Danielle Janay

I love winter. I love the rain, the candles, the hot cocoa, Christmas shopping & everything in between! One thing I'm definitely obsessed with right now is plaid! I found this adorable plaid craft paper at Michaels Stores , and this perfect plaid hair scrunchie from Goody Hair ! Some of my other favorite goodies are the Jolly Gloss by Kylie Cosmetics , and the winter eyeshadow kit from Chanel Makeup ! I've also included in the photo, a candle that smells like delicious ripes apples, and a gorgeously wrapped bar of soap that I've received as a gift :) What are some of your winter favs? Happy Holidays!

One of the biggest struggles I have been having lately is finding a vegan handbag. Kate Spade used to be my go-to bag, but since they literally have ZERO vegan bags, I had to do some searching. Now I know what you're thinking. Vegan bags can't be as luxurious or well quality as real cow leather. But you're wrong! Not only can vegan bags be beautiful and durable, but you will also be contributing to a more sustainable fashion industry :) One of my favorite brands is  Urban Expressions ! They have so many styles and their prices are insanely affordable. Check out my top 5 from their online store! Hudson November Pebbled Savannah Duke Ivy What do you think?! Check out all their styles at www.urbanexpressions.net :) What are your favorite vegan handbags? Let me know in the comments!

This is my first  Thanksgiving as a vegan ! (It is also my boyfriend's first time too ;)) And, with that being said, I have done quite a bit of research to find the best and most delicious vegan alternatives on the market. I had been a vegetarian for about 10 years, and that meant I could eat all the sides that had dairy and eggs, so I never really felt like I would be missing out.  But now as a vegan, most everything is out of the picture!  --- None of my mother's infamous mac n'cheese, no green bean casserole, and definitely not any homemade apple pies. --- So what is a girl to do? I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of vegan options that I found in my local supermarket. Sprouts Farmers Market had a whole section for just vegan Thanksgiving items! To help you guys out, here are the best of the best!  *I found many of these items at Safeway, Whole Foods, and Sprouts Farmers Markets* Roasts Field Roast Celebration Roas...

This summer, I am all about smoothie bowls.  You can literally toss every fruit you want (frozen of course) into the blender with a cup of non-dairy milk and voila!  A beautiful smoothie bowl :) But, in case you need a little guidance, this is what I put in mine! - 2 frozen bananas   - 1 cup frozen strawberries - 1/2 cup frozen peaches   - 1 cup grapes  - 1 cup almond milk  Topped with hemp seeds, chia seeds, shredded coconut, and fresh berries! Enjoy! Let me know if you try it :)  xo Danielle   :)

This morning, my friend and I woke up for the 8:30am spin class at the new SoulCycle studio in Walnut Creek! I have always wanted to try SoulCycle, and had a few free passes given to me during the promotion for their grand opening, so I figured I might as well go soon! So, my friend and I walk in and immediately we were in awe of how sleek, clean, and bright everything was! It was like walking into the studio of your dreams!  We filled out all of our paperwork, tried on some clip-in shoes (they cost $3 to rent), and headed to the lockers to get ready before class. The studio was so welcoming and had everything from hairbands to deodorant to back you up in case you forgot anything! Now, about the class. At first, I was extremely intimidated. There are so many bikes and it seemed like everyone was a regular, so I felt a little anxious, but just wanted to see what all the hype was about! The second the class starts, you're nonstop moving.  I fe...

More often than not, I find myself reaching for my phone first thing in the morning. For one, it's usually by my bed, and two, I feel the need to check all my emails and messages to catch up on all the things I had missed while I was sleeping. But what was I really missing? I was missing the reason   why I was waking up every day. I was so caught up in routine and making things perfect, that I forgot to just live a little. It was during this realization that I remembered something I'd read a few years ago, about how picking up a book when you wake up, instead of an electronic, will positively affect both your mood and health. So, I   tried it. I picked up the book Treasure Yourself by Miranda Kerr.  It's full of positive thoughts and empowering words for all stages of life.  I bought this book a few years ago, and since then, I believe Kerr has released another book in this collection that I am sure is worth reading as well :)  A...

When I decided to commit to being fully vegan, I went through all of my makeup products to see how many of them were actually cruelty-free. Surprisingly enough, I found that some of my favorite brands are not only cruelty-free, but vegan as well, making me feel a lot better about the makeup I am using! For those of you wondering, the reason why buying cruelty-free products is so important is because innocent animals such as bunnies, cats, and even dogs are forced to sit in cages and have products tested on their skin; eventually leading to infections and more often than not, death.  *Any company that sells its product in China is automatically not cruelty-free as it is required by law in China to test on animals.  On that note, I am going to share with you my top 10 favorite cruelty-free makeup companies :) Products are in order from most affordable to most splurge-worthy. e.l.f. Cosmetics NYX Cosmetics EcoTools (The BEST vegan makeup brushes!) Physician's For...

