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Wears Dani: Pixi Skincare Routine and Haul 

Thanks for tuning into my first YouTube video haul ever! I had so much fun recording this with Jessica and talking about all the awesome Pixi Skintreats I received! To be honest, my face has never been so smooth and clear - I think it's safe to say that every product mentioned is worth checking out. Enjoy! Have you guys tried any Pixi products? If so, what's your favorite Skintreat by Pixi? Let me know in the comments below! 

Pixi Products Used: 

T Zone Peel Off Mask ($22): 

Fast Flash Facial ($22)

24k Eye Elixir ($22)

Follow us on Instagram! 

Danika - @danikapaige 

Jessica - @micheljessica_

[wearsdani]

My Style - Adidas Outfit 2 

To be honest, I don’t typically dress like this but will bust out this type of outfit if I was in a certain mood. And the mood for this shoot? Fierce, confident, and unfuckwithable.

90% of the week I’m in athletic wear - it’s easy to throw on because I’m always at the gym or running errands. But this time around I wanted to play up my usual sports bra and throw on a pair of cotton linen pants and combat boots. I thought the olive green and burgundy worked well with each other to liven the simplicity of my black Crossback Bra and grey Saturday Hat (FYI: The hat linked in this post is the closest I could find to what I was currently wearing).

As cheesy as it sounds, wearing this outfit made me feel like I was putting on a suit of armor because I felt so comfortable in my skin and powerful in that moment. I hope you all feel the same way too when you walk out of your house every day. Sometimes feeling confident in yourself comes as easy as wearing the right outfit - LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD!

Photos by @shotbyashton

[wearsdani]

My Style - Adidas Outfit 1 

On most occasions, you’ll catch me wearing a variation of white, black, or grey (lmao I’ve said this so many times before, but it’s true!!), but when adidas reached out to me to style their latest tracksuit, I was over ecstatic to create a vibrant look!

Considering the blue hue of my tracksuit, I decided to choose a color that was just as bold and simultaneously contrasts and compliment it. What better choice than the color red? I had a lot of fun putting this outfit together because it combined the athletic element of the ID Striker Pant and the urban feel of the adidas original embroidered bomber.

Ashton and I got together at the Santa Monica Pier to create a fun, lively, Cali-cool aesthetic with my adidas fit. I wanted to accurately reflect my personality by creating this setting and playing with bolder colors. Safe to say the shoot turned out better than planned!

Photos by @shotbyashton

[wearsdani]

Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones Review

I promise you that I’m not exaggerating when I say that my Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones changed my life. For a while, I had been experimenting with different earbuds and headphones, but none of them worked for me - they always popped out or didn’t connect properly. With my Beats, I experience zero issues!

Other than it’s sleek and portable design, my favorite feature is the noise cancellation. Sometimes I catch myself yelling, “HUH?!” or “WHAT!?” because can’t hear anything around me! This really gets me in the zone and keeps me focused whenever I wear them, whether I’m working out, writing, or just want some ‘me time’ with no distractions.

Another feature I appreciate is the comfort and security of the headphones itself. There are comfort-cushion ear cups that sit ever so gently, as if little clouds have descended from the sky to say, hello! (However, I’ve learned that after wearing these for a while, there’s a certain amount of pressure and tightness that develops, so I highly suggest taking them off for a bit if you plan on wearing these for an extended period of time). As for the security - my headphones have yet to slip off! I’ve put them through the most with all my workouts and traveling, but they always manage to stay in place wherever I go!

If you’re looking for comfort, convenience, quality, and style, the Beats Solo 3 Wireless headphones are worth looking in to. Click the link here for more information about the Beats!

Video credits:

Creative Direction - @danikapaige

Video & Editing - @pgthagod

Music - @jaer000

Assisted by - @shotbyashton

[wearsdani]

Vancouver Itinerary (April 2018) - 24 Hours in Vancouver

If you thought 4.5 days in Hawaii was a short trip, try 24 hours in Vancouver lol. My family and I made a quick weekend getaway up to Seattle with the intention of attending my sister’s graduation, but instead made a road trip further north to visit my cousins in Van City! I rarely get to see my cousins from Canada so I wanted to do as much as I could with them (YAY FOR FAMILY FUN!)

