Name: Kyoko Akins
Occupation: Co-owner of Dragonfly Salon
I live: in Atlanta

My work: In addition to running the salon, I specialize in hair styling for brides and editorial photo shoots.

My favorite possession: A tiny diamond heart necklace my mother gave me when I was 7.

My hometown: I was born in Fukuoka, Japan, but I claim Atlanta.


Words I live by: “Peace does not mean to be in a place with no noise, trouble, or hard work.  It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”-Unknown 

I can’t live without: My large 4 shot skim latte!

I am most proud of:  My patience, which I learned from my grandfather

I’m inspired by:  My sister.  She is the most motivated person I’ve ever known.

What keeps me awake at night: Making lists in my head of all the things I need to accomplish.

My passion: travel.

I love: dancing, traveling, yoga, singing, writing, reading, and hanging out with my dog Georgia.

My best bargain find: adorable red high heels for $5...I've worn them so much that the heels are starting to break!

I'm thinking about: my next great travel adventure: Did someone say Greece?!?  OPA!

Words I live by: "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly."-Richard Bach

I can't live without: sunglasses, lip gloss, water, and my Bible.

My blog: http://cestlaviebyelle.blogspot.com/

I still can't get the hang of: being able to know which way is East, West, etc.

Last major purchase: my condo in Buckhead.

The best thing I ever won: free Chick-fil-A for one year :)

My best friend says: I throw the best parties!

My theme song: "Dancing Queen"

My passion: travel.

I love: cheese: all kinds, the stinkier the better. Give me the tangy flavor of goat’s cheese any day.   

My best bargain find: my Duncan Phyfe dining room table on Craig’s List.  This lovely couple owned it for years and kept it covered with a table pad and cloth.  Not a scratch on it. 

I’m thinking about: how to get to Holeman and Finch before they sell out of burgers.

Words I live by: “Attack life, it’s going to kill you anyway.”

 I can’t live without: La Mer Moisturizing Cream. I buy it no matter how broke I am.

I still can’t get the hang of: breakdancing.

Last major purchase: a new sump pump for my basement.

The best thing I ever won: A trophy in Vacation Bible School for being the first one to learn all the books of the Bible.  It was my first taste of winning and felt great.

My best friend says: Just add sour cream.

My theme song: "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off"

My passion: It's a tie between food and travel, which is probably because the two go hand in hand for me.

I love: cooking—especially for my family and friends—trying new things/seeing new places; cookbooks and Entourage.

I'm thinking about: menu changes.

Words I live by: "We're not doing the backstroke here."

I can't live without: my iPhone.

I still can't get the hang of: folding and putting away my laundry.

Last major purchase: Noon|Midtown!

My best friend says: I work too much!

My passion: Creating and building Sushi Style, Inc., traveling around the world and exploring all things creative. Living life to the fullest. 

I love: Laughing with my family, going for long walks in the park with my friends, camping in the mountains with someone special, making s'mores over a campfire, snowboarding in the Alps, painting, and eating ice cream all year around. 

My best bargain find: I found a Nicole Miller silk ruched gown at Bloomingdales for $45. My friends had given me a $40 gift card for my birthday, and I ended up paying $5 for the dress.

I’m thinking about: Traveling to Costa Rica to take surfing lessons.

Words I live by: Put 100% of your heart and soul into anything you decide to do...otherwise it's just a waste of time and energy.

I cant live without:  My family & best friends, my MacBook, and my Creme de la Mer.

My website: www.sushistyle.com

I still can’t get the hang of: Playing the drums. I always wanted to be the female drummer in a band.

Last major purchase: A "sparkly" right hand ring.

My passion: Expressing myself—whether on radio, in my blog or in the comic strips I sometimes draw.

I love: My girlfriend.

My best bargain find: As crazy as it sounds, clothes on Amazon.com. I found Seven Jeans once for $25. There are some great deals on shoes, too.

I'm thinking about: Writing a book, but am unsure how to begin the process or what subject to cover. 

Words I live by: Everything in moderation. And it doesn't just apply to food or drink, but also ego.

I can't live without: My Mac.

My blog: Melissa Times—blog.melissatimes.com

I still can't get the hang of: Putting on Spanx and looking cool doing it. But bless Sara Blakely they exist!

Last major purchase: It sounds boring, but a new patio so Katie Jo and I can entertain outside our home and enjoy the great Atlanta weather.

The best thing I ever won: The Leon Allen & Winston Johnson Community Leadership Award from the Human Rights Campaign. I wore my red gown and gave an emotional acceptance speech.

