A Hidden Gem in the Heart of the West Side Neighborhood: Tipico Coffee

Calling all Coffee Lovers! Have you been to one of the newest places on Buffalo’s West Side? Tipico Coffee opened a few short months ago and it is A-Mazing!!!

I was lucky enough to sit down with the owner Jesse Crouse and talk about how he got started and what made him open a coffee shop in the heart of the west side neighborhood.

From coffee to lattes to tea and more, Tipico rotates their coffee on a regular basis and on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays they have pastries from local vendors such as Breadhive and Butter Block, they also have an ever so tasty and popular avocado toast! Jesse started his passion for coffee while he was studying poetry in Chicago. Down the street from him was Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea, a high end specialty coffee shop that drew him in and over the last 5+ years he has worked with coffee farms studying the supply aspect of the business.

After having children, Jesse and his wife Kristen {originally from Western New York} were trying to find an affordable place to open a business and decided to move to the area, after being on the west coast for a while. "Buffalo felt right" The couple along with Jesse's in-laws wanted to help influence and shape the community they are living in. Their love for making food and the idea of homesteading offers a unique gift to customers as well. Bringing in 80-90% of their produce and milk from New York State their menu may be small, but is nice and compliments the drinks they serve. Jesse's goal is to offer a revolving menu once the spring time comes and host more casual gatherings and events throughout the year.

Having the largest masonry stove, an iced coffee window that will be offered in the warmer weather months, being one of the first walking destination businesses in the middle of the West Side's residential neighborhood, hosting brunches from time to time {the list goes on}; if you think you're going to walk into the same old coffee shop, you're wrong - Tipico is not your average café, its more than that. It's a place where you go and the staff remembers your name, says thank you for stopping by and see ya soon when you leave. During my interview with Jesse he said hello and goodbye to every person that walked in and out of the door. That is what a small business owner in my opinion is. They know their customers, care about them and want to build a relationship with them.

Starting on a shoe string budget, Jesse thought of doing a pop up shop, but just so happened to stumble upon his current location through his landlord. Everything was built out and the only thing he had to focus on was the equipment, putting a menu together and finding employees. It took 2 months to open and it wasn’t an easy process, but when you have passion for something you care about so much, it helps get you through. When I asked Jesse what he loves about the area, he said he loves the community. The warm welcoming he receives from the customers and community is what he and his staff give back to the area. The West Side of Buffalo is turning into the walking side of the community and having it be a walking destination gets people who may not be familiar with the area, out and about, seeing all the great things taking shape.

Tipico is really in the heart of the west side of Buffalo - the "hidden gem" in the neighborhood. To me, seeing a business like this in an area that is developing is really exciting. As someone who enjoys going to new places, it's nice to meet local business owners who have a passion and believe in the area they work in. To see them excited, makes you get excited to see the growth of the community. If you enjoy coffee you should definitely make a stop to Tipico. And if you aren't a coffee lover you don't have to worry, Tipico also carries a wide variety of teas for tea lovers. It really is a one-of-a kind café in the area.

-B

{Latte- YUM!}

{Just a Blonde in Buffalo photos}

2015 - A Year of Growth

A typical end of year blog post - reflecting on this past year and looking ahead to 2016. When I was going through what I did this year, I couldn't believe all of the things that have taken place {it's quite hard to wrap up a whole year in one blog post}!  The people I've met (Rev gals, Molly Hoeltke, Amy @ Linwood Candles, Gretchen from Makers, Del @ 26 Shirts, Vanessa at MuseJar, Elyse at EXO Supply, and all the other wonderful people I've met along the way.} the things I've done {a pedal tour, whitewater rafting, water bikes, exploring Niagara County, the list goes on.} and the places and events I've attended all have helped me learned more about my hometown.

Like every year there are trying times and happy times. If I had to describe 2015 in one word I would say growth. I turned 30 and have finally {FINALLY} started to learn that I don't have to do it all and that's ok. Enjoying what is happening in the moment is one of the biggest things I'm taking away from this year, along with patience. I've learned that doing things that make me happy and not feeling bad about it is ok - its life.

