Friday Favorites!

I'm finally looking forward to a weekend where I can do whatever I want. It's supposed to be beautiful out so getting outdoors is going to be one of my main goals. Also, spending some time with my Dad on Father's Day is on the "agenda." Whatever it is that you have planned, enjoy it! -B

Oh and a very happy birthday to my brother, Matt today!!

 { Working on centerpieces for my beautiful friend Kate's Bridal Shower. This was one of my favorite things to do this week }

{ This year instead of attending the Taste of Country I'll be pouring beers, should be interesting to be on the "other" side }

{ I've never been and this is a pretty cool place to hit up on Route 5 this summer }

{ Anything that has to do with being by the water in Buffalo is just relaxing to me }

#BuffaloLinks

Today starts the first Thursday of the summer to check out concerts at Canalside. For a complete list of who is performing go here.

The weather looks beautiful for this weekends 57th Annual Allentown Art Festival.

One thing I want to do this summer is get to Artpark, whether its for a concert or not, Lewiston is so beautiful in the summer time.

This weekend I want to check out the Farmers & Artisans Market in Snyder. What are some other good farmers markets to check out this summer?

{People Who Move Buffalo} Bryan Furtak, BMF Contracting

{Photo courtesy of BMF Contracting}

This week I'm excited to tell you about a person who moves Buffalo in many ways, Bryan Furtak, owner of BMF Contracting does just about everything, from replacing doors and windows to new roofs and insulation, if you're looking for a contractor I highly suggest Bryan.

Let's face it if you're a home owner or business owner there are always things that need to be fixed around the home and office. Like most people you probably don't have time to get around to home improvement projects and you don't know who to trust or go to for these type of projects. BMF Contracting is the place to call to get things done! Offering free estimates, licensed, insured and credible you really don't have anything to lose. Check out my interview with Bryan below.

-B

{Name/Business Name}

Bryan Furtak, Owner of BMF Contracting

{How did you get started in the contracting world?}

I have always been handy and always loved building things so 10 years ago I began as an apprentice for a contracting company.  Within 3 years I worked my way up to Forman and began leading my own team on jobs.  With all the experience I gained over the last 10 years,  last July I decided to open BMF contracting and I have been busy ever since!

{What do you love most about your job?}

The rebuilding aspect.  I love seeing the transformation that takes place when rebuilding older homes and making them brand new again.

{Any favorite projects you’ve worked on or are working on that make you enjoy what you do more?}

I have to say the jobs that really stick out for me as favorites were the projects I did for a couple of Buffalo sports figures.

{What do you specialize in?}

Residential contracting.  Complete home renovations and improvements including siding, roofing, window and door installation, and insulation.

{What do you love most about Buffalo? Favorite bar, restaurant, part of town you like the most? Why?}

I love the architecture around our city. I also love being a part of the Buffalo community because of the pride that people from Buffalo share over our city and our sports teams. 

{How can people get ahold of you?}

Contact me directly at 716-628-0056 or email me at bmfcontracting13@gmail.com

{Any other information you’d like to share?}

  All estimates are free.  Check out our Facebook page here

A Healthy Treat!

New to the Elmwood area, Newbury Street is a healthy café offering salads and organic teas. The produce is from local farms and is absolutely delicious! Probably my new favorite spot in town, there is nothing like it. If you're looking for a good salad check this place out. It is on the pricier side, but the portions you receive in my opinion are worth it. A small knit café on the corner of Hodge and Elmwood, this is a great spot to go for lunch and people watch on Elmwood.

Newbury Street Café

-B

{ Kale, Romaine, Red Peppers, Cucumbers, Spicy Organic Chicken & Balsamic Vinegarette with a Iced Black Tea }

Father's Day {6.15.14}

Father's Day is this coming Sunday and I don't know about you, but shopping for my Dad is hard. Over the last few years instead of trying to buy him something, me and him have went out golfing or just spent the day together. My father is {outside of my Mom} the most important person in my life, so being able to spend a day with him in my eyes is priceless.

Whether you're Dad is a sports guy, a business guy, an artsy guy or just a laid back casual guy, there is always something you can find to show your Father just how much he means to you.

Here is a list of some places around town that I think could help you with your Father's Day gifts:

Glen Oak Golf Course {one of the many gold courses around town}

Blue Collar Buffalo {one of the best male clothing stores in Buffalo}

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que {for a more "manly" meal}

Delta Sonic {offering car wash packages and Bisons tickets}

Allentown Art Festival {take a stroll through the festival and pick up a piece of art}

Regal Movie Cinema

Friday Favorites!

With recent events in my life, I've learned to appreciate the littlest things and jump at any opportunity that comes my way. 6 months into 2014 and I have done more things that have made me feel out of my "comfort" zone than normal, but with that I've learned to live in the moment and appreciate these times because I don't want life to just pass me by. Enjoy your weekend!