My passion: Seeing downtown Augusta reach its full potential!

I love: My sweet husband, Ben.

My best bargain find: I can't pick just one…I just love the thrill of the hunt.

I’m thinking about: Everything we still have to do to get our building ready for the Loft Tour.

Words I live by: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”  ~Helen Keller

I can’t live without: My computer, DVR, and Diet Coke.

My blog: Memoirs of a Townie, memoirsofatownie.blogspot.com; I don't write much, though.

I still can’t get the hang of: Cooking & cleaning.

Last major purchase: Our building downtown—I haven't been able to afford any major purchases since.

The best thing I ever won: I don't think I’ve ever won anything.

My best friend says: I can talk anyone into doing anything.

My theme song: “Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson.

My family: Is very mild mannered and conservative compared to me. They think I came from another planet.

My work:  Is awesome. I love to interview anyone. I wake up and say “Hey! I feel like doing a show on skydiving today, or I wanna talk to such and such today and we make it happen.”

My hometown: Cleveland, Ohio.

I can’t live without: “The Bonnie Hunt Show,” Coach sneakers, Pepsi and my black cashmere robe.

I am guilty of: Hiding shopping bags in the trunk of my car till my hubby goes to work.

If I could do it all over again: I would have taken that trip to Paris.

If I were a superheroine I would be:  “Shopper Girl,” and save women from buying overpriced items and show them how to look fab on a budget!

My blog: http://talkingwithtami.wordpress.com/

The best thing I ever won: A room makeover on HGTV ‘s show called,” Deserving Design” with Vern Yip.

My family: Irish and Scottish drinkers.

My passion: To have my own anime movie out and be a very successful, scary little girl.  

My favorite possession:  Childhood blankey.

My hometown:  Mobile, Alabama.

I can’t live without:  Anime. The animated guys are hot.

One thing I never want to do again:  Go back to high school.

If I could be totally wild, I would: Spend my money like Paris Hilton.

I am guilty of:  Being a complete videogame nerd.

Right now I’m reading:  As many Scottish romance novels as I can get my hand on.

Favorite web site: An anime website called gaiaonline.com.  I'm addicted.

If I had a vanity plate on my car, it would say: Na He DNT.

My family: parents in Louisville and one sister in DC

My work:  advertising sales maven by day, improv goddess by night. villagetheater.com

My passion: being in front of an audience.

My favorite possession: my costume collection including red, white and blue cowboy boots and over a dozen wigs

My hometown: Louisville, KY

I’m thinking about: how different life was before GOOGLE

Words I live by: The show must go on.  In 7th grade, I fell off the stage in a school play, cut open my ear and finished the play.

I can’t live without: exercise most days of the week and dessert all days of the week

I am most proud of: being the first woman in my improv troupe at The Village Theatre

What keeps me awake at night: nothing- I have a clear conscience.  

One thing I never want to do again: stay in the wrong situation too long (whether it be a relationship, a job or a bad pair of jeans)

If I could be totally wild, I would: ride a motorcycle and wear sexier clothes but not necessarily at the same time

highlandbakery.com

My family: My extended family includes my good friends, not just relatives by blood or marriage.

My work: Writing and editing clear, concise, and consistent opinions; currently acting as ceremonial and administrative head of the court.

My passion: My baby dog Tiger Augustus, the Exemplary Canine formerly known as Bubba.

My hometown: Chamblee, Georgia.

I'm thinking about: Clever, interesting, and profound things to say here.

I live by: (can be a favorite quote, motto or mantra) “Half of life is showing up, so show up.”

Can't live without: My Blackberry

I am most proud of: My four beautiful nieces, Angela, Amanda, Elizabeth, and Catherine.

What keeps me awake at night: Planning the busy week ahead.

One thing I never want to do again: Lose an election.

If I could be totally wild, I would: I am totally wild!

I am guilty of: Procrastination and rumination.

Right now I'm reading: a detective novel, a legal paper on summary judgment, dozens of legal documents such as opinions, briefs, and memos.

The one item that has changed my life: My GPS.

Favorite web site: google.com

Last major purchase: A St. John suit.

The nickname I wish I had: Liz. My middle name is Elizabeth and I always liked it better than Anne.

My work: Teaching people how to find what they are looking for—be it love, money, career or purpose.

My favorite possession: A cassette tape that my mom and I made of us reminiscing only weeks before she died of cancer.

I’m thinking about: Going to Rio next week for Carnival.