Slightly off center

I love the asymmetrical zipper on this red wool cardigan from Anthropologie.  Originally $118, now $69.95. 

Keep warm

Wrap up at chilly games in a cute red and black buffalo plaid blanket like this one from Old Navy.  It's soft performance fleece.  $10. 

Vintage thermos set

This red plaid vintage thermos set is perfect for tailgating.  $32.

For your little Razorback princess

Red and white ribbon wand, $4.50.

Get the feeling

If you're hosting a tailgate party this football season, instead of sending out classic football-themed invites, use these beautiful cards highlighting autumn colors in NWA.  They convey the feeling of football season in Fayetteville, without being so obvious.

Set of four cards with envelopes, $6.

Deck the halls

6 feet of red tissue fringe garland, $2 on Etsy. 

Scooter dress

I've heard of car coats, walking shorts, and riding boots, but this is the first scooter dress!  Vintage 1960's, $32. 

Tribal necklace

This pretty tribal necklace from Etsy is beautiful and has just enough red to look great on top of your red dress on game day.  $27. 

Posies on your toesies

Red suede flower flats, $75. 

It's all about presentation

Bring in your delicious cheeseburgers from the grill on a cute Razorbacks platter to wow your watch party crowd.  $16.95. 

Garden flag

On game days, make your house look pretty and inviting with a Razorback flag like this.  While I'm not a great gardener, you could easily stick this down in a large ceremic pot full of rosemary by the front door.  Ta-da!  Decorating done! 

Vintage salt and pepper shakers

These great vintage salt and pepper shakers will really make your watch party table unique.  $9.75 on Etsy. 

Perfect for a little girl's room

This interesting photo will make you long for Fayetteville long after football season is over.  It would be cute with a coordinated mat (maybe in pink or blue to match the map) and frame.  Available in several sizes, prices ranging from $10 to $45.

Practical and festive - serve snacks on an Arkansas cutting board

At your next watch party, serve white cheddar with crisp red apple slices on top of this pretty Arkansas cutting board.  $38. 

And I know I sound like a broken record, but this would make a great hostess gift! 

Wear your heart on your sleeve - and Arkansas around your neck

This pure silver Arkansas necklace is a cute way to proclaim your love for The Natural State on game days.  I only wish the heart was located over Fayetteville!  $50. 

Buy it or DIY it: christmas ornaments

This cute Arkansas Razorbacks Christmas ornament sells on Etsy for $15.  It would make a great gift paired with some homemade cookies.  You can save time by ordering a few now to have on hand during the holidays - that way you're always prepared when a friend or neighbor unexpectedly stops by with a gift. Or save some money by using this cute one as inspiration and making your own.  Think about personalizing each one with names and dates, fight song lyrics, or a favorite game day quote.  Get your kids involved, and let them paint a few. 

Slouchy beanie

That just sounds funny . . . but that's what Banana Republic named this cute knit hat.  Keep warm at chilly games while still looking cute!  $35, available in several colors. 

You could have used these last week

Banana Republic "Cyclone" rain boots, $79.  Also available in black, blue, or silver. 

Guinness Mustard

This yummy mustard is great for topping off bratwurst, roast turkey, pork, or beef sandwiches, or dipping pretzel sticks into. 

• 1/2 cup coarse-grained Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons regular Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons Guinness stout or other stout or porter
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot
• 1 teaspoon golden brown sugar

Whisk all ingredients in small bowl to blend. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.

For easy game day entertaining, make this ahead of time.  On game day, roast a pork loin, slice it into bite-sized pieces, and serve it with Sister Shubert's rolls and this mustard so guests can make their own mini sandwiches. 

5-Ingredient Maple Pecan Popcorn

From http://www.epicurious.com/, here's a recipe that's intended for Halloween, but would be just as good on game day:  Maple Pecan Popcorn.  Yum!

• About 8 cups plain popcorn
• 1 cup pecans (3 1/2 ounces), coarsely chopped and toasted
• 3/4 stick unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups pure maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Equipment: a candy or deep-fat thermometer

Toss popcorn and pecans in a large bowl.

Line bottom of a 17-by 11-inch 4-sided sheet pan with foil, then lightly oil foil.

Melt butter in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add maple syrup and salt and boil (still over medium heat), without stirring, until thermometer registers 300°F, 15 to 20 minutes.

Pour syrup over pecans and popcorn, stirring briskly with a lightly oiled spoon or silicone spatula to coat, then immediately spread popcorn in pan in 1 layer. Cool completely, then break into bite-size pieces.

