout class without any time to center myself for a busy day in front of me. My boyfriend has been telling me to prepare a morning routine for a while now. Unbeknownst to me, he has one that he does every day, usually after I leave for work! He claims it has changed his life.

A few reasons why morning routines matter…
  • They set the tone for the whole day.
  • They allow you to dedicate time to yourself and be selfish. Even if just for a few minutes.
  • They make you more productive!
  • They help you determine what is more important and teach you how and what to prioritize.

You know the saying “the way you do one thing is the way you do everything?” If you start the day productive and grounded, I truly believe you are more likely to have that carry through the rest of the day.

For me, as a morning person, I find myself to be most productive when I first wake up. This time is incredibly precious, and is the best time of day for me to get the things done that I need to most (or the tasks that I am less likely to do later in the day… like work out, or clean, or a piece of work that I would otherwise procrastinate on…). I want to be more mindful of how I spend this time, and am going to make a real effort to dial in my mornings and create a lasting, meaningful routine.

Creating a Morning Routine  | by The Luxi Look

top: mister zimi | skirt: mister zimi | earrings: bauble bar | bag: chloe | bracelets: elizabeth stone

Creating a Morning Routine & Why It Matters | by The Luxi Look

What goes into a morning routine, and how do you create one?

Everyone’s morning routine might look different! A few examples of things people do in their morning routine – drink a big glass of water, drink warm water with lemon or tea, meditate, journal, stretch, exercise, read, turn off cell phone, make breakfast… the list goes on.

How I plan on creating my morning routine:

+ Stay off my phone for the first hour I’m awake (this will be hard!)

+ Practice more meditation/journaling in place of social media

+ Drink a BIG glass of water + a cup of yerba mate

+ Exercise or do some work

+ Listen to a podcast on my way into the office

Will adjust this as I go, but sharing a glimpse into my hopeful morning routine, to hold myself accountable! Also sharing a look from a few weeks back when believe it or not, it was still sweltering! I’ve shared some looks from Mister Zimi (one of my fave Aussie brands!) in the past, this is actually a swimsuit that I wore as a body suit with a matching skirt. I’ve actually been working to incorporate more basics and neutrals into my wardrobe, but I just cannot say no to a good print! What do you guys think? Prints vs. solids??

What’s in your morning routine? xo

top: mister zimi | skirt: mister zimi | shoes: who what wear x target

earrings: bauble bar | bag: chloe | bracelets: elizabeth stone

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When it comes to eating out, sushi is one of the foods I crave most. At first glance, sushi appears pretty healthy. After all, what’s wrong with a little raw fish and rice? I swear I could eat it everyday. On top of that, when it comes to sushi I feel like a bottomless pit. However, once you resist the temptation of endless sushi and do a little research, it turns out ordering sushi can be deceptive! It can easily go from a healthy and light meal to a heavy calorie bomb in the blink of an eye. If you’re looking to navigate the menu and choose a healthy sushi order, there are certain things to look for and keep in mind!

How to Choose a Healthy Sushi Order | by The Luxi Look

What are the healthiest sushi order?

If you’re asking yourself “how healthy is sushi, actually?”, the answer is it depends. As far as dining out goes, there are much worse choices you can make. But you have to be careful. As a general rule of thumb, fresh fish is the healthiest option on a sushi menu. Sushi, or nigiri consists of fish over a small ball of vinegar soaked rice. Sashimi, or raw fish sliced thinly sans rice, is your healthiest option. Sashimi is high in protein and good fats, and low in carbohydrates, making it a great option if you are watching what you eat or on a low carb diet.

Pair a couple pieces of sushi or sashimi with edamame (extra protein!) and miso soup (< very low calorie), and you have a delicious meal on your hands. Some of my favorite dishes to order at sushi restaurants: yellowtail jalapeño sashimi, salmon sushi, and halibut sushi. Even though they are higher in rice, I love maki, or sushi rolls as well! When ordering rolls, a couple simple tips and modifications make them significantly healthier.

 

How to Choose a Healthy Sushi Order | by The Luxi LookHow to order healthy sushi:

+ Choose fresh ingredients over fried – when ordering rolls, look for ingredients such as avocado (heart healthy fats!), cucumber, jalapeño, and green onion. Avoid tempura or anything fried and heavy sauces (eel sauce, spicy mayo, etc.). These are okay to eat every once in a while, but definitely not something you want to be eating everyday. I’ll have crazy rolls once or a twice a year, but generally try to stick to simple rolls (salmon avocado is my go to when ordering take out!) and sashimi.

+ Some healthy sushi rolls: salmon avocado, yellowtail jalapeño, rainbow roll (veggie or California roll topped with raw fish), or even just a plain veggie roll! The fresher, the better. Baked rolls tends to be covered in mayo.

+ Avoid crunchy toppings, unless they are fresh. Crunchy means fried, which means high in calories and fat, and low in nutritional value.

+ Order cucumber wrapped or rice-less rolls. A lot of restaurants will do this for you! If these aren’t an option, you can always pick the rice off if you are watching carbs, or ask the sushi chef to go easy on the rice. After making homemade sushi a couple times, I was completely shocked at how much rice goes into a single roll. If you’re looking for a low calorie sushi option, rice-less is the way to go.

+ Order seaweed handrolls over maki (cut rolls) – these tend to have less rice and are still filling.

+ Choose brown rice when available (extra fiber!).

+ Ask for extra ginger – it cleanses your palette and aids in digestion.

+ Be mindful of portion control. Sushi rolls may seem small, but they pack a punch! An 8 piece maki roll can range from 250-800 calories depending on what’s inside. Sashimi is usually around 30-40 calories per piece.

+ Watch out for when you order sushi is sodium. Miso soup, soy sauce, and the rice they serve with sushi all tends to be very high in sodium. Excess salt leads to bloat and water retention – sushi face is real, guys! I always use the soy sauce with the green lid, which is lower in sodium.

+ Be careful of mercury. Raw fish, particularly larger fish, tends to be very high in mercury. If you’re eating fish more than twice a week, you should consider choosing smaller fish that have lower levels of mercury.

+ Drink antioxidant filled green tea with your meal and go easy on the beer and sake.

Depending on what you order, sushi can be a great or terrible meal option. The key is being mindful of what and how much you are ordering, and making slight modifications to suit your diet. There are so many options at most sushi restaurants, it can be overwhelming. But if you go in with a game plan you’ll be more likely to choose the healthier options on the menu.

Follow me on Instagram for more updates.

 

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