St. Patrick's Day in Buffalo is always known to be one of the biggest events in town. Crowds of people, young and old, line the street up and down Delaware Avenue to enjoy the parade. Here are some pictures from yesterday's chilly parade day. If you attended the parade what did you think of it this year?
-B
As we approach this coming weekend there are a lot of activities happening around town. Try and get out of the house and do something fun, even if its only for a couple of hours! Here are a few things from this past week that make me happy. Have a great weekend and an even better Happy St. Patrick's Day! -B
Sometimes you just need something to remind you why you do what you. A majority of what I write about on this blog is about Buffalo, but every now and then I like to write about things that can encourage people and in this day and age I think everyone can use a little bit of that. I put together this picture - a list of words that mean the most to me for some reason or another and the puzzles pieces represent pieces of events in my life that have linked up and somehow connected. I am a big believer that everything happens for a reason and at the end of the day it all works out, just stay true to yourself.
-B
This past weekend I took a mini trip with one of my best friends, Lauren, to Chicago. While I have only ever been to the airport for connecting flights I was very excited to see the sites and go exploring. I enjoyed my time very much, but I must say, there is no place like home, especially when I can call it Buffalo. Here are just some of the many pictures from the trip.
-B
St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner and I have not one ounce of Irish in me, so if it wasn't for it being my birthday I would be clueless as to what goes on around town for this holiday. As you prepare this week to get your green and gold outfits out, I wanted to share some information with you.
Did you know South Buffalo is known in town for its large Irish American Community? If you haven't had a chance to experience St. Patrick's Day in this area I highly suggest you try and make a trip there sometime this upcoming weekend. There will be a variety of activities going on and you will be able to experience the Irish Holiday the Irish way.
Here are a list of parades taking place this weekend...
...And if you're looking for a place to go for drinks, try one of these Irish Pubs in the area. (If you want more information on weekend festivities at any of these places click on their name and you'll be directed to their website).
What are some of your favorite places to go this weekend to celebrate the holiday?
-B
Here are some of this week's favorites. Just a Blonde in Buffalo is off to the Windy City for a few days. See ya next week Buffalo! -B
Zillycakes on Elmwood Ave. has become a staple around town. It is one of my go-to places for custom-made desserts for any of my events. A few weeks ago I read the announcement from the Cake Extraordinaire, herself, Zilly Rosen, that Zillycakes would be closing on March 9, 2013 to focus more of her time with her family. While she will still be doing some work, the award winning Buffalo's Best Cake Designer, Zillycakes, will surely be missed in the community. I had to stop by the store one more time to pick up some delicious cupcakes. Below are pictures of some of the work Zilly has done for me. Wishing Zilly all the best in her future endeavors!
-B
I found this great article today from BizBash on different displays for your dessert table. Some of the most memorable events are the ones that are creative and fun! Below are some of my personal favorites from the article (For the complete list of ideas click here www.bizbash.com ). I can't wait to put my twist on some of these ideas for upcoming events around town this spring and summer. Enjoy!
-B
Last Friday, my friend Lacey hosted Just a Blonde in Buffalo's launch party. It was great! Some of my closest friends and supporters came out to celebrate the beginning of my new project. The night was full of drinks, food, photos, and laughs. While we were celebrating Just a Blonde's blog, I kept thinking about how great supporting each other is.
Whether it's expanding a business, starting a business or starting a new career venture the talent I was around just motivated and encouraged me. The amount of local, young people who are staying in Buffalo and fulfilling their dreams and aspirations is amazing.
There aren't enough thank you's in the world to show my sincere appreciation from my friends and family for always supporting my crazy ideas. My belief is you are only as good as the people you surround yourself with and I am very lucky to have a great foundation.
Through this process of growing up, I have learned that if you want something you have to work for it, but its so worth it. Any dream is possible.
-B
Pictures taken courtesy of Lacey J.
To see the full Just a Blonde in Buffalo's launch party album go to (https://www.facebook.com/JustABlondeInBuffalo)
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Boutique.Bridal.Party at the Hotel Lafayette. For only $8 a ticket, my friend Shanna and I tagged along to show our support, give our opinions, and to check out all the pretty vendors while our friend Kate, the Bride, received more information from a variety of people.
Kudos to Anatomy and City Lights Studio for putting together a bridal boutique party that was pretty, classy, simple, and enjoyable all while showcasing some of the best people in the business and highlighting the gorgeous Hotel Lafayette.
Some of my personal favorites were Bella Belle Shoes, Love Mia, Elizabeth Dugan Hairstylist and Makeup Artist and LeeAndi's Designs
(For a full list of the participating vendors go to boutiquebridalparty.com )
-B
Happy March 1st! Below are my favorite things from this past week. I'm kicking off the month on a great note..Just a Blonde in Buffalo's Launch Party is tonight. Have a great weekend. Enjoy!