Some people wish away a year so they can get a fresh start in the new year, I wouldn't necessarily say that I'm happy this year is over because I've learned a lot during the bumps in the road. But with this year came a new home, more adventures taken {right here at home} and more great people I've met. Those are things I wouldn't change for the world.

Well I am one who really doesn't make resolutions, I do have goals for 2016, specifically focusing on community involvement, visiting places and attending events I haven't been to in the area and traveling out of the country for a trip of a lifetime. Whatever it is that you have set for yourself I wish you a happy and healthy 2016.

-B

Feeling the Crunch

With Christmas only a few days away some people {myself included} still have last minute shopping to do. With every free minute I have I've been trying to catch up on what feels like the longest Christmas shopping list I have. Below are a few local stores I've stopped into this past week. Not thinking I would purchase anything, sometimes the stores you don't expect to find things in, are the ones you do. A lot of stores will be staying open later this week, make sure to check out their websites and/or social media for the most current information. Happy Shopping and be kind to one another!

-B

{Sarah Danielle inside the Ellicott Square Building}

{Local artist - Hometown Decals}

{Main Street in East Aurora, NY}

Happiest of Birthdays From Buffalo!

Today we celebrate one of my best friends birthdays. She's only a few hours down the 90 and she reps the Buffalove better than some people who live here. Shanna I'm wishing you one of the best birthdays ever! Buffalo is not the same without you here - miss you and I can't wait until you're in town to celebrate. Happy Happy Birthday!

Red Nose Day

While this post isn't tied specifically to Buffalo, it does help raise awareness to the many organizations in the area that work with children and young people who live in poverty in this area. Working in the non profit field for a number of years, specifically with children' organizations, makes today even more special to me. Its Red Nose Day in the USA, a day to raise money for children and young people who live in poverty, but to make it fun - to smile and laugh. It's amazing what can happen when you have people in power or people in the entertainment industry support and get behind a great cause. To learn more or to donate to the Red Nose Day campaign click here.  To find a list of local organizations who help those in poverty in WNY, check out the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County's website.

Friday Favorites!

One of the biggest struggles I find myself dealing with over the last couple of weeks is finding the time to go out and explore and just do random tours or attend an "unplanned" event. It's trying to find that balance between my work and social life, while not getting to crazy and wearing myself to thin. I think, {like a majority of people feel} there is not enough time in the day or we think we can push off something to another day. Sometimes I think that's acceptable, but right now I just think something is missing and I've been trying to find that spark.

Regardless of how I have been feeling lately, here are a few pictures I took from this past week that have made me smile. Have a wonderful weekend!

-B

{A walk to Canalside - new artwork up}

{Spring is here}

{Spending Mother's Day with my Mom at Resurgence Brewery}

{This awesome kids park in Chicago - this is amazing! It would be cool to see this in Buffalo}

Just a Blonde in Buffalo - DIY - Glass Bottle Messages - Party Favors

For my birthday I got a little creative and did special messages in a bottle for guests to take with them. They were meant to keep at their desk or give to someone they care about. The messages were pretty simple and to the point:

Be Fearless, You've Got Spunk, Be Better Than Yesterday, Hit Me Up in the 716 and Don't Ever Lose Your Smile were just some of them.

The little DIY was pretty simple and didn't take long. All you need are the following:

Paper, Glitter and Mini Glass Bottles with Corks (you can find them on Amazon here).

Step 1:

Create a word document with clever sayings - cut them out into small strips and place in the bottle.

Step 2:

Place a little bit of glitter (any color you want) in the jar.

Step 3:

Close the cork on the bottle and you're all set!

Finished product!

Happy April

Thank you Kate Spade for starting my month of April off with a motivating note. Whatever it is you have planned for this month, make it count.

Down on Fillmore...

The East side of Buffalo, the area where I spent my childhood. While things have changed tremendously on Fillmore Ave. and in this area as I've grown up, I still from time to time, like to drive to the area just to see the house I grew up in and what is still the same {if anything} in the neighborhood. While this area isn't the greatest anymore, its still nice to see people going there for Easter and Dyngus Day festivities. My hope is that sooner rather than later, this neighborhood gets a 'face lift' and comes back to life.

