A Fall Festival Full of Fun

{Just being a kid and playing in the leaves}

I made my way to Fall Fest again this year with Annette. While I always love going to Ellicottville {maybe its because I don't get there very often} the scenery is beautiful and I love the local shops that line the streets. This year I observed more and took in all that its worth.

1. There are a lot of talented artists that line the streets during this festival weekend, new food vendors lined the food truck row and the Armor Inn Truck seemed to be a popular spot to go.

2. Katy's is awesome. While we only stopped to get a coffee, the food looked so good! It is a must go back, place for me!

3. Bars are starting to charge cover earlier than normal {at least I think so, instead of what I thought was once 2pm it was now 1pm}.

4. State Troopers were out more than ever. I've seen one or two in years past, but this year we saw a handful going and coming from the event

5. For a single girl like me, I love seeing the attractive men that attend this event ;)

If you have never been I encourage going even if its just once. It makes for a fun Fall day and usually takes place the second weekend in October.

-B

{Love this sign outside Katy's}

{ A cute place to go, full of knick knacks, it even has a "Husband Drop Off Center" for those guys in your life}

{I love Ellicottville Brewing Company}

{One of my favorite shots I captured}

#Billieve

As most, if not everyone knows, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and multiple events take place raising money and awareness to the second most common cause of cancer death in women. Having an Aunt who is a Breast Cancer Survivor, to having a neighbor who recently passed away last month to this awful disease, my Mom and I attended and participated in the Buffalo Bills and American Cancer Society's Billieve event last Friday.

The event had young and old people, survivors and supporters, Bills players and their families all wearing pink and coming together on the Rainbow Bridge for one common cause; "Billieving" that one day we will find a cure.

It was a special night not only because we were doing something that was important to us, but because I got to share it with my Mom. As I get older I appreciate spending time with the people I love and care about the most and for me to spend an evening with her, to talk, lecture at times and laugh was priceless.

I can't wait for next year.

-B

For more ways to help in your area, visit the American Cancer Society link or the Breast Cancer Network of WNY

{Linking scarves and creating a live ribbon across the Rainbow Bridge}

{ My Mom and Me }

{ The Falls turned Pink }

Less is More Sometimes

A couple weekends ago my sister and niece went with me to pick out pumpkins like we normally do this time of year. Instead of going to the Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence like we normally do, we decided to go to Becker Farms and change it up a little. While I enjoy Becker Farms for their winery and brewery, I was really disappointed in the service {or lack there of} when it came to the children's area and pumpkin barn.

While every other area was open and ready to go, the area to pick your pumpkins and pay was closed and just opening {at 12:30pm} when we were ready to check out. If you wanted to pay you had to lug your pumpkins to the country store to pay for them. To top it off the staff {if you could find them} was rude and not helpful when it came to answering questions and it made for a not so fun time and us regretting our decision to just go to the Great Pumpkin Farm. The pumpkins were overly priced costing us $33 for 5 of them, that I could have gotten cheaper somewhere else.

So even though I like the winery and brewery on site, I think they should refocus on what they want to do next year. Sometimes its better to not have it all and focus on the areas you're good at. Sometimes less is more...

-B

Even though it was a disappointing experience, I did capture some pretty scenic shots while we were there.

{A smile on my face, even though the service wasn't so good}

A Bridal Celebration with A lot of Local Talent!

Sunday, Buffalo Indie Weddings hosted a Bridal Celebration at Asbury Hall. Over 30 vendors, were on hand to meet with newly engaged couples to help plan their special day. I loved the décor, the selfies portrait station, Vintage Touch  and the DIY station, where you could learn a variety of craft ideas for your big day.

Ali from Made from Anatomy and Erica from City Lights Studio thought of every detail, including the Groom's Lounge where the guys could go and hang out if they chose too, to the festive signage letting everyone know where things were. It was certainly a Bridal Celebration like no one else hosts. It was fun, creative and offered a lot of local talent from the big wedding industry to customers looking for something special on their big day.

Thank you ladies for inviting me to this wonderful event.

-B

{ Packed house, snapped this picture from the stage }

{ Of course I had to snap a "selfie" in front of the selfie portrait }

FALL into my Favorite Things

Fall is one of, if not my favorite season. I love the cool, crisp air, the leaves changing colors, and the oversized sweaters and boots you can wear. Lets not forget the fun activities to do; corn mazes and hayrides, decorating and carving pumpkins and trick or treating. This is the time of year we get to enjoy the yummy candy apples and warm pies to delicious apple cider as well.

While there are a lot of activities that take place this time of year below are my top 8 places to go for fun Fall activities in Western New York.

