My Dear Darling Blog

Sneak Peek

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 19:01:00 +0000

work-in-progress

Can you guess what costume Niko is wearing today? :)

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo

Darling Moments: Making Duck Friends

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:26:00 +0000

niko mini at the huntington beach library

I took Bruce and Niko Mini to the Huntington Beach library this morning for Toddler Storytime. We lasted two minutes into the book and Bruce wanted to leave. I think he felt uncomfortable being around so many people in a confined space and having everyone say "GO!" (which was part of the book) probably scared him a bit. :/ But we'll keep trying and see if he'll start joining in on all the songs.

We walked around the library lake (is it a lake?) and Niko Mini tried making new duck friends. But when he waddled up to them, they all waddled off... Hence no ducks in the photo above. ;) Maybe next time, Niko Mini!

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo

Call for Reviews

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000

As we're getting ready for the website redesign to go live, I was hoping I could get a couple reviews from past clients I've worked with. :) If you'd like to help me out, please send an email to info{at}mydeardarling.com with the following:

Name

Product

Review Title

Rating (1-5)

Comments

Thank you so much for your time! Super excited for the launch!! :)

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo

Growing Up

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:30:00 +0000

bruce eating his own toast and eggs

Parents always warn you that your kids grow up fast. I've felt that to be true since having Bruce but in recent days, possibly because he's started daycare, Bruce has become Mr. Independent. He tells me what he wants to wear, he wants to feed himself without our help, he just knows what he wants and what he doesn't want. Maybe this is called spoiled? ;) But the speed of his change has me a little teary-eyed because I know he'll only become more independent as each day passes. We can't go back to swaddling or breastfeeding or complete dependance so I'm thankful I still get hugs & kisses and that he's still willing to hold my hand. :) Because we all know one day, too soon, he'll be too cool for all that affection.

Do you feel like your kids are growing up fast? :) I hope you enjoy these moments you have with them now and look forward to making more memories as they grow up.

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo

Penguin Doodle A Day: Week 3

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:10:00 +0000

rough day

07.06.2012

one continuous line

07.07.2012

hope

07.08.2012

faux bois

07.09.2012

where's my bike?

07.10.2012

mosaic niko

07.11.2012

i hope you dance

07.12.2012

Happy Friday everyone! :)

I'm all smiles since last night because of so many reasons: I've completed another week of daily penguin doodles. Woohoo! I've been able to work on lots of projects during the two days Bruce has been going to daycare, Although, we both need a little more time to get used to it. And for the big news: we're nearly ready for the website redesign to go live!! Exciting, right?! :D Especially, since it's been exactly a year since I updated my logo. I'll have to work on the rest of the branding soon since I'm still using my old business cards. :x

Wishing you a happy weekend! ;)

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo

Chinchilla Penguin

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 21:58:00 +0000

penguin in a chinchilla costume holding a rose hip

Remember this sneak peek? Here's the answer: a chinchilla penguin! :) Did you get it right?

Lots of Smiles,
Akiyo

Sneak Peek

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 19:36:00 +0000

work-in-progress

i love how my trash pile grows as i work

Hello Darlings! :)

I had a rough start this morning. It's Bruce's second day at daycare and I snuck out like I did the first day. But this time, as I shut the door and walked toward my car, I heard him cry, "Nana! Nana!" (It appears that we don't say Mama often enough so I'm Nana too.) My heart sank and tears flooded out down my cheeks. Resisting the urge to go back in to hug him, I jumped in the car and drove off.

After stopping by the post office, I came home to realize I had a sticker on my chest that Bruce had stuck on me earlier. I almost cried again. Hehe, if you haven't figured out by now, I'm a big crybaby. I'm all smiles now but boy, it was tough hearing him and walking away. I hope he starts loving daycare soon because it's embarrassing walking into the post office with raccoon eyes! ;)

Hope you're having a lovely day!

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo

Darling Moments: Zombie vs Dinosaur

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:59:00 +0000

which penguin will win the battle?

Library and Kayaking

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:49:00 +0000

brucie, the morning of his first day at daycare

Oh dear, I'm feeling pretty emotional this morning. I'm sure most mothers have felt this same way after dropping their child off for their first day of daycare or preschool. Yup, my little munchkin is growing up! Eeek! Thankfully, I've got a ton of things to get done before I pick him up later. ;)

ducklings by the pond

This weekend was about being outdoors for us. Brandon took us to the Huntington Beach library on Saturday and walked along one of the trails in the surrounding park area. This place is gorgeous. Their library is huge (took me back to my days studying at the McHenry Library in UC Santa Cruz) and the surrounding parks are simply beautiful. I was surprised that this wooded area is part of beach city. :) I'm hoping to bring Bruce here often during the week.

our little garden patio

Remember this? Well, look at it now! Our little garden patio is starting to shape up! :) Brandon and I finished taking out the weeds, my dad planted 3 wisterias (babies from his wisterias), and I planted 2 hydrangeas a couple weeks ago. I smile every time I look out my office door. I can't wait for them to all grow!

kayaking at newport aquatics center

Yesterday, I surprised Brandon with kayaking date. :) We hadn't gone since we first started dating so it was a perfect change to our usual routine of dinner and a movie. Note: Be sure to put sunscreen on because we are aching from sunburns. Hehe, learn from our mistake.