Activity

Capilano Suspension Bridge

I’m a sucker for anything that has to do with nature - the beauty of Mother Earth is always breathtaking - that’s why I forced my family to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge. (Fun fact: Capilano was originally spelled Kia’palano, meaning “beautiful river” by the Squamish Nation in Canada). It was raining the day we went (a type of weather I rarely experience lol) and so it put a little damper on our day, but we made the most of it. We couldn’t get ourselves to walk across the entire bridge (because it was scary af), but enjoyed the view of the river and forest surrounding us. In addition to the bridge, this tourist attraction offers a cliff walk, treetop adventure, a shop and cafe, as well as guided history and adventure tours. You can view some the photos from the Capilano Suspension Bridge in my photo diary below! 

15% off total amount when you attend with a BC resident

Bring your student ID to receive a discounted rate for $34.95 otherwise its $46.95 for adults (I graduated college in 2015, but my ID doesn’t have a date on it, so yes, cheated the system)

Lunch

Ramen TAKA notsume

With rainy days comes hot soup! Ramen TAKA notsume is a newly opened restaurant located in the West End of Vancouver. It’s a small, quaint space with the friendliest and most accommodating service. Our food was flavorful and did *not* disappoint. I’ve been to a couple ramen spots in Vancouver and I’ve got to admit that this one was one of the best! 

Supreme Dragon Miso

Chicken karaagae

Coffee

49th Parallel

In order to kill some time and stay out of the rain, we grabbed some tea at 49th Parallel. This is a great cafe to wind down, do some work, or catch up with ya friends. It also makes the perfect place for an Instagram-worthy photo. 

Oolong tea 

Chocolate donut 

Pistachio donut 

Museum

Vancouver Art Gallery

Whenever I go on vacation, I always try to visit the museum. I appreciate art and anything visually intriguing - you get a glimpse into the creative mindset of an artist and dive deep into what inspired them to curate a piece. My favorite part of this museum was the Takashi Murakami exhibit. His artwork was incredibly detailed and vibrant in color. And don’t get me started on when I came across the work he did for Kanye West! Check out my photo diary below for some of my favorite pieces from his exhibit. 

Takashi Marukami Exhibit

Shopping

Robson St 

Although I didn’t get the chance to walk up and down Robson Street, I did stop by Nordstrom and Topshop at the mall one street over. This is like the Rodeo Drive of Vancouver - you got boujee stores left and right, as well brands originating from Canada. 

Dinner

Yaas Grill House

Not gonna lie, I got this food to-go, so I have zero input on the service or aesthetic of this restaurant, but lemme tell ya - the food was bomb and the servings were huge. That is all. 

Chicken & beef combo w/ side salad

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#WearsDani: Vancouver Photo Diary - Part 3 

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#WearsDani: Vancouver Photo Diary - Part 2 

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#WearsDani: Vancouver Photo Diary - Part 1

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#WearsDani: Oahu Photo Diary - Part 3 

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#WearsDani: Oahu Photo Diary - Part 2 

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#WearsDani: Oahu Photo Diary - Part 1 

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Oahu Itinerary (April 2018)

4.5 days in Hawaii maaay not seem like enough time, but when you put your phone down [unwillingly because I had zero data on this trip - THANKS TMOBILE] you begin to realize it’s MORE THAN ENOUGH time to enjoy the beauty of Oahu. The only regret I have is not taking as many photos as I would have like, but I did take the time to write out my itinerary for the week. This not only includes the tourist attractions, but a few local spots that I think you’d all enjoy - many of them being places to eat (yo, I ate sooo much this trip. I literally lost my abs lmao).

*I linked the Yelp page to the places I ate so you can take a look at their menu and the photos of the food I ate hehe you’re welcome

Tuesday (April 10)

Lunch

Highway Inn

This restaurant was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, so you know it’s lit.

