Friday Favorites!

Here they are! With the temperatures getting a little warmer this weekend, get out and enjoy the fresh air, maybe even get some Spring cleaning done.

-B

A Car-Style Diner on Main St.

Sitting at 3165 Main St. in Buffalo, NY is one of the last standing, dining, car-style diners. The Curtain Family Group of Restaurants welcomes you to the Lake Effect Diner. While its a well-known diner in town (especially for college students) I took my first visit to the popular diner just a couple weeks ago.

Providing a variety of different food choices on the menu, there old-fashioned milkshakes are one of the staples. Guy Fieri, from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives even had to stop by for a visit! I must say I enjoyed my visit there, I was accompanied by a great guest, the atmosphere was low-key, the food was good and reasonably priced and I loved the old-style 50's vibe that I got.

Take a visit when you have a chance. While I went around dinner time and had a grilled pita, I hear there breakfast is really good and they serve it all day!

-B

Happy Opening Day!

Nothing beats opening day of baseball season. Its a reminder that spring is here or for the WNYer's, a sign that spring is on the way. With the sun shining and the temperature rising to 50 degrees today, mother nature is being very nice to us. Head to Coca-Cola Field and catch the game. Starts at 2:05pm.

Go Buffalo!

-B

To see the full schedule for the 2013 season click here: Buffalo Bisons Baseball

125 Years at the Broadway Market

Located in the heart of the East Side of Buffalo stands a 125 year business. The Broadway Market. The market has served as a place where immigrants flocked to as they looked for the continuation of old world customs in a new and unfamiliar environment. While they wanted the mainstream city life, they also sought to preserve their Eastern European traditions and heritage. The Broadway Market would prove to serve these needs quite well.

For myself it's always been a pleasure to visit the Broadway Market. I grew up on Fillmore and since I was a little child I always visited the market, especially during Easter time. While I don't get down to the market as often as I'd like to, I still enjoy walking around the building. You can feel the history that lies in the walls and those old world customs that fill the building. The only disappointment for me is seeing the dwindling neighborhood around the market. It isn't nothing like it used to be when I was a little kid. Abandoned homes, graffiti, litter and police cars surround the market. While the market faces these challenges, it still is amazing that it has been around for 125 years.

Throughout the year their will be a variety of events taking place to highlight the history of the historic building. For more information you can find it here. The market serves as a place for local delis, candy shops, bakeries, specialty shops and services for the Broadway and Fillmore area.

I encourage anyone and everyone to visit the market at least once, whether you grew up in the area or not. You may find some unique "treasures" while your there.

-B

10 Things

While a majority of the readers on here know something about me, I thought it would be a neat post to give you a little more information on the "Blonde" from Just a Blonde in Buffalo...here are 10 facts about me that you may not have known.

1. I love volunteering and believe its more rewarding to give back then to receive.

2. I love spending time with my 2 1/2 year old niece. She is the coolest, prettiest, and smartest kid I know and I would choose spending time with her over some adults I know.

3. I love, love, love, to plan events. I love to take an idea and see it come to life. Its so rewarding and I am so lucky to be doing what I love.

4. At times I can be to serious of a person. I have to remember to take a step back sometimes.

5. I'm a control freak. I think everyone has a little OCD in them. ;)

6. I don't know how to handle compliments, while I love creating and putting events together, I am a shy person and don't like attention put on me.

7. If I wasn't an event planner, I would either be an elementary school teacher or start a children's non-for-profit organization.

8. One of my favorite quotes is "everything happens for a reason" because it sure does. I'm a big believer in going after your dreams no matter how big they are. Some think I'm crazy, but I'm just me.

9. I love food. I love to try new places. So if there's a new restaurant in town that opened up you can bet I'll be there.

10. I love Buffalo, NY (that was a given) but outside of the football season and having the Ralph be me favorite place in the area, one of my favorite places to go in Buffalo is the Waterfront, its so peaceful and a great place to go on a nice day.

-B

Happy Dyngus Day!

Happy Dyngus Day! For more information on today's festivities take a look at the Dyngus Day Buffalo website below for all the information you need: schedule of events, times, locations and prices- Dyngus Day Buffalo If you're celebrating today, don't forget those pussy willows and squirt guns!

Can't wait to share more on this Polish Celebration with you later in the week!

