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.

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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.

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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

Celebrating International Women's Day

Today is International Women’s Day and 2022's theme is Break the Bias. From the International Women’s Day website let’s:

Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.

I have met some remarkable women over the years, especially when it comes to my blog interviews. Today I wanted to highlight some of them because in my eyes they are shining a light and making an impact on people and in the community. Most of these women are people who I’ve worked with, some are friends, and I’ve seen first hand the work they are doing and the positive influence they’ve had in my life.

Kristen Cronyn from Meet and Eat Charcuterie - Kristen is all about community and collaboration. She’s always there to connect with other businesses and celebrate others through her work and I admire that about her. It’s not about competition but about building each other up and being each others cheerleader.

Amanda, Colleen and Rachel from Revolution Buffalo - These women have always been about creating a positive community through their studio since the day they opened their doors. A place where everyone is welcomed and seen equal and I admire the positive atmosphere they continue to create and the work they do to give back to their community.

Kate from Hope Rises - In a world where there is so much negativity, Kate finds the good and shares those stories that offer hope. That is one thing we all need a little more of right now.

Catie, Sarah and Zhi from Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy - These three women are creative, kind and care about the community they live in and they show that through the work they do for our Buffalo Parks. In my opinion without this amazing development team our Buffalo Parks would be as enjoyable to park users. They help raise the funds needed to keep the parks clean and safe throughout the year.

Melissa from Winkler + Samuels - Not only can she recommend a great bottle of red (or white) she offers fun classes for customers to learn more about the wine they drink, the region its from and the local winemakers that make it. Some of her classes also benefit local charities which is another win in my book.

Kate and Dusty from WNYMMA - I don’t know much about WNYMMA or these two women but they offer free self-defense classes for women on Sunday’s at 11am (I took a class a couple weeks back). This community is strong and kind and I love that there is a business in WNY that takes pride in wanting to help teach women to defend themselves if they ever needed to.

Jess Kelly - Jess is a native Western New Yorker who travels around the country and shares her experiences on her social platforms and with national publications. Not only is Jess a caring and kind human, she reminds me to live life in the moment and to enjoy the world, to take risks and have some fun.

Carrie from Rusterior and Buffalo Boss Babes - Carrie is not only a local business owner but she created Buffalo Boss Babes, a women run blog and social media feed that features talented women in the WNY community. She hosts fun, laid-back networking events that are meant to empower creative women who are helping to build Buffalo.

Dionne from UPward Design for Life - she founded this organization to “restore hope by transforming empty spaces into homes.” By volunteering I have seen the work Dionne does by taking an empty space and turning it into a home and changing peoples lives for the better. If I had an ounce of her talents and energy I would be a better person. We can all learn something from Dionne through her hard work, passion and drive, it motivates me to not give up on my dreams.

Mandy from Big Big Table - I haven’t met Mandy but she is the founder and chef of this new community café where everyone can enjoy a good meal and not have to worry if they can afford it or not. The idea is all are welcome, everybody gives and everyone matters.

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 Bali Reset

“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.” - Anthony Bourdain

Earlier this year I decided I needed a change in my life, with a lot of things - both in the my professional and personal life, so, when Stephanie and Brandon from We Must Dash posted that they were offering a new tour in Bali I decided this was something I had to do. Bali had been on my bucket list of places to visit and I feel like I needed a life changing moment and that was indeed what happened.

I have always loved to travel and most of my travels have been with friends or family. Sometimes I would travel solo, but would always end with meeting someone I knew at my final destination. This trip was different though, I was booking a trip, really not knowing anything or anyone (yes, I knew Stephanie from We Must Dash and Katie from BkindCity but didn’t really know, know them). I was travelling half way across the world and meeting up with strangers, strangers who turned to into really great friends.

The Bali Reset was a 2 week trip that traveled throughout the island of Indonesia exploring rice terraces, visiting temples, climbing an active volcano in the middle of the night to catch the most amazing sunrise you will ever see. Snorkeling in the Indian Ocean, learning to surf, learning to cook Balinese food and bringing home recipes you can make for your family and friends and seeing some of the most beautiful beaches and views in the world. Simply breathtaking.

The trip was comprised of 15 amazing human beings, people who are from Buffalo, Montana, Massachusetts and Las Vegas. And all of us were on this trip for a reason, some to find some sort of clarity, some to celebrate life, some for both. I came on this trip hoping to get answers to things in my life that I am constantly looking for. Not ever seeing or reading Eat, Pray, Love but knowing the concept of it, a lot of friends referenced that to me throughout the months leading up to the trip. What happened though is I didn’t find those answers to things I’m looking for, but I instead came home with a clearer mind, more appreciation for the life I have and a better understanding of knowing things will always work out and align in the manner they are supposed to at the time they are supposed to. This trip made me be more present and enjoy the moments and experiences in real time and not through my phone.

What started for me as being anxious and scared because I didn’t know if I’d “fit "in” or if people would like me turned into me learning to embrace each unknown, each new experience, wanting to see as much as I possibly could and getting as uncomfortable as I could knowing I would learn more about myself. This trip made me want to extend my trip longer so I could learn more about each person in our group. And what helped me with all of this were the people in our group, whether they know it or not each one of them taught me something and helped me become a better person and for that I am so grateful.

I can’t say enough about this trip and about We Must Dash. Not only was Bali Reset a trip full of adventure, new experiences, relaxation and exploring but Stephanie and Brandon literally are the best business owners and look out for their travelers. They are there for you 24/7. Like when my ATM card got sucked into the ATM machine in Ubud, Steph was there to re-assure me everything would be ok or when someone in our group lost her cell phone in the taxi, Steph was able to get it back (she is literally a miracle worker) and when I got really sick in Sanur, Steph showed up to my room with medicine. She is the ultimate trip Mom.

People say they don’t have the time or money to travel or we just simply get to wrapped up our everyday life that we forget there is so much out there in this world, what I’m here to say is you need to put yourself first. Traveling is one of the best things a person can do for themselves. It clears your head, fills your heart, and gives you a new perspective on life and this world.

The whole trip was magical but you really do learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together or a car or ferry ride for that matter. I learned a lot on this trip and one of my favorite moments was learning about the people in our group and singing out loud with each other in the car rides. It was like we were having the time of lives, because we were! Hiking Mt. Batur and snorkeling were runners up in my favorite moments if I had to narrow it down. At the end of the day I could sit here and share pictures on pictures and stories on stories, but the best thing I can tell you is to experience a trip like this yourself, you won’t regret it.

“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” -Anthony Bourdain

I certainly hope I left something good behind.

-B