A few weeks ago, I had the amazing opportunity to do a shoot with a friend of mine on a rooftop in San Francisco! A rooftop shoot has always been on my to-do list, so I definitely couldn't say no! ~To preface all of this, it was about 100 degrees in Walnut Creek that day, so we expected a high 70-80 degrees in SF, with a beautiful sunset. San Francisco was beautiful, but it was about 65 degrees when we got there! This really sweet family that my friend knew let us use their rooftop, and they had an incredible view of the water. We got inside the home and decided on outfits and lipstick colors, and then headed up the stairs to the rooftop. We definitely underestimated the wind power that exists in San Francisco, so we were instantly thrust into the wind! It was a little hard to stand, and even keep my eyes open, but it was so much fun! I have to say, my makeup somehow stayed on throughout the intense wind, so cruelty free makeup can totally hold up next to some of th...

Taken from Instagram: @daniellejanay I am a big fan of smoothie bowls, and today I am going to share with you guys this delectable  Key Lime Nice Cream! (Inspiration from @purelykaylie on IG) With the sudden increase in temperature, I have been been loving this cold and refreshing treat that actually constitutes as a balanced raw vegan meal! :) Here are all the ingredients you will need: 3-4 large frozen bananas 1 cup of baby kale 1 cup of spinach juice of 2 limes 1/3 cup coconut water Using a high speed blender or food processor, blend the greens with the coconut water and the lime juice, then add in the bananas + blend til smooth~ Finally, top as you please! I topped mine with some raw cacao nibs, hemp seeds, chia seeds, and frozen blueberries :) This smoothie bowl is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, so it's a great way to make sure you're getting some beneficial nutrients into your systems! Enjoy! xo Danielle

So recently I stopped by my all-time favorite store, Lush, to pick out a face mask that will help calm my crazy skin. I have had many of their face masks before (another favorite: Don't Look At Me mask; it has a beautiful blue hue and rice for exfoliation), but this time I wanted something that was a little more gentle but still effective! After getting suggestions from the sales associates, I decided on Rosy Cheeks, which contains calamine powder and rose to help calm the skin. Since this is a fresh face mask , it has to be kept in the fridge! Not only does this help preserve the mask, but putting a cold face mask on your face helps to reduce puffiness and will tighten your pores  (not to mention it feels absolutely refreshing!).  I love Lush because they add little photos of the people who make each product! This mask was made by Kate; thanks Kate! :) The mask is 100% vegan + cruelty free and contains all natural ingredients such as: - Calamine Pow...

So, I recently visited kyliecosmetics.com , Kylie Jenner's Makeup site, and stumbled upon the FAQ where it was stated that all of the products (excluding Candy K colors) are vegan & cruelty free! *I believe there is carmine, which is from insects in Candy K* This is great for the vegan & cruelty free movement because so many young people are buying and reviewing these products, and it is important to show that you can make quality items without harming animals! It was also an awesome find for me because I have been obsessed with all the pictures on Instagram of girls with their new Kylie Lip Kits! During her latest launch, I bought one of each type of product that she had: True Brown K Matte Liquid Lipstick & Liner  Heir Metal Matte  Like Gloss All of the products are extremely pigmented and they don't seem to dry out your lips! Have you tried any of the Kylie Lip Kits? I want to buy 22 when it's back in stock! xo Danielle

I don't know about you guys but I am dying here with the allergies!! I think it is probably from this intense weather change---- it's been over 100 degrees for the past 2 days! With that being said, I have been waking up the past few mornings with a runny/stuffy nose and a sore throat. Oh and to top it off, I can't stop sneezing! I don't remember the last time I took over-the-counter medicine, so I try and go with natural remedies to help myself feel better. One thing that I always turn to are my essential oils! You can use them topically, internally, or in a diffuser like I am going to show you today :) If you are suffering from seasonal allergies, fill up your diffuser with warm water and add: - 5 drops Peppermint oil - 5 drops Rosemary oil -5 drops Tea Tree oil *You can also use Eucalyptus or Lemon oil if you don't have Peppermint or Rosemary* This blend really helps me to clear my head as I lay in bed and sip my Peppermint green tea! ...

