TO Light Fest

{evergreen brick works}

Lacey and I took an adventure up to Toronto this past weekend to check out the Toronto Light Festival and Evergreen Brick Works. Leaving in the middle of the day we didn't hit any traffic at the Peace Bridge nor on the QEW {surprisingly}. Are first stop was at Evergreen Brick Works just because of timing purposes. A neat urban area where they took old abandoned industrial buildings and use the space as a community gathering space. Hosting a farmers market, public art pieces and small kiosks for food and recreational activities, its definitely a place that helped inspire me for work ideas. If you ever have a chance to visit I highly recommend it.

{toddler garden}

The next stop on the trip was to the Distillery District in downtown, Toronto. Having been there for the Toronto Christmas Market, I stumbled upon the Toronto Light Festival on Facebook. A fun way to lift your spirits if you have a case of the winter blues. The public art installations are showcased throughout the district for people to take pictures in front of, to gaze at and to just be amazed.

{neon door a + in my books}

{rings of light}

It is a pretty cool festival that runs through March 12th. What is even better is outside of the gas and parking fees, the light festival is free. If you combine dinner and drinks or other activities to your trip it can add up, but it was a nice way to spend a Saturday with our neighbors up North and with one of my favorite people.

{my thinking pose}

{my Angel pose}

After the fact, I found out one of the installations at the Toronto Light Festival was also featured in Biz Bash {one of my favorite event resource websites} as a best idea of the week.

Until next time..

-B 

Photos in this post are Just a Blonde in Buffalo's

Rock On..at the Guitar Exhibit at the Buffalo Museum of Science

Last week, I joined the Tweet Team for a night at the Science Museum. We had the chance to meet with the amazing staff and check out the new {and so cool} exhibit Guitar. Going on until May 7th the Guitar exhibit showcases the history of the instrument, all the different types of guitars and the famous people who played them and so much more!

If you're not one that likes crowds or can't make it on the weekend the Science Museum offers extended hours on Wednesday evenings until 9 pm. And this Saturday the Museum is hosting Get Out Your Guitar Day, a national holiday, in celebration of guitars and guitarists, so if you're looking for something to do, this will be a great event to attend, for both kids and adults!

-B 

{Just a Blonde in Buffalo photos}

Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream - Opening Night

Walking into the Key Bank Center last night, a lot of what you saw was little girls dressed up in their favorite Disney princess dress, some with tiara's on their heads and others with a light up wand in their hand. Growing up I think almost every girl has a dream to be a princess {I know I did}. Last night, thanks to Feld Entertainment, I was able to attend Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dream with my 6 year old niece, my sister and my cousin Lisa. It made for a fun girls night out and was an absolute blast.

From Tiana opening the show, to the classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and my favorite Princess, Cinderella, the end of the show was the best. Rapunzel was a show stopping piece ending with a celebration of all your favorite Disney Princesses and Disney Characters out on the ice. My niece got so excited seeing Princess Jasmine and Princess Aurora.

{Princess Tiana}

During the show the message was the same, Dare to Dream. Each Princess that was on the ice had a dream and it came true. I think that is something that makes Disney Princesses so magical, each Princess has a story and they never give up on their dream, making it a wonderful message to pass along to young kids in the audience. If you're looking for something to do this weekend tickets are still available {click here}.

Here are some of my pictures from last night. 

{Cinderella's Carriage}

{Cinderella and her Prince}

{Rapunzel and Flynn}

Thinking Warm Thoughts at the Botanical Gardens

A couple weeks ago my niece and I went to the Botanical Gardens to attend their Dollar Days promotion along with checking out the new exhibit. My friend Jen and her daughter Aila came with us. Because tonight is the Lumagination Launch Party and tomorrow kicks off the almost month long special event, I thought I would share some of my photos that I took from my visit.

I attended Lumagination last year {see that post here} and it was a great event and a different and fun way to see the gardens. To learn more about the event, including dates, times and admission prices click here.

-B

{All photos in this post - Just a Blonde in Buffalo photos}

Supporting Explore Buffalo

This past Saturday if you follow me on any social media platform you know that my Dad and I attended the Grain Alley Gala hosted by Explore Buffalo. This was one of my Dad's Christmas presents this year, since we had such a good time at last years gala at Sheas, I thought I would keep the tradition going. The gala was taking place at the Barrel Factory, a venue I have not been in up until Saturday night and need to go back to, to explore. Snowy Owl Kombucha!, Elevator Alley Kayak and Lakeward Spirits are all tenants inside the building {see my post on Lakeward Spirits soon!}.