Hawaiian Style Nachos

Beef Stew Super Combo Plate (I ordered this by accident, but it turned out to be pretty good! If you’re familiar with the Filipino dish, kaldareta, it tastes just like that!)  

Drink

Lanikai Juice

Did you know that the U.S. uses enough plastic straws to fill the Yankee Stadium 9 times? What I admired about most about Lanikai Juice is that they use paper straws #ecofriendly

Hana Hou (This is a local favorite made with local greens, kale, green apple, cucumber, celery, lemon)

Dinner

Uncle Bo’s

My sister’s friends and I walked 1.5 miles to get to Uncle Bo’s… we dubbed it the first hike of the week considering it seemed a lot further than it actually was lol! One thing to note - don’t judge a book by its cover! Uncle Bo’s was probably the best restaurant we went to all week.

Shrimp Pasta

Cesar Salad

Boca Rota

SOS

Himachi Yellowtail

Dynamite Shrimp

Wednesday (April 11)

Breakfast

Leonard’s Bakery

It’s not a trip to Oahu if you haven’t tasted Leonard's!

Original and Cinnamon Malasada

Hike

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail

This hike was more like an intense uphill walk, ranging about 1.5 miles both ways, 3 miles roundtrip. It’s family-friendly, offers a paved trail and I’d score it a moderately easy hike. Once you reach the top, you have a gorgeous view of the sea below and the view of the Makapu’u Lighthouse.

Snorkeling

Hanauma Bay

Plan to arrive early or take the shuttle bus from Hawaii Water Sport located just down the road from Hanauma Bay. It’s $8 per person and you can call to arrange a pick up when you’re done swimming with the fishes. Snorkel rentals are definitely available, but bringing your own may be more convenient and sanitary, in my opinion!

Lunch

Yummy KBBQ

We didn't plan to eat here, but by golly I’m glad we did. This was the best hole-in-wall KBBQ spot I’ve had in awhile…. Or maybe I was just *that* hungry lol. This is located right next to Hawaii Water Sport, so if you’re looking to grub before going to Hanauma Bay, I highly recommend!

Kal Bi BBQ Beef & Chicken Combo

Kona Brewing Company

Ahh, yes, after a day of laying under the sun and swimming the beautiful, clear waters of Hawaii, an alcoholic beverage is in order. And yes, we’re still in the same plaza as Hawaii Water Sport. Honestly, fuck it, I might as well have spent my whole vacation in this plaza. Oh! And Happy Hour until 6 pm ;)

Melon Margarita (Honestly, I could have lived without this, but *shrugs*)

Garlic cheese bread w/ marinara sauce

Tuna poke w/ white rice

Pizza rolls

Dinner

Marukame Udon

You ain’t liiiiivin until you’ve had Marukame Udon. They make the noodles right in front of you and have your order ready in minutes. The line on the other hand, could take a while. Plan to arrive early or really late to avoid an unnecessary wait.

Nikutama Udon (Shredded beef, boiled egg) 

Thursday (April 12)

Activity

Waimea Falls and Botanical Garden

Although I wish we completed a ‘real’ hike to a waterfall, Waimea Falls was still worth the brisk walk! As you enter the nature preserve, you walk through a beautiful botanical garden where you may be greeted by a peacock! This peaceful sanctuary provides educational presentations and workshops on Hawaiian culture and history, and leads you straight to Waimea Falls where you can swim if the waters are safe.

Lunch

Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck

For the amount of times I’ve been to Oahu, I’ve never had the pleasure of enjoying Giovanni’s. MMMMM this place was so good guys! Mark this on your list.

Scampi w/ garlic rice

Mac salad

Hawaiian green tea

Beach

Turtle Bay (Snorkeling, small tide pools)

Fun fact: This is the resort where Forgetting Sarah Marshall was filmed! Probably one of my favorite romcoms of all time. There’s a Roy’s located right on the beach, so if you’re hungry or need a drink, it’s just a few steps across the sand! I’m sad to say I didn’t come across any turtles here, but maybe you’ll be lucky!