  I love making smoothies, especially during the summertime  😋   This one was one of my favorites that I've made!   This smoothie is not only creamy and delicious, but good for your digestion as well! It's going to help keep your tummy nice and flat and cool you down just in time for summer! Here are the ingredients for 1 serving: 1/4 cup frozen fig   1/8 cup frozen plum   1 fresh banana   1/8 cup frozen pineapple 1/4 cup acai juice   1/2 cup coconut or almond milk   2 tbsp aloe juice        Enjoy!       xo Danielle

Recently, my $15 essential oil diffuser broke, so I figured it was time I make an investment (kind of). I started searching online and was looking for something sophisticated, yet not too abstract. My last diffuser started to look a little dingy, so I wanted something that was higher quality. Many of the diffusers I found online had some type of bottle neck, or vase shape ---- both of which I did not want. I liked the cylinder style, so I found a few that I liked and read some reviews to help me make my decision. The one I ended up getting was the  Now Foods Ultrasonic Bamboo Diffuser ! *This is a cold diffuser that maintains the essential oil properties through a cool mist, as opposed to a heat diffuser which will break down the goodness in the oils* The body has a bamboo finish, and has a small band on the top that displays a rainbow of colors if you put it on the light setting! I like this diffuser because it is pretty customizable. You can change your settings depen...

I swear, the one question that family members and concerned friends alike tend to ask me is, "Where do you get your protein?" Many people assume that since I am vegan, I am not receiving the right nutrients I need to have a strong body. I practice yoga daily and hope to keep getting stronger, so getting the right amount of protein is important to me. I tend to eat 3 meals a day, and I try to incorporate a product with adequate protein in each.  For example: -For breakfast, I will add oats and hemp seeds to my banana berry smoothies. -For lunch, I'll either have a bagel and some soup, a veggie wrap, or a peanut butter sandwich. (I know so random). -For dinner, I like tacos so I use black beans and a pea protein substitute for meat, or I like to make something fun like tofu teriyaki and rice! Throughout the day I will also snack on some carrots and hummus, some trail mix, or some peanut butter toast! Anyways, I hope this has all of you convinced that I...

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to promote the amazing company I work for, YOGASMOGA. They are an American made Yoga/Lifestyle apparel company with the most comfortable and high quality fabrics. Every piece of clothing I own I absolutely love, and I am not just saying that because I work there! I went to the Bay to Breakers Expo in San Francisco, and had so much fun telling everyone about the company and spreading my love for yoga! There were so many amazing companies at the event such as Mamma Chia, Go Raw, Sambazon, Naked Juice, doTerra, and Clif bar! I walked around and had so many yummy samples and even had some time to do a little yoga :)  I have personally been wanting to get into running, and particularly, I have been wanting to enter in a 5k. I am definitely not a runner, but seeing all these motivated people made me realize that it is something that I have to try at least once!  Here are some pics from the event!    ...

I'm a pretty big morning person, so I usually wake up a few hours before I have to leave somewhere to make sure I have everything together and have enough time to get everthing done. Recently, I have been wearing my  Garmin Vivofit  sportsband to track my activity throughout the day, so I have been trying to fit in as many workouts as possible to see my progress. Since I am a lot more productive in the morning, I figured it would probably be most realistic to plan to workout when I get in up the morning, as opposed to when I get home late at night. So I went on the search for the perfect morning workout. As you know, I am a yoga fan so I naturally began to look for Yoga videos on YouTube (side note: if you don't have that much time or money to spend on a fitness routine, there are so many different levels and types of workout classes available for free on YouTube). I clicked on a few videos, but none of them sparked my interest until I came across this one: I love Y...

If you're anything like me, its not uncommon to get a little stressed from time to time. Being a full time college student and working late hours has me constantly stressing about work and school, causing me to end up in an anxious fury. I used to take these lavender pills that a friend recommended to me, but they apparently got discontinued because they cause burping that tastes like lavender.....which isn't actually all that bad! Anyways, in my search for these pills at Whole Foods one day, I came across this product:  Herb Pharm Whole Lavender Extract . This is literally just organic whole lavender flower, certified organic cane alcohol, and distilled water. The instructions state that you should put one full squeeze into 2 ounces of water or juice, but what I like to do is to put two full squeezes with either half or a full lemon juiced to make lavender lemonade ! This is seriously the most amazing morning treat --- the lemon kickstarts your metabolism, and ...

Lately, I am usually in a rush and don't have much time to spend on my makeup. I also just hate wearing makeup because I feel like it just never stays on my face. These, on the other hand, really work together to keep my skin looking healthy and naturally glowing. I don't like the feeling of heavyweight makeup, so this is light enough that I forget about it, but has enough coverage that I don't have to worry about looking tired or washed-out. It typically lasts throughout the day, but its always easy to reapply quickly as no brushes are needed! ☮   All products are vegan and cruelty free   ✿ My Quick Makeup Routine  When I first wake up, I wash my face with Acure Organics Superfruit + Chlorella Growth Factor Face Wash  and pat my face dry. I then apply   Physician's Formula Tinted Moisturizer     in a circular motion with my fingertips until it is smooth and well blended.  After a few minutes, I then grab my   Josie Maran...