-B

Friday Favorites*

Here are my favorites from this past week. Enjoy! -B

5 Young Women who are up & coming in Buffalo, NY:

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Day 5: Up & Coming Women in Buffalo: Ms. Shanna Montana

Day 5 of the up and coming women in Buffalo series takes us to an amazing entertainer and DJ who loves Buffalo and is one of the most caring, fun and hard-working gals I know. Kiss 98.5's On-Air Personality and Sales Promotion Coordinator, the wonderful, Shanna Montana.

Shanna originally attended Buffalo State College for Psychology and then after taking Psych 101 realized that wasn't the route for her. She realized she needed something where she could talk to people and entertain them. From there, she changed her major to Media Production and started interning with the Kiss Morning Show. It was during that time that she realized she wanted to do this for the rest of her life.

You can catch Shanna on the radio during the weekends and making public appearances at a variety of different places and different times, but to do that you have to keep up to date with her at:

• Kiss 98.5 & follow her on Twitter: @MsShannaMontana
• Facebook: Shanna Montana

"I love everything about Buffalo! The food is amazing, our sports teams have a special place in my heart, and the people here are always great! Where else can you find all of those things?!"

Shanna is a one-of-a-kind DJ. She loves her work and has a true passion for radio and music in general. If you're having a "blah" day and turn on the radio and Shanna's on, you'll instantly be in a better mood. She loves to make people happy. Do yourself a favor and listen to Kiss 98.5 and follow Ms. Montana on Twitter and Facebook. You'll be happy you did!

Like all the young women I wrote about this past week each one of them has a dream that they are pursuing, whether they stayed or left and came back to Buffalo, they believe in this City and all love something about this area. My hope for readers this past week is to inspire you to follow your dreams and to believe in this city, like the five ladies I wrote about do. Enjoy your weekend!

-B

Day 4: Up & Coming Women in Buffalo: Diamond Do Salon & Boutique & The Diamond Do Brand

Day four of the up and coming women in Buffalo series brings us to the spicy and sexy Mercedes Diamond, Owner and CEO of the Diamond Do Salon & Boutique as well as the Diamond Do Brand.

Since the age of 8, Mercedes has known she always wanted her own salon. After college and working in Corporate America she decided it was time to follow her dreams. She moved back to Buffalo and opened a private, upscale salon and boutique in Cheektowaga, NY.

Diamond Do Salon & Boutique specializes and provides services in:

• Healthy Hair & Healthy Hair Maintenance
• Sew in extensions
• Braidless extensions
• Color
• Cut
• Conditioning Treatments
• Scalp Treatments

The Salon & Boutique also sells jewelry, Diamond Dolls apparel, high quality virgin Brazilian hair and much more.

Mercedes has "always believed that Buffalo has so much potential of being an amazing city that could be the next Chicago, Atlanta, DMV (DC,MD, VA area). I have lived and visited several thriving cities and it always makes me think what Buffalo could be...we have so many natural resources and beautiful assets; such as our historic buildings, bodies of water, the fact that we can get to another country in minutes!..."

The goal of Diamond Do is to promote a "Diamond Do" lifestyle and mindset for people, meaning taking care of yourself, following your dreams, working on a better you. Its the belief that you are a rare and precious jewel that deserves to shine. Therefore, you treat yourself as a DIAMOND by DOING things to keep yourself shining!

The potential and the people are what Mercedes loves and its what keeps her in Buffalo. "The people make a way out of no way, the fact that we fight for our small businesses and we are passionate about our city even when things may look bad, that all takes heart. Gotta love people with heart!"

Diamond Do Salon & Boutique is an appointment only salon and boutique.

To make an appointment you can contact Mercedes Diamond at: (716) 390.9464

Email her at: info@thediamonddobrand.com and check out the website: http://www.thediamonddobrand.com/

And of course follow on the social media sites:

Facebook: Diamond Do Brand and Diamond Do Salon

Twitter: @thediamonddobrand and @mercedesdiamond

Instagram: Diamond Do Brand

Start taking care of yourself and bring out the diamond in you. You will be happy you did. Call Mercedes and book an appointment today!

-B

Day Three: Up & Coming Women in Buffalo: Jenny Lynn Photography

Today is day three of this mini-series and I'm writing about a friend who decided to take her passion of photography and make it a business.

Jenny Stauffer, from Jenny Lynn Photography is an, on-location photographer. She has always had a camera in her hand and after college she took her love for photos to the next level. After going on some photo shoots with a cousin who is also a photographer she new she had to pursue her dream. Jenny say's she "instantly fell in love with capturing moments in peoples lives. They will never get back these moments and I love knowing they will always have those images I took for them, for a lifetime. It's priceless."