-B

Cheers to 30 years!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! Well some may argue with me or may not care, turning 30 is a pretty big deal. It may not be as big of a deal as 40 or 50 or any other big number, but to me its about entering another stage in your life. Yes, age IS just a number, but its like when your turn 21.. you finally feel like wow I'm an adult, I'm of legal age. Turning 30 for me is just like that, its me focusing on where I am in my life and where I want to be.

Here are the top 20 things I've learned in my twenties that I am taking into my thirties...

1. I am not a party animal anymore! If I'm out past 10pm the next morning can be a little tough.

2. I never believed people when they said not everyone gets married and has kids right after college... well I was very wrong on this. Everyone's story happens at different times.. its not like the old days.

3. Its not about the number of friends I have, but more about who I can call on during the most difficult times to have a shoulder to cry on.

4. Well I once thought I had to be everywhere and do everything, I'm learning to say no to things...It's ok to be selfish sometimes!

5. I definitely have some of my parents habits... my Mother's emotions and my Father's hard work. They've taught me well and I still learn from them today.

6. Travel! It has taught me that there is more in this world than just the walls we grow up around.

7. This is probably the most important lesson I've learned in my life so far - never be ashamed of who you are. I am me and I really love me, I wouldn't say that I always thought this about myself, but as I've gotten older I've learned that you have to love yourself in order for others to love you. If there's one thing I encourage to anyone, its to always love yourself and don't be ashamed of who you are.

8. Goodbyes suck, but its important to keep the memories of loved ones in your heart and they will always be with you.

9. Dream big! I am a dreamer and maybe I live in my own fairytale, but I truly believe that if you try hard enough and believe in something strong enough, dreams will come true.

10. Embrace life and live it to the fullest. You only have this one life so make sure it counts.

11. Do good deeds. Be kind and help others. One of the greatest things I've ever done was volunteer.

12. Stand up for what you believe in. I've learned that there is no way a problem can be fixed if you don't open your mouth.

13. Think before you act and practice what you preach.

14. Sometimes all you need is a good cry. I think its good for the soul.

15. Surround yourself with happiness. Life is a lot better when you're surrounded by the things that make you happy.

16. Take each day, day by day. I am still learning this one ... All you have is today, so don't stress over the little things, everything always works itself out in the end.

17. Be fearless and take chances. You will never know unless you take a leap of faith sometimes.

18. Don't ever have regret. Things happen for a reason.

19. Its ok to fail and make mistakes. This one is hard for me to learn, but so true. No one is perfect, failure is a part of life and that's how we learn.

20. Beat to your own drum. Don't be something you aren't, always follow you heart.

Buffalo's Medical Scene

Sister's Hospital - the place where I was "welcomed" into the world back in 1985...

Throughout the years, Buffalo's medical scene has been on the "up and up." Not all of the hype about downtown Buffalo becoming a "booming" city again is because of Canalside, but also the medical campus that is taking shape downtown. From state of the art cancer research at Roswell Park, to Gates Vascular Institute, a lot is happening in the health world right here in Buffalo and that's something not only to be excited for, but its comforting to know you have excellent medical professionals to rely on if you ever needed it.

-B

Monday Mantra

Thursday's Thoughts

There are some people that come into your life and leave an impact, one of those people was Ray Marks. He was a professor of mine at Buff State during my junior year. While I was in college I really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, I entered the communication department - focusing on Broadcasting at the time. It was when I entered his class that my world changed.

He pushed not only me, but all of his students to go find what we love to do and do it. He encouraged us to do internships and see if we really like what we're studying to do. If it wasn't for him I don't know what path I would have went down in my career. Yesterday, I found out the news that he passed away and while I'm sad, I'm celebrating his life and remembering him in spirit. It was with his help - he encouraged, inspired and guided me to where I am today and I will never forget that.

He was a good, good man who taught his students to believe in themselves and find their passion and go out and do it and for that I thank him.

-B

"Lose Your Head In The Clouds"

As we kickoff the week and get back into some sort of daily routine, it's only fitting {for me} to look ahead at January. This past weekend was unusual for me, outside of a really fun game night with friends on Friday night, I had nothing else planned and for once, it was quite nice. I tend to always fill up my calendar with things to do, not because I don't want to, but because I feel like I will miss out on something if I don't have something to do {that's silly, isn't it?}.