{The Erie Mule}

The gala was nothing short of great, from the live music, selfie station, tour of the distillery from Adam, the specialty cocktails and great auction items {my Dad and I went in and put a guaranteed bid on cocktails and a tour of the SS Columbia Project for up to 6 people} we couldn't have had a better time and all for a great organization!

{Look at how dapper my Dad looks at the selfie station}

As I approach this year, I'm focusing more on the "adventures" {big or small} that I can take with the people that mean the most to me.

Until next time...

-B

{Above photos all Just a Blonde in Buffalo photos}

Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream - Activity Sheet

A celebration of royal proportions is coming to town in Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream at the KeyBank Center from January 26-29. Get your tickets today at disneyonice.com or tickets.com. You can also get ready for the show with these fun activity sheets.

{photos from Feld Entertainment}

Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream - Coloring Sheet

Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream is coming to the KeyBank Center January 26-29. Get your tickets today at disneyonice.com or Tickets.com, and experience a spectacular princess-packed adventure. Check out this fun Disney On Ice coloring sheet! #DaretoDream #DisneyOnIce

{photos from Feld Entertainment}

Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream - Discount Code!

Join us for a hair-raising, jazzed up, unforgettable adventure with the Disney princesses at Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream at the KeyBank Center from January 26-29. Save $5 off on select tickets to the show. Use code MOM16. Tickets at market pricing. No double discounts. Restrictions, exclusions and additional fees may apply. Offer expires on 1/15/17.

To purchase tickets click here

{All photos are from Feld Entertainment}

Harlie's "unofficial" First Birthday

{the pictures on the left are from Harlie and me on Christmas and last night, the photo on the right is her a couple days after I brought her home at 10 weeks old}

Last night my family and I celebrated Harlie's 1st birthday. I don't know her exact birth date, all I know is she was 10 weeks old when I picked her up and it wasn't stated on her paperwork the DOB.  I am guess it was between last week and this week. Because she has a sensitive stomach I didn't get her a dog cake because I didn't want her to get sick, so I gave her a couple extra treats instead.

I think she was really happy running around the house with my niece and nephew and spending time with the people that love her most. I posted this picture {see above} on my Instagram account last night, unless you are an animal lover, you really don't know how much a dog is a part of your family. They may not be able to talk to you, but there are other ways that they communicate with you. Harlie has helped me in such a short period of time and I can't imagine my life without her.

Until next time...

-B 

Our Lady of Fatima Shrine

Last week my sister, niece and nephew went to see the Festival of Lights at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston. I haven't been to the Shrine since I was a little girl so I was looking forward to seeing everything from an adults perspective. When we arrived we walked around a little before heading to the gift shop to warm up for a bit, they also have a cafeteria so if you want to grab a bite to eat with the family while you're there, that's an option. The Shrine is open to the public from 9-9 pm and the lights are on from 5-9 pm. The festival of lights runs thru January 6th and its free admission - making it a great place to visit this week if you're looking for something to do.

It was nice seeing all of the lights, remembering the memories I had as a kid and seeing my niece and nephew enjoy their time there.

-B 

{Just a Blonde in Buffalo photos}

{my niece in front of the Shrine}

{taking a selfie at the top of the Shrine}

Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream - Tickets on Sale & Make a Great Holiday Gift

 

TICKETS FOR DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS DARE TO DREAM ON SALE NOW IN BUFFALO

Buffalo, N.Y. (Oct. 25, 2016) — Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream is bringing Disney’s princess stories and most beloved fairy tales to the ice in a sensational live production coming to your hometown! This ice spectacular, featuring scenes from “Tangled,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Cinderella” and “The Princess and the Frog,” visits Buffalo from Jan. 26-29 for seven performances at the KeyBank Center. Tickets go on sale today and can be purchased by visiting www.disneyonice.com.