Jenny Lynn Photography photographs

• Newborns
• Infants
• Children
• Families
• Engagements
• Special Events

Her specialty is definitely sessions that involve children, "I love candids." Included with her prices comes a Photo CD with all the edited, high resolution images and a copyright release to print photos for personal use.

To contact Jenny you can email her at: photographybyjennylynn@yahoo.com

Check out her website here: photographybyjennylynn.com

or "Like" her page on Facebook: Jenny Lynn Photography

Jenny has photographed some of my special events for work over the last couple of years and I'm always thrilled with the wonderful work she captures for me. Knowing she is taking the photos for my events is one less thing I have to worry about.

Jenny loves the variety of places to go in Buffalo and the surrounding areas for photo sessions. "I never have a hard time offering up outside locations with beautiful backdrops! It's truly a beautiful city!"

If you're looking for a photographer who loves capturing moments contact Jenny, she doesn't disappoint.

-B

For photo galleries from Jenny Lynn Photography click here or here

Day Two --> Up & Coming Women in Buffalo --> Just B Creative

Day Two of the up and coming women series in Buffalo takes us to Niagara Falls, NY where Creative Designer, Betsy Aquilar, owner of Just B Creative creates one-of-a-kind, handcrafted, personalized jewelry and fashion accessories.

Just B who is originally from NYC, moved to Buffalo and recently discovered the entire underground fashion movement here. Since being diagnosed with bi-polar six years ago she found that her creative craft became therapeutic and now self-fulfilling, especially when others are supportive and appreciative, it gives her the "hunger" to create more.

This past December I had the opportunity to invite Just B to be a vendor at Ooo La La Boutique's, Deck the Halls for Main St. Runway Fashion Show that Crista Botticello and I put together. It was the first vendor table opportunity at a fashion show for Betsy and she instantly became addicted to the positive, energetic and creative atmosphere. Her amazing designs and creative taste were a big draw and since then she has had the opportunity to share her gift with a handful of local fashion designers. Most recently, Just B Creative's handmade bracelets, necklaces and belts accessorized Steven Bales Runway Show- First Call.

Just B Creative offers the following services:

• Vendor Charity Events
• Provides her own Jewelry and Accessories for Photos Shoots & Fashion Shows
• Private Home Parties
• Personalized Gifts (invites, center pieces, favors) for all occasions
• Handcrafted Personalized Jewelry & Fashion Accessories

Just B is currently working on a REUSED line which is deconstructed, reused, recycled ties and converting them into neckties, neck scarves and necklace ties, making it a one-of-a-kind item. Just B is also branching out into belts and purses with ties and has recently became a designer for Steven Bales jewelry line. As she continues to move forward with her creative flow, she hopes to be a designer in a fashion show, having the role models wearing her reused necktie pieces.

To contact Just B you can call her at (716) 870.0743

Follow her on Instagram: Justbcreativebyjustb

Find her on Facebook: Justbcreative Byjustb

And to read more about Just B click here: Justbcreative

I was introduced to Betsy through my event this past December and her personal story stuck with me. Everyone goes through difficult times, its what you choose to do during those times that makes you either overcome the hard times or give in to them. Just B chose to use her creative niche and started something great. If you have the opportunity to meet this young lady, I'm confident in saying that she will be an inspiration to you.

-B

Day One --> Up & Coming Buffalo Women --> Love Chef DJ

This week kicks off a week of me showcasing some of the best up and coming young women in Buffalo who have chose to pursue their dreams in their hometown.

While starting your own business and following your dreams anywhere can be difficult, you read and hear about a lot of people from this particular area leaving because the area isn't thriving like it once did back in the early 1900's, but for these young women they believe in the area and are excited for the future.

Today I am talking about Danielle Jakubowski aka Love Chef DJ.

Danielle has always loved to help in the kitchen, from an early age she was preparing meals with her Mom and Grandma. As she got older she continued to spend her time in the kitchen and realized she wanted to pursue her career in the Culinary Arts. She began studying at Erie Community College and during that time she landed her first formal cooking position in town at Shango Bistro. From there she was encouraged by her professors to attend a more technical school in NYC. She attended the French Culinary Institute for four years. After that time she moved back to Buffalo and returned to Shango Bistro moving up, as a Sous Chef.

Cooking, for Danielle, is a sense of calm. She really enjoys cooking because "food warms people's souls. When people enjoy your food you get an instant return on the hard work time and love you put into it."