Kayaking was bittersweet. Although we had fun, we spotted a lost dog in one of the marshes. :( He looked like a poodle, white and wet. We tried to rescue him but he just ran off further into the marsh. I called the Newport Police and cried later that night, hoping that they found the poor thing. I wonder if I'm allowed to follow up... what do you do in situations like these? Sorry to end today's post on a sad note.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your week! :)

Lots of Smiles,
Akiyo

Penguin Doodle A Day: Week 2

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 03:49:00 +0000

magic niko

06.29.2012

fly my paper crane

06.30.2012

song birds

07.01.2012

fun in the sun

07.02.2012

proud

07.03.2012

niko fireworks

07.04.2012

but i get hungry too

07.05.2012

What a busy Friday this has been for us. Bruce slipped and fell on his face this morning. He busted his lip so his pediatrician wanted to check it out to make sure he didn't need stitches. I'm thankful that he didn't need any and he's his usual self - well, maybe a little cranky from no nap. Hopefully his lip will heal soon without an infection.

Week 2 of daily doodles was a little more challenging since there were instagram issues last Friday night and nearly forgetting it on other days. But I gotter done. ;) I also got to try doodling on my husband's ipad with my finger. Yes, I have lots of practicing to do which brings me to say that I'm always hesitant to press "publish". It's really embarrassing sharing these squiggly imperfections... like going out in public naked, you know? Haha. But at the same time, I'm glad I'm sharing these so when I look back years later, possibly when I'm better, I'll see progress - kind of like the photos of my first personalized penguin. :)

Wishing you a lovely and safe weekend! No lacerations on your lip!

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo

more penguin doodles

Fan Moments: Cuddles

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 15:55:00 +0000

bunnie, twu bear, & bubbie all cuddled up

photo by stephanie

Darling Moments: Happy 4th of July

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:16:00 +0000

niko sunbathing with his patriotic sunglasses

Craft Day

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 18:19:00 +0000

paper cranes

Hello July! This past weekend I finally had my first craft day with my SoCal girlfriends. :) We all worked on completely different projects, from a yarn wreath, fabric flowers, to paper cranes which was great since we got to watch each other's projects come together. The paper cranes were mine that I restarted in hopes of finishing before our anniversary in September. *fingers crossed* Only 970 more to go!

On Sunday, we worked on our backyard which now feels twice as big. It was sweet of my husband to help out while I freaked out many times over spiders crawling up my leg and arms. Then while Husband and Bruce took a nap, I painted over this painting that I had started. I'm not a painter but I like doing it so if you blur your eyes, it looks pretty good. ;)

painting work-in-progress

Were you able to work on any crafts this weekend? Or paint? Although both my projects are unfinished, it feels great having worked on something outside of My Dear Darling. :)

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo

Penguin Doodle A Day: Week 1

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:17:00 +0000

if i was a penguin

06.21.2012

Happy Friday, darling friends! :D Before I head off to get ready for the weekend, I wanted to share my daily penguin doodles that I started a little over a week ago. Courtney started it on her blog and I decided to join in hoping together we can motivate each other to do it daily - it's just a doodle, right? ;)

i juice.
06.22.2012

... but it's gross.
06.22.2012

i heart mickey mouse
06.23.2012

macaron love

06.24.2012

peanut lover

06.25.2012

head shoulders knees & toes

06.26.2012

call me. maybe.

06.27.2012

hula penguin

06.28.2012

If you have instagram, you can follow me @mydeardarling. If you don't have instagram, you can view my photos online over at webstagram. Join in on the doodle a day by sending Courtney your photos! :D

Hope you have a fun filled weekend!

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo

Sneak Peek

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 22:40:00 +0000

work-in-progress

Working very hard to finish my website! :)

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo

Darling Moments: Spooky Niko

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 18:51:00 +0000

ahhh! niko, that's not funny!

