Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo! While you could whip up a nice margarita at home or at almost any bar in town, below are my top places to celebrate this day around town! Cheers!

-B

• Cantina Loco
• Don Tequila
• Coyote Café  in Hamburg
• Arriba Tortilla in East Aurora
• Agave

#BuffaloLinks - Mother's Day Edition

Mother's Day is less than a week a away and while some may purchase gifts, I try to spend the day with my Mom doing something she likes. Below are a list of some places around town that I found are hosting unique Mother's Day Brunches or are good places to spend the day in my opinion. Whatever it is that you may do with your Mom, I hope its special. -B

• Darwin Martin House - Mother's Day Brunch and Tour
• Hidden Valley Animal Adventure- Mother's Day Champagne Brunch
• Buffalo Botanical Gardens

{Niagara on the Lake has a handful of events taking place on Mother's Day}

{Junior League of Buffalo - Decorator's Show House - click here for more details!}

Friday Favorites!

{Sipping on a margarita and enjoying people watching at Cantina Loco}

{My fortune from PF Changs}

I ran into a lot of positive messages this week while I was out and about.  I hope you all have a great weekend. Here are a few places that made me smile this week.

-B

{Sunshine and Birds at the Walden Galleria Mall}

{I love this shirt from Ooo La La Boutique, on the back is a big anchor}

{The Polar Bear exhibit at the Buffalo Zoo, I can't wait for the Artic Edge exhibit to open in the Fall}

Second Chic's Newest Location in Town!

Check out the new location and launch of Second Chic on Main St. in Williamsville Friday. {6-8:30pm 5454 Main St. in Williamsville, NY}

For more information on the event take a look at the media advisory below.

A Monday Night at the noodle bar

Last Monday, my friend, Nicole and I met for are monthly girls night out, it was long over due, but we went to Kaydara noodle bar on Main St. downtown {its down the street from Sheas, right off the 33}. We literally had the whole place to ourselves. We chose a table by the window looking out onto Main St. Our waiter {I forgot his name} was awesome, he walked us through the menu and specials and even suggested hitting up another restaurant in the area for drinks after dinner. The food was so good and different - not a bad different, but something you don't really see in Buffalo - at least I'm not familiar with other noodle bars in town.

They are open for both lunch and dinner, the food is fresh and you can see them making it in their open kitchen. Note though, if you want to order alcoholic drinks you won't be able to, at least not until later this summer when they have their liquor license.

-B

{Delicious cucumber water to accompany are dinner}

{One of the many sitting areas - the Bar}

#BuffaloLinks

A quaint bookstore and coffee shop in South Buffalo - Dogs Ears Bookstore.

A fitness center off "the beaten path" Hybrid Fitness {next to Seabar}

A fashion and home good boutique - the items they sell are super cute! Poppy & Park

A museum I never knew about - Steel Plant Museum = a new place to add to my bucket list of places to go this summer

#TeamOooLaLa

Just a little over 4 years... that's when it all began, I joined Crista and Pam on this one of a kind adventure - called Ooo La La Boutique. Through the years we did a lot - fashion shows, events, private parties, a mobile fashion truck...through the journey we picked up some fabulous ladies - the "Ooo La La Girls" - Tia, Allie, Rachael and Kelsey and we became a family. Through the laughs and tears, disagreements and silliness we got through it and did some amazing things that most people don't ever have a chance to do.

The best part of working with Ooo La La is - the sky's the limit - if we had an idea or a dream we pursued it - no dream was ever to big, no idea was ever too "crazy." I'm so excited for Crista's journey with Cabela's, but these next few months are going to be so bitter sweet. I seem to find myself saying goodbye to those close in my life as they pursue their dreams outside of their hometown and while it's a part of life, I'm still sad and its still tough.

While this isn't a "goodbye," for the Ooo La La family, its part of the journey that leads to great things. It may stink at times, but only time will make this change less bitter and more sweet.

-B

{Girls just wanna have fun - embrace life because time goes by too fast}

Friday Favorites!

After what was a beautiful weekend (last week), this week has been kind of dreary. I'm hoping the sunshine that is scheduled for today thru Sunday gives me some energy to get  things done that I have on my to do list. Enjoy your weekend! -B

 {I'm no artist, but I love drawing with chalk outside}

{Jack Devine's in the Southtowns - I love the big bar they have}

{Nothing beats flowers and a glass of Riesling on a Sunday}

{Pho - check out my blog post on Kaydara Noodle Bar next week}

{Not only do they {Oshun} offer a great dinner menu, but there lunch menu is pretty impressive too!}

#BuffaloLinks

{a new food truck to add to the Buffalo mix - The Flaming Fish}

{a place to check out for home décor - The Painted House}

{this Friday join Evolution Yoga at the Darwin Martin house for some yoga, tea and refreshments afterwards. For more info click here}

{want to learn more about Buffalo's twentieth century? Check out Explore Buffalo's City of Light tour on Saturday from 1-4pm. Check out the details by clicking here}

{always a fun fashion show to attend - Buffalo State's Runway event is this Saturday. Click here for all the details}

Burgers and Beer at A.B.V.