1. Becker Farms - Apple and Pumpkin Picking, Wine and Beer tastings, hayrides and much more!

2. The Great Pumpkin Farm - Kid Rides, Pumpkin Picking, Animal Farm, Face Painting and Country Store

3. Pumpkinville - Hayrides, Pumpkin Picking, Corn Maize and Country Store

4. Letchworth State Park and Allegany State Park - Beautiful fall foliage and hiking trails

5. Nightmare Hayrides on Sommerville St. - Haunted Houses and Hayrides

6. Cambria Corn Maze - Corn Maze, Pumpkins and refreshments

7. Falcone Farms - Apple and pumpkin picking

8. Mayer Brothers - Apple Cider, Baked goods

Oh the Places I will Go...To Ski High Adventure Park

Continuing on with facing my fears and taking more adventures, this past Saturday my friend Annette and I went to tackle the Sky High Adventure Park at Holiday Valley. While I am deathly afraid of heights I knew this would be a challenge, a BIG one! I didn't want to let my fear win though, so I sucked it up and focused on the task at hand, living a little and enjoying the moment.

While I only accomplished the yellow courses (which were the easiest ones) I was proud that I did that. Annette was a great friend to take with, encouraging me, motivating me and telling me not to give up {I definitely needed that a couple times}. For $48 you get to zip line and climb through the forest for 3 hours. For an additional $3 you can purchase a roller coaster ride that takes you up a hill on what I like to call a bob sled and you control the speed on the way down {it was actually pretty fun}.

The weather was beautiful and it made for a great Saturday activity. Once you have your harness on {trained staff make sure you are properly sung} you take what I would say was a 15 minute crash course with a staff member.  They go over all the instructions on how to use your carabiner clips and the do's and don'ts of the park. Along with staff being on the ground helping people through the courses you can also walk below and follow along to take pictures and check out the other courses before climbing your way through them.

There are so many courses to try at Sky High that you simply couldn't complete them all in 3 hours {unless you were a pro and no one else was in the park}. Each course typically takes about 30 minutes -45 minutes depending on how many people are on that course. Guests who don't want to take part in the courses have the opportunity to stay back at the lodge and play putt-putt, ping pong, corn hole or read a nice book on the patio.

While standing on one of the platforms, just about to walk across one of the ropes with my legs visibly shaking {literally, even ask Annette}, I couldn't let fear win. While there were moments I wanted to give up and just get back on the ground, I would have regretted that decision in the long run. I'm looking forward to going back next year and completing another level, a more difficult one and continuing to face my fears.

For more information {times, pricing, etc.} on Sky High Adventure Park click here.

-B

{ Thanks Annette for taking these photos of me during the course }

{ Pictures of various courses and the grounds around the park }

{ Facing fears and be adventurous! Post celebrations took place at Ellicottville Brewing Co. }

What's a Bash Without the Brews

This past weekend Coca-Cola Field was home to over 50 breweries who were sampling some of the best craft brews around Western New York and beyond. Ballpark Brew Bash not only offered a wide array of beer, but it also provided local food from 5 food trucks, games of all sorts and a unique experience to walk on the field, making it the perfect place to snap some Instagram pictures.

Each year the event grows and grows and with the ever so popular craft breweries on the rise in Western New York, I can only see this event growing bigger and better in the years to come.

A few of my favorite spots that night were: Resurgence Brewing Company, Black Bird Cider Works and Brooklyn Brewery.

Cheers!

-B

Artisans Open House Review

This past weekend the great artist herself, Lizzy Dugan hosted the 4th Annual Artisans Open House in Elma, NY. An event where local artists come together and display and sell their work. Each year the event has grown bigger and better, but not to big to the point where you may feel like you're getting lost or overwhelmed. This year there was even a baby Alpaca born during the event. In case you couldn't make it, but wanted to see the participating vendors click here.

Make sure to like the Facebook page to stay up to date on future events.

-B

Hello September...

September has arrived, kids are back to school, Labor Day has passed and everyone is preparing for their pumpkin spiced lattes. Fall is one of my favorite seasons, but we still have a few more weeks until the season actually arrives.

In the meantime I'm looking forward to enjoying some of these things this month:

Football Season is back and I can't wait to be back at the Ralph on September 14th for the Buffalo Bills home opener.

With more time on my hands now I'm looking forward to checking out some of these restaurants that I haven't been to yet. Oshun - Seafood Restaurant, Public House, New food truck Philly Flattop, and Squeeze Juicery.