-B

{ You may see these at the coffee shop located inside the Buffalo Airport }

{ Loveless Café in Nashville is more than a restaurant, offering antiques and knick knacks to take home with you }

{ With the warm weather comes grilling season, delicious kabobs from earlier this week }

{ This is fitting for me this year #29forever }

 { I wish Buffalo had a park with stairs like this one in Nashville. Awesome workout }

#BuffaloLinks

Because you never know when you will need a support group, resources, or you just want to volunteer your time to a great organization. Breast Cancer Network of WNY is a great place to check out if you are currently battling breast cancer or if you are a survivor.

I am loving this local company who makes nail polish, hosts nail polish parties, and names them after Buffalo related things. One of my new favorite businesses, Gridlock Lacquer.

Another brewery opening soon is Big Ditch Brewing. Buffalo is definitely forming a craft brewing scene.

I didn't even know we had a Lobster Fest in this area. On June 19th the Greater Niagara Frontier Council for Boy Scouts of America is hosting the 24th Annual Lobster fest at Woodlawn Beach. Check out all the event information here.

Oh the adventures I will go; Pre-Dating Speed Dating

I'm not one to go out and look for love, as cliché as it is I believe if something is going to happen it will happen when you least expect it. Maybe that's good, maybe that's bad, who knows, but with the schedule I have right now, I'm lucky if I can find one day a week to catch up on things in my life, like just relaxing. So this past Sunday I attended a Pre-dating speed dating night at the Chocolate Bar {located on Chippewa}. Let's just say I was fulfilling a sort of bet with some of my friends. Annette and Sandra came for support and to make sure I stayed for the whole duration {because I told them I would leave the minute I felt like I was wasting my time}.

The event overall was ok, I met some interesting people and a majority of them were from out of town. The age bracket was from 24-39 which was a wide age range in my opinion. When it first started the first guy and I felt like we were in a race because we only had 6 minutes to talk, but after the first minute or so it wasn't so bad. I didn't like the bell that was rung every 6 minutes, it got annoying after a while.

Some guys were cool and I could carry a conversation with them and others I felt like those were the longest 6 minutes of my life. There was one guy who started talking to my friends downstairs during the 5 minute break we had and then there was another guy who was a little "stalkerish" to me so when it ended I bolted for the door not even waiting for my friends. The event lasted for about 2 hours {a little long I thought} and as the night went on I felt I met the more "interesting" guys.

If anything, it was nice to carry a conversation with someone in an somewhat organized setting compared to just going to a bar or something like that. Would I ever do this again? Well, I don't see it in my near future, but it was an experience that I didn't think I would ever do and I'm happy to have done it and I have some good stories to share with people.

Have you ever done speed dating or some sort of pre dating event before? What did you think of it?

-B

{Photos courtesy  of Annette }

{ Waiting for my drink }

{ Talking with one of the girls who was doing the speed dating too }

{ table #12 }

{ Chatting away }

{ Making notes before my next "date" }

June "To-Do"

Its finally June and the weather is warm! Yay! With that being said this month for me is all about continuing to try new things and check out new places {especially ones that have nice patios}. Some places I definitely want to stop by this month are Newbury Street on Elmwood, Dug's Dive down by the outer harbor and Mes Que on Hertel. With less than a month until my half marathon I've been taking my training to different places around town and I want to check out the trails at Chestnut Ridge Park this month. What are some fun things you have planned in and around town in June?

Life is short, so take advantage of any opportunities that come your way. Even if that means relaxing with a good book and nice sunset. It's the simple things in life that mean the most.

-B

Tequila Happy Hour

I've never been to Don Tequila on Allen St. so when I heard about the place some of my coworkers and I did a little happy hour there a couple weeks back. Greeted with an Hola!  its a nice little place to go, the margaritas are yummy and the food is good. It does get busy in there during the dinner hour, so be prepared to wait a little bit. A little less pricier than Cantina Loco if you're on a budget and love Mexican food check them out. -B

Friday Favorites!

This week has been quite rough, coming back from a fun weekend trip in Nashville, I will be saying goodbye to my uncle today alongside my family. Life is full of unexpected turns and you truly never know what is going to happen at any moment. In this world nothing lasts and all you can really do is cherish the moments you have, hold onto the memories and keep the ones you love, the most near and dear of them, close to your heart. Each day is a gift and you should always choose to make the most of it because all you have is this present moment. Have a wonderful weekend and make it one to remember. -B

{ I will always cherish the moments with you, the times you called me "Blondie" and the creative poems you always sent me on my birthday. Heaven gained another angel this week }

{ There will always be a little bit of Buffalo left in Nashville }

{ Because sometimes you just need to get away and be up in the clouds }

{ I couldn't be more happier to be apart of your special day Jeni! Thank you for bringing a little sunshine into a gray time }

#BuffaloLinks

Love all things Buffalo, then make sure to check out the 2nd annual Buffalove Fest at the Buffalo Zoo on Friday from 5:30-9pm. Its a great event that hosts a lot of local Buffalo vendors. Check it out if you can!

