The Charms of Charleston

Photo Credit: Me

 

Charleston, SC is known to be one of top tourist city's according to the Conde Nast Traveler's magazine. It has remained as the number one place to travel for tourists who are looking for historic sites, immaculate shopping, excellent restaurants and beautiful weather. I never understood why Charleston was rated among places like New York, Paris and other major tourist areas. I have lived in Charleston, SC for six years after exiting the military which forced me to understand  the dynamics of the Lowcountry. I began to find things to do in Charleston every weekend for me and my daughter. I soon fell in love with the charms of  Charleston, SC especially the downtown area. Downtown Charleston is filled with culture from an array of people coming from all around the world to various food choices ranging from Mediterranean food, Italian, Lebanese and much more. Today I fell in love with the beautiful charms that downtown Charleston offers such as my favorite gelato place on King Street (shopping district). I was able to experience a quaint Mediterranean Café called Taziki's that has great customer service and food. After I ate my lunch I ventured to Belgian Gelato where the ice cream is pure Italian heaven. The shops on King St. are divine locally owned with eccentric things to buy. Another great charm about downtown Charleston is Market St. which is compounded of several vendors that range from art to jewelry and so much more.

 

Every Friday the market showcase artists so they can sell their artwork to tourist or locals. The most charming thing about Charleston I have found is their jazz bar, "The Mezz" that is located upstairs in Sermet's Restaurant where the local band "The Quentin Baxter Quintet" play live jazz on Thursday, Friday and Saturday prospectively. The atmosphere is like a scene out of the movie "Love Jones" where Larenz Tate was doing poetry at the restaurant. The jazz bar setting is classy, elegant and decorated with white linen chairs. This jazz bar is one of my top gems that I treasure in downtown Charleston. I am a big city girl who crave the city lights, multiple things to do and also enjoy the times where I can hear complete silence. Charleston, SC gives me the freedom to cherish the complete serenity that the country life gives me. I never understood the charms of Charleston but now I understand that this city preserves their culture, embraces the history and draw people to the beauty of the hidden gems around the area.

 

For more amazing things to do in Charleston look at these sites:

http://www.mezzdowntown.com/

http://www.mercatocharleston.com/

http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/

http://www.tazikiscafe.com/

http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/

http://www.accentwine.com/

http://socialwinebar.com/about/

 



The Charms of Charleston

Photo Credit: Me

 

Charleston, SC is known to be one of top tourist city's according to the Conde Nast Traveler's magazine. It has remained as the number one place to travel for tourists who are looking for historic sites, immaculate shopping, excellent restaurants and beautiful weather. I never understood why Charleston was rated among places like New York, Paris and other major tourist areas. I have lived in Charleston, SC for six years after exiting the military which forced me to understand  the dynamics of the Lowcountry. I began to find things to do in Charleston every weekend for me and my daughter. I soon fell in love with the charms of  Charleston, SC especially the downtown area. Downtown Charleston is filled with culture from an array of people coming from all around the world to various food choices ranging from Mediterranean food, Italian, Lebanese and much more. Today I fell in love with the beautiful charms that downtown Charleston offers such as my favorite gelato place on King Street (shopping district). I was able to experience a quaint Mediterranean Café called Taziki's that has great customer service and food. After I ate my lunch I ventured to Belgian Gelato where the ice cream is pure Italian heaven. The shops on King St. are divine locally owned with eccentric things to buy. Another great charm about downtown Charleston is Market St. which is compounded of several vendors that range from art to jewelry and so much more.

 

Every Friday the market showcase artists so they can sell their artwork to tourist or locals. The most charming thing about Charleston I have found is their jazz bar, "The Mezz" that is located upstairs in Sermet's Restaurant where the local band "The Quentin Baxter Quintet" play live jazz on Thursday, Friday and Saturday prospectively. The atmosphere is like a scene out of the movie "Love Jones" where Larenz Tate was doing poetry at the restaurant. The jazz bar setting is classy, elegant and decorated with white linen chairs. This jazz bar is one of my top gems that I treasure in downtown Charleston. I am a big city girl who crave the city lights, multiple things to do and also enjoy the times where I can hear complete silence. Charleston, SC gives me the freedom to cherish the complete serenity that the country life gives me. I never understood the charms of Charleston but now I understand that this city preserves their culture, embraces the history and draw people to the beauty of the hidden gems around the area.

