Friday Favorites!

Happy Friday! Here are some things that made me smile around town this past week. Enjoy your weekend! -B

salt and pepper abv

I loved the vibe at Allen Burger Venture and these salt and pepper shakers were pretty cool too!

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A Sunday run through Delaware Park is always nice - especially after the winter we had!

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Canalside on my lunch break

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A spot I always enjoy visiting - the Naval Park!

Friday Favorites!

It's finally Friday and here are 5 things that made me smile this week. Have a nice weekend! central terminal 2015

{The Buffalo Central Terminal will still always amaze me}

pussy willows

{An Easter tradition - a batch of pussy willows}

lloyds - dyngus day 2015

{Its not Tyskie, but Zywiec beer and Lloyds on Dyngus Day works for me!}

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{Cookie Dough Iced Coffee is back at Dunkin' Donuts!}

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{Baseball season is officially under way at Coca Cola Field}

Friday Favorites - Fish Fry Edition

IMG_4052 Today I'm featuring my favorite top 5 places to go for a fish fry. They may not be the most popular places and I may not have gone for a fish fry as many times as I would have liked, but I can always count on a good wait, a cold beer and yummy fish when I go to these places below. Enjoy your Easter Holiday!

-B

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Family

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With less than a week until I hit the big 30, today on my favorite feature, I'm highlighting my family. I've been thinking more and more of the what I have accomplished over the years, and I honestly couldn't have done it without them. While there is no "perfect" family out there, I'm so blessed with the family I have. They put up with my crazy ideas, support me, are there for me and they are the greatest gift I could have..

Have a great weekend!

-B

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Animals!

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The Buffalo Zoo and Aquarium of Niagara Falls are two of my favorite things in Western New York. I love animals and to be able to learn more about them and visit them in our area is pretty cool. Some cities aren't lucky to have a zoo and/or aquarium, so when I hear some people say these places aren't as great as other big cities, we should be thankful we even have any in "our backyard." If you take the time the next time you visit the zoo or aquarium you will see they actually have more to offer than you think.

-B

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Hello, March!

68064-Hello-March[1] Hello March! Since its my birthday month I've decided that I'm going to share at least one of my favorite things about Western New York for the next 30 days. Yes, I know March has 31 days in it, but since I'm turning the "big" 3-0 in just a couple shorts weeks, I thought it would be the theme for this month.

buffalo indie weddings

 

So today I'm kicking off my first favorite thing - Buffalo Indie Weddings! Nope, I'm not married or engaged, but the ladies behind these fun DIY bridal parties are Ali {Made by Anatomy} and Erica {City Lights Studio}. They are creative and fun, offering a fresh take on those regular bridal shows that take place. I always love seeing what new things they come up with and more importantly I love meeting new people at their events {a majority of the vendors are local!}.

-B

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{Check out their event today at the Foundry}

Friday Favorites!

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{A staple building in downtown Buffalo, Hotel Lafayette}

It’s been an eventful week compared to the last few. As I’m beginning to prep for my 30th birthday in a few short weeks, I’ve been consumed with so many ideas that this weekend is going to be about narrowing down what I really want and then putting the plan into action. Part of the weekend is also going to be me looking for an adventure or a new place to visit. It’s been a while since I’ve traveled and as much as I love Buffalo, everyone needs a little break now and then. Have a good weekend!

elephant glasses

{One of my favorite things at Polar Bites, the Elephant painted Wine and Martini Glasses}

Hydraulic hearth

{I finally visited Hydraulic Hearth for Brunch on Saturday - it was awesome!}

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{I found this quote on Instagram and love it!}

resurgence

{You can't beat a spongecandy stout beer at Resurgence}

Friday Favorites!

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{Breakfast at Break N' Eggs Creperie on Main St. in Williamsville}

Like most people in town, I am over this weather, never one to not, not like winter, but this cold weather has been very un-motivating for me to want to go out and do things, so I'm looking forward to changing that around and warming up at the Botanical Gardens this weekend. Its the last weekend for Lumagination! Whatever it is that you have planned I hope you stay warm and have fun!