The weather is still nice enough to go outside get some fresh air and get a good workout in. Going for hikes, taking yoga classes and just running along the harbor are also on my list of things to do for this month.

The Lake Erie Pub Crawl,  Ballpark Brew Bash and checking out Her Story Boutique's one of a kind perfume bar are some of the activities I have on my "agenda."

What are some things you have planned for this month? Whatever you may have planned make sure to take time for yourself and enjoy it!

-B

Sun, Sand, Summertime

Below are a list of the other beaches around Western New York and Southern Ontario that I feel are worthwhile to go to. What makes them worthwhile to me is the cleanliness, the friendly atmosphere, the ability to rent cottages, water activities available and the scenery. -B

{ I always went here with my family when I was little and still love Crystal Beach (located in Canada)}

{ Sherkston Beach located in Ontario Canada }

{ Beaver Island State Park is not only a beach, but offers a park, golf course and other amenities to make for a relaxing and fun day }

Angola, NY

 {Check out their line up for Labor Day weekend here. }

To keep with the beach continuation, my second favorite beach in Western New York is Mickey Rats. Just down the road from Bennett Beach in Angola, Mickey Rats has been around since the 1980's and is a great place to go for some sun, swimming and sand during the day and live music and drinks by the water at night.

-B

A Food Truck Rodeo with a little Buffalo History

Taking place the first Wednesday of the month, a handful of Buffalo food trucks lined up outside the Buffalo History Museum's parking lot for the annual Food Truck Rodeo. Its a great opportunity to come out and have dinner with your family, friends or significant others and enjoy the History Museum for free. The next one taking place is on Wednesday, September 3 from 5-8pm. Bring the kids for free face painting, grab a blanket or folding chairs and have a picnic. For more details click here.

-B

Lovely Lewiston

Every time I go to Lewiston, I'm simply amazed at the beauty there, from Artpark to Old Fort Niagara it is simply amazing, especially in the summer months. My friend Lauren and I decided to spend a Saturday afternoon just walking around and taking in that "small" town feel. We first stopped at Artpark where we were able to be "big kids" and make some clay pottery for free. We then walked around and saw some of the sculpture artwork that was in the park.

After Artpark we hit up the ever so popular Silo to grab some lunch and ice cream, from there we walked down by the water and saw the Whirlpool Jet Boat tours that take place by Water St. Landing. We didn't have enough time to take a jet boat tour, but it is on my list of things to do. We drove through the Main St. and just looked at shops and restaurants that filled the street. It was a relaxing afternoon just exploring the "hidden treasures" that are only minutes away. Have you ever been to Lewiston? What are some of your favorites places to go when you're there?

 -B

One fish, Two fish, Red fish, Blue fish

A couple weekends ago organizers of the annual Chalkfest event in downtown Buffalo had tons of artwork on display themed around Dr. Seuss. People drew sketches from there favorite Dr. Seuss books, volunteers re-enacted skits from books, food trucks were on hand and you could even draw something artsy on the sidewalks and parking lots if you felt up for it. With the weather forecast predicting rain, the turnout wasn't as big as I thought it would be on Sunday, but there were still a lot of people in attendance. Proceeds from t-shirts and renting space to draw went to the Theater of Youth.

I am no artist, but my niece and I did draw some flowers, hearts, our names and Buffalove down to leave our "mark" at the festival. I thought it was a great family friendly event.

-B

Fun festivals and fetes in town

This past week has been full of fun festivals and lawn fetes in Western New York; Canal Fest, Italian Fest, Queen of Heaven Lawn Fete and my favorite one, the Polish Festival. What are some of your favorite things to do at a festival or lawn fete? Some of my favorite things to do are: hit up the beer tent {duh! that's a given}, walk around and see what activities are going on; for example at the Polish Fest I love watching the people who polka on the stage, at the Italian Fest I love the bocce tournaments that take place and at lawn fetes I love hearing the live bands play. There is still more summer left and more festivals and fetes to attend! What are some of the ones you are looking forward to attending?

-B

Some Upcoming Festivals:

Garden Walk: July 26 & 27

Eden Corn Fest: July 31, August 1, 2, 3

Chalk Fest: August 2 & 3

Lewiston Jazz Festival: August 22

Erie County Fair: August 6 -17

Elmwood Art Festival: August 23 & 24

Scottish Festival: August 16

Annunciation Lawn Fete: August 15, 16, 17

14 Holy Helpers Lawn Fete: August 22, 23, 24

Allentown Art Fest Recap

A couple weeks back my sister, niece and friend Jen attended the Allentown Art Fest. It was a beautiful day and it seemed like they incorporated some new vendors into the mix which was nice to see. While I only usually go to browse, I actually bought a custom Buffalove Mason glass and Buffalo t-shirt. All in all is was a great community event that showcased a lot of talent. -B

#WorldCup2014 Canalside Buffalo

Sunday Canalside Buffalo held a viewing for the USA vs. Portugal game. The weather was beautiful, the scenery was great and the game was, well so-so. Its great to see a "little" life come back to downtown and what's even more better is to see all the activities starting to take shape down at canalside.

