Friday Favorites

Its been another week of freezing temperatures and snow falling in Buffalo. It makes you want to curl up and stay inside, but reality sinks in and like a majority of people you have places to go, people to visit, work that needs to be done. Hopefully now that its the weekend you'll be able to stay inside and curl up if your schedule allows it. Have a wonderful weekend! -B

{ A peacock painting }

{ love this collage of Buffalo }

{ driving down the 190 }

{ HobNob event at the Executive Air Share - pretty cool place}

{ Women Who Move Buffalo Artist Jessica Saddleson }

{Women Who Move Buffalo} Jessica Saddleson

Born and raised in Buffalo, Jessica Saddleson has pursued art from the very young age of 13 years old. Everyday even if its only something small, she makes time to draw. Teaching herself the "art behind art" Jessica does everything from murals (her most recent you can see at the new Agave restaurant on Elmwood Ave. (she only had 3 1/2 weeks to create a variety of pieces and did an awesome job!)), to classical and street oil paintings and body art to her new love of sharpie art. Taking traditional pieces she creates and putting a modern touch on them.

A year and a half ago Jessica decided to start her brand; Armcandy - a business that brings together local artists (from photography, music, and the arts) and help each other. Basically a support group for artists to come and support one another for the talented work they create.  In the upcoming months you will be able to see Jessica's most recent sharpie art (10 pieces) at Hardware on Allen St. In her most recent collection you will be able to see her art through her feelings - showcasing her deepest emotions. On April 6, you will also be able to see Jessica's work through the Wear Art Me Fashion Show a wearable art fashion show. Proceeds benefit the non profit- Impact Artists Gallery.

I am by no means an artistic person, do I like going to the Albright Knox or other art gallery's? Sure! But if you asked me what a piece means or represents - I wouldn't have no clue what to say. Seeing Jessica's artwork - especially her sharpie art work and the mural in Agave - she has an amazing talent and she knows how to use it. What keeps her going? Her support system - friends, family and nephew; the biggest influences in her life who push her to keep her drive. What inspires me about Jessica, the fact that she is talented and uses that talent in a positive way - teaching children about art at the Belle Center and at the end of the day will be her and the kids creating a mural piece togehter. The bigger picture is she is teaching them about the "opportunity to do something."

Buffalo is special to her because of the simple fact that the community is open to everything you do, you can express yourself and their is this openness you receive.

Jessica participates in multiple shows throughout the year including shows through the WNY Artists Group. She also sells her pieces - so if theirs something you like you can contact her directly. She also loves doing custom artwork, perfect for new business or home owners. Or those looking to add art to their home.

For more info follow Armcandy on Twitter, like her page of Facebook and follow her on Instagram (ArmCandy716).

One of the best things about this Women Who Move Buffalo series are the women I get to meet who truly love what they do. They are excited when they talk about their work and the fact that they enjoy what they do in a community that is supportive.

-B

Friday Favorites {Buffalo}

Its Friday and its been another busy week, but it was filled with facing fears, living in the moment, learning new things and enjoying life. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Valentine's Day! <3 xo

-B

{ Love the stage décor at the St. Mary's High school Auction last week }

{ Together we fight, together we win, Brundy's Brigade - 26shirts.com - check them out! }

{An adventure to remember, I'm already looking forward to my next trip out to Holiday Valley}

{ Call me old school, but I still love sending and receiving cards and letters in the mail. I sent some of my closest friends handmade Valentine's Day cards this year - "there is no greater gift than the gift of friendship" }

Friday Favorites - Charity Edition

Closing out this week of charities that are close to me are four more organizations that have a special place in my heart. Whatever the cause or mission is, if you're in a position where you can give back, whether that be your time, money or in-kind donations, the "reward" and the lessons you receive in return are priceless.

We should all try to "Be Better Than Yesterday."

-B

Attending numerous events and now recently joining the Pro Zoo Board, helping the Buffalo Zoo is something I'm honored to be a part of. For more info check out their website and like them on Facebook.

Working on the Kiss Cares for Kids Radiothon for a couple of years and having family use their services Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo is one of the best out there. From the doctors and staff to the facility, we're lucky to have them in our "backyard."