-B   

get fried

{Lunch at #GetFried this past week. #delish}

church

{The very first wedding I helped with was held at this Church, St. Louis RC Church on Main St.}

wine glassees polar bites

{Another successful Buffalo Zoo event last night! Cheers to #PolarBites2015}

Friday Favorites!

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{Volunteering is one of the best things I could ever do - the reward is priceless}

I've been kind of "MIA" this past week, but I've been busy thinking of new ideas and posts to bring to my site. I hope you enjoy your weekend and Happy Valentine's Day! xoxo

-B

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{I'd love to design my own wine tasting.. maybe one day}

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{I've been cooking a lot more and nothing beats homemade stuffed peppers!}

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{I just love the furniture at Globe Market on Hertel}

Friday Favorites!

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{Thank you Kate Spade for having the best phrases to start my month off right. #GoalsforFebruary}

Yay for Friday! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy that the weekend is almost upon us. I'm looking forward to hitting up the wineries on the Niagara Wine Trail tomorrow with some of my favorite people. Here are some things that made me smile this week. I hope you have a great weekend! -B

peace bridge

{A look at the frozen lake and Peace Bridge in the background}

globe market

{Catching up with a friend on my lunch break. You can't go wrong at Globe Market on Hertel}

sabre

{My husky, Sabre, he is the only one I know right now that loves this cold, wintery weather we've been having}

Friday Favorites!

Yay, for Friday! I hope all of you had a nice week and enjoy this weekend and the Superbowl {for those watching it}. Here are some things that made me smile this week. -B

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{I just love looking at all the buildings on Delaware Ave.}

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{Downtown, Buffalo}

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{Prepping for my 30th Birthday Bash. I'm trying to "embrace" turning 30 this year}

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{Sometimes I wish my real life could be a fairytale.}

Friday Favorites!

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{I'm looking at you}

This past week has been a crappy one for me to be honest. I've been in a funk and just can't seem to get out of it. I don't know if others go through times when they just need to "refocus" and reprioritize their goals, but that's where I'm at right now and its frustrating. Even though I haven't been in the best of moods, Tuesday I spent my afternoon at the Zoo helping put auction items together for their upcoming Polar Bites event. I took a break to go see Tiberius, the new male lion, but the two females were out instead and let me tell you they scared me a little {look at the picture above}. It's childish for an almost 30 year old to say this, but just being at the Zoo for a little bit this week took my mind off of things I just didn't want to think about. I  think its important when you are in a funk, to go out and do something you enjoy, whatever it is, because sometimes you just need to get away and enjoy some fresh air.

Until next week! Have a great weekend!

-B

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{Just hanging out on a Tuesday afternoon}

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{Walking into the zoo, one of the first animal I saw was this Monkey}

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{The beautiful Ellicott Square Building}

Friday Favorites!

This week's favorite things are a recap of my favorite fitness places from this past week. Each one is unique and fun in their own way and makes me enjoy going there. Thanks to those of you who shared your favorite places with me and suggested new places I should try! Have a great weekend!

-B

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{Revolution Buffalo}

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{BikeorBar}

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{Barre Centric}

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{Catalyst Fitness}

Friday Favorites!

Well the first full week of January in WNY has been a very cold one! But that shouldn't come as a surprise to Western New Yorkers. While we move to the weekend I hope everyone enjoys whatever it is they may have planned. Here are a few things that made me smile this past week. -B

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{Its just a simple piece of mail, but the way its addressed is what makes it special to me}

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{Bringing life back to the Broadway Market during the winter months. I'm hoping to stop by this event next weekend}

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{I was finally mentioned in one of my favorite blogs by one of my favorite people. Check it out Forty74}

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{Nothing beats reading books on a rainy Saturday and a lit candle by Linwood Candle Co.}

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{Reading Business First this week and I love this picture I came across. Main St. in Buffalo during its hayday}

Friday Favorites!

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{Visiting Gram's and found this in the toy room. Brings me back to my childhood days}

It's the second day of the 2015, I hope the new year is treating all of you well! Have a wonderful weekend!