 

For more amazing things to do in Charleston look at these sites:

http://www.mezzdowntown.com/

http://www.mercatocharleston.com/

http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/

http://www.tazikiscafe.com/

http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/

http://www.accentwine.com/

http://socialwinebar.com/about/

 



Dreams Are Meant To Be Lived Out Loud!

Dreams can sometimes be dreams if we never dare to make them an oblique reality. We can talk about what we desire to do but if there is never an action then it becomes words filled with hot air. I often believe people I truly scared to live life fearlessly because what they dream might really come true. I realized for myself the act of thinking bigger and dreaming bigger is motivated by putting action forth and making the dream patterns in my mental thoughts a tangible reality. 

Dreams are only tangible when you can actually see the manifestation of you working hard to make them visible. I can honestly say I am a dreamer and dream to produce many things in my life but last year I wanted to take more time to invest in my dreams. In 2013, I was struck with the reality of realizing how much I do not invest in my gift of writing. I decided to spend time researching writing workshops to take my writing to another dimension. While I spent time researching an "aha" moment hit me, I always wanted to write, live and move to Paris so I needed to attend a writing workshop in Paris. I was excited, motivated and inspired to live my dream to write in Paris. 

I have such a love affair with Paris, I am truly in love with the city of lights. As I began my research I stumbled across different websites but one website intrigued me, Paris Café Writing. Paris Café Writing is a week long workshop conducted by Patricia Tennison. Mrs. Tennison is a renown author, college professor and  writer of the Chicago Tribune. I called Patricia to ask a couple of questions about the workshop after the phone call I decided  to put both of my passions together; my love for writing and my love for Paris. I was going to spend a week in Paris to write.

I am excited about the progression of my decision to move forward with pursuing my dream. This summer I will be attending one of her summer workshops during the week of my 35th birthday to write, to muse and to immerse myself in Paris. Paris has been a long life dream for me and now with courage I am pursuing my heart's desire. In life we often get stuck because we allow fear to hold us back. 

Fear held me captive for several years after my two year old daughter died. Today marks seven years since she left this Earth but the joy in this story is that it changed me to become an authentic woman. I have experienced many things in my life but learning to live life without limits has been my defining moment. So, as I venture off to Paris this summer I challenge you to not only think big or dream big but to make your dreams a reality. Dreams are meant be lived out loud so what are you waiting for....

Photo Credit: Leonid Afremov, painter http://leonidafremov.deviantart.com/art/PARIS-OF-MY-DREAMS-LEONID-AFREMOV-286887332

Dreams Are Meant To Be Lived Out Loud!

Dreams can sometimes be dreams if we never dare to make them an oblique reality. We can talk about what we desire to do but if there is never an action then it becomes words filled with hot air. I often believe people I truly scared to live life fearlessly because what they dream might really come true. I realized for myself the act of thinking bigger and dreaming bigger is motivated by putting action forth and making the dream patterns in my mental thoughts a tangible reality. 

Dreams are only tangible when you can actually see the manifestation of you working hard to make them visible. I can honestly say I am a dreamer and dream to produce many things in my life but last year I wanted to take more time to invest in my dreams. In 2013, I was struck with the reality of realizing how much I do not invest in my gift of writing. I decided to spend time researching writing workshops to take my writing to another dimension. While I spent time researching an "aha" moment hit me, I always wanted to write, live and move to Paris so I needed to attend a writing workshop in Paris. I was excited, motivated and inspired to live my dream to write in Paris. 

I have such a love affair with Paris, I am truly in love with the city of lights. As I began my research I stumbled across different websites but one website intrigued me, Paris Café Writing. Paris Café Writing is a week long workshop conducted by Patricia Tennison. Mrs. Tennison is a renown author, college professor and  writer of the Chicago Tribune. I called Patricia to ask a couple of questions about the workshop after the phone call I decided  to put both of my passions together; my love for writing and my love for Paris. I was going to spend a week in Paris to write.

