It All Started with a Meal

A need leads to a choice, which leads to a decision and that decision can set us on a path we didn’t imagine. Isn’t that the story and legacy of Walt Disney and his empire? The creation of Mickey, the following of a dream, the choices, and decisions which followed and spawned an entire company and effects the world we see today. In today's world of Instagram influencers, specifically in the Disney community, it’s amazing how many creative people there are in the world, and no one would know except for this crazy, fun, sometimes aggravating, media outlet. We want to highlight some of the amazing creatives we’ve met since beginning our brand in July of last year. It’s amazing what you can learn from others when you use social media to be social.

I’m always amazed at moms who find time to do crafts with their kids, cook for their families, and create a magical environment for their children to grow. One such mom, who I have gotten to know very well over the past few months, is Esther. She is the creator of A Magical Kingdom Called Home, and I’m positive she’s borrowed the Fairy Godmother’s wand to create her blog and Instagram feed. The movie nights and fun adventures she creates for her two children always spark my imagination and make me want to create my own.

Looking at Esther’s amazing creations you would think she grew up in the kitchen, but in reality, she never spent much time in the kitchen growing up.

“I did and wanted to, but my mom is very particular about her kitchen and didn’t want me in there,” said Esther. “And then my sister, whenever I’d make something, would make fun of it the entire time, even if it was perfect. So I didn’t cook until I got married.”

She’s always encouraging people to not doubt their abilities in the kitchen by showing it doesn’t always take years of practice. Cooking may have not always been a passion of her’s, but Esther says she’s always had a love for Disney; from videos of her dancing on her dad’s feet to Sleeping Beauty to all her cute vintage toys.

“I don’t remember a time not loving Disney. I’ve always loved Disney.”, said Esther. “It’s always been there, it’s always been a part of my life. It’s just gotten worse as the years have gone on.”

She said there was the “dark phase” right after she and her husband Brandon were married, but once they had kids the Disney love was revived. It took her a while to get caught up on all the movies she’d missed, but now she says they don’t watch much else other than Disney movies.

How did her love of Disney send her to the kitchen making fun creations? Esther says it was the need for a meal plan that would go along with the movies they were watching. Most of us would turn to Pinterest, but she created her own.

“That’s where it all started,” she said, “I needed some meal planning ideas.”

Creators like Esther, and even Walt himself, look for ways to make what is necessary for themselves. In the end, though, it is just the right magic others needed in their lives as well but didn’t know it. Disneyland came from Walt’s desire to have a place for his daughters to go and enjoy, as well as being a place for both parents and children alike. Esther needed fun meal plans for her family; and therefore used that imagination, cultivated through a love of Disney, to create a magical kingdom she calls home.

On her website, she has “how to’s” so others can create their own fun Disney movie nights; and her Instagram is full of followers and friends who share a love for Disney. She said the reason she created a specific Disney account was that she was worried her friends who followed her personal account would tire of all the Mickey ears and princesses. Now, @amagicalkingdomcalledhome, has a following of almost 1.5K and continues to grow as others share her amazing imagination and talent.

“I love the friendships I’ve made and giving other people experiences that can’t make it to the parks,” said Esther. “To give them a little magic, even if it’s just on the weekends, that makes my heart so happy.”

Many disregard the use of social media in creating actual friendships and relationships, but Esther said a big blessing, from her decision to share her magic, are all the prayers and always having someone to call; even if it’s just for advice on whether or not she should post her latest recipe.

How does she do all of it though? Pixie dust, check. Patience, check. A helpful husband, check. Lots of lists, check! Esther said she writes out the dates when movies came out so she knows when to celebrate them, as well as the many national holidays, constantly being created. Moms really are amazing, but Disney moms have that little something extra.

Her goal for the future of her website and Instagram is to spread more magic. I think we can all agree that in this crazy world, we could all use a little magic! That’s the positive outcome of such amazing creators such as Esther, who’ve decided to share their talents on mediums like Instagram and Facebook, and the occasional Tweet. The more we look to others as opportunities for friendship, instead of competitors in this dog-eat-dog world of comparison, then we’ll find some amazing, inspirational, and down-right magical people.

You can follow Esther on Instagram @amagicalkingdomcalledhome, and subscribe to her website Amagicalkingdomcalledhome.com.