Goodbye, January 2023! You’ve been such a wonder Goodbye, January 2023! You’ve been such a wonderful month for me! 🤍 This year, for the first time ever, I decided to start the year off with a focus on only myself. I spent a large part of January celebrating my birthday this year! From delicious dinners and coffee dates to hiking and surprise secret adventures, this month has been full of celebrating and I’ve embraced every single moment of it. After a few years of not feeling quite like myself due to anxiety and depression, it’s great to feel like ME AGAIN! 🎉 I love her and she’s BACK, BABY! In addition to celebrating myself as much as possible, I also honored my mental, physical, and spiritual needs with lots of rest, intentional movement, meditation, and reflection. 

My word for 2023 is community and now that I feel like myself again, I’m so excited to spend the year pouring into my community, while still remembering to fill up my own cup first. 

#january #januaryreflections #selfcare #selfcarefirst #selfcarematters #intentionalliving #intentionallife #beintentional #uniquevintage #velvetdress #blackgirlmagic #blackgirlskillingit #joyfulmoments #joyfulfulmovement #joyfulliving
Snapshots from a beautiful day spent with friends Snapshots from a beautiful day spent with friends who always make my heart happy. Plus a small snippet of me being overjoyed at getting the tiny seat at the back of the train. 
🤍🌳🏰🚂

#intentionalliving #intentionallife #joyfulliving #joyfulmovement #livejoyfully #enjoythemoment #enjoythejourney #happyliving #blackgirldisney #disneymoments #disneygram #orlandoliving #orlandolife #orlandolifestyle #orlandofl #magicalmoments #choosejoy #joyseeker #orlando
I love being able to explore all of the little pat I love being able to explore all of the little paths that exist in Animal Kingdom. All of the gorgeous greenery in this park makes me feel happy, balanced, and calm. Whether it’s a quiet moment at a waterfall, watching birds enjoy the beautiful weather, or trying to see how many different types of plants I can spot, it’s such a peaceful place to spend the day. 🌳🤍

#outdoors #plantlife #nature #naturelovers #walking #animalkingdom #disneysanimalkingdom #wdw #bestdayever #waltdisneyworld #animalkingdomdisney #intentionalliving #livingintentionally #livinginthemoment #joyfulmoments #joyfulliving
Started the year off with some adventure! 🌿🍃 Started the year off with some adventure! 🌿🍃🌳

#intentionalliving #thegreatoutdoors #livingintentionally #livinginthemoment #adventure #adventureisoutthere #nature #enjoynature #goexploring #orlando #orlandoflorida #greenery #plantlife #animalkingdom #dak #disneysanimalkingdom #visitorlando #orlandolocal #stufftodoinorlando
Just some random joyful moments from 2022. 🤍✨ Just some random joyful moments from 2022. 🤍✨

#joyful #joyfulmoments #slowliving #hyggelife #intentionalliving #2022recap #joyfulliving #joyfullife #happymoments #hyggelig #intentionallife #yearofgrowth #yearofgratitude #practicegratitude
Our last closing of 2022! 🎉🎉🎉 So thankfu Our last closing of 2022! 🎉🎉🎉

So thankful to help purchase this 8 bedroom, 6 bathroom, 4034 square foot pool home for our client. This was the perfect way to end an amazing year of growth, challenges, and blessings in our careers.

We are so excited for all the home sales and purchases we will get to be a part of in 2023 and we can’t thank all of our clients enough for trusting us to help make your home related dreams come true! 🏡 

#floridarealestate #floridahomes #orlandohome #orlandoliving #floridarealtor #floridarealestateagent #floridalife #realestateinvestor #orlandolife #movetoorlando #movetoflorida #orlandolocal #floridalocal #buysell #buysellhomes #homebuying #homebuyingprocess #localorlando
Have you been to Animal Kingdom Lodge yet this hol Have you been to Animal Kingdom Lodge yet this holiday season? 🎄 There’s still time! We loved the addition of the gingerbread animals this year and I hope they keep adding to the display. 🦒🦓 The Christmas tree in the main lobby is one of my favorites on property and I’m always a fan of the bread service at Sanaa. 🫓🍽️🌶️

#animalkingdomlodge #christmasdecor #christmastree #christmasdecorations #christmasvibes #christmasseason #disneyworld #wdw #waltdisneyworld #disney #disneygram #disneyparks #disneyfood #disneyblogger #disneyresort #sanaa #orlandothemeparks #themeparks #gingerbreadcookies @disneyparks @waltdisneyworld
These “snow bubbles” smelled like hot cocoa. C These “snow bubbles” smelled like hot cocoa. Christmas magic indeed! Don’t forget to check out The Lights on Jeater Bend in Celebration during its last year ever! It’s free and oh so fun! 

🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄

#christmaslights #christmasdecor #christmaslightshow #christmasiscoming #christmasdecorations #christmasdecorating #celebrationfl #holidaydecor #holidayseason
One of my all time favorite traditions is going to One of my all time favorite traditions is going to see all the human sized gingerbread displays at @waltdisneyworld. They are all beautiful but the gingerbread house at Grand Floridian is my favorite. I love how you can smell it as soon as you walk into the lobby and I love taking a gingerbread shingle home for the perfect Christmas movie snack! 🤍🎄

#christmas #disneychristmas #disneychristmasdecorations #christmasatdisney #gingerbreadhouse #gingerbreadcookies #christmasmagic #disneymagic #wdw #waltdisneyworld #grandfloridian #grandfloridianresort #christmasdecor #christmascookies #hyggechristmas #hyggelifestyle #christmasmoments #christmasmood
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Personal · June 14, 2016

#OrlandoStrong: Born and Raised and Proud

Orlando_Strong

I woke up late on Sunday morning. Sleeping until 9AM normally doesn’t happen for me very often but I had taken some friends that were visiting Orlando to the Magic Kingdom and John and I didn’t get home until late. I picked up my phone to check the time and saw that my brother had called me and left a text that said, “Call me please.” I knew something was wrong.

I tiptoed past a sleeping John and across our apartment into my home office. I sat down and called my brother not really knowing what to expect. I was still somewhat half asleep when I heard him say, “There was a shooting in Orlando.”

Hands shaking, I struggled to put my phone on speaker so I could text friends and use Facebook to find out if they were okay. “Stupid phone! Why is the speaker button not working?!” I fumbled with my phone while my brother assured me, “I already checked all of our mutual friends and everyone is safe. I also checked your friends who I could access on Facebook and they are safe.” I managed to get my speakerphone to work properly and then checked on the remaining people who were closest to me that he could not find out about.

They were all safe.

I had not realized how tense my entire body was until that moment when I felt relief wash over it. Then my eyes filled with tears. When my brother told me the current number of confirmed deaths and injuries, I knew that there was no way either one of us would not have a friend, former classmate, or co-worker who wasn’t effected by this in someway. From there, the numbers rose and I knew that I would have at least one friend who lost a loved one. My heart shattered for the victims of this senseless act and filled with rage for this attack against the city and communities that I love.

As is stands I have one friend waiting to hear on the status of a friend who is currently in the hospital, four friends who have lost a friend, and one close family friend who I grew up with lost two family members.

I spent most of Sunday crying in my pajamas, trying to confirm the safety of everyone in my extended friend groups, and trying my best to say encouraging words to those who were still waiting to hear from their loved ones who were at Pulse the night before. Most of them did not get confirmation until the early hours of Monday morning.

I still have not allowed my mind to picture the scene. I can’t. I won’t.

Not at Pulse. Not in a place that was supposed to safe. Not where my friends were frequently celebrating life.

The next few weeks will be spent helping my friends who have suffered personal losses, helping the city in any way I can, attending memorials and vigils, raising money for the families of the victims, lifting up the LGBT and Latin communities, and showing the world that Orlando is an amazing place to be born and raised.

My mind still hasn’t completely wrapped itself around all of the events that have happened in the last few days but I know that my community is #OrlandoStrong and we will not allow this to break us. Hate will not win. We will take care of each other, we will love each other, and we will celebrate each other.

love_orlando

If you call Orlando home and you are looking for a way to help, click here. If you are not local but would still like to contribute, please consider donating directly to my friend’s family or to Equality Florida.

Images: #OrlandoStrong + Orlando Map 

In: Personal · Tagged: community, florida, hometown, lgbt, orlando, orlando shooting, orlando strong, pulse night club

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Well Read | Why Not Me?

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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Goodbye, January 2023! You’ve been such a wonder Goodbye, January 2023! You’ve been such a wonderful month for me! 🤍 This year, for the first time ever, I decided to start the year off with a focus on only myself. I spent a large part of January celebrating my birthday this year! From delicious dinners and coffee dates to hiking and surprise secret adventures, this month has been full of celebrating and I’ve embraced every single moment of it. After a few years of not feeling quite like myself due to anxiety and depression, it’s great to feel like ME AGAIN! 🎉 I love her and she’s BACK, BABY! In addition to celebrating myself as much as possible, I also honored my mental, physical, and spiritual needs with lots of rest, intentional movement, meditation, and reflection. 

My word for 2023 is community and now that I feel like myself again, I’m so excited to spend the year pouring into my community, while still remembering to fill up my own cup first. 