Buy it or DIY it

I found this adorable Razorback pumpkin on Effie Edwards blog, Strawberry Wednesday.  You can get creative and make one yourself or order one from Effie - she charges $20-$25.  It would be a perfect game day centerpiece paired with small compact bouquets of red flowers. 

Now and laters

Wear this simple red floral dress now by layering it over a white tee, topping it off with a denim jacket, and adding black tights and flats.  Next season, wear it to warm games with strappy sandals.  $34.99.

Be inspired

Like hosting a great party, baking a beautiful pie, or putting together an interesting outfit, tailgating is an art.  Rather than focus on the work and planning involved (and it definitely takes a lot of both), think of each game day as an opportunity to create incredible memories.  Put your own spin on things with family recipes, unique presentation, and a fun and welcoming attitude.  Don't stress about perfection, but take pride in what you create. 

Even tortilla chips look fancy in a pretty bowl

Pour a bag of tortilla chips into this pretty fabric bowl and set it on your coffee table.  Ta da! Watch party decorations and snacks done!

Easiest hostess gift ever

If you're staying with a friend for gameday weekend, pop a photo of you and your friend in a cute red and white frame like this and leave it in the guest room when you leave, along with a sweet note about how much fun you had with her. 

Serve it up

This red dot bowl and matching serving utensils (sold separately) would make a great wedding gift for a Razorback fan. 

Woof pig sooie

Whimsical red, black, and white dog collar, $16.  Just ignore the fact that it says Georgia Bulldogs! 

So Mad Men: match your lipstick to your dress

For a look like this, go light on eye makeup and cheek color.  Just a touch of bronzer and some mascara is all you need. 

Keep a few on hand

These cute kitchen towels would make a great hostess gift.  Set of two, $11.

Vintage beauties

Vintage red and white carved lucite beads, hanging on bright silver headpins on round sterling silver french earhooks.  $16.50 on Etsy.

It's all in the details

These earrings are sweet and feminine. They feature oval acrylic beads in a lovely red and cream pattern. The beads are topped by antique bronze beadcaps and have bronze leverback earwires.  $12 on Etsy.  They make a great game day gift - they come in a cute gift box. 

Ruffles, dots, and bow

Red and white polka dot football bow, $6 on Etsy. 

How to wear it: red coat

This cute picture of AnnaLynn McCord shows how to look cute and polished even in the most casual of game day outfits.  Notice that the red coat is the centerpiece - everything else is simple in black and white solid pieces. 

Spike it!

Not the ball . . . your cupcakes!  Alcohol plus cupcakes?  Yes please!!!  Here is a long but inspiring recipe from Amy Atlas's blog for chocolate beer cupcakes with salted caramel icing!  And I highly recommend checking out her blog for recipes and ideas - so cute! 

Cake:
1 cup flavorful dark beer– I used Rogue Mocha Porter but Lagunitas Cappucino Stout and Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout (hometown love!) are also faves. Ask your favorite beer geek for a recommendation.
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
3/4 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
Combine the beer and butter in a large sauce pan and heat to melt.
Remove from heat; whisk in the cocoa, sugar, and espresso.
In a bowl, whisk the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla, then whisk into the beer mixture.
Sift together the flour and baking soda, and fold into the batter.
Pour into cupcake pan (you can go a little more than ¾ full on these) and bake for 25 minutes. Cool completely on a rack.

Salted Caramel:
4 tablespoons water
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt, kosher or sea
Combine the water, sugar, and the corn syrup in a deep saucepan and cook over medium heat—stir with a wooden spoon to combine
Cover the saucepan and let it cook over medium/medium-low heat for 3 minutes.
After 3 minutes, remove the lid, increase the heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil.
(Do not stir from this point on, but once it starts to turn brown at the edge you should carefully shake/swirl the pan so that one area of the caramel doesn’t burn.)
Continue to cook until the caramel turns an even amber color then remove from the heat and let stand for about 30 seconds.
Pour the heavy cream into the mixture. Be careful. The mixture will bubble up!
Stir the mixture. Add the butter, lemon juice, and salt. Stir until combined.
Pour into a Pyrex measuring cup.
Stirring occasionally, allow to cool until thick and warm, about 20 minutes.
Frosting:
1.5 sticks butter at room temperature
6 ounces cream cheese
4-5 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup salted caramel
Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed until creamy.
Sift 2 cups of powdered sugar into the cream cheese mixture and beat to combine.
Add 3/4 cup of the salted caramel and beat to combine.
Sift rest of powder sugar, in 1 cup increments and beating between each, until you arrive at the thickness and sweetness you desire.
To Assemble: Frost the cakes, drizzle leftover caramel on top, and sprinkle a few grains of salt on each one. Top with a chocolate covered espresso bean if you’re feeling fancy. Pair with the rest of your beer! Makes 22-24 cupcakes.

