This accurately sums up my weekend. How was yours? This accurately sums up my weekend. How was yours?
It’s been a challenge to find joy this week. But It’s been a challenge to find joy this week. But Black Joy has been my mission. Most of the people in my life have been overwhelmed and exhausted by constant grief, fear, and disrespect. Many of us have been reminded of the times we were pulled over by cops for driving while Black or the times we’ve feared for our parents, siblings, children, cousins, and other friends and family members. Sometimes it feels like we are all stuck in this cycle, doomed to witness and experience Black suffering and trauma forever. I have to constantly remind myself that times haven’t changed but we ARE changing things. We have to. And until those changes really take place permanently, I’m choosing Black Joy whenever I can. Because Black Joy is resistance. 

Here’s where I was able to find joy this week:

🤍 Interviewing @majorcreates + @tiffanydbrown_, two dynamic and talented  Black women for @heartandhustlepodcast.

🤍 Long chats with @studio404design about everything under the sun. 

🤍 The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and how unapologetically Black it is. 

🤍 Texting Marvel memes back and forth with @mmalikaj who is FINALLY obsessed with Marvel. My hard work has paid off! 👏🏽

🤍 Trying to recreate @eatatbento at home since we live in DC now. 

🤍 Reading The Gilded Ones. 

🤍 Knowing that @bohemianseoul is moving east! 

If you are Black, where did you find joy this week? If you aren’t Black, we’re you able to bring joy to a person who is Black this week or amplify a voice celebrating Black joy?
We receive hate, lies, injustice, and death. But We receive hate, lies, injustice, and death. 

But we deserve joy.

So many of us are reaching new levels of exhaustion because of the continued attacks on our community by those who are being paid to protect us. There are some days where our situation feels impossible. On those days, please take the time out to do one small thing that brings you joy. As Black people, we have to experience and carry so much trauma while living in this country. But we deserve joy. We deserve joy.
I’ve been spending every free moment chasing gor I’ve been spending every free moment chasing gorgeous blooms. I know they don’t last long so I’m trying to enjoy them as much as a can while they are here. It’s a great reminder to live in the moment and enjoy your life right now.
Lately I’ve been meditating, manifesting, and do Lately I’ve been meditating, manifesting, and doing a little bit of yoga before I even get out of bed. Yes, you heard that right, I do bed yoga. Doing these simple things before I leave the comfort of my bed have really been helping me feel like I can take on anything during the day. Do you do anything special in the morning that makes you feel more equipped to handle the day?
I’m so happy that the weather is consistently co I’m so happy that the weather is consistently cooperating and we can get out to explore more! I’m usually a homebody but being stuck inside this past winter has really made me appreciate every good weather day so much more than I ever have before. The best thing about being in a new city is that everything is new to me so even staying close to home feels like an adventure.
Drinking my way through Orlando with all the best Drinking my way through Orlando with all the best teas!🧋
Home is whenever I’m with you. 🤍🍵 @qreatec Home is whenever I’m with you. 🤍🍵 @qreatecoffee
Happy first day of spring! Most of the blooms aren Happy first day of spring! Most of the blooms aren’t out yet in the DC area but that didn’t stop us from spending every moment we could outside today. I am SO happy that winter is officially over and I can’t wait to twirl around under cherry blossoms in a few weeks.
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Personal, Travel · June 26, 2014

Falling back in love with Orlando: The Red Carpet at Diagon Alley + fun. in concert

 FallingInLoveWithOrlando

It’s no secret to those who know me well that I would be ready to move to New York City at the drop of a hat. John, on the other hand, is hesitant to move somewhere so busy and would much prefer to go somewhere that we can get more house for our dollar, like Charlotte, North Carolina. So currently, we are at a standstill, living in Orlando and doing as much traveling as possible while we figure out if we will move and where it will be to if we do.

Last Wednesday was the kind of day that made me remember how much I will miss Orlando if we do happen to move. John and I woke up, went to the gym, and ate breakfast together. After work, we met up with my brother at my grandfather’s house. We spent a few hours there talking and relaxing before we decided to head home. On the way home, I told John that we should go stop and look at Diagon Alley. I knew that we still probably would not be able to see much but I had been having a rough couple of days and I knew that Universal could help cheer me up. Despite it looking like it might rain, John and I headed over to the theme park.

I knew that there were a lot of special events going on that the public wouldn’t be invited to but I had no idea what we were in store for when we arrived. There was a small crowd gathering around the London portion of Diagon Alley and behind some law enforcement, there was a red carpet with every major news outlet waiting. After spotting Mario Lopez, I knew that I should stick around to see what was happening.

Minutes later, Bonnie Wright, who plays Ginny Weasley, arrived. Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) and James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George) followed soon after. These four have been in Orlando for the past week filming different things for publicity for Diagon Alley. They also are known to come to the park from time to time. While I was extremely excited to see all four of them, I wasn’t terribly surprised that they were there. What I was surprised about was Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) arriving (and I may have even participated in some fan girl yelling). Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfloy, was one of my favorites from the group because he definitely spent the most time with the fans and he showed no fear walking into a noisy crowd of Potter fanatics. Robert Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick), and Helena Bonham Carter (the badass Bellatrix Lestrange) joined the party, making this not just a Harry Potter fan’s dream but an awesome experience for anyone who likes good films. Helena Bonham Carter has an amazing presence about her and she is so graceful, lovely, and unique in everything that she does. Matthew Lewis is extremely good looking but I was most excited to see Helena!