There were a lot of people who turned out to view the World Cup Soccer game on the big screens, the Cheesy Chick food truck and beverage tents were on hand as well. While I think the viewing screens could have been a little bigger it was nice they were allowing people to bring in their own food and drink, some brought the family down and had picnic's set up. Those people were smart because they didn't have to wait in long lines.

There was even what I am calling a "Buffalove" tent set-up for people to purchase Buffalo shirts and pictures. For putting the event together in just a couple days, the turnout was great and people not only showed their American pride in Red, White and Blue, but they showed their Buffalo pride too.

-B

Oh the adventures I will go; Pre-Dating Speed Dating

I'm not one to go out and look for love, as cliché as it is I believe if something is going to happen it will happen when you least expect it. Maybe that's good, maybe that's bad, who knows, but with the schedule I have right now, I'm lucky if I can find one day a week to catch up on things in my life, like just relaxing. So this past Sunday I attended a Pre-dating speed dating night at the Chocolate Bar {located on Chippewa}. Let's just say I was fulfilling a sort of bet with some of my friends. Annette and Sandra came for support and to make sure I stayed for the whole duration {because I told them I would leave the minute I felt like I was wasting my time}.

The event overall was ok, I met some interesting people and a majority of them were from out of town. The age bracket was from 24-39 which was a wide age range in my opinion. When it first started the first guy and I felt like we were in a race because we only had 6 minutes to talk, but after the first minute or so it wasn't so bad. I didn't like the bell that was rung every 6 minutes, it got annoying after a while.

Some guys were cool and I could carry a conversation with them and others I felt like those were the longest 6 minutes of my life. There was one guy who started talking to my friends downstairs during the 5 minute break we had and then there was another guy who was a little "stalkerish" to me so when it ended I bolted for the door not even waiting for my friends. The event lasted for about 2 hours {a little long I thought} and as the night went on I felt I met the more "interesting" guys.

If anything, it was nice to carry a conversation with someone in an somewhat organized setting compared to just going to a bar or something like that. Would I ever do this again? Well, I don't see it in my near future, but it was an experience that I didn't think I would ever do and I'm happy to have done it and I have some good stories to share with people.

Have you ever done speed dating or some sort of pre dating event before? What did you think of it?

-B

{Photos courtesy  of Annette }

{ Waiting for my drink }

{ Talking with one of the girls who was doing the speed dating too }

{ table #12 }

{ Chatting away }

{ Making notes before my next "date" }

Memorial Day Decor and Ideas

Memorial Day is just a few days away and while its not the "official" first day of summer it always serves as the kickoff to summer vacations and warmer months ahead. Whether you're hosting a get together or going to one, below are some of my favorite ideas for Memorial Day from Pinterest. -B

{ Mason Jars are good for a variety of things including this rice colored candle décor DIY }

{ For those hosting Memorial Day parties this is a fun and festive drink cart idea }

{ Another simple way to add a little festive flavor to your Memorial Day get together }

{ The most important thing to remember is to fly the American Flag and remember those who dies while serving the United States of America }

My Good Luck Elephant

Saturday I was lucky enough to finally meet the one animal I am literally in love with at the Zoo, no not Luna {though she is up there} it was Surapa the Asian Elephant. She has been at the Buffalo Zoo since she was a baby. Elephants are one of my favorite animals ever, so having the chance to meet her up close, feed her celery, watch her paint and do some tricks was one of the best things I've ever had the opportunity to do. Having my niece and sister with me made it even more special. Mindy her trainer was awesome, she gave us a background on the elephants, the elephant house and what she does there. Overall it was a great time and I couldn't be luckier. I was able to cross something off my bucket list. While we were there we also stopped by to see Luna and Kali and many more animals. Don't forget that you can see the animals at Buffalove Fest on May 30 at the Zoo. Proceeds go directly back to helping the animals!

-B

{ trunks up mean good luck }

{ she has some artistic skills }

{ showing off her moves }

{ I love this picture }

{ the lion was looking at us when we were waving }

{ up close }

{ what are you looking at?!? }

{ just having a good time }

{ morning swim }