I am excited about the progression of my decision to move forward with pursuing my dream. This summer I will be attending one of her summer workshops during the week of my 35th birthday to write, to muse and to immerse myself in Paris. Paris has been a long life dream for me and now with courage I am pursuing my heart's desire. In life we often get stuck because we allow fear to hold us back. 

Fear held me captive for several years after my two year old daughter died. Today marks seven years since she left this Earth but the joy in this story is that it changed me to become an authentic woman. I have experienced many things in my life but learning to live life without limits has been my defining moment. So, as I venture off to Paris this summer I challenge you to not only think big or dream big but to make your dreams a reality. Dreams are meant be lived out loud so what are you waiting for....

Photo Credit: Leonid Afremov, painter http://leonidafremov.deviantart.com/art/PARIS-OF-MY-DREAMS-LEONID-AFREMOV-286887332

Art Is Everywhere!

 

(Pictures taken during my visit at Columbia Museum of Art)

If you spend time to slow down you will notice that the collage of art exist right before your eyes. Art is not just hidden in pictures or paintings but the significance of art is in the atmosphere that surrounds us. It is up to us to appreciate the lessons art has to bring in our lives. I am an avid art lover and believe art help us tap into our creative side. Everyone has a creative being that lies dormant ready to be awaken. When we starve our creative being we become stagnant as our life becomes meaningless or boring. Creativity stimulates the brain releasing a positive flow of positive thoughts or ideas to invade our mind. When positive images or ideas stream through our brain we become motivated to create. I had a chance to introduce my daughter to Columbia Museum of Art. The Columbia Museum of Art is one of the best art museum that I have found. I loved studying the Baroque, Rococo and Roman style pictures from the 18th century to the 20th century. It was refreshing to do something new outside of our normal weekend routine. The experience was unforgettable as we gazed at paintings that represented spirituality, womanhood, childhood and family. Each picture had its own distinct message as each artist used certain colors, locations and expressions to capture their message they wanted to convey to the viewer. Art has a way of telling stories whether real or fictional an artist uses his/her surroundings to inspire their work of art. I challenge you to take a day to visit your local art museums or studios to broaden your cultural awareness. Do not hesitate to take your family to give them an experience that will not only be enjoyable but enlightening as well. Art is everywhere if we open our heart and mind to the creativity around us. 

If you live inside the South Carolina area do not hesitate to visit the Columbia Museum of Art. For more information on exhibitions and events go to: www.columbiamuseum.org 

Art Is Everywhere!

 

(Pictures taken during my visit at Columbia Museum of Art)

If you spend time to slow down you will notice that the collage of art exist right before your eyes. Art is not just hidden in pictures or paintings but the significance of art is in the atmosphere that surrounds us. It is up to us to appreciate the lessons art has to bring in our lives. I am an avid art lover and believe art help us tap into our creative side. Everyone has a creative being that lies dormant ready to be awaken. When we starve our creative being we become stagnant as our life becomes meaningless or boring. Creativity stimulates the brain releasing a positive flow of positive thoughts or ideas to invade our mind. When positive images or ideas stream through our brain we become motivated to create. I had a chance to introduce my daughter to Columbia Museum of Art. The Columbia Museum of Art is one of the best art museum that I have found. I loved studying the Baroque, Rococo and Roman style pictures from the 18th century to the 20th century. It was refreshing to do something new outside of our normal weekend routine. The experience was unforgettable as we gazed at paintings that represented spirituality, womanhood, childhood and family. Each picture had its own distinct message as each artist used certain colors, locations and expressions to capture their message they wanted to convey to the viewer. Art has a way of telling stories whether real or fictional an artist uses his/her surroundings to inspire their work of art. I challenge you to take a day to visit your local art museums or studios to broaden your cultural awareness. Do not hesitate to take your family to give them an experience that will not only be enjoyable but enlightening as well. Art is everywhere if we open our heart and mind to the creativity around us. 

If you live inside the South Carolina area do not hesitate to visit the Columbia Museum of Art. For more information on exhibitions and events go to: www.columbiamuseum.org