Join your hosts Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they share the heroic stories of four of your favorite Disney Princesses. Laugh along with Disney’s hair-raising escapade “Tangled,” as Rapunzel, Flynn and Maximus embark on an uproarious expedition that soars to new heights! Travel to the enchanted forest with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as she escapes from the Evil Queen. Watch as Cinderella’s dreams come true with a little help from her animal friends and the Fairy Godmother. Boogie to the beat of the bayou with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” in a magical, musical journey. Nothing can stop a princess from a courageous adventure when Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream skates into to your hometown.

Tickets for Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream start at $15 for Opening Night and are available by calling (716) 855-4100 or by visiting the KeyBank Center. For group rates and information, call 866-248-8740.

 Show Times:

Jan. 26, 2017: 7:00 p.m.

Jan. 27, 2017: 7:00 p.m.

Jan. 28, 2017: 11:00 a.m., 3:00 and 7:00 p.m.

Jan. 29, 2017: 12:00 and 4:00 p.m.

To learn more about Disney On Ice and to stay current on the latest developments, visit www.DisneyOnIce.com and follow Disney On Ice through social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DisneyOnIce

Twitter: @DisneyOnIce #DisneyOnIce #DaretoDream

YouTube: www.youtube.com/DisneyOnIce

Instagram: @DisneyOnIce

 About Feld Entertainment

Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in more than 75 countries and on six continents to date and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^®, Monster Jam^®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross, Disney On Ice, Disney Live! and Marvel Universe LIVE! More information about Feld Entertainment is available online at www.feldentertainment.com.

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{above logo from Feld Media}

Yoga & Fitness Toy Drive event

Join us tomorrow night for a fun workout at Pettibones Grille. The cost is a gift card {value $10-$25} that will donated to pediatric patients at Carly's Club the following day. {Buffalo Bisons flyer}

Harlie's Adventures -November

{Harlie at Como park in Lancaster last week}

Its been a little while since I posted about Harlie. While she is still her rambunctious self, she is more alert and aware of her surroundings. She listens to her commands and she loves the visitors that come over. She has graduated to adult dog food too!

Making the decision to get a dog, was the best thing for me. She helps with my anxiety of living on my own and also makes me feel safe. If you or someone you know is looking to adopt or foster an animal during this time of year Diamonds in the Ruff is truly an amazing animal rescue group and I'm so happy I went with them.

{Harlie went for her first run with me at Delaware Park at the beginning of November, she did so well!}

As for what's next with Harlie, I'm looking  forward to celebrating her first birthday next month and to see how she behaves with the Christmas decorations up, I have a feeling she is going to jump on the tree for the ornaments and pull down the stockings, boy I hope I'm wrong.

Until next time.

-B

North Tonawanda Farmers Market

About 3 weeks ago in my search to check out more farmers markets in the area, I stopped by the North Tonawanda market on a rainy Saturday morning. I heard through some of my contacts that this was a good market to visit and they were right! Probably one of the biggest I've been too in the area offering a lot of options from different farmers and vendors, I was quite pleased with my drive out there.

Purchasing all of these veggies plus a mum for exactly $20 makes me need to go to farmers markets way more than the grocery store. Not only does it save a single gal living on her own with a tight budget some money, but it also is supporting the local farmers which is something I love doing.

If you haven't been to this market check them out on Tuesdays, Thursday or Saturdays from 7-1pm.

-B 

Modern Dream Catchers with Makers & Muse

{Photo from Makers Buffalo Instagram account}

I have been wanting to take this class with Makers Buffalo for a long time and my schedule never allowed it up until a couple weeks ago when Makers Buffalo and MUSEJar came together to host a Modern Dream Catchers class at Arden Farm- a place I've been before and really do enjoy going to. It was a Friday night class with some food {yummy food} provided by Daily's Catering. The class took place in the barn and you could BYOB - so clearly I brought a bottle of wine. My friend and co-worker Kelsey came along for the ride! Overall it was a fun crafty night! Every time I take a class with Makers and Muse they don't disappoint. Not only are the classes enjoyable, you create something that's for you and you meet some really great people as well. If you can ever take a class that fits your interest, I highly recommend it.

Below are some of my pictures from the crafty night out.