You Me Oui

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:18:00 +0000

you me oui cork board

Good morning! Hope you're having a nice Monday so far. Bruce just said "crayon" for the first time wanting to color so today's starting off with a huge smile for me! :D

This weekend, I started and finished a small personal project. This is a very rare occurrence since I tend to start things, lots of things, and stop midway to start another. Do you know what I'm talking about? Hehe. So I found an old cork board that I had painted 10 years ago and took inspiration from those popular posters with quotes. I chose to write "you me oui" in one of my currently favorite fonts, Didoni. It's not perfect but it fits since the cork board ain't perfect either. ;) I have it on our bedroom dresser and if I ever get around to finding / printing some photos of Brandon and me, I can pin it (or finally fill that empty rose frame!).

Did you work on any projects this weekend? :)

Lots of Smiles,
Akiyo

Fan Moments: Niko Loves FLAN Remix

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 23:00:00 +0000

niko hangin' out with courtney's strawberry lemon scones

My girlfriends over at Fashion / Food Lovers Anonymous (FLAN) choose one ingredient and one clothing article a month and they each remix their own recipes and outfits that match their own style. I have yet to try their delicious looking recipes but I've already learned a few things about mixing and matching with white tees from each of them. :)

Courtney, also the author behind the blog Project: Side Hustle, has been sneaking in Niko in each of her food remixes and I get giddy every time I see the mug! :D Thanks, lady!

niko and courtney's corn remix

If you're in need for some recipes or tips on style, check out the FLAN remix blog! :)

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo

Sneak Peek

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:37:00 +0000

work-in-progress

Can you guess what costume Niko is wearing? :)

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo

Darling Moments: Sleeping in the Freezer

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 18:41:00 +0000

niko sneaks off into our freezer every night to sleep

Father's Day Weekend

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:36:00 +0000

happy father's day in pancake script ;)

Hope you had a lovely weekend, my darling friends! :) Here's our phamily weekend recap:

We celebrated Father's Day with our first ever family get together in our home since our kitchen is now functional. Woohoo~! It was an exciting time and I'm so thankful that we can make food in our home now.

our first meal made in our new kitchen

It's a huge change having a kitchen since I've been so used to walking past it for the last 6 months. I also keep forgetting that we have sinks in our bathrooms now so I have to remind myself that I don't need to use the bathtub to wash my hands. (Yes, that's how we washed our hands and brushed our teeth for the past 6 months!)

bruce and katsu having too much fun with packaging paper

We had 10 boxes of kitchen items that we hadn't touched since our move. It was a busy weekend but a happy and delicious weekend too. ;)

What did you do to celebrate Father's Day?

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo

p.s. I used the pancake creator, designed by my friend, Bryce, to make the father's day pancakes. :) They're so fun to use, I totally recommend getting one if you have kids!

Fan Moments: Niko Meets His Deskmates

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:37:00 +0000

Alisha brought her My Dear Darling mug cup to work and Niko met his new deskmates, Mike, Sulley, and Sackboy back in December 2011. :)

Sneak Peek

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 20:10:00 +0000

work-in-progress

Last night, I took out the sewing machine for the first time since moving into our new home. I couldn't stop smiling as I cut out my fabrics and sewed away. :) I missed it so much, I can't believe I hadn't used it for months! It feels good to be back and working on personalized projects for clients again.

Can you guess what this bushy tail is for? ;)

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo

The Exercise Ball

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:06:00 +0000

niko thought he was slick balancing himself on the exercise ball

... until he fell ;)

Wonderground & Bike Riding

hesaidshesaid@mydeardarling.com (My Dear Darling) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:45:00 +0000

our signed 'a sweet home for nemo' print by martin hsu

(photo taken by Bryce)

Hello darling friends! :) It's a new week and I'm definitely suffering from a case of the Mondays after such an awesome weekend.

On Saturday, we went to Downtown Disney for the opening of the Wonderground Gallery where they showcase selected artists' rendition of Disney movies and characters. We ended up buying two prints, one of which got signed by the artist himself, Martin Hsu! I can't wait to display them in Bruce's room. After having lunch and shopping around, we headed back to home with our friends for them to check out the house. They helped us fix a few things around the house that were potentially hazardous to our safety. Thank goodness for amazing friends!

four-person bike riding around huntington beach

Sunday, we hung out with my sister and her boyfriend, who were visiting from San Diego. We went down to Main Street, Huntington Beach and decided to rent the four-person bike. It can actually fit up to 6 adults and two kids! We strapped Bruce in between my sister and me in the back and started peddling away...

bruce enjoying his first bike ride

sleeping in daddy's arms at the beach

We all got a good workout and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, including Bruce who passed out halfway through the bike ride. Definitely a fun weekend for our little Phamily.

How was yours? Did you go check out Disney's Wonderground Gallery? Or go bike riding with your family? :)

Lots of Smiles,

Akiyo