-B

holla

{2015 I'm ready for you!}

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{The life that has been brought back to Canalside is awesome!}

lodge

{The Lodge on Chippewa is one of the perfect spots to hit up during the winter months, the beautiful décor ties in perfectly with the wintery weather}

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{I exceeded the expectations of my blog this year, thanks to all of you!}

Saying Goodbye to 2014 and Hello to 2015

It's the end of the year and like a lot of people we all take time to look back and reflect on this past year. I feel like I tend to do this more often throughout the year, not just at the end of December. 2014 was a year of growth for me... building relationships, facing fears and living outside "my shell." I learned to snowboard, ran my first half marathon, climbed ropes and cables in trees and expanded my courage more than I thought I ever would. 2014 wasn't all great things though, I experienced hardships with the loss of loved ones, felt defeated at times and just wanted to give up. I guess one of the good things about reflecting back on your year is that even if you think you haven't grown or made improvements somewhere in your life, you do, sometimes you just may not see it.

While I'm happy with what 2014 brought me, I look forward to what 2015 holds not only for me, but for Buffalo as well. I'm not one to make resolutions, but I do constantly make goals for myself throughout the year and am looking forward to challenging myself to be a "better me."

Thank you for your continued support of Just a Blonde in Buffalo this past year. Until next time!

xxoo

-B

Here are some photos of mine throughout the year:

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{The cranes down by Harbor Center January 2014}

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{My snowboarding adventure in February at Holiday Valley}

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{My 29th birthday at Paint on Tap with some of the best friends I could ask for}

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{A visit to the Hamburg Brewing Company and interview with Jeff at Resurgence Brewery were just a couple highlights from April}

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{My first rock concert, a makers class and much more kicked off the month of May}

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{June was a great month full of living life and completing my first half marathon}

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{July was about some of the biggest events I've done so far in my career}

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{August was a month I will remember for a long time. Receiving a 30 under 30 award was one of the biggest highlights from 2014}

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{September I faced another fear of mine.. heights and among the ropes course we kicked off the football season, visited restaurants and enjoyed the almost fall season}

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{October was a trip to Disney, an introduction to new non-profit organizations, turning the falls pink with my Mom and picking pumpkins}

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{November was a month of unexpected snow, a new addition to our family and prepping for the holidays}

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{December was about enjoying friends and family during the craziest of times. It brought with it events, craft classes, a trip to NYC and much more!}

Friday Favorites!

Christmas has come and gone and with that came a lot of laughs, memories and carbs! I hope you all had a wonderful week and enjoy this weekend! -B

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{Post confetti for the ball drop in NYC, we all wrote down what we wished for, for 2015}

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{Like a true New Yorker, this Metro Card came in handy last weekend!}

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{The best place in Albany, NY ---Café Madison!}

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{Christmas Eve at my Aunt's house is always the best. I love the childhood books and toys I saw on Christmas Eve. Classic traditions!}

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{See this on the gift tags? It will never get old. To Beth From Santa}

Friday Favorites!

Another week has come and gone! Here are some of things that made me smile this past week. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! -B

bills

{ Another Win for the Bills last Sunday. I will never get tired of seeing this at the Ralph }

train

{ The trains going by on Broadway }

vera bradley

{ A unexpected, but very nice Thank You/Happy Holidays gift from the Vera Bradley Foundation }

xmas cards

{ Call me old fashioned, but one thing I love the most is sending and receiving Christmas Cards in mail }

salvatores

{ I love this chandelier of Santa Hats at Salvatore's }

Friday Favorites!

This week has been a challenging one for me mentally. I like to see progress in everything I do and when nothing changes over a period of time you have to walk away from it, even if its something you don't want to do. Being the bigger person in some situations isn't always the best thing, but its the right thing. I'm hoping a weekend with family, Christmas shopping and football will relieve some of my stress. In the meantime here are a few photos that made me smile this past week.Enjoy! -B

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{Deck the Halls this past weekend}

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{A classic car and white Buffalo on Main St. in Buffalo}

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{The Ellicott Square Building is beautiful without any decorations, so having this tree set-up makes for a stunning display}

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{Anyone up for some "snow" ball. A snowy Coca-Cola Field}