2023 - Purpose.

/

Purpose. What is it? What is mine? That has been a question that has been on my mind ever since I finished my marathon in November. Maybe it’s at the forefront of my thoughts because I’m trying to fill a void. Trying to figure out what my next step is, that next goal. As someone who always seems to have a plan for once I don’t feel like I do and it leaves me a little unsettled, anxious and asking myself multiple times a day what is my purpose. Why am I here, what should I be doing…AND THEN I try to take a step back and tell myself God has a plan and lean into my faith. It will lead me to where I am supposed to be, when I’m supposed to be there. It’s a wild ride full of emotions and thoughts but it’s one that I know I’ll be carrying into the new year with me.

2023, what a year it has been. Full of new memories and reflecting on old. This year brought me some failure but with that a lot of growth. It taught me how strong I can be in all aspects of my life and how anything is possible if you continue to show up for yourself. It has also been overwhelming to feel and see how much love that has been sent my way through friends and family. Something I will never be able to describe but feelings that are so beautiful and I’m forever grateful for.

I am not the person I was 365 days ago, none of us are. As I look back not only on this past year but on the past few, I look at where I started this blog, wanting to capture every little detail and share my experiences with everyone (my first post on Dec. 17, 2012 really not knowing what I was doing, but I remember telling my family, I created a website and I’m starting a blog to share about all the great things in WNY and being so proud during that moment).

Now going into my 12th year, I realize how much things have changed, yet the core of why I have Just a Blonde in Buffalo has stayed the same. To share experiences, introduce my supporters to new people making a difference and doing cool things in the place we call home and creating authentic and lasting relationships with the people I meet. While life has taken over one of my intentions for 2024 is to get back to sharing stories more often than these past couple of years.

As I close out 2023 and look to 2024, I’ll carry this with me:

What’s my purpose? I’m shifting my mindset to fill my life with more feel-good energy, balance and purposeful intentions, experiences and relationships and letting go of un-wanted negativity.

Whatever it is you have set for yourself in the new year I’m wishing you all a happy, healthy and beautiful 2024.

With Love, Beth



a look back at 2022 and a look ahead for 2023

/

Challenging that is the word I would use to describe the year 2022 for me. For someone who strives for professional success and always looking to grow in my career I’ve been pretty disappointed and set-back this past year. A lot of things were out of my control and I had to roll with the tides that felt like they came daily. However, with adversity comes strength, resilience, learning lessons and the ability to test yourself in what I hope to call a once in a lifetime situation. And for the lessons I’ve learned that is one thing I’m thankful for.

With the challenges came a lot more stress and anxiety than I’ve ever dealt with before, to the point that my mental health has not in been in a good state, hence the reason for me being quiet on my blog this past year. I’ve noticed me secluding myself because of the anxiousness I feel and not wanting to burden loved ones with my problems or talk about them (everyone has things they are going through). When I have gone out to social functions while I’m grateful to have those moments with friends and family I’ve left always questioning myself, am I a good enough friend, daughter, sister, aunt… I’m sharing this because I have to, it’s so important for people to understand that everyone is going through difficult things but what’s more important is to know you’re not alone and it will get better. I can say that with therapy it’s been a great way for me to get the help I need. And while it hasn’t been easy at times I can say the high tides will eventually stop and it will turn back to a peaceful day.

I’ve mentioned this in other end of year posts where I don’t necessarily make resolutions at the end of the year, but I will do more of a “re-set” with intentions and goals for the year ahead knowing I will most likely adjust them because you change, the footprint around you changes and that’s ok.

Looking ahead to 2023 I want to get back to doing things for me. While I will always be very career driven (it’s who I’ve always been) I’ve learned and am starting to accept that you have to look out for you. I’m hoping that I can re-focus my time and efforts on what is good, what is right and what will make me a better version of myself. With all of that, I’d like to sprinkle in some more adventures, trips and just enjoying the present moment.

This post has been pretty depressing and that’s not what I’ve ever wanted my site to be about, but I have always kept it real on here and sometimes it’s not always going to be butterflies and sunshine. BUT I will always try my best to find the positive in any situation and with that there were some bright spots throughout this year that meant more to me than some of you will ever really know and I’d like to end the year with those.

Dinner at the Plating Society with Chef Darian and my friends who I met through YPOP. They have been some of the best friends and support system I’ve had this year.

My trip to Utah with my sister this summer. It was a trip filled with adventure, the outdoors and nature, laughs and love. (National Park Service)

My family trip to Ocean City, Maryland. It was a trip with unexpected turns but the memories and time spent together is something I will always be grateful for.

Meeting and building some great friendships and relationships with people in the community. A big shout out to Nick and Brian from The Bakers Men Buffalo and to Kristen from Meet & Eat Charcuterie for introducing us to each other in 2021. Working with Angelica at Event Lab Buffalo has been a pleasure. Jodi from Curate Buffalo and the introductions she’s made for me with Chef MaryRuth Rera, Julie Blackman at Farmers and Artisans and Blackman Homstead Farm. Buffalo Olmsted Parks for letting me help with their Gala. These are some of the people who have reminded me how fun it is to work and collaborate with people in our community.

A quick trip to NYC a few weeks ago with my Dad and niece. It was my niece’s first time in the city. We did a lot of tourist things and caught up with my friend Lacey and got to see the Phantom of the Opera before is closes in the spring.

Going back to the Sterling Renaissance Festival with the family this summer. It’s been a number of years since we’ve been and how things have changed but stayed the same. It was a fun time with lots of great family memories.

Experiencing the Buffalo Zoo Catillion this summer with friends. It was a new event experience for the Zoo and I was happy to celebrate it with the YPOP gals.

