7. 1. 6.

When I began this blog of mine over six years ago I never imagined the amount of love and passion I would have for the city that I am so lucky to call home. Having always loved this region I didn’t think it would be possible to find deeper meaning, deeper roots and deeper passions that I have come to find, but it has happened and there is so, so much to be grateful for in our region.

Since it is “716 day” I thought I would share my list of favorite (favorite!!) restaurants, venues, activities, events, and people I like to follow. I know I missed A LOT on this list (it’s so hard to think of it all), but take a look. Let me know what are some of your favorite things in the 716 - places you like to go, events you like to attend and people you like to follow.

Western New York may be a small region compared to big cities, but it has a ton of talent, pride and passion to share with visitors and those that are lucky to call it home.

Favorites broken down by category:

Brewery: Resurgence – Have you checked out their new location at 55 Chicago? If not, definitely put it on your list of things to do

Restaurants:

• Southtowns: Alchemy Wine Bar/The Grange

• Downtown Restaurants: Marble + Rye, Hearth + Press (especially before a show at Sheas), Hydraulic Hearth (love their outdoor patio in the summertime), Cantina Loco is my favorite spot for guac, and chips and they are my favorite spot for margaritas. Love Wasabi on Elmwood for Sushi

• Northtowns: Share on Main Street, TCB on Transit Road and Greens on Transit

Cocktails – Duende at Silo City is a pretty cool, chill place, Angelica Tea Room, Just Vino on Main Street, Blackbird Cider on Chandler Street, The Terrace at Delaware Park is a beautiful spot as well, those views of Hoyt Lake are BEAUTIFUL.

Dog Park: Hands down my Harlie girl loves the Knox Farm – whether its running around at the dog park or walking the trails it’s a happy place for her

Workout Spot: #REVLIFE is the best life. Any class at Revolution Buffalo is sure to be a fun time. It is my happy place. A place where I take in all the positive vibes that I can. I also love Love in Motion yoga. Kate and Kath bring those feel good vibes with every flow

Outdoor spots: Hands down The Outer Harbor is my favorite waterfront spot and a spot that I never get sick of. Whether it’s a run, walk, the views or visiting Tifft Nature Preserve it has a special place in my heart. Delaware Park and Artpark are also places I love to visit outdoors

Fun things to do: A fishing excursion with Brookdog Fishing is a blast and I highly recommend for anyone (at any fishing level). The Buffalo Pedal Tours are so much fun, Hatchets & Hops is also a fun place to check out as well as the Silo City tours with Explore Buffalo

Coffee Shops: Remedy House, Tipico, Public and Overwinter

Favorite places: The Buffalo Zoo (that’s a given; I mean if you know me you know how much I love animals (more than some people)). The Aquarium is another favorite spot. The Science Museum, kayaking, The Buffalo Central Terminal and the Broadway Market

Shops I love to visit: Anna Grace on Elmwood, Mod Nos on Hertel, Winkler & Samuels Wine Purveyors at 500 Seneca, Pegs Hardware

My spots for wings: Nine Eleven Tavern in South Buffalo is a hole in the wall, but the wings are one of the best in town (in my opinion), I am also a fan of Carbone’s on South Park and Duffs

Favorite social media accounts to follow/motivate me, locally here in Buffalo: Buffalo Boss Babes, Christy at Wild Blossom Hollow, Lloyds, The Buffalo Zoo, Adventures are Waiting (Jess Kelly), BKind City, We Must Dash, Indie Twenty (Rachel), Love in Motion Yoga, Balanced Bright Life (Jessica Reagan), West End Interiors, Yoga Steve (Steve Procknal), and Lauren from Rev @liittlelauren

Favorite summer time events: Jack Craft Fair and new this year – Door Open Buffalo/Explore Buffalo, I always try and visit Shakespeare at Delaware Park too, it’s a classic summertime activity in Buffalo. Wines in the Wild at the Zoo is also one I always go to. For me being an event planner I feel like I attend a lot of events not just plan a lot so when a new event is created or its an event I have never been to – that excites me more than a recurring event, unless it has “wowed” me.

My bucket list of things to do before summer is over: Visit the new Explore & More, A hot air balloon ride (this has been on my bucket list for years), learn/try to paddle board – all those years at the Harbor and I never had a chance to do it then, visit Shirt Factory in Medina, and take a class with Ren at Rise Fitness.

