Omg, I had such a great time doing the shoot today for the Next CW Star! I felt like a true star & reporter! I learned so much!! This whole experience has been great.  Making it to the top 5, is AWESOME!  To see the video, you hafta come out to the live taping Saturday November 19th @ 10am.  Hope to see you there!!!

xoxo

- T

The decision is almost here, my friends! In ten days we’ll find out who the next CW 23 star is!

It’s been an exciting couple of months for me. The first tryout was just a few days after my 21st birthday. I was so excited to begin the process that is now winding down so quickly in front of my eyes.

There is a mix of excitement, anticipation and nerves every time I get in front of a camera, but the mix of emotions creates the most incredible adrenaline rush. Some people participate in extreme sports or video games to get their thrills. For me, I just need a microphone and a camera to feel alive.

I’ve been waiting since I was in the 8th grade to have an opportunity like this. After three and a half years of college and three internships, I couldn’t be more ready to get my career started. My dream is to be a successful entertainment television reporter and there is no better way to begin that journey than becoming the CW 23 star.

Last year I was diagnosed with a thyroid tumor and was afraid my life would never be what I had always dreamed it would. Because of hard work, determination, a positive mindset and the best doctors, friends and family a person could have, I was able to overcome the tough times. Now, almost a full year later I am a healthy, determined 4.0 college student graduating next month and a finalist in the race to get the job of my dreams.

My love for Buffalo and Western New York runs deep. I was born and raised in Orchard Park and everything I know and love is here in this community. I’ve had overwhelming support from friends, family, teachers and employers through this journey and the rest of my journalistic endeavors. I’m incredibly blessed to have a great education and a wonderful group of people surrounding me that are always willing to help me and push me to be the best I can be.

I’m truly honored to have made it this far. I was up against some very stiff competition and I’m proud to be in the company of such talented people in the final 5.

I can’t wait to be on Winging It! Buffalo Style on Monday morning. It will be great to have some time on a show that I, hopefully, some day soon will be a part of.

I can’t believe the announcement is next weekend already! My family and friends will be at the McKinley Mall on Saturday the 19th for the filming of the decision so they can cheer me on and celebrate with me if I get the job!

Until next time, I’m Kaitlin Riznyk, hoping to be your next CW 23 star!

I’m a finalist in the CW23 Search for the Next CW Star.  I’ll be appearing on Winging It! Buffalo Style next week.

I’m a finalist in the CW23 Search for the Next CW Star.  I’ll be appearing on Winging It! Buffalo Style next week.

It is almost Halloween and I find myself still asking, what do I wear?

Shall I be a princess, a superhero, a pop culture reference?

As far as Halloween is concerned, I am very picky, but there are so many great options out there, I have a lot to choose from.

This year, I will have not one, not two,  not even three, but SIX costumes. Every day leading up to Halloween on Winging It, I will wear a new costume. There is a ton of variety, and DC Theatricks made sure I was outfitted completely. Trust me, these get-ups are insane! I am also inviting you, the viewers, to vote on the costumes on our facebook page. Whichever of the five looks gets the most “likes,” I’ll wear on the show on Monday the 31st.

Now you may be saying “Allie, you only mentioned five costumes, I thought you claimed to have six this year?” Astute observation, I do indeed have six. I have one costume that I created myself that I plan on wearing out and about Halloween weekend. Want to know what it is? We’ll you will just have to wait and see, but I promise, its a real winner!

Send in some pictures of your Halloween costumes. We here at CW23 would love to see them!

‘Til next time, with some seasonal spirit,

-Allie

Hello all! Well gee, it’s fall!

The start of every fall season means plenty of great things, changing leaves, pumpkin spice lattes,  and of course, fall fashion!

The fall fashion season kicked off here with Mercedes Benz of Buffalo Fashion Week which showcased some amazing designers from around the country. Then came fashion week in New York, and with the start of new fall shows, it is fun to see what trends are catching on this year. Trends often make their debut on Gossip Girl and 90210, and this year the girls are wearing tons of very do-able styles!

I’m really loving some of the latest fall trends, and I’m about to tell you why!

1. Dark Maroon Lips.

Bold lips, a MUST for Fall

Little J's been wearing them forever!

While the classic red is always great, any time of year, dark burgundy is the must have lip color right now. I’ve been rockin’ this shade since the summer, and I am totally in love with it. I find it is flattering on basically everyone and can be tweaked to be really dramatic, or soft, like you just ate a few too many blackberries.  I hope this trend lasts!

2. Red Pants

Serena with bright bottoms

I sometimes sport a pair at work

Red pants are a recurring fashion must-have, but this fall they are out in full force! The best part about this trend is you can dress em up with a blazer and a pair of heels, or dress them down with flats and a white tee.  Either way you go, you’ll be sure to turn a few heads!

3. Is it 1996 again?

Beach-y Grunge?

Bodycon dresses and booties

Using days gone by as fashion inspiration is a sure-fire way to look great this fall. While the 60′s and Mad Men fashion is big, and the neons of the 80′s and early 90′s have had their day in the sun, long skirts, crop tops, shredded jeans, combat boots and plaid pants are back! I recently donned a pair of faded jeans with a rip in the knee and a midriff baring sweater, only to have my boyfriend tell me I looked like DJ Tanner’s best friend. I have never felt more stylish in my life.  It looks like the 90′s are in,  so grab your walkman, and your Nevermind CD (if it isn’t too scratched up) and consider yourself the coolest of fashionistas.

Besides these three highlighted trends, Fall fashion is so accessible this year. Chunky knits, copper painted nails, faux fur galore. There is sure to be a fun new trend for everyone. So snap a pic of yourself in your trendiest outfit, and feel free to share it on our facebook page!

‘Til next time, with a burgundy smile,

-Allie

Well, not for me, but for many people out there!

As I wandered around the gorgeous shops and restaurants of Elmwood this past weekend, I couldn’t help but wonder why so many people were out on a Friday night. Friday’s are usually quite busy, but the city teemed with excitement and my favorite local institutions were positively packed!

After a few minutes of bewildered amazement, it dawned on me, school is back in session! We sometimes forget how much the student body of the city of Buffalo and its surrounding suburbs has on us post-graduates. There is an energy like no other at the end of August and beginning of September, and it seems to make life in general more exciting.

So whether you are headed back to school yourself, sending a kiddo off to class, or just observing it all, take a minute and get wrapped up in the back to school hype. Its thrilling.

Along with this school-fueled excitement, there are plenty of places to go and exert your September enthusiasm. The Wing Festival starts this weekend and is sure to be a great time, as usual. Who will be this year’s wing eating champ? You’ll have to show up to find out. I’ll be there Saturday, so say hi if you get the chance! Labor Day is also this coming Monday, one last day of freedom before our minds declare it Autumn.

As the fall begins, so do new TV shows and the return of our old favorites. I’ll be highlighting a few of our shows right here on my blog the day they premiere. And really, don’t we all love looking forward to nights at home in our comfies nestled up on the couch in front of a great show?

So much ahead, I absolutely cannot wait!

‘Til next time, with a brand new box of Crayola’s and a preppy sweater,

-Allie