Things That Make Me Smile

This week felt so great! It felt great to be back home, healthy and productive.

I've been able to update my blog daily and have my creative juices flowing again. I have an idea for a product... Well, I have tons of ideas but one in particular that I hope to launch by Christmas this year. I know what you're thinking: "Isn't Christmas so far from now?" It is! But with a lot of things going on right now, I thought it was a legit deadline. I want to do this right in hopes that it'll be a success. More on this project later as I get it going.

I was talking to Brandon the other day about My Dear Darling and he mentioned that I should use my "smiles" more in my branding because I always sign my MDD handwritten letters with "Lots of Smiles, Akiyo", use a lot of smiley emoticons, and even made my Maid-of-Honor speech for my best friend's wedding around smiles! So I thought to start it off with Friday posts being dedicated to things that made me smile throughout the week. Simple as that! :) I'm even thinking of changing my tagline too but now I'm getting way ahead of myself. Seriously though, smiles are contagious so maybe some of these will make you smile too!

1. I joined in on the Instagram madness. I've seen many of my Facebook friends post Instagram pics so I finally downloaded it and tried it out. Works pretty well and now I have more photos of random things in different photo filters. Good random things, that is.

2. I mentioned on Monday and yesterday that I've been trying to dress a little nicer everyday. Note that before this week, I would wear sweats and a T sans makeup around the house or jeans and a sweater with makeup when I know I'll be going out. Boring, right? Well, look how not-so-boring I looked on Monday! Yes, it's somewhat of an improvement. But I've been keeping it up and I have to say, it has been a mood booster! I just need to hone my own Five-Minute Face routine and work on my hair.

3. My mom brought these cookies up with her last weekend. I have no idea what their called because the packaging is in Korean but they are so good! There's creamy goodness sandwiched between two Ritz-like crackers. They made me smile. :) Yummy food always makes me smile.

4. After reading Ez's Pinterest post, I checked out if anything from my site had been pinned. I figured nothing would come up but I tried it anyway. To my surprise, Sticky Penguin, had pinned two of my own works! :D Thank you, Sticky Penguin!

5. Yesterday, I ordered A Print Handbook for Designers and am excited for its arrival!


Woohoo! I think I'm diggin' this Friday's post. What made you smile this week? :)


I'll be home this holiday weekend doing a lot of cleaning around the house. Hope you have a lovely Memorial Day weekend!