#january #januaryreflections #selfcare #selfcarefirst #selfcarematters #intentionalliving #intentionallife #beintentional #uniquevintage #velvetdress #blackgirlmagic #blackgirlskillingit #joyfulmoments #joyfulfulmovement #joyfulliving
Snapshots from a beautiful day spent with friends Snapshots from a beautiful day spent with friends who always make my heart happy. Plus a small snippet of me being overjoyed at getting the tiny seat at the back of the train. 
🤍🌳🏰🚂

#intentionalliving #intentionallife #joyfulliving #joyfulmovement #livejoyfully #enjoythemoment #enjoythejourney #happyliving #blackgirldisney #disneymoments #disneygram #orlandoliving #orlandolife #orlandolifestyle #orlandofl #magicalmoments #choosejoy #joyseeker #orlando
I love being able to explore all of the little pat I love being able to explore all of the little paths that exist in Animal Kingdom. All of the gorgeous greenery in this park makes me feel happy, balanced, and calm. Whether it’s a quiet moment at a waterfall, watching birds enjoy the beautiful weather, or trying to see how many different types of plants I can spot, it’s such a peaceful place to spend the day. 🌳🤍

#outdoors #plantlife #nature #naturelovers #walking #animalkingdom #disneysanimalkingdom #wdw #bestdayever #waltdisneyworld #animalkingdomdisney #intentionalliving #livingintentionally #livinginthemoment #joyfulmoments #joyfulliving
Started the year off with some adventure! 🌿🍃 Started the year off with some adventure! 🌿🍃🌳

#intentionalliving #thegreatoutdoors #livingintentionally #livinginthemoment #adventure #adventureisoutthere #nature #enjoynature #goexploring #orlando #orlandoflorida #greenery #plantlife #animalkingdom #dak #disneysanimalkingdom #visitorlando #orlandolocal #stufftodoinorlando
Just some random joyful moments from 2022. 🤍✨ Just some random joyful moments from 2022. 🤍✨

#joyful #joyfulmoments #slowliving #hyggelife #intentionalliving #2022recap #joyfulliving #joyfullife #happymoments #hyggelig #intentionallife #yearofgrowth #yearofgratitude #practicegratitude
Our last closing of 2022! 🎉🎉🎉 So thankfu Our last closing of 2022! 🎉🎉🎉

So thankful to help purchase this 8 bedroom, 6 bathroom, 4034 square foot pool home for our client. This was the perfect way to end an amazing year of growth, challenges, and blessings in our careers.

We are so excited for all the home sales and purchases we will get to be a part of in 2023 and we can’t thank all of our clients enough for trusting us to help make your home related dreams come true! 🏡 

#floridarealestate #floridahomes #orlandohome #orlandoliving #floridarealtor #floridarealestateagent #floridalife #realestateinvestor #orlandolife #movetoorlando #movetoflorida #orlandolocal #floridalocal #buysell #buysellhomes #homebuying #homebuyingprocess #localorlando
Have you been to Animal Kingdom Lodge yet this hol Have you been to Animal Kingdom Lodge yet this holiday season? 🎄 There’s still time! We loved the addition of the gingerbread animals this year and I hope they keep adding to the display. 🦒🦓 The Christmas tree in the main lobby is one of my favorites on property and I’m always a fan of the bread service at Sanaa. 🫓🍽️🌶️

#animalkingdomlodge #christmasdecor #christmastree #christmasdecorations #christmasvibes #christmasseason #disneyworld #wdw #waltdisneyworld #disney #disneygram #disneyparks #disneyfood #disneyblogger #disneyresort #sanaa #orlandothemeparks #themeparks #gingerbreadcookies @disneyparks @waltdisneyworld
These “snow bubbles” smelled like hot cocoa. C These “snow bubbles” smelled like hot cocoa. Christmas magic indeed! Don’t forget to check out The Lights on Jeater Bend in Celebration during its last year ever! It’s free and oh so fun! 

🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄

#christmaslights #christmasdecor #christmaslightshow #christmasiscoming #christmasdecorations #christmasdecorating #celebrationfl #holidaydecor #holidayseason
One of my all time favorite traditions is going to One of my all time favorite traditions is going to see all the human sized gingerbread displays at @waltdisneyworld. They are all beautiful but the gingerbread house at Grand Floridian is my favorite. I love how you can smell it as soon as you walk into the lobby and I love taking a gingerbread shingle home for the perfect Christmas movie snack! 🤍🎄

#christmas #disneychristmas #disneychristmasdecorations #christmasatdisney #gingerbreadhouse #gingerbreadcookies #christmasmagic #disneymagic #wdw #waltdisneyworld #grandfloridian #grandfloridianresort #christmasdecor #christmascookies #hyggechristmas #hyggelifestyle #christmasmoments #christmasmood
I love the Florida inspired Christmas decor at the I love the Florida inspired Christmas decor at the Grand Floridian! As a kid who always begged to feed the swans at Lake Eola, seeing swans in Christmas decor in Orlando just feels right. 🎄🦢

#christmasdecor #christmastree #floridachristmas #disneychristmas #christmasatdisney #grandfloridian #grandfloridianresort #christmastree #swandecor #holidayseason #happyholidays #christmasseason #happychristmas
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