Women and Children's Facebook

I've seen what a terrible illness this is, as my grandmother was diagnosed with dementia. I can't even imagine how people living with this illness feel. Its a horrible sickness and having the Alzheimer's association their to provide support and information is something you should use if you or someone you know is going through a difficult time.

Alzheimer's Association {Western New York Chapter}

ALZ on Facebook

We should all try to take good care of our bodies, exercise and eat right. There are a handful of my loved ones who have passed away from a heart attack or heart disease. Heart disease is the number 1 cause of death in New York State. Learn more about how to take care of yourself and the American Heart Association here.

And today is National Wear Red Day - wear red and protect the hearts of those you love with the Go Red for Women Movement.

Friday Favorites

Its the last day of January and its Friday! I am particularly happy to have this month be over with. This past month has been filled with more obstacles to jump over than I like to, but while I believe the struggles, hurdles, tough times what ever you want to call them, make you a stronger person, sometimes you just need to catch a break, reflect on what you've learned and  move forward. Here's to a fun weekend, catching up on things you may have been putting off, going to Yappy Hour tonight at Encore, Flurrious in Delaware Park on Saturday or saving your energy for a Super Bowl party on Sunday.

Have a wonderful weekend!

-B

{ I love seeing this leaving work everyday #BluePrint #Harborcenter }

{ I love my new website! Kelly at Red Lantern Creative did such a wonderful job, I can't thank her enough! }

{ The water iced over in Niagara Falls }

{ Meeting at the Lodge during the lunch hour. Best place on the Chip Strip!}

Friday Favorites {Buffalo}

Happy Friday! Here are some of my favorites from this past week. Beer, people and surprises... Enjoy your weekend!

-B

I love this wall inside Cretaceous Clothing - so happy to have met Zach and Jeff this past week! Two awesome guys!

Behind this beer truck downtown this week Buffalo has a lot of great brewery's

Speaking of beer, I enjoyed my EBC Blueberry beer the other night. Just wish I was in Ellicottville for it

Surprise? I wish when I opened it, it was a certificate for a million dollars, but instead it was a fake tattoo... maybe next time.

#BuffaloLinks

I started #BuffaloLinks on my blog to do two things, 1. showcase different Buffalo businesses through their websites and 2. to showcase upcoming events coming up within the following week. Here are this weeks links to check out!

-B

1. I'm super excited to head back to Bike Or Bar on Elmwood this weekend to take their CrosSpin class. One of the best places in town if you're looking for a good workout!

2. Friday night the Buffalo Science Museum is hosting the Get a Clue event. I can't wait to check out the event and am hoping my team comes out with the Win ;) {a little competition never hurt anyone..right?}

3. I was asked to cover the Buffalo Bridal Association's, Bridal Expo at the Seneca Niagara Casino on Sunday. While I'm not getting married anytime soon, I'm looking forward to meeting with vendors and guests in attendance!

4. More and more we are hearing in the news about young and innocent children being abused. I have little tolerance for child abuse and believe we as adults need to step up to the plate. Child and Family Services is a great organization that can help if you or someone you know needs assistance.

{People Who Move Buffalo} Cretaceous Clothing & JK Media

One of the best ideas I have had to date was my {Women Who Move Buffalo Series} sharing with you women who have made the choice to stay in their hometown and pursue their dream. This year while I will continue that series, I am also expanding on it and introducing {People Who Move Buffalo} - sharing both men and women's stories of success and dreams all while staying local. With that being said, I'm very excited to kick off 2014 sharing two amazing guys stories with you. Zach Patton from Cretaceous Clothing and Jeff Kress from JK Media. Both driven, creative, ambitious, talented, hard working, the list could go on and on. These two men portray amazing personalities and work ethics that most people strive for.

Read more of my interview with them below.

-B

When did you go into business?

• Zach Patton (ZP): May of 2009 Cretaceous Clothing opened
• Jeff Kress (JK): November of 2012 JK Media opened

What made you go into the field you're in?

