Navy Tee + White Jeans

Top: J.Crew Factory Tee | Jeans: Talbots Straight Leg White Jeans (Seriously my favorite pair of white jeans as evidenced here + here)| Shoes: Merona Wedges (These are from Target last summer + aren’t currently available but here’s a similar pair that’s only $35! Also love the zipper detail on these wedges) | Purse: Vera Bradley Crossbody | Necklace: Baublebar Bubblestream Collar

Last week, I flew home to Buffalo to see my family and friends for the first time since Christmas. And of course, eat as much pizza, wings + local comfort food as humanly possible in 7 days. Buffalo can get a really bad rap about its teams (I’ve heard all the Bills jokes) and its snowy weather (I swear it’s not as bad as it seems) but the City of Good Neighbors is a special place filled with friendly people and a vibrant community showcasing all WNY has to offer. It always makes me proud to grow up here and I love seeing Buffalo get positive media for being a foodie and travel destination! Whenever I go home, I always try to go to as many of my favorites as possible and explore a few new spots in between.

I visited Allen Burger Venture in downtown Buffalo to catch up with high school friends and after looking at their menu, I was doubly excited. Their burger list is out-of-this-world and it was so difficult to pick just one. I ended up going with a salmon BLT burger that was delicious, the handcut fries were seasoned and I didn’t want them to end. Not to mention the Paloma cocktail I can’t stop thinking about…

After reading about Ru’s Pierogi on In A DC Minute, I called my mom and told her it was immediately going on the list. And in a very Buffalo-esque moment, she told me that Ru’s Pierogi is owned by one of our cousins using a family recipe! Pierogi is essentially a Polish dumpling traditionally filled with potato or sauerkraut. While my mom stayed with the classic potato pierogi, I went with their chicken wing pierogi. I mean, when in Buffalo… Both were perfectly prepared right in front of us and generously stuffed. Needless to say, they disappeared quickly!

This visit back home was extra special. My parents and Tommy are moving to Arizona in June and our house officially went on the market a few weeks ago! It’s exciting and heart-wrenching all at the same time. I’m excited because my parents are but also am a HUGE sentimental baby who teared up about spending the last night in my childhood bedroom and cried when walking out the door to head to the airport.

I know it won’t be my last trip to Buffalo with a high school reunion next year and a friend’s wedding but it will certainly be different coming back once my parents and Tommy move.

But the Queen City and its wonderful people will be there when I come home and for that all I can say is “Go Bills!”