Waimea Bay

We arrived here toward the end of the day, so tanning hours came to an end, but that didn’t stop me from having some fun! My friends and I climbed up a cliff and jumped off with the locals into the ocean! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not attempt to do this if you don’t know how to swim or are uncoordinated or do not have permission from ya parents, or if you’re by yourself - you know, COMMON SENSE SHIT. It’s fun af, but be careful pls.

Snack

Matsumoto’s Shave Ice 

It’s crazy to see how much Matsumoto’s has grown since the first time I went! They’ve expanded their store so much and added some cute souvenir’s to take home -. lunch bags, hydro flasks, etc. But what’s even better is that the taste is still exactly the same! I don’t recall what I ordered this time around, but I can guarantee that whatever you decide will be worth the drive! 

Dinner

Doraku

Have you ever gone to sushi with a bunch of nurses? Me neither. THEY BALL TF OUT.

God of Fire “Kagu-Tscuchi Roll”

White Dragon Roll

Red Dragon Roll

Shogun Roll

Spicy Lobster Roll

Volcano Roll

East Meets West Roll

Deluxe Salmon Roll

Salmon Roll

Avocado Roll

Bar

Addiction

Maaan if I had the time to tell you all the funny stuff that happened this night you would die of laughter, but I’m just gonna say that this is definitely a sausage fest, so if you’re looking for some honey’s I don’t think you’ll find them here. Bring your group of friends tho and get ready to start a dance circle because the music is definitely on point.

Friday (April 13)

Breakfast

Hula Grill

I loved the view of the ocean while I chowed down on my food whilst hungover from a night at Addicted.

Fried Rice Fo’ Days

Açaí bowl

Macadamia banana pancakes

Beach

Waikiki Beach

Just outside Hula Grill are a set of stairs that lead you straight down to a section of Waikiki Beach. We spent a few hours here soaking up the sun and enjoying some time to relax. This was one of the sunnier days that we were there, so we rented a few things to make our stay more comfortable.

Floaties are $5 each and you can rent until 4 pm

$35 for umbrella so that you don’t burn yourself from all those UV rays

Lunch

Me’s KBBQ

Yet another hole-in-the-wall KBBQ spot to stuff my face in!

Kal Bi Beef and Chicken BBQ

Activity

Germaine’s Luau

I feel like it’s difficult to give a solid review on this luau because my princess ass got rained on for half the show (like actual lightning and raining pouring from the sky), but aside from all the moisture in the air, Germaine’s Luau put on a damn good show and had everyone laughing. We watched how Hawaiians traditionally cook their meals and were served a buffet full of food. The dances were mesmerizing and all I could think was, “I need to practice that move in the mirror.”

Teriyaki chicken

Beef

Battered fish

Kalua pork

Mac salad

Salad greens

Saturday (April 14)

Breakfast

Aloha Kitchen

Coconut soufflé

Salmon Benedict

Fries

Guava mimosa

Shopping

Stüssy

This brick and mortar opened April 10 - the day we arrived in Oahu! We were pretty much one of the first customers to shop the exclusive Honolulu gear (sooo stoked). *Separate blog post for my fit is definitely in the queue. It’s a small store, but they definitely have some good finds! Check it out when you get the chance.

Honolulu Cookie

Don’t ask questions. Just go. BEST. COOKIES. EVER.

Lunch

Rumfire

As our last hoorah before our flight back home, we decided to indulge in a few drinks to, you know, help us sleep better on the plane Rumfire is another restaurant right on the beach located inside of the Sheraton Hotel in Waikiki. 

Ginger Lilikoi Drink

Blueberry Mojito 

Korean chicken wings

Kalua pork nachos

Ono Seafood

I’m honestly not sure how we were able to eat so much this trip lol! But if you’re looking for a local poke spot to try, Ono is the place to be! This joint is rather small and parking may be hard to find - just a heads up! 