It is Danielle's mission to get more people in the kitchen and out of the fast food restaurants, making people more knowledgeable and conscious about the benefits of healthy eating and home cooked meals. "I love that Buffalo is a city in which people really take pride in living here. Buffalo, as a community, shows strong support for our local sports teams, businesses, entrepreneurs and restaurants. Investing in our local businesses is essential to make any community thrive. It builds interpersonal relationships that promote - and result in- upliftment and a pleasant place to live."

Chef DJ offers a wide array of services:

• Personal Chef Services
• Private Dinners
• Catering
• Cooking Classes
• Canning Classes
• Cheese Education Classes
• Personal Grocery Shopper Services
• Baking Classes

Danielle focuses on whole foods, making food that is approachable to the pickiest of eaters while leaving the processed foods behind. Danielle's meals are always fresh and made from scratch and based off of the seasonal produce and cuisine.

To contact Danielle you can email her at: lovechefdj@gmail.com OR call her by phone at (716) 279.7293

Follow her on Twitter: @lovechefdj

Follow her on Instagram: lovechefdj

If you're looking for healthy, delicious food Danielle is the Chef to call. You won't be disappointed!

-B

Friday Favorites!

Here are my favorites from this past week. Have a great weekend!

xo

-B

Mini Buffalo Brewery Tour

I like to go exploring around town, so with that, a few friends and I headed on a mini brewery tour this past weekend. We stopped at Community Beer Works and Flying Bison Brewery.

Community Beer Works was the first stop. Located at 15 Lafayette Ave. in Buffalo, its across the street from Santasiero's. When we entered the Brewery we were greeted with a friendly smile by Dan. We got to try some delicious brew and he even showed us around and told us how they make their beer.

Community Beer Works one-year anniversary is coming up in April and they already have so much success to be proud of. If you can't make it out to the brewery, they have a list of places where there beer is on tap. Click here to see.

Our next stop on the tour was to the well-known Flying Bison Brewery! When we arrived at 491 Ontario St. in Buffalo, the parking lot was full of cars and when we walked inside, we were greeted by a lot of friendly middle aged people lining the bar.

Flying Bison offers a variety of different tastings. And tours are available during specific times. Click here to see them. They bottle their own beer on site as well. Tim Herzog, award winning master brewer with over 30 years of experience took us on a tour of the brewery. While we were able to see how the beer is made at both places I will say there is more history and "know" at Flying Bison.

Both Breweries were relaxed, fun, and the tours and tastings were FREE! I recommend everyone over the age of 21 to take a visit. In my opinion, I think Community Beer Works appeals to a more younger crowd while Flying Bison has more of a history and is a larger brewery. Both places had beer that I am a fan of and some that I'm not a fan of. Either way, each place has their own distinct character that helps add to the Buffalo community.

Thank you Dan (Community Beer Works) and Tim (Flying Bison Brewery) for a memorable visit. You both have a lot to be proud of!

-B

For more information on either breweries "Like" them on Facebook:

Community Beer Works

Flying Bison Brewery

Photo props to Lacey J. for capturing this experience for me!

A Little Celebration at 26 Virginia Place in Buffalo

On a narrow and occasionally quiet street lies nestled a wonderful restaurant and bar called Scarlet . Located in the Allen district of Buffalo, I heard great things about this place from some of my friends so I thought why not kickoff my birthday celebrations with a happy hour there. For it being my first time and having a party of 20 come in unannounced, I didn't know what to expect, but to my surprise the staff impressed me. They were friendly, courteous and the prices are reasonable. Because of the good experience I had, it left me wanting to come back for another visit again soon. If you've never been I recommend it and if you have been there before what are your thoughts? I'd love to know.

-B

For more on Scarlet, "Like" them on Facebook: Scarlet Restaurant

A Creative Way To Display Your Cards

We all receive cards for a variety of reasons, whether it be birthdays, weddings, graduations, sympathy, or just because. If you're like me, you keep some cards because they have some sort of sentiment value to them, it could be from a Grandparent, an achievement, or you just simply like the card. Whatever the case, its something for you to look back on. A few weeks ago I was cleaning and came across my "box of cards" that I have held onto throughout the years. I thought it would be neat to make a book out of the special cards that have meant something to me and display them along side my scrapbooks. Below is the process of how it was created.

-B

St. Patrick's Day Buffalo Style

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

Friday Favorites*

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

Some pictures are worth a few words...

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

Buffalo meets the "Windy" City

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