Celebrating my brother’s 40th birthday with his friends and our family this summer.

Sprinkled in to all these bright spots were other bright moments that were equally as important and memorable to me. Whatever it is that you have set out for yourself in the year ahead I hope it’s filled with laughter, love, kindness and patience.

xo

Beth

cheers to the lessons, adventures and memories of 2021

/

Whew, it’s been a while since I last wrote a blog post on here. To say the second half of 2021 was devoted to mostly working is not healthy or right but it’s true. And in the spare time I had, I was spending it catching up with my family and friends. 2021 was a good year, but an anxious one. Another year that taught me lessons, made me stronger and wiser, brought new memories with loved ones that I will cherish and it also brought me new friendships. It also has been a year of reflection, like many have been. If there is one thing I’m learning with time, it’s how important it is for me to be around those that I love and care for the most. Time really does fly by when you think about it, and you have to really try to make the most of it by being in the present moment.

As for 2022 sure there are things I want to achieve for myself, personally and professionally and there are places I want to visit and experience but I’m trying to take it day by day (which can be hard for a planner like me). What the last two years have taught me more so now is change is constant and you have to learn to adapt, deal and make the most with all the curveballs that are thrown at you.

Thank you for continuing to follow along on my adventures and stories and thank you for your support. Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year.

Xo

-B

The Year of 2020

/

Each year, like many, I take time to reflect on this past year and re-set my intentions for the upcoming year. As we all have said at one point, 2020 has been nothing like we have ever experienced. Not only has the pandemic impacted all of our lives in some way, we all have our daily life experiences (good and bad) to add on to this.

a day trip to Ellicottville in February. This photo was taken outside of West Rose. Highly recommend you visiting.

a day trip to Ellicottville in February. This photo was taken outside of West Rose. Highly recommend you visiting.

For me, this year started off with a kick in the gut when we learned that my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in January. As my family and I wrapped our heads around this, we entered this pandemic world in the U.S. in March, and since then there have been highs and lows.

At the end of March I started a new job with Shea’s Performing Arts Center, while it’s definitely been a crazy, yet fun onboarding experience and first year, I am so thankful to be a part of the Shea’s family. In April, we lost my grandmother which I still don’t think I’ve fully come to grasp with. Then in June, I was furloughed, but I looked at that time, as time to spend with my family, to learn what is really important in my life and what isn’t worth holding onto. In July, we celebrated my Mom finishing her chemo treatment and moving in the right direction. In August, I was lucky to go back to work.

As we entered the Fall I continued that theme of family and spending as much time with them and exploring the outdoors by going on as many hikes in WNY and the surrounding areas as I could. In November my brother and I moved into a new home. And during all of the family and daily life stuff, even in a socially distant world, I was able to support local businesses, volunteer more of my time, meet some cool WNYer’s, seek out new places, build my relationships with others and re-visit places I haven’t been to in a while.

There were many special moments throughout this year but here are some of the ones that stood out the most for me. Visiting Shuck Shack on Ohio Street, Spring Lake Winery, Stony Brook State Park, touring Seneca One Buffalo, meeting and working with Kristen from Meet + Eat Charcuterie, visiting the beautiful Hartrich Chateau in Corfu and taking a mini day trip to Presque Isle State Park in PA.

Did I put my blogging life off during this past year? Maybe a little, and while I look at other local influencers there are times when it’s hard for me not to think what am I doing wrong? am I relevant? do people even care or read what I share? But I continue to tell myself to follow my own journey and share my experiences I chose to share because it’s a hobby for me and I want my site to be used as a resource to inform others in the community and beyond about the cool places and people WNY have to offer.

A few weeks ago during a meeting someone asked what is one word I would use to describe this past year, my word was Hope. I chose Hope because even during all of the uncertain, bad, difficult, sad, stressful and anxious times I still have hope that things will be better. Maybe that hope comes from the faith I have that everything will always work out even if it’s not to your timing, maybe I’m naïve, I’m not sure, but that is something that has gotten me thru some of the lows.

As I close out this last blog post for the year, and as we approach 2021 I’m looking forward to continuing to shift my energy to what really matters to me and what truly makes me happy. It’s a constant journey to continue to better yourself.

thumbnail_4D5A7AC1-BD3E-41C9-847F-EE06EC233D47.jpg

We are all on this planet for a reason, we each have a purpose. I’d like to think this past year was an opportunity for us to all have a good re-set in our lives. It gave us time to evaluate what fills us with love and happiness and to let go and rid ourselves of what is holding us down and what doesn’t matter.

As always thanks for being a part of this journey with me.

Cheers to a healthy + happy 2021

-B

2016- the year of "me"

/

 

Like most people we do a little {or a lot} of self reflecting this time of year. 2015 I said was a year of growth for me and if I have to sum up 2016 in one word I would say it was a year of "me."  What do I mean by that, well it was a year where I stood my ground, fought for things that were important for me and learned a lot about myself. I'm not saying prior to this past year I never stood up for myself, but this year more so than others I wasn't changing my tune just to make other people happy. Sometimes I think its a bad trait I have because I just want to make everyone around me happy and often times I'll push what I think or feel to the side and this year I focused on taking my feeling into consideration, first.

As I look ahead to 2017, I have a list of goals and wishes, probably to many to list here, but my hope is to continue to allow myself to breathe, to give myself breaks and not feel bad for doing so and to continue to share my "adventures" on my blog. There was a time this past year where I put my blog on the back burner because, well, life just got in the way. Whatever it is that you have set for yourself I wish everyone a very healthy and happy coming year.

See you in 2017...

-B