• ZP: I was a trendsetter back in high school and always enjoyed fashion so I opened my own clothing company. {95% of the clothes in his store are his very own designs}
• JK: Six years ago I picked up a camera and started shooting. Thought it was fun and self taught myself. I love the people I've met along the way.

What do you like best about Buffalo?

• ZP and JK: We both like the diverse group of people in the area and the diverse scenes around town.

How did you two meet?

• ZP and JK: In June of 2013 at the Vault through a mutual friend Jamie Catania. We started talking and throwing ideas back and forth and have been friends ever since.

What makes you stand out from your competition?

• ZP: Nobody does it the way I do, I have more to offer, hidden talents that you can't find anywhere else especially in the hip-hop scene.
• JK: I stop at nothing, I will always be there.

When I sat down with Zach and Jeff I immediately knew their life is their work. Two passionate guys who take the time to create quality clothing pieces and capture beautiful photos. Coming in February they will be selling a calendar that offers pictures (taken by Jeff) of clothing that Zach designed while showcases other local businesses ads throughout the months of the year.

Zach offers custom services for clothing - so if you're looking for a place to go for custom wear Zach and his co-worker Goose are the guys to visit. And if you have a special event, paintball tourney, wedding or anything you want captured contact Jeff with JK Media. He also helps in digital art and social media optimization {Both men are from Buffalo, NY}.

Cretaceous Clothing {2630 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo}

Cretaceous Clothing Website

Cretaceous Clothing Facebook

JK Media {Follow on Twitter @JKMedia716} 

JK Media Facebook

{ From L to R: Goose, Zach {Cretaceous} and Jeff {JK Media} }

{ JK Media Photography}

{ I am in love with this photo. Beautiful shot of City Hall in Downtown Buffalo }

{I think its pretty cool to have a photographer shoot a paintball tourney}

{ I love Zach's creativity and inspiration that portrays in his clothing;      "Lead Never Follow" }

Friday Favorites #Buffalo

"With all that bad stuff lies opportunity, even if you don't realize it right now"

I definitely needed to hear this from a friend this week. It wasn't the best week I've had, but it could have been worse. Here's to a weekend of catching up with friends, meeting new people and focusing on the opportunities. Enjoy your weekend Buffalo!

-B

{Me watching my car get lifted onto the tow truck- not one of the best days and not one of my favorite moments this week}

{One of my new favorite places on Main Street in Williamsville - Break' N Eggs}

{Not the best picture, but saw this Buffalo Statue inside the Ellicott Small Animal Hospital while at a red light the other evening - I like the polka dots}

{Very lucky to have friendships that I know will last a lifetime}

Friday Favs #Buffalo

Here are some of my favorite things from this past week in Buffalo. Enjoy your weekend!

-B

{ The Blizzard of 2014 }

{ Wine always makes a good gift }

{ One of my favorite places on Allen }

{ They have so much wine and at a reasonable price }

#BuffaloLinks

Offering a variety of apparel from office, to athletic to a night out - Turnstyle Designs has something for everyone.

All the chocolate lovers out there have to check out Choco Logo, Downtown Buffalo's only chocolate factory and shop and they have everything from corporate gifts to custom favors.

Visit Buffalo Niagara is full of information on everything going on in the region and new developments happening in the area. Make sure to check their site out from time to time. #BuffaloforReal

Friday Favorites

{ Belsito on Hertel Ave. }

{ Cheers to the new year }

{ Sparkling wine ...because you can only call it champagne if it came from Champagne, France }

{ My new business cards came in for Ooo La La Boutique and Ooo La La Fashion Truck, its never to early to plan your shopping parties! }

{ Women & Children's Hospital in Buffalo, we are so lucky to have amazing medical facilities in this area }

#FridayFavorites

{ Me and a few friends attended Taco Vino hosted by the Social Media Club of Buffalo. Good times all around at Salumeria Belsito }

{ "Creativity is maximized when you are living in the moment" }

{ The margaritas at Cantina Loco are simply amazing, pair that with great friends and its a wonderful night out }

{ Enjoying my favorite wine #RosebudWhite from one of my favorite winery's  Niagara Landing Wine Cellars }

