014: Be You To The Full

Raining Sparkles + La Dolce Vita + Desert Cowgirls + Sloane's Epic Jacket

*Cover credits:* *Wynne*/*Vision* *Los Angeles; photo and collage,* *@amyluxox*.

Happy May, fashion lovers and friends—welcome back.

I’m so happy you’re here!

First, I’d like to apologize to any of you who received a notice that your subscription had been cancelled. There was some sort of technical glitch (*$@#). I asked my lovely husband to remove the paid subscription option, and it somehow messed with my entire subscription list. I’m so sorry for the trouble—technology is not my strong suit, but fashion sure is. So if you love fashion too, would you please hit the subscribe/sign-up link? You’ll get this delivered to your inbox each month for free. I am planning to monetize some add-on portion of my newsletter in the future (this girl’s gotta pay for her shoes), but my monthly posts like these will remain complimentary. I do this because I love writing, sharing my thoughts on style, and doing shoots. My intention is always to inspire beauty in others, and Substack offers a platform for me to streamline my craft. If you have any friends who you think might enjoy this newsletter, please pass it along—I appreciate you.

April was full of wonderful faces and places for me. We had family visiting from Canada and spent some time in Palm Springs together—this is the best time of year to be there. It’s so lovely: the temperature is perfect, the flowers are in full bloom, and the town is popping with tourists, so it feels fun.

I also went to Coachella for the first time ever (better late than never)—I mean, it really is something. People-watching—or should I say style-gawking—is one of my most favorite things to do, and Coachella (music festivals in general) is one of the BEST places to do just that. People let their freak flag fly, and by that I mean nothing is off-limits. Nude is the new black (maybe Bianca was ahead of the curve after all?!). Gone are the days of low-rise pants and side-boob—it is now no-rise pants and all-boob. I saw one girl wearing a chain-mail top over intentionally exposed nipple covers (not the cute burlesque ones, either—just the skin-toned sticky ones that were part of her look). I felt old for sure. There was also a guy in the pizza line at the Rose Garden in his skivvies and kicks (it wasn’t that hot out), but he seemed to be quite comfortable with his ultra-minimalist style).

I do truly believe that you should wear whatever makes you feel good, but at Coachella there is a large amount of pick-me style going on. Coupled with the selfie culture, it was a bit over the top—I felt like a lot of people were there to be seen rather than there to experience. I have never seen so many photos being taken in my life—it was truly epic (would love to see the stats on this). It made me wonder if not taking photos will become the new cool thing to do at events. Perhaps enjoying the moments, the people, and yes, the undocumented outfits in real time will become trendy. In the meantime, like a stylish sheep, I took a bunch of photos of other people’s outfits as well as my own and share them with you here.

The other major style note was Western influence—but not in the real country way. More like Y2K, punchy Western—A Simple Life style. Think stretch net, tiered skirts, and tops with ruffle details. Although it did not inspire me to go shopping for pleather cowboy boots and low-slung studded belts, it did remind me of how fun it is to get into character and dress up for a weekend, even if it’s normally out of character for you.

Packing for Coachella got me thinking about my style icons and some of the moments that shaped my aesthetic. Sloane from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is somewhere near the top of my list—those white boots changed everything for me. In Lulala, I share some of my very basic but well-thought-out looks from the weekend. I am definitely not a cowgirl, definitely not 22 years old, and definitely not in any type of hurry to show off my butt cheeks, BUT I still wanted to feel cute in a Coachella kind of way—while being warm, comfortable, and realistic about my 49 years of experience.

For Lu’s List, I put together investment pieces that could take you from Coachella to Capri for many years to come. I really love putting these look boards together—I believe in buying things that are timeless and top-quality. It looks better, feels better, and saves money in the long run.

On another note, my daughter is turning 13 in June (and so are all her friends), so I have been dishing out non-stop Bat Mitzvah style advice for her friends and their moms. I love it, of course—I love solving style challenges, but it’s an interesting endeavor from a style perspective. It’s a super important day—comparable to a wedding celebration in scope and scale. It often starts in a temple (so it needs to reflect that environment) and ends up as a big dance party (with big-city tweens and a whole lot of good taste here in LA), so it really requires thoughtfulness to put together the looks. Some families choose to wear different outfits for both events; others wish to wear the same thing all day. Each party has different themes and colors to adhere to, and of course, everyone wants to look great for the family portraits—it’s a major undertaking. I’m not sure how people used to do it without style help, actually… or maybe this is a new problem because of Instagram? Before social media, people dressed up to look good, and there may have been a few photos that went into an album. But now the would-be photos lead the way—everything must be Instagram-friendly.

