My Chinese New Year Preparation For Good Luck

Toady’s a special day for me as I’m spending the day in one of my favorite parts of any city; Chinatown. I’m here to stock up on lanterns and decorations of all kinds. See on Friday starts the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year. It’s 2017 which welcomes the year of the Rooster. But unlike western culture, there is preparation that need’s to be done to achieve prosperity. Firstly you don’t have to be Asian to do this. I was born & raised in Hong Kong, and although I’m not Asian I ENJOY this as we did it every year growing up. So It’s tradition at this point. I like it as it prepares you for good luck, and like the planner that I am, I’m gonna break it down cause I want YOU to be prosperous in the year of the Horse too…xox

1. Get Cleaning! Before the New Year arrives you want to clean to house from top to bottom, to get rid of all the bad luck from the previous year. This means paying bills, throwing out worn and tattered clothes to start before the new year. Or even just start with your bedroom….get scrubbing.

2. Colors Baby! You can see from the photos that Chinatown is awash with gold and red colors everywhere. Putting up red and gold banners with New Year messages of good luck are so fun and festive. You don’t need to read Chinese to do it. Red symbolizes vitality of life and happiness, gold represents wealth and prosperity. If you’re not familiar with the culture, embrace learning something new. Or even just stick to lanterns. They are stunningly chic and super cheap. And NOBODY does lanterns like the Chinese, let me tell you that!

3. Get in my belly! Food is a big one. You need to cook in advance, or you eat at a banquet. I prefer the banquet as its social, engaging and can be done during the day. Must have’s to eat are: Long Noodles for long life (do not cut or bite them), Dumplings for wealth, Oranges for luck, Spring Rolls for wealth as they look like gold bars, Whole Fish for symbolizing unity, Rice Cakes for increasing prosperity year after year, and Turnip Cake for good luck.

I’m wearing this colorful Bokeh inspired dress as it’s so hot in Los Angeles, and the colors inspire and compliment my heart – which is any Chinatown in the world. [Click to see another way I styled the dress HERE]