-B
As we go through the last day of February, we enter one of my favorite months, March! Some may not feel the same way as me because the weather is gloomy, the month can feel somewhat long and people feel like there's nothing to do around town. But really there is plenty to do. Here is a list of some events happening in the month March around town:
If these events don't appeal to you or if you're on a tight budget and don't know what to do, be creative, make holiday decorations for St. Patrick's Day or Easter. Attend one of the many parades around town, or even try your hand at making at-home versions of shamrock shakes, cupcakes, or cocktails.
On the horizon for me - a launch party, birthdays, trips, and lots of fun events. Whatever your month of March is like, I hope you find a little luck and a pot of gold along the way.
-B
On Sunday, Buffalo Magazine published there latest edition with the headline, "Is Buffalo Back?" Throughout the article there were topics that touched on the waterfront, downtown development, Main St. and so on.
While Buffalo (statistically) is not one of the best cities around, it once was an area that thrived. As we work to build the area back to a place that intrigues people to come visit and to have students stay here after they graduate, I think this area is on the right path to great things.
Nothing happens overnight, but if we have people (the right people) that believe in this city and believe in this area's future, Buffalo can be a "Comeback City". We already have some pretty great things in this area (architecture, food, events, etc.) now we just have to make people know about them.
What are your thoughts? Did you read Buffalo Magazine's article? Do you think Buffalo is on the right path to be a thriving city once again? What are some of the best things you like about this area? What are some of the things you don't like?
I'm curious to know...
-B
One of Western New York's best assets are the wine trails that are so close to home. If you're on a tight budget and can't plan a vacation to Sonoma or Napa Valley you can visit wineries in the Niagara region or in the Finger Lakes. Over the weekend I participated in a friend's annual Birthday Wine tour on the Niagara Wine Trail. All 22 of us pitched in and took a limo bus (best way to take a wine tour) to the Niagara Trail. Along for the ride came drinks, snacks, sub trays, music and good company. For 6 hours we had the opportunity to stop at 5 wineries (could be more or less depending on how long you spend at each winery). There's something about being out by the vineyards that gives you a peaceful feeling. Though you aren't in another state like California, you see the beauty in the local area you live in. Below are some pictures from the fun afternoon out. -B
For more information on the Niagara Wineries check out this link: www.niagarawinetrail.org/
Last week I had the pleasure of attending one of my favorite events in Buffalo. Polar Bites. Polar Bites is a annual event that benefits the Buffalo Zoo. A variety of restaurants, breweries and wineries fill the upstairs of the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center every February and guests have an opportunity to try samples of food and drink. Guests also have an opportunity to bid on some auction items and purchase animal artwork. If you ever have an opportunity to attend this event, do so! It is fairly priced (purchase pre-sale tickets for $35) and you're guaranteed to have a fun time out.
-B
Here are my favorite things from this past week! Enjoy! -B
Today I'm not posting about anything Buffalo related, but I'm posting a quote that I believe anyone, anywhere should read. I came across this quote at a good time in my life.
-B
I've only had the opportunity to eat here once and it was a few years ago. I'll never forget the bill came to over $900! The biggest bill I had at a restaurant to date (granted there was a group of us) but still it was expensive. I remember the food being amazing and the staff, friendly. A few weeks ago I had to stop in to purchase a couple gift certificates for work, while I was there I took a couple pictures. Take a look below.
If you ever have the opportunity to eat there, don't pass it up! The food is out of this world, the restaurant is one of a kind and the owner, Mark Croce, is all for making Buffalo a better place. You can't pass that up.
-B
While I don't like to write about bad events, I feel as though I have to write about an event I attended this past weekend, that left me and my family disappointed. The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center was home to Discover the Dinosaurs this past weekend and while crowds of people attended, a lot of people walked away thinking why did I attend this?
The event was publicized on local TV and radio and sounded like an exciting must-see event, but after walking through the 10 minute maze of dinosaur statues, it was pure disappointment. Half of the dinosaurs were displayed throughout half of the upstairs of the Convention Center while the rest of the smaller dinosaurs were just thrown in corners, as if the people in charge didn't have time to put them in appropriate spots. On the other half of the room upstairs, they had face painting and dinosaur rides. While there were activities for the children everything had an extra cost and nothing was really included with the admission price except walking through to see the 10 dinosaur statues, if that.
For a ridiculous price ($17 for adults 12 and up, $15 for 65 yrs and older and children 2-11 yrs $20) it was a big rip off in my opinion. The only rewarding part of this event was that my 2 year old niece enjoyed herself. If this event comes back to Buffalo next year I would tell anyone to save their money and go to the Buffalo Zoo or Niagara Falls Aquarium instead.
-B
...Called Buffalo