I was looking for a vegan cookie recipe a few weeks ago, and stumbled upon this one! I love peanut butter, and I wanted to find a cookie that was not only delicious, but simple and full of nutrients. My favorite kind of recipes are the ones with 5 ingredients or less. This one has 4: peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and almond flour. The protein and fiber from the nuts and the sugar + syrup help to give you sustained energy. I probably ate 5 in a row when I first made them, they were so good! I attached the link to the recipe below. I found it through Pinterest, so if you're a fellow Pinner, pin it & save for later!

So I am seriously a planning freak. I have a dry erase year calendar on my wall for all my large events, but for my daily tasks I like to write everything out in my planner. I ordered this planner a few weeks ago, after drooling over them for the past few years. I usually go for the standard Lilly Pulitzer or Kate Spade planners, but I wanted something that felt personal and customizable. That's where May Designs comes in! May Designs is very unique because all their notebooks are bound by thread which is made by traditional sewing machines. They are also eco-friendly (and vegan!) because their books are made with a canvas cover, and all the paper is made partly from post-consumer waste recycled paper. Along with that they are handmade in the USA, which is something that I love to support. I customized my own planner at  https://www.maydesigns.com/shop/build/book/ Take a look at my design! (You can click on all the pics on my blog to enlarge them :) ) There are s...

This is my absolute favorite tea . I have had so many teas in my 20 years, let me tell you, and this is seriously the most delicious! I initially bought it because I wanted to clear my skin, and I was blown away at how perfect it was.  A blend of rose petal, burdock, hibiscus, pomegranate, orange peel, and stevia give you a sweet fruity taste, while the cardamom, grape root, dandelion, and yellow dock root help to mellow out your tastebuds. The green tea has a ton of antioxidants to detoxify and help clear skin. Yogi Skin Detox   is one of many that I have had from this brand, and I have to say that I like this one the most. I can have it at any time of the day and it makes me feel amazing. There isn't too much caffeine, so sometimes I even have a cup before bed.  You can buy this tea at most grocery stores, Amazon, and through the link above.  Have you tried this tea before? What are your favorites? xo Danielle

Here are the 5 reasons why I practice yoga: 1. To relax. I began to notice that I usually turn to yoga when I am stressed or tense. Being a full time student is hard, on top of all the other daily worries I face. I notice that I tense up my shoulders and back when I get stressed, so practicing yoga helps me to relax my body when it feels too tight. 2. To get energized! Contrary to the previous point, I also like doing yoga when I feel a bit sluggish. Any type of exercise releases endorphins into your system, making you feel happy and energized. Yoga helps me to fully wake up my body. 3. To stay motivated. One of my favorite things about yoga is how challenging it can be. I am a total perfectionist, but I know that perfection is impossible. What I love about yoga is that it makes me think about how I can become stronger for the future instead of trying to do everything right. Yoga is a process, and it really makes you think about your body and why you're practicing in...

I posted this on Facebook a few hours ago, but I figured I would put it out there for everyone to see. I see people all over social media claiming to promote healthy living whilst still consuming and purchasing animal products. Dead animals are not healthy. We need to change the way we think about all of the beautiful animals on this planet, they deserve to live just as much as we do!  The following is my own personal opinion, but I think that it is true for everyone. I have done countless hours of research for myself and I would never say anything that I didn't truly believe.  Enjoy :) People who promote healthy living and environmental causes while still consuming meat and animal products....... ‪#‎ judgingyou‬  Go vegan! It's better for the earth and for your body. I don't remember the last time I took over the counter medicine or had a cold, and I believe that is because I only consume food that is nutritious, and not full of fat and cholesterol, which most ani...

Here's a look at what's on my bedside! NOW Oil Diffuser Aura Cacia Essential Oils Organic facial cream  Journal from Anthropologie White candle from Anthropologie Lilly Pulitzer Jewelry Box Compact mirror from Paris Sunglasses from Target Hope you enjoyed a little look into my room! :) xo Danielle

Given the recent change in weather, I have been looking to snuggle up with a warm cup of hot cocoa. But, the problem is, every hot cocoa mix I can find has milk products in it! I searched long and hard for a delicious vegan hot cocoa recipe, and after trying a few and altering them, I came up with this delectable and healthful concoction: Here are the measurements for the ingredients pictured above: Makes 2 Servings of Vegan Superfood Hot Cocoa 4 TBSP coconut sugar* 4 TSP raw cacao powder** 1 TSP coconut oil a dash of pumpkin pie spice *you can also use organic cane or raw sugar, I just prefer coconut due to its health benefits and low glycemic index  **cocoa powder will also work, but using cacao provides more antioxidants and less fat The ingredients in this hot cocoa are not only ethical, but amazing for you! The cacao has a number of beneficial antioxidants and vitamins from the natural cacao bean, and the coconut sugar and oil give it a b...