St. Patrick's Day Festivities

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...

• "Old Neighborhood" Parade - Saturday, March 16, 2013 12pm
• St. Patrick's Day Parade 2013 - Sunday, March 17, 2013 2pm

...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).

• D'Arcy McGee's
• The Blackthorn Restaurant & Pub
• Ulrich's Tavern
• JP Fitzgerald's Irish Pub
• Shannon Pub
• Doc Sullivan's on Abbott Rd.

What are some of your favorite places to go this weekend to celebrate the holiday?

-B

Friday Favorites!

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

A Custom Cake Studio & Cupcake Bar To Be Missed

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

Dessert Display Ideas

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

A Night I Won't Forget

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)

Some Boutique.Bridal.Party Fun!

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

Friday Favorites*

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

"A Marchful"

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:

• Dance Marathon to benefit the Alzheimer's Association (March 1)
• Wines of the World (March 1)
• Lewiston Cocktail Festival (March 2)
• Shamrock Run (March 2)
• Rihanna Concert (March 8)
• Buffalo Rugby Club - Player Camp (March 8,9)
• Buffalo Home & Garden Show (March 8,9,10)
• The Old First Ward Parade (March 16)
• The St. Patrick's Day Parade on Delaware (March 17)
• Blues & Brews event at the Ellicott Square Building (March 22)
• Carrie Underwood (March 26)
• Easter (March 31)

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

Buffalo, NY - A Comeback City?

 

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

Afternoon drinking, an afternoon delight...

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/

Polar Bites 2013

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

Friday Favorites!

Here are my favorite things from this past week! Enjoy! -B

Follow your instincts

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

The Buffalo Chophouse

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

LIFE.

Back in time to see the Dinosaurs & Time to get ripped off

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

An Elmwood Staple

Happy Monday! Over the weekend I had an opportunity to go to an Elmwood staple.. Panos! Being in business for over 30 years, Panos is located at 1081 Elmwood Ave. Panos was renovated a couple years ago and now offers an upstairs to accommodate the long waits, and during the summer months you have the opportunity to sit on the patio and watch the people walk by on Elmwood. This place is a hot spot to go for a late night meal after a fun night out. If late night meals aren't your thing, you can grab breakfast (all day long) or lunch, there open 7am-1am daily.

B's word of advice: the parking lot is usually full, I suggest finding parking on Elmwood.  Also, Panos doesn't take reservations so if your planning a lunch or dinner date, be prepared for a wait, they have a fully stocked bar where you can enjoy a nice drink before your meal. The wait is worth it. If you haven't been to Panos I highly suggest you put it on your to do list for 2013.

-B

Friday Favorites*

Here are some of my favorite things from this past week! Have a great weekend! -B

My trip to the Tri-Main Center

The other day I had to drop off giveaway items to Bubbles & Berries Boudoir for the upcoming Boutique. Bridal. Party being held at the end of the month. Bubbles & Berries Boudoir is located in the Tri-Main Center on Main St. in Buffalo. I have never been inside this building so I didn't know what to expect.

When you walk in you will immediately see the space is filled with diverse occupants. The building is home to studio and industrial spaces along with office spaces which continues to make it one of Buffalo's landmark buildings. As you walk down the wide hallways you can see the history that lays in the walls and floors making it feel very industrial, but at the same time you can also see the renovations and modern touches that have been added as well. Each tenant has there space set-up differently creating an overall one of a kind building space that you don't find just anywhere.

Some of the Center's occupants besides Bubbles & Berries Boudoir are the Buffalo Arts Studio, Buffalo City Ballet and Landies Sweets & Treats. I am so lucky I had the chance to stop inside and see this building. It opened my eyes to some of Buffalo's history and also introduced me to some new businesses that I will be back to visit.

-B

Ooo La La!

Piggy backing off of my post from yesterday, Ooo La La Boutique in East Aurora is one of Western New York's best Women's Fashion Boutique in the area. While there are amazing shops on Elmwood and Hertel, having a women's fashion boutique in the suburbs is convenient for the people who don't have the opportunity to go into the city of Buffalo as often as they'd like to. Ooo La La is owned and operated by the amazing Crista Botticello. This past September Crista expanded her business by having the first Women's Fashion truck in the area. The Ooo La La Fashion Truck comes fully equipped with the latest trends from NYC and L.A. all while being affordable. The truck also has a changing room on board for anyone who would like to try on anything. And don't think we forgot about accessories! The truck also is stocked with hot purses and handmade jewelery from local jewelers in town.

Want to know more?!? The Ooo La La Fashion truck is available to book for private parties, special events, and gatherings. For more information and to stay up to date on all the exciting things Ooo La La has coming up for the Spring and Summer of 2013 check out the information below.

-B

                                           Ooo La La Boutique

 663 Main St.

East Aurora, NY 14052

Ooo La La Fashion Truck

On the streets of Buffalo & Western New York

Like them on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/OoolalaBoutique

https://www.facebook.com/ooolalafashiontruck

Follow them on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/ooolalaboutique