Definitely not fair weather fans!

One thing I love about the South is that our girls may be in pretty dresses with perfect hair, but make no mistake about it -  they're there to watch the game!  Southern girls really get into football.  A few years ago, a little old lady sitting behind me, in her perfect red twinset and pearls, made me blush by yelling some of the most "colorful" things at the refs you've ever heard.  I've witnessed a junior high girl, barely out of pigtails, get angry and yell for a player to "break his kneecaps!"  So I love to see that my girls didn't run away at the first rain cloud this weekend!  Christy and Jenni don't seem to be bothered by a little rain (and lightening and hail).  Nothing can ruin your day when the Hogs been Ole Miss!!!

Printable party

For $12.95, you can download templates for a whole assortment of football party decorations from Plumparty.com, including:

Invitation (fits A7 envelope) +
Cupcake toppers or Beer bottle charms
Pennant Garland "Touchdown!" +
Party food labels +
Wine glass tags
Napkin rings, Vase wraps or Candle wraps
Snack Box or Hamburger Sleeve +
Straw markers +
Placemat or Front Door sign +

+ Customizable item: Those items with a + sign can be easily personalized using Acrobat Reader, a free download from Adobe.com. Each collection has detailed instructions and recommendations.  All are formated to be printed on standard letter-sized white paper.

So much cooler than posters of Robert Pattinson*

Perfect for a teenager's room - this red and white hand-painted canvas infuses your room with Razorback spirit, and is only $24.50 on Etsy.


*It goes to show just how old and uncool I am that I originally posted this with "Ryan Pattinson" in the title - yep, the world's biggest teen heartthrob, and I can't even remember his name! 

For your little hog fan

Or for you . . . whatever floats your boat . . .  no judgment. 

This hair bow is super cute and only $7.99 on Etsy.  Yes,  you could buy all the ribbon and make it yourself, but it would probably cost more and you'd spend 2 hours trying to make it look right before you burnt yourself with the hot glue gun and gave up. 

Announce to the world that you're a hog fan

Or at least to the neighborhood - with this iron mailbox topper.  I actually like it better as a mantle decoration.  It's only $10 on Etsy, and the artist can make it any size you like and add words or initials. 

Before he's old enough to wear cleats on the field . . .

These football booties for your baby boy would be perfect for game day!  $15.99 on Etsy. 

What's the catch?!

This simple and classic red leather belt would be perfect for game day, and it's on sale on Etsy for just $5!

Pom pom bows

These red and white corkscrew bows from Etsy look like cute Arkansas pom poms!  $7.50

Buy this hostess gift (even if you're the hostess)

This 2.7 gallon beverage dispenser from Dillards is a great attention-grabbing showpiece for your tailgate table.  To step up the Razorback spirit, buy a roll of Razorback ribbon and tie a pretty bow on the handle at the top.  $39.

More sophisticated than polka dots

This red tartan plaid tablecloth from Dillards is probably intended for use during the holidays (and you could set a beautiful Christmas table with it), I think it would be adorable for game day.  An added bonus:  At $29 to $39, this tablecloth is much cheaper than buying red plates and serving dishes, and all your everyday white plates will pop on top of the dark background. 

Caramel apples: great for fall entertaining

Classic caramel apples are wonderful for fall entertaining.  They're easy to make and a real crowd-pleaser.

While you can make your own caramel, it's so much easier to just melt down a package of the little individually-wrapped squares.  Here's how:

• 6 apples (I like tart granny smith apples, and they shouldn't be too big)
• Craft sticks (or chopsticks)
• 1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons milk, cream, or half-and-half

Remove the stem from each apple and press a craft stick into the top. Butter a baking sheet. Place caramels and milk in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes, stirring once. Allow to cool briefly. Roll each apple quickly in caramel sauce until well coated.

Then roll them in any of the following toppings, all finely chopped:

• pistachios or other nuts
• pretzels
• peppermints
• dried fruit like cranberries
• dark and white mini chocolate chips
• Toffee
• peanut brittle
• peanut butter cups
• candies, such as M&M's or candy corn
• mini marshmallows
• red cinnamon candies

You can also drizzle with melted white and dark chocolate.

Place on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet until completely cool and set up. 

You can either make these a day ahead and display them at your tailgate or watch party on a pretty platter, or let your guests make their own as a fun activity. 

Best-dressed baby

This Ralph Lauren plaid dress and white leggings set is just calling out