After the red carpet event, John and I starting making our way towards the front of the park, only to stumble into a fun. concert for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. We got there about 20 minutes before it started and we were easily able to find great standing room towards the middle of the venue. About 10 minutes after we showed up, there was a rush of people filling up every nook and cranny of the outdoor venue so we came at the perfect time. Jimmy Fallon was just as sweet and hilarious as you would expect him to be and fun. was absolutely amazing live. I could listen to Nate Ruess sing all day.

While listening to Ruess and the crowd sing “We are Young” under a starry sky with roller coasters soaring high above my head, I realized that for the moment, I’m really happy that I still live in Orlando and that adventure and spontaneity can find you no matter where you live on this planet.

In: Personal, Travel · Tagged: diagon alley, fun, harry potter, jimmy fallon, orlando, the tonight show, the wizarding world of harry potter

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Hi! I'm Charisma, a creative entrepreneur who loves to help others reach their full potential. I'm a photographer, a writer, and the owner of Kismet + Charisma, an online boutique that pairs minimalist, cozy, boho style with activism. In my little corner of the internet you'll find my latest travels, what I'm currently reading, how I practing Black joy as resistence, and how I'm finding hygge in my daily life. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea, and stay awhile.

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This accurately sums up my weekend. How was yours? This accurately sums up my weekend. How was yours?
It’s been a challenge to find joy this week. But It’s been a challenge to find joy this week. But Black Joy has been my mission. Most of the people in my life have been overwhelmed and exhausted by constant grief, fear, and disrespect. Many of us have been reminded of the times we were pulled over by cops for driving while Black or the times we’ve feared for our parents, siblings, children, cousins, and other friends and family members. Sometimes it feels like we are all stuck in this cycle, doomed to witness and experience Black suffering and trauma forever. I have to constantly remind myself that times haven’t changed but we ARE changing things. We have to. And until those changes really take place permanently, I’m choosing Black Joy whenever I can. Because Black Joy is resistance. 

Here’s where I was able to find joy this week:

🤍 Interviewing @majorcreates + @tiffanydbrown_, two dynamic and talented  Black women for @heartandhustlepodcast.

🤍 Long chats with @studio404design about everything under the sun. 

🤍 The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and how unapologetically Black it is. 

🤍 Texting Marvel memes back and forth with @mmalikaj who is FINALLY obsessed with Marvel. My hard work has paid off! 👏🏽

🤍 Trying to recreate @eatatbento at home since we live in DC now. 

🤍 Reading The Gilded Ones. 

🤍 Knowing that @bohemianseoul is moving east! 

If you are Black, where did you find joy this week? If you aren’t Black, we’re you able to bring joy to a person who is Black this week or amplify a voice celebrating Black joy?
We receive hate, lies, injustice, and death. But We receive hate, lies, injustice, and death. 

But we deserve joy.

So many of us are reaching new levels of exhaustion because of the continued attacks on our community by those who are being paid to protect us. There are some days where our situation feels impossible. On those days, please take the time out to do one small thing that brings you joy. As Black people, we have to experience and carry so much trauma while living in this country. But we deserve joy. We deserve joy.
I’ve been spending every free moment chasing gor I’ve been spending every free moment chasing gorgeous blooms. I know they don’t last long so I’m trying to enjoy them as much as a can while they are here. It’s a great reminder to live in the moment and enjoy your life right now.
Lately I’ve been meditating, manifesting, and do Lately I’ve been meditating, manifesting, and doing a little bit of yoga before I even get out of bed. Yes, you heard that right, I do bed yoga. Doing these simple things before I leave the comfort of my bed have really been helping me feel like I can take on anything during the day. Do you do anything special in the morning that makes you feel more equipped to handle the day?
I’m so happy that the weather is consistently co I’m so happy that the weather is consistently cooperating and we can get out to explore more! I’m usually a homebody but being stuck inside this past winter has really made me appreciate every good weather day so much more than I ever have before. The best thing about being in a new city is that everything is new to me so even staying close to home feels like an adventure.
Drinking my way through Orlando with all the best Drinking my way through Orlando with all the best teas!🧋
Home is whenever I’m with you. 🤍🍵 @qreatec Home is whenever I’m with you. 🤍🍵 @qreatecoffee
Happy first day of spring! Most of the blooms aren Happy first day of spring! Most of the blooms aren’t out yet in the DC area but that didn’t stop us from spending every moment we could outside today. I am SO happy that winter is officially over and I can’t wait to twirl around under cherry blossoms in a few weeks.
Happy Gotcha Day @valkyrieambrosonokeefe! I truly Happy Gotcha Day @valkyrieambrosonokeefe! I truly don’t know how we would have made it through this year without you! You are the sweetest, happiest, cuddliest dog ever. 🤍🐾

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