So I got to thinking, sometimes having that time to yourself is the best thing for you. For me, it gives me time to focus more on my goals and aspirations and to be frank, just live in the moment. One of my most current goals is to "take time to smell the roses." Instead of always feeling like I have to do ten million things all the time and crunching tons of activities into my calendar, {leaving myself feeling like I have know "me time"} I'm going to focus on quality over quantity and try to learn that its ok to not be everywhere, all the time. Its ok to not have a plan or an agenda and to just go "wherever the wind takes me."

January is going to be about reprioritizing my life, building on relationships I already have in place and focusing a little bit more on me and not trying to please everyone, because we all know that is very hard to do.

What's on your agenda for January? Do you have anything specific you want to tackle this month? No thought is to big or to crazy, so go ahead and "lose your head in the clouds."

-B

Monday's Thoughts

During a time when we should be loving more than hating... nothing has ever been solved by anger and hate. If we want to see change in this world we have to start making a difference in a positive light.

-B

Tuesday's Thoughts

Here are my thoughts for today. We live in the United States of America, the land of the free. While I believe and encourage everyone to have their own thoughts, opinions and beliefs, the recent protests that have been taking place throughout the Country, is upsetting.

Whether you agree or disagree in the outcomes of what happened in Ferguson and NYC, anger and violence are not the answer. Yes, you may make a statement and get noticed, but outside of that, what else have you accomplished?

We are a Country that is suppose to be an example for the rest of the world, but when we start to act like people we are fighting overseas, what do we really accomplish. Nothing will ever improve in this world if we keep repeating the same things.

As Americans, we should create change. When something horrible and inexcusable happens, yes its ok to be upset and angry, but use those feelings and make a difference in a positive way. Lead by example! Creating more violence and crime isn't going to change or make anything better. And those are my thoughts for today.

-B

Tuesday's Thoughts

Today's post is simple and to the point. Its something I am trying to tell myself everyday, {especially this week when I have ten million things going through my head}. No matter how bad you may have it, there is someone who could be going through something much worse. No matter what it is, its always best to try and find the silver lining to every situation. So even though I've been in a funk lately, I'm trying to look at things from a positive perspective and not a negative one. I think this is something everyone should think about, especially as we enter the holiday season. We get so wrapped up in materialistic things that we forget the really meaning behind this time of year.

Happy Tuesday!

-B

Snowvember - Buffalo for Real!

With all the snow that has fallen over Western New York in the past 24 hours, I thought I would post some of my favorite pictures from people {including myself} that posted on social media what's going on in their neck of the woods. The weather has been the talk of the town, making National headlines and while some up North have only seen a couple inches, this storm has cost the lives of a handful of people. It's important for everyone to remember to stay inside and let the emergency personnel and first responders do their jobs. In times like these I'm even more happy and proud to say I live in Buffalo - "A city of good neighbors," always coming through and helping each other in times of need and showing each other some #Buffalove. Stay safe and warm!

-B

{Tuesday Nov. 18 - Picture taken via news station showing the Lake Effect Snow band between Downtown and the Southtowns}

{Tuesday evening - photo taken by news station showing the NYS Thruway}

{My friend Tara enjoying a glass of wine outside her home Tuesday evening}

{Airplane view}

{Outside my house on Wednesday morning}

{The sun shining and the snow taking a break Wednesday late morning}

{Photo via Buffalo Bills - Snow on the field and in the stands at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Wednesday}

NOVEMBER

We've reached November, a month that includes voting, remembering our Veterans and being thankful for all the blessings in our life. The end of the month also marks the start of the holiday season. This month is extra special as my family will be welcoming an addition to our family.

This month some of the things I'm looking forward to are; Bubblefest with my niece at the Science Museum, The Compass House Dinner at Salvatore's, working on new projects for the Buffalo City Swim Racers, Macy's Believe Campaign for Make a Wish, visiting Dog E Style and HandleBar for happy hour, Small Business Saturday and spending quality time with the people I love.

What are some of the things on your "to-do" list for this month? Make sure to take time for yourself, live life to the fullest and remember to do at least one thing every day that makes you happy because you're only given one life. If you dream it, you can do it.

-B

Thursday's Thought

{ Taken from Real Simple Magazine Instagram }