For those looking for prop rentals for special events, check out Nickel City Novelties for your event needs.

Because everyone has ideas, so why not bring them to life, 19 Ideas Buffalo

With Memorial Day kicking off the warmer days ahead All WNY.com provides a list of all the campgrounds in Western New York. For those who like nature and the wilderness check out the site for places to camp this coming summer.

Being A Little Crafty

Once or twice a month Modern Nostalgia  and Blue Collar Buffalo host a Makers class where guests can be crafty for a few hours after work. Last week my sister and I attended the class on how to make your own clutch. The class was $38 and included all of the materials, snacks and 15% off any purchase you made in the store that night. Oh and you could bring in your own wine or beer as well.

We received step by step instructions from Gretchen on how to put together your one of a kind item. The class was a lot of fun. Each class offers something different. If you like being creative and making your own things I highly suggest you follow Modern Nostalgia and Blue Collar Buffalo on the social media outlets and come to the next Makers class.

Create a stamp of your own.

-B

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day. Let's all take a moment to remember those who lost their lives in service to protect the USA.

-B

Friday Favs!

I embrace the times when I can get out of town for a few days and just enjoy life. This weekend I'm really excited to pay a visit to a couple friends down in Nashville that I haven't seen in a while. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend Buffalo! -B

{ My parents are back from Europe and I love this picture my Dad took in Scotland }

{ One of my favorite kinds of red wine }

{ This months shipment from Birchbox }

{ I love the stripped awning outside The Washington Market }

{ I love this Buffalove art piece that I saw on lululemon Buffalo's facebook page, where can I find one? }

#BuffaloLinks

I can't wait to kick off the weekend with a happy hour at Don Tequila on Allen St. I've never been there, but have heard great things, let's see if its just as good or even better then Cantina Loco.

Looking for a place to take the kids this weekend, check out the Safari Tours from 10-6pm Friday and Saturday and open from 10-3pm on Memorial Day Hidden Valley Animal Adventure.

The Buffalo Marathon is this Sunday, good luck to all those running in it! Start time is 7am for those looking to come out and cheer on the participants.

One place that is sure to see high volumes of people this holiday weekend is the Buffalo Airport. Did you know there are 110 daily flights with nonstop services to 23 different cities. If you're traveling like me this weekend remember to get to the airport early and be patient.

Memorial Day Decor and Ideas

Memorial Day is just a few days away and while its not the "official" first day of summer it always serves as the kickoff to summer vacations and warmer months ahead. Whether you're hosting a get together or going to one, below are some of my favorite ideas for Memorial Day from Pinterest. -B

{ Mason Jars are good for a variety of things including this rice colored candle décor DIY }

{ For those hosting Memorial Day parties this is a fun and festive drink cart idea }

{ Another simple way to add a little festive flavor to your Memorial Day get together }

{ The most important thing to remember is to fly the American Flag and remember those who dies while serving the United States of America }

The Washington Market

A new place that I visited this past week was The Washington Market located on Ellicott St. between Seabar and Maureen's Florist. The market offers delicious lunch wraps, sandwiches and salads and is also home to a little grocery mart for some of your everyday needs. One of my new favorite spots downtown. Check them out sometime! -B

{ Yummy Buffalo Chicken Wrap }

Friday Favorites!

This week has felt pretty long and very busy, while I really don't get a weekend because I'm working I'm going to enjoy what I can of it. I hope you do the same! -B

{ spotted the Lloyds Taco Truck on the Buff State campus }

{ This past Saturday Crista and I welcomed the newest member to Ooo La La, Tina our new social media intern #TeamPink }

{ Sunshine and people watching on my lunch break = relaxation to me }

{ not that I need a reason to have some wine, but its so much better when your best friend is in town and what better place to enjoy a little vino than Tappo }

#BuffaloLinks

There's still time to order your presale tickets and help out the Naval and Military Park. Come hang out at the ballpark on Saturday for the Armed Forces Tribute Day and show your support to our Military!

With the warmer months approaching we will be enjoying some cold brews. Stay up to date on the craft beers in NYS by liking this page {NYS Brewers Association}

Give 4 Greatness raises funds, awareness and provides opportunities for the arts and cultural organizations in WNY. To learn more about this project or to donate go here.

With prom and wedding season now upon us, if you're looking for a make up artist check out Groom Service inside the Hotel Lafayette.