Shoyu Tako

Spicy Mayo Ahi

Shoyu Ahi

[wearsdani]

#MyStyle: Adidas ZNE Reversible Jacket

When it comes to style, I gravitate toward pieces that are practical and versatile. If you browsed my closet, you’ll notice that the majority of my wardrobe is a variety of black, white, or grey — all interchangeable and easy to wear (lmao why am I so boring?)

Adidas recently gifted me with the new ZNE reversible jacket and it fit my wardrobe criteria to the “T”. It has a sleek, futuristic design that I can’t help but fascinate over. On one side, the stripes, in a way, made me feel like I was in a Tron movie lol and the other side, it’s simple and modern enough to throw on with an everyday outfit. (Check out the highlights on my Instagram page, @danikapaige, to watch my Adidas unboxing for a closer look!)

For my photo shoot, I decided to stay true to my style and went for two looks that reflected my personality. As you may know, I value my health and fitness [heavily] so naturally, I went for athleisure featuring the All Me VFA Adidas Bra, Believe This Solid Tights, and Alphabounce Beyond Shoes. If you were to run into me on the street, there’s a 90% chance I’m walking around in activewear lol! I STAAAAY in my workout clothes (I think it’s a California thing *shrugs*). I really like how the stripes add depth to my outfit — this is an easy way to introduce bold accents into your wardrobe.

Ah, notice how the second look doesn’t stray too far from the first? I’m tellinnnnn’ you, COMFORT IS KEY! In just a couple of seconds, I flipped the ZNE jacket around to compliment my next outfit. I thought I’d sass it up by wearing some booties, pulling my hair back, and throwing on my favorite sunglasses from Le Specs. Living in Southern California has given me the luxury of wearing crop tops on the daily (even when it’s cold, best believe I have a long sleeved crop top on), so I paired this Forever 21 top with some biker shorts I found at TJ Maxx. This look is all about balancing hardware (i.e. the hooks on my top, reflective sunglasses, and necklaces) with your basics; in this case, the minimal side of the ZNE jacket. #RuleOfThumb: Whenever I wear something simple, I like to accent it with hardware or patterns, and when I wear something rather bold, I tone it down with simple accents.

One jacket, two looks… what more can you ask for (other than a cute puppy?) I’m curious, how would you style your ZNE jacket? I’d love to see!

P.S. Don’t judge me when you see these same exact photos on my Instagram page for the next few weeks. It’s too fire not to share again!

Photos by: @shotbyashton

[wearsdani]

Ready. Set. Summer. - NTC Session with Eva Redpath and Nike Women 

On Saturday I was invited to my first Nike Training Club session at the Dream Hotel in Hollywood. Lead by Nike Master Trainer, Eva Redpath, the hour-long workout consisted of plyos, teamwork, and A LOT of sweat…. And I mean a lot (my damn foundation started running down the side of my cheek lmao jokes on me - I did that to myself!)

Let me paint a picture for you: The air was crisp… We stood atop the Dream Hotel with a view overlooking the hills and Hollywood just below us. Fancy bottles of kombucha were passed around — which actually turned out to be fancy ginseng water lol SAME BUT DIFFERENT — and the music started to play! I felt a rush of energy as the room filled with women of all types.

This was my first Nike event I attend by myself, so naturally, upon arriving, I immediately introduced myself to everyone and even made friends with the lady at bag check lol! Soon enough Eva was calling everyone to the floor and we GOT TO WERRRRK! Tbh I never had so much fun during a workout! The music was bumpin and everyone was so determined to complete the class (if you follow me on Instagram, @danikapaige, you can get a little sneak peek of the workout by watching the Highlights on my profile. I wish I could have shared a full video of my time there!) Although this was my first solo experience with Nike, it sure won’t be my last.

If you’re interested in learning more about the workouts featured in this class, Nike has released a new set of summer workouts and plans on their Nike Training Club App, where you can share your progress with the Nike community and have access to over 100 workouts, including workouts from Eva herself. 

[wearsdani]

Let’s Talk: Has Instagram Become the New Resume for Millennials?