{ Post holiday winter wonderland - Let it snow }

#FridayFavorites

{ Love the guys here at Certo Brothers #helpinghandsinthecommunity }

{ Homemade cheesecake just like my Grandma used to make #childhoodmemories }

{ Love this view #cocacolafield #solucky }

{ Welcome to #BuffaloNY #whiteout #snow }

#FridayFavorites

{ Rest in Peace Paul Walker - one of my favorite celebrities }

{ Birthday Parties at the Buffalo Zoo are awesome! }

{ Vodka from a local Buffalo Distillery - Lockhouse Distillery }

{ #DTH13 is tomorrow and the swag bags are ready }

{ Have you seen the Festival of Tree's this holiday season }

{ "A winner is a dreamer who never gives up" - rest in peace Nelson Mendela }

#FridayFavorites

I've been in a little bit of a "hibernation" mode this past week and half or so. I'm working on a pretty big project that I can't wait to finish and share with everyone. Here are some of my favorite things that stuck with me from this past week. -B

{ quote I found on lululemon's Instagram }

{ honoring the Armed Forces at the Bills game on Sunday is always one of my favorites from the pregame festivities }

{ though there is a typo - I didn't graduate from the University at Buffalo - I graduated from Buffalo State - it was pretty cool seeing my name in the paper - I work for a great place and am honored for this opportunity }

{ its the Holiday season so what better way to give then to give a Buffalo Bisons Holiday Pack }

{ well what are you waiting for - Deck the Halls 2013 to benefit the Hunter's Hope Foundation is on 12.7.13 at the Knox Estate. Get your tickets at any one of the participating boutiques (check out the event page on facebook) you aren't going to want to miss this }

#FridayFavorites

This week hasn't been to bad, busy, but also feeling like I accomplished a lot on that "to-do" list. I hope your week was just as productive. Go Sabres!

-B

{ As many times as I've been in the Hotel Lafayette, Monday was the first time I ate at the Pan American Grill & Brewery- it was good }

{ Walking through the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago last weekend, these Zebra statues remind me of the gum Fruit Stripes when I was a little kid }

{ Arriving back in Buffalo Sunday, I came home to gloomy skies, the total opposite from Chicago's sunny morning }

{ Everyone should love themselves because if you don't, then who do you expect to love you?!? I love my new "nerdy chic" glasses from Bonlook, I will probably be wearing these more often now }

#FridayFavorites

Its been another productive week and with that comes a handful of some of my favorite things. Enjoy your weekend- if you have time check out Christmas in the Country at the Fairgrounds going on now through Sunday. ;) -B

{ I had the opportunity to read to some children at CSAT this week for "Celebration of Reading" - it was a fun time! }

{ Like It, Tweet It, Pin It, - a social media event put on by the Boutique Bridal Party was a great way to meet new people and very informative for those looking to learn more in the social media field - held at the Thirty One Club - its on the list to go back and check out there food and drinks! }

{ Via Business First - Congrats to La Nova and Casa di Pizza }

{ I'm so excited to be working with Kelly from Red Lantern Creative to create my custom holiday cards this year - can't wait to see how they turn out! }

{ I've never heard of this event before, but it looks like it would be a pretty fun time to go to }

{ My first time there ever was for Happy Hour- while the service was a little slow, the company was great! #anightfulloflaughs }

Friday Favorites

{ The Bar at Tappo Restaurant is made out of wine corks }

{ There's only a few more days to enjoy Restaurant Week in Buffalo - a perfect time to make a stop into restaurants you've wanted to check out }

{ I'm obsessed with Owls this season and these little containers make great little candy take aways - perfect for Halloween next week }

{ What better to drink than a crisp apple hard cider from Angry Orchard at your next adult party - yum! }

Friday Favorites

My favorites from this past week...

( Pinktober in Niagara Falls - the main event took place by the Hard Rock Cafe }

{ Driving through Springville we passed Ponderosa - I remember as a kid when they were all over!! }

{ In love with this new arrival at Ooo La La Boutique in East Aurora }

{ I found a another Buffalo off of Main St. in Williamsville by Spot Coffee # Buffalove }