-B

Sip n' Stretch

{Much deserved Mimosas after class}

{Just a Blonde in Buffalo photos}

It was a Sunday Funday for 60+ people who attended the Sip n' Stretch event with Stretch Pilates at Marcy Casino. A continental breakfast with Bloody Mary's and Mimosas followed the hour long pilates class. What was nice about the class was that each instructor took a part of it so you got a taste for each one. Hoping to be a regular event, it was $32 after service fees and included the class, brunch and two drink tickets. You also could help yourself to a coupon for a free half hour pilates session at Stretch Pilates Studio. For being the first one, there are some minor kinks to work out; the space was a little crowded, so if you didn't get there early enough you didn't get a good spot, but I think if 10 less tickets were sold, people would fit comfortably. For a Sunday during the winter, it was a nice activity to do indoors, if you missed out on this first one I encourage you to check out the next session they do!

-B

{Before and after class}

#BuffaloLinks

There are a lot of fun things to do this weekend including the Home Opener at the Ralph on Sunday, but Saturday hosts a handful of popular events taking place throughout town. Music is Art at Delaware Park - a free event taking place all day long!

{Photo from Musicisart.org}

We have been waiting for this for a long time - Arctic Edge is open to the public starting Saturday at the Buffalo Zoo.

{Photo from Buffalozoo.org}

Enjoy movies on the grain elevators at Silo City for the Urban Drive In. For more info click here.

{Photo from Squeaky.org}

#BuffaloLinks

A new business I am obsessed with is Buffalo Pallet Art. Creating custom paintings on pallet art work.

The ballpark is Turning the Park Pink on Saturday. Come out to the game and help a good cause.

The Botanical Gardens are offering craft beers, garden tours, live music and more at tonight's Botanics & Brews event from 6-9pm.

Come out to Delaware Park by Hoyt Lake on Sunday for Veg Fest! Its an all day festival and free to attend.

My Friday Favorites!

{So excited for Amy at Linwood Candles on being chosen for Urban Outfitters Dreams + Doers}

This week was full of fun family time, outdoor activities and much more. Have a great weekend!

-B

{ A little DIY project this weekend}

{I love walking past the mansions by Delaware Park and Lincoln Parkway - they are beautiful!}

{A little family trip to Canalside this past weekend}

{How cool is this - Red Box Books with the Buffalo & Erie County Library Downtown - take a book and leave a book!}

Fathers Day Things to Do

Father's Day is just around the corner and if you're like me, I prefer to spend the day with my Dad doing something he enjoys rather than buying him some gift that he will just put to the side. So, I thought I would compile a list of some things you could do and places you could go with your Dad.

Golf Courses:

• Diamond Hawk (Cheektowaga)
• Greenwood (Clarence)
• Harris Hill (Bowmansville) - I just found out this is not open because they are building condos where the driving range used to be - so disappointing.
• Delaware Park (Buffalo)

Brunch Spots:

• Cecelia's
• Providence Social
• Trattoria Aroma
• Elm Street Bakery

Other Activities:

• Canalside - kayaking, water bikes, boat tours
• Niagara Falls - Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds
• Brewery Tours - with Craft Breweries being so popular - go on one of your own brewery tours - Flying Bison, Resurgence, Big Ditch, Rusty Nickel are just a few to check out!

-B

Friday Favorites!

Happy Friday! Here are some things that made me smile around town this past week. Enjoy your weekend! -B

I loved the vibe at Allen Burger Venture and these salt and pepper shakers were pretty cool too!

A Sunday run through Delaware Park is always nice - especially after the winter we had!

Canalside on my lunch break

A spot I always enjoy visiting - the Naval Park!

Delaware Park and the Elmwood Village

Another part of Western New York that I love is the Elmwood Village and Delaware Park. Being able to walk up and down Elmwood and visit different shops and restaurants can make for a fun day and if you're not from the area it can be a unique experience. What I love even more is walking around Delaware Park and making a pit stop at the art gallery or history museum. The amount of activities you can do in the summer months around the park is one of a kind, making Buffalo a pretty awesome place.

-B

Friday Favorites!

With me on vacation there is not to much to say. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! -B

{Mother/Daughter time "twinsies" = Priceless}

{Before the Falls turned Pink}

{A shot of Hoyt Lake by Delaware Park, I love the canoes}

{Sidewalk games like hopscotch, are painted outside one of the hotels in Niagara Falls, NY for guests to enjoy}

{A fun night of putting our own personal touches on our Disney Magic Bands}

Strike a Pose

Elmwood Ave.

Over this past weekend, my friend Lacey took some photos of me for my blog. While I can say with confidence, I could never, ever, be a model, it was fun to take some pictures for a few hours. Take a look at a few of my favorite shots below.

 -B

                    On the stairs of City Hall    

             

              Buffalo "All-America City"    Strike a pose on Main St.

                               

                                           Delaware Park

                                

                             

                                                      SHOUT

All photos you see here were taken courtesy of my amazing friend and amazing photographer Lacey J.