{I loved the neat salt and pepper shakers on the table and the custom beer glasses}

A couple weekends ago, Shanna was in town and we wanted to go some where "Buffalo" {this is a harder decision to make with all the new restaurants, bars and breweries opening now and I love it!}. We decided on Allen Burger Venture on Allen St. Let me tell you it was pretty cool! All sorts of people came into the place during the couple hours we were there.. young and old, hipsters and not.

It is a small place and if you're at a table near the bar it does get a little crowded, but the girls night out catch up date we planned was great, the hamburgers were yummy {and huge!} and there was a large beer selection to choose from and it was served cold which is always a positive.

I give this place two thumbs up and if you haven't been or have people visiting from out of town its definitely a spot to hit up.

Until next time..

-B

{I ordered a regular burger #4 and Shanna got the Turkey burger}

{Just one half of the beer menu above the bar}

{Wall Art - definitely fits the vibe of Allentown}

{My girl Shae Shae enjoying her beer! }

{Until my next visit #Cheers}

Friday Favorites!

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

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

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

Canalside on my lunch break

A spot I always enjoy visiting - the Naval Park!

Sushi in Cheektowaga

For all of the years I've passed by Sakura in Cheektowaga, Saturday was the first time I've actually ever been there and I must say it was awesome! I've never heard anything bad about this restaurant and I know why - the service was great, the food was delicious and it  offered a cozy and relaxed atmosphere. If you're ever in Cheektowaga and looking for sushi check them out!! Sometimes the 'burbs' aren't so bad!

-B

I loved the way they brought out the sushi all on one tray- something I've never seen before {yes its the little things that make me happy}

The china they used for my hot water and lemon..reminds me of my trip to Japan. Makes me want to go back!

#BuffaloLinks

With the nice weather finally hitting Buffalo yesterday, I thought this week's #BuffaloLinks post would feature a food truck event, places to go for nature walks and outdoor patios. Enjoy!

A food truck fest with a twist - swapping Chefs! Check it out at Larkin Square on Friday!

A place I've never been and want to go this Spring - Zoar Valley

I came across The Phoenix when researching outdoor patios in Western New York. Now its on my list of places to visit.

Another place I have never been and would like to hike through this Spring - Akron Falls!

Friday Favorites!

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

{The Buffalo Central Terminal will still always amaze me}

{An Easter tradition - a batch of pussy willows}

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

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

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

Just a Blonde in Buffalo - DIY - Glass Bottle Messages - Party Favors

For my birthday I got a little creative and did special messages in a bottle for guests to take with them. They were meant to keep at their desk or give to someone they care about. The messages were pretty simple and to the point:

Be Fearless, You've Got Spunk, Be Better Than Yesterday, Hit Me Up in the 716 and Don't Ever Lose Your Smile were just some of them.

The little DIY was pretty simple and didn't take long. All you need are the following:

Paper, Glitter and Mini Glass Bottles with Corks (you can find them on Amazon here).

Step 1:

Create a word document with clever sayings - cut them out into small strips and place in the bottle.

Step 2:

Place a little bit of glitter (any color you want) in the jar.

Step 3:

Close the cork on the bottle and you're all set!

Finished product!

#BuffaloLinks

Its been a while since I've posted my #BuffaloLinks section. But this week we're back at it. Here are my picks for this week.

This is a picture from last season, but Buffalo Bisons Opening Day is tomorrow! Woohoo! #SeizetheSeason

I have been seeing great reviews on this place and its made it on my list of places to go in the near future. Allen Burger Venture

After Brunch is an after party - this Sunday at Encore! For more details click here.

Down the street from my work, is a new clothing boutique at HarborCenter. With the nicer weather I will be taking a stroll down there to check it out! Red Siren

A Night to Remember

{A walk down memory lane - all 30 years}

A few weeks ago I celebrated my 30th birthday and all I really wanted was my friends and family that mean the most to me, all in the same room for just a few hours. Now a days its hard to get everyone together, so for people to share a Saturday night with me was really special. The party took place at the Foundry on Elmwood. I was a little nervous because I was receiving mixed reviews on the service and food, so I didn't know what to expect, but the night turned out to be everything I wanted {except that whole crying part, that was thanks to my friends}. Don, who was my contact went above and beyond to make sure I was happy with everything. I couldn't have asked for a better person to work with.

Before I knew it the night was over, but the memories and the smiles will be with me for a long, long time. So to everyone who came, words can't describe how thankful I am to have you in my life. xo

-B

{Group Shot}

{DIY Just a Blonde in Buffalo Candy Table - thank you Buffalo Cake Pops for the cookies!}

{Little favors with special messages in the bottle for people to take home}

{FYI this is such a simple and easy favor to make, check out my upcoming post later the week on how to create them}

Friday Favorites - Fish Fry Edition

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

• Wiechec's on Clinton
• Dog E Style
• Edge of Town on Genesee St.
• Conlon's - Abbott Rd.
• 'R' Bar on Broadway

Na zdrowie! Dyngus Day 2015

Dyngus Day is right around the corner! It's one of my favorite holidays and I'm looking forward to this year's celebrations.

Below is a list of the complete schedule of places that are celebrating thanks to Dyngus Day Buffalo. Also, here is the website to check out as well!

-B

Happy April

Thank you Kate Spade for starting my month of April off with a motivating note. Whatever it is you have planned for this month, make it count.