-B

{One of the first steps was picking your yarn and tying it to the metal circle}

{Kelsey being crafty}

{Separating the yarn to make it more wavy and full}

{Are finished products}

A Fall Favorite of Mine

Last month my Mom stopped by to help me can tomatoes - an activity I remember doing this with her, my Grandma and Aunts when I was younger. With the colder temperatures approaching I thought it was the perfect time to can some tomatoes - I'll use them for my Mom's homemade spaghetti sauce recipe, homemade chili and other warm winter foods. We started out with a bushel of tomatoes that made us {me} 11 full mason jars - perfect amount for a single lady on her own! The part I remember disliking the most was when the tomatoes came out of the boiling hot water and you have to peel them right away - I remember my fingers not liking that part and they still don't! haha.

{Step 1: Line table or counter with newspaper and get bushel of tomatoes}

{Step 2: Cut out core and prep for hot water}

{Step 3: In the water you go - just enough time to get the first layer soft enough to peel off}

{Step 4: Peel off the top layer of skin and put in mason jar - my least favorite part}

{Step 5: Clean rim of jars, seal with lids, put in hot water for 40-50 minutes to seal, store and use whenever needed}

Overall it was a nice Sunday morning/early afternoon spent with my Mom. Not only did it bring back childhood memories, its was a day where we made new memories together in my new home, which is a gift in itself.

-B

Queen City Half Marathon

Tomorrow over 300 runners will be hitting the streets in Downtown Buffalo for the first Queen City Half Marathon. An all female race {making it the 50th all female race in the Country}. Outside of it being your typical race, what the message is behind the race is what matters...woman empowerment. Its about women supporting other women, working together and having fun while accomplishing that goal you have set forth for yourself.

I'm excited to see how the race is and the feedback that is received, its a pretty cool event, that I think will grow and be more and more successful with each year that passes. If you would like more information on the race you can go here.

Good luck to all the runners out there tomorrow!

-B

Rochester Public Market

It seems like it has been forever since my last blog post. I've put blogging on the back burner because my schedule has been crazy, but I'm hoping I can be more consistent on my posts again.

A couple weeks ago I went back down the 90 to visit my friend Arica for her birthday in Rochester, while there, we had planned to go to the Rochester Public Market - it was on my end of summer bucket list and since I'd never been to that market before, I thought why not. The Market is huge and has amazing farmers and vendors to shop from!! I got avocados for $1!!! And a bundle of sun flowers for $4!

{Beautiful flowers and vegetables. These vendors do it right!}

It's definitely worth the while to take the hour or so drive to pay a visit on a Saturday morning if you can... the market won't disappoint you if you are a farmer market goer, it was a great suggestion from Arica!  Skip ahead to this past week where I ran into my friends from Fudge Factors and I was talking to them about this and they suggested I visit the market in North Tonawanda, saying it is a really nice one, probably the most similar to the one in Rochester. I'll have to add that to my places to visit and compare the two.

Until next time,

-B

{Just a Blonde in Buffalo photos}

{crowd shot}

{wine sampling}

Safari Niagara

A couple weeks ago {Labor Day weekend to be exact} my Mom, niece, nephew and I went up to Stevensville Ontario and spent the day at Safari Niagara {a nature park with animals, a splash pad and playground}. We went over the Peace Bridge which to my surprise wasn't a long wait whatsoever despite being a Holiday weekend, it was a 30 minute trip from Buffalo to Ontario!

{art sculptures thru the park}

{a cool bird exhibit that takes you up close}

We spent the day looking at the cool art sculptures, watching the animals {lions, giraffes, hippos and more!}, paddle boating and playing in the splash pad and playground. Its a little pricey for admission, but you can bring in your own food and non-alcoholic beverages in, which makes up for buying at their food stands. Overall its a cool place to spend the day, especially if you have children.

-B 

{Just a Blonde in Buffalo photos}

{play area}

{flamingos}

Jack Craft Fair

A couple weeks ago I attended the Jack Craft Fair at the Central Terminal. Being my second time attending the event, I was looking forward to seeing some of the Etsy shop owners face to face. While sometimes ordering online is nice, I am a fan of shopping face to face and meeting with the owners. Vendors lined the main floor of the Central Terminal with amazing pieces of art, furniture, jewelry and more. There was a live band, a DIY section and food and drink available. Even though it was quite warm inside, the backdrop of the Central Terminal was quite stunning. I've been inside that building a number of times and each time I'm there it still amazes me how beautiful of a place it is, its also nice to see it being used for events.

Below are some of my pictures from the event.

-B

{Welcome}

{Live band and line up of events}

{view of the main lobby full of vendors}