I recently watched an episode of Leaders Create Leaders hosted by Gerard Adams, titled, “Understanding the New Millennial” featuring Alex Wolf, Founder of Boss Babe Academy (wow, that was a mouthful - but I think this passes the run-on sentence test lol). I learned a lot about the entrepreneurial mindset and how to take a more genuine approach [from a business standpoint] to millennials, or to anyone for that matter.

However, there was a part of the interview that stuck out to me the most - Alex mentioned that our Instagram profiles have become our resumes - and honestly, I couldn’t help but relate. With almost anyone that I meet, I automatically ask for their Instagram handle, and if it wasn’t given, there’s a 9/10 chance I’ll find your profile and lightly stalk your photos - and I mean this in the least creepy way possible.

Sometimes I can’t help it! Instagram has become a useful tool to gauge how much influence a person has (if any), how creative they are, do they care about their online presence, is this all vanity or is there purpose… the list goes on! Don’t get me wrong - although it may seem like it, I’m not measuring your worth, but it’s interesting to see how much effort a person puts into their Instagram profiles nowadays.

Take me for example. My content game has reached new heights *hair flip* and I take so much pride in that haha! I’m working hard to grow my online presence - hence the back-to-back photo shoots, the difference in editing, and newly added workout videos! I intend for my Instagram to be a source of inspiration, motivation, and positivity in all aspects in life, whether it be through my personal style, a quote, expressing how I feel/what I’m thinking or sharing my travel experiences. You can tell that there’s a certain aesthetic just by glancing at my grid.  

With that in consideration, when someone in the creative field searches my handle on Instagram, I hope that they see the time and effort I put into each post - from the caption to the placement, the color coordination, etc. In this case, I *need* to put my best foot forward and be mindful of my personal brand. What I decide to post is a reflection of my capabilities and versatility, therefore my profile *is* my resume.

On the contrary, I can see this as inefficient. What if I was the best writer in the world, but wasn’t into publicly showcasing myself or my life through a 3x3 interface on Instagram? In that sense, does that make me less of a creative person than anyone else online? What are your views on social media and the impact it has on your career or social life? Is it make or break? Is this something that you even consider when looking at someone’s Instagram?

Let’s talk!

[wearsdani]

I have to admit - I’m having so much fun playing around with different colors, backgrounds, and edits; it makes me wish I knew more about Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator, but I work with what I can (most of my photos are actually edited using Canva).

I’ve been so inspired by other creators on Instagram - bloggers and influencers of all followings, clothing brands, magazine spreads - and it makes me want to create more and open my mind to explore *further* into that creativity.

With that being said, last month, I modeled for my friend, Elwood’s clothing brand, Slow Jamz, where music, fashion, and the art of color-expression combine. The colors in his collection are bold and vibrant, and I really wanted to emphasize that. You’ll notice that the backgrounds, fonts, and colors I chose compliment the theme/vibe of the photo. I’ve been working hard to break the barriers in my mind and allow myself to fully express how I feel through creating content like this! I can’t wait to look back at these and watch myself grow and progress! I hope you guys like these edits as much as I do!

[wearsdani]

#MyStyle: Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG BG 

For a while, I had resisted the thought of purchasing a high-top sneaker. I always thought it was unflattering because of my short stature and I didn’t know how to style them, but I finally caved and bought my first pair of Air Jordan 1’s (I purchased these at an outlet store, and unfortunately do not have a direct link to this pair, but have hyperlinked the current selection at Nike.com). I remember passing by them a few times I the store because I couldn’t get myself to try them on - I kept thinking “Naaaaah” lol. But something about the color of the shoe really pulled me in and I had to try them on out of curiosity - and what do you know? THEY WERE SOOOO CUTE AND FLY OMG. 

It’s evident that the streetwear culture is growing at an accelerated rate - even luxury brands like Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton are dipping their toes in it - and I’m taking full advantage. Inspired by 90s swag and the 2017 Kardashian Christmas card (don’t judge), this is the look a put together for an effortlessly, casual, cool look with my new shoes :) I can’t wait to curate more outfits with this pair! What do you wear with your Jordans?

Photos by: @shotbyashton