Last but not least, I’ve been thinking deeply about what makes someone look “pretty” to me—and what makes me feel good in my own skin. I know beauty is subjective and deeply personal, but after years of putting together looks and helping others define their style, I notice patterns.

I’m interested in breaking those down into specific, tangible suggestions—things that consistently work. Not rules, but tools. The kind you can return to when you want to feel like yourself, just a little more refined.

I’m beginning to shape these ideas into something more… stay tuned.

Sending you love and style,
amyluxox

P.S. May the fourth be with you this month and always. ✨

My April Adventures

***(Clockwise Left To Right).***
***Raining Sparkles*** ✨
I am constantly collecting screenshots of memes, quotes, and inspiring images—what are we going to do with these tens of thousands of images? There’s an AI sparkly cat on Instagram that I’ve fallen in love with. It’s always doing fabulous things like spa days, shopping, and drinking wine with funny captions—I can’t stop taking screenshots. I love them all! 🤩
I also love this image of Michael Darling from Peter Pan being showered with pixie dust. Look for the magic—it’s everywhere, always.
***Desert Skies*** 🌴🌙
The skylines and sunsets in Palm Springs are spectacular. I love going for walks just before sunset—the mountains are so striking, the palm trees turn into silhouettes, and the sky takes on a painterly quality that’s different every night. Highly recommend.
***Spirit Light Booty Tight*** 🍑
I take classes at *The Bar Method in Studio City, and they post inspiring messages on their board each month. I love this one—easier said than done, but so true! Exercise needs to be fun.*
***Bar Issi*** 🧡💚
We went to *Bar Issi*, a new restaurant located at the Thompson Hotel in downtown Palm Springs. The décor is stunning—bistro chairs, velvet booths, tapestry-inspired wallpaper, and lots of selfie-friendly mirrors en route to the washrooms. It’s worth stopping in for happy hour just to take it all in. The food was also really good.

Wynne: La Dolce Vita Undone

*Credits:* *Wynne*/ *Vision* *Los Angeles; photo, styling and collage,* *@amyluxox.*

I had the pleasure of working with Wynne from Vision Models for May’s shoot—what an inspiring human. An artist, singer, traveller, and muse of sorts, she effortlessly embodied every look she tried on. That’s the beauty of working with a well-travelled model: she carries a symphony of reference points within her, making the clothes come alive.

I began with a styling direction rooted in Dolce Vita glamour—headscarves, polka dots, and lingerie-inspired details in muted pastels—offset by bold leather accessories. But like all good shoots, it soon took on a mood of its own, evolving into a rock ’n’ roll version of that original vision. Think Anita Ekberg as Sylvia meets Stevie Nicks.

Here are a few images from our shoot.

Coachella 2026: Aesthetic Desert Cowgirls (boys too)

*Credits: Photos and collage,* *@amyluxox.*

Cowboy hats, chaps, sheer everything, low-slung hip belts, studs, fringe, cowboy boots, fur (mostly faux, but some real too), headscarves, cow print, bustiers, and iPhones in selfie mode.

Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my point-and-shoot camera because I was worried I would lose it, but I will definitely bring it if I ever go again. It’s an extraordinary experiment in both human nature and fashion trends. Here are a few images that capture the vibe of Coachella 2026.

Sloane

If you’re an ’80s kid, I’d guess you’ve seen Ferris Bueller’s Day Off approximately 100 times—am I right? So many iconic moments and style gifts. Ferris’ printed cardigan and lace-up Dr. Martens, Cameron’s Red Wings jersey with pleated khakis, Jeanie’s peach Members Only–inspired jacket and scrunchie socks—so good! But it was Sloane’s white leather fringe jacket and studded boots that stole my fashion heart. I wanted the whole look so badly.

Unfortunately, I lived in Barnhartvale instead of Chicago, so shopping was tough. I did buy a Maje black leather fringe jacket a few years ago in NYC that I wore to Coachella, and I’ve bought and worn several moccasin-inspired boots over the years—but I’ve never quite satisfied my hankering for the white leather version of either.

I’ll keep them on my wish list going forward. Usually, when an outfit idea comes to mind, it ends up coming back into style—I have a bit of a spidey-style sixth sense. In the meantime, I’ll share links below to help recreate Sloane’s epic look.

Lu’s List: Festival Spirit

***Credits (left to right):***
***Kiki De Montparnesse Tiered Silk Apron*** *($346.50), available at* *saksfifthavenue.com*.
*Love the color and the lace trim. Although this is intended as sleepwear, I can see it styled over denim an exposed bra with denim.*
***Kilty Softsole*** *($64.95), available at* *minnetonkamoccasin.com*.
*These comfortable moccasin style slippers come in a variety of colors and have festival chic written all over them.*
***Chan Luu Fortuna Charm Necklace*** *($350.00), available at* *chanluu.com*.
*This statement necklace is both bold and refined, unique and versatile. It would look fabulous layered over more gold and beads or worn as a stand alone piece.*
***The Leather Fringe Jacket*** *($1195), available at* *thisisthegreat.com*.
*This classic jacket is a nod to vintage western charm. The soft buttery hue will elevate your look. It’s a showstopper in the most understated way.*
***Celine Bandana in Silk Twill*** *($295), available at* *celine.com*.
Head scarves and neck scarves are having a major moment. I love the idea of inserting designer items like these into your wardrobe because they are classic and will serve you for years. Use it as a bandana, a belt, a purse charm, a neck-tie…you get the picture.
***Loewe Tortoiseshell Aviator Sunglasses*** *($360), available at* *net-a-porter.com*.
*Yes please. This sunnies give major glam. They are the only accessory you’ll need all summer long.*
***Rotate Polka Dot Crop Top*** *($220), available at* *mytheresa.com*.
Brown polka dots will always remind me of Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) in Pretty Women. There is something so classy and chic about the combination of the cute pattern in an earthy tone. Love this little top by Rotate. They also offer a matching bubble skirt for $325.
***Magda Burton Lace Trimmed Satin Mini*** *($680), available at* *mytheresa.com*.
I love the look of elegant lingerie inspired pieces, especially when paired with something more masculine in nature (like the chunky sunglasses, and fringe jacket). This will never fall out of style-it’s a keeper.
***A. Emery Jalen Slim Leather Sandals*** *($250), available at* *mytheresa.com*.
*These beautiful sandals will pair nicely with summer dresses, denim shorts, and long cotton skirts, a festival favorite for sure.*

Although my style has evolved over the years, there are certain roots and references that have always stayed with me, and festival style is one of them. It feels like an aesthetic that has always been part of my DNA. My dad has a vintage fringe suede jacket from when he was a kid that comes to mind, and my grandma’s shoebox filled with patterned scarves does too.

I was little in the late ’70s, so that orange, brown, and vintage yellow palette was very much on point at the time, as were oversized aviators. Moccasins were the slipper of choice among my friends and neighbours, and my parents were OG hippies, so that definitely plays a role.

Then there’s my love of Kate Moss style—the original festival queen, who could probably be credited with creating the entire aesthetic industry around it.

It all comes together into what I call festival spirit. And although the labels on the garments I gravitate toward have changed, the vibe has not.

Lulala: Coachella Style

***Credits (From Left to Right):***
***Friday:*** Spectra is a seven-story spiral walkway illuminated in rainbow colours. You can see it here in both daylight and darkness. I wore a black Aerie T-shirt and silk mini skirt, New Balance sneakers (throughout), and Gorjana jewellery (throughout).
***Saturday:*** The Coachella Ferris Wheel lit up in all its glory—pure spectacle. A sparkling flower wish. I have a favourite spot near Indian Canyons where I go to make wishes—it’s the faerie in me. I wore an Anine Bing tank, AGOLDE denim shorts (throughout), and a Maje leather jacket.
***Sunday:*** The Rose Garden—this was probably my favourite spot in the whole festival. It was calm and beautiful, with great views and great restaurants too. I wore a butter-yellow tank top from Reformation. I’m so happy to have a touch of this colour in my wardrobe. There’s also a screenshot of my FaceTime with my friend Kira—it was fun to say hello from Coachella.

As I mentioned earlier in this post, my packing list was that of a 49-year-old rather than a twenty-something. My priorities were feeling cute, of course, but also being comfortable while walking the immense grounds (I saw a few girls in agony from wearing heels—why would you do that to yourself at Coachella?!), covering up my privates (apparently not everyone had this train of thought), and not being cold (the desert is hot during the day but cold at night).

I wore sneakers the whole time, brought layers in my backpack that went on each evening, and mostly reverted to black. I definitely didn’t go out on any fashion limbs, and I kind of blended in—which I was fine with, because I felt good and comfortable.

A Reminder

Be you to the full. I found this in my saved screenshots and wanted to share it with you. I tried to find its original source but, unfortunately, couldn’t—the endless pit of Instagram quotes.

Although short and sweet, this quote perfectly encapsulates the essence of good style. When you are truly being you, you shine. The only thing that matters when it comes to style and fashion choices is that you feel good in what you’ve got on—not for your friends, or lover, or strangers at Coachella, but for you.

Regardless of where you are, what you’re up to, or the company you keep, if you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing and are being true to yourself, you will look incredible. Period. End of sentence.

Be YOU to the FULL! 🤍

014: Be You To The Full

Raining Sparkles + La Dolce Vita + Desert Cowgirls + Sloane's Epic Jacket