Pour some SUGAR on me!!!!

We're going to the SUGAR BOWL!  Woo Pig Sooie!

This is the biggest thing to happen to Razorback Nation in decades . . .  and I'm too busy to blog about it right now :(

Please stay tuned - I promise to bring you outfit ideas, restaurant suggestions in New Orleans, and tons of hostess gifts to bestow upon Louisiana friends you may be staying with for New Years!

Black Friday? Make that Razorback Red Friday!

Today is "Black Friday," the day notorious for 3 AM door-buster sales at big chain stores. I guess everyone needs an excuse to get out of the house and away from your family after spending all day with them on Thanksgiving :)

But, today, keep in mind that the LSU game is coming up tomorrow in Little Rock, so shop for red goodies on Black Friday! It's the perfect time to get something that might usually be out of your price range, like:

Banana Republic Heritage cashmere scarf, usually $198.  Now 25 percent off.  If shopping online, use code BRTHANKS.

Pig cutting boards would make a great Christmas gift

Christmas gift idea: your mother-in-law

I love this unique chrysanthemum vase.  For a gorgeous (and inexpensive) Christmas gift for your in-laws, plant it full of beautiful succulents like this:

Next time you're in a city with an IKEA

Do not pass by an IKEA without stopping in and stocking up on plenty of these cute red pots.  They're perfect to have on hand for game weekend hostess gifts - just fill with a small rosemary plant and tie a red and white ribbon around the pot.  They'd also work for Christmas gifts with a green plaid ribbon instead.  Keep a few packets of seeds or bulbs on hand in case you need to create a quick gift on short notice.  The best part is that they're only $2.99 each. 

WOW shoes

I am in love with these red suede peep-toe heels from Zara.  The gathered detail on the heel is both dramatic and yet not over the top (you could still wear these with jeans).  $89.90. 

Scarf included

This red knit top with attached scarf seems perfectly made for late-fall football games.  It would be simple and classic with jeans, but I'd probably wear it with a short wool skirt, black tights, and tall riding boots.  $49.50 from Banana Republic.

Easy game day centerpiece (and you can make it with inexpensive carnations from the grocery store)

These pretty red and white carnation balls would make a gorgeous centerpiece for your next watch party.  Simply get red and white carnations (the cheap ones from the grocery store will work just fine), cut the stems short (about 1-2 inches), and push them into a ball of florists foam that you've soaked in water.  Keeping adding flowers until the ball is covered, and perch it on a pretty ceramic or silver goblet, vase, or bowl. 

Go all out

This delicious and gorgeous-looking raspberry-filled red velvet cake with fluffy white chocolate icing isn't easy to make, but if you want an impressive dessert for your next watch party, pull out all the stops and take the time to make this.  Here's the recipe, courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens. I haven't tried it yet, but coming from BHG, it's got to be good!

ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups buttermilk or sour milk
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup shortening
• 3 cups sugar
• 2 1-ounce bottles red food coloring (1/4 cup)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• Fluffy White Chocolate Frosting
• 1/3 cup seedless red raspberry jam
• 3 ounces white chocolate baking squares (with cocoa butter), grated*
• Fresh raspberries
• White Chocolate Leaves

directions

1. Allow eggs and buttermilk to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, grease and flour six 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 1-1/2-inch individual mini ball pans or 6-ounce custard cups, one 2-1/2-liter (10-cup) round oven-safe mixing bowl (the bowl should be 8 inches or less across), and one 8 x 1-1/2-inch round baking pan. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set pans and flour mixture aside.
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a very large bowl, beat shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually beat in sugar until well mixed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on medium speed after each addition until combined. Beat in food coloring and vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to egg mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.
3. Fill each individual ball pan or custard cup half full of batter (1/3 cup batter in each). Spoon 2-1/2 cups of the batter into the 8-inch round baking pan. Spoon remaining batter (about 5 cups) into the oven-safe mixing bowl.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes for ball pans or custard cups, 25 to 30 minutes for 8-inch round baking pan, and 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours for mixing bowl or until a toothpick inserted near the centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool on wire racks.
5. To assemble, place the 8-inch round cake on a pedestal cake plate. Spread about 1 cup of the Fluffy White Chocolate Frosting on top. In a small bowl, stir raspberry jam until smooth. Drizzle jam over frosted cake. Top with bowl cake (trim if necessary to make cake sit flat). Spread about 3 cups of the remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Spread remaining frosting over inverted ball cakes.
6. Generously sprinkle frosted cakes with grated white chocolate. Chill for up to 2 hours. To serve, garnish with fresh raspberries and/or White Chocolate Leaves.
7. Makes 24 servings
8. *Test Kitchen Tip: Use a food processor to grate chocolate.
9. Fluffy White Chocolate Frosting: In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup whipping cream and 2 tablespoons butter; heat over medium heat until boiling. Remove from heat. Add 9 ounces white chocolate baking squares (with cocoa butter), chopped; do not stir. Let stand, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Stir mixture until smooth. Cover and let stand at room temperature about 30 minutes or until cooled. In a chilled large bowl, beat 2-1/4 cups whipping cream with chilled beaters of an electric mixer on medium speed just until soft peaks form (tips curl). Add the cooled white chocolate mixture, one-third at a time, beating on low speed just until combined.
10. White Chocolate Leaves: Use nontoxic fresh leaves such as bay, rose, lemon, or ivy. Melted white chocolate baking squares (3 ounces makes enough to coat 10 to 12 small leaves). Dip underside (vein side) of each leaf in the melted white chocolate, being careful not to coat the topside of the leaf. (Or use a small paintbrush to brush several coats of the melted white chocolate on the underside of each leaf.) Wipe off any white chocolate on the top side of the leaf. Place the leaves, white chocolate sides up, on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper or a curved surface, such as a rolling pin or measuring cup; chill or freeze until hardened. Before using, peel the leaf away from the white chocolate; discard leaf.

Christmas gift ideas: your niece

Be the cool aunt and get her a pair of adorable and comfy J.Crew red ribbon flats, $62. 

In razorback country, red sweaters are always in style

We all have several red sweaters for game day, but in case you're in the market for a new one, this J.Crew Strata Ruffled Cardigan is unique and interesting.  $89.50.  It would make a fail-proof gift for just about any woman in Arkansas!

Southern style

These pretty gold dogwood earrings are so sweet and feminine.  The dangly red beads make them great for game day, and the dogwood flowers are a subtle nod to the South.  Pretty pretty!  $42. 

Funky and festive

Feeling a little bored with classic red?  Change things up a little with this pretty "Merry Me" nail polish from Sephora by OPI.  It's an opaque deep cranberry polish with splarkly red and silver glitter.  $9. 

Christmas gift idea: your sister

These adorable Vintage India Tin Earrings from Etsy would be perfect for game day with a red sweater, but would also look great during the holidays (red and green!).  Bonus - they're only $34, so you make a big impression with a sweet thoughtful gift without breaking the bank. 

We wish you a merry Christmas!

Stock up on lots of these $7 ornaments for the holiday season.  They are perfect to give friends, neighbors, teachers, and family.  To round out the gift, add the ornament to a plate of freshly baked cookies (for neighbors), a bottle of champagne (for girlfriends), or cute framed game day photo (for family).  They are completely customizable, so specify that you want the reverse side to say something like "Happy Holidays from the Smiths" or just add the year.

Start planning for Christmas

These pretty Fayetteville photos would make a nice gift for a current student or alum of the U of A.  $50 each, 18x24, matted. 

Turkeyball

Perfect for watching the LSU game after Thanksgiving, this "turkeyball" onesie is definitely a conversation starter.  $10. 

This is guaranteed to make you smile

This cute knit football hat would be so darling on your little one on game day along with a warm red jacket and baby blue jeans.  It would also make a unique gift for a football fan with a new baby.  $10.  

Icing on the cake

This cute "Frosting Cookies Dress" from Mod Cloth is putting me in the holiday spirit! It is would be great for holiday parties, all dressed up with black heels, but it would also be wonderful for a watch party.  Just layer it over black tights and a long-sleeved black t-shirt, topped off with flat boots and a jacket.  $52.99

Dress up your jeans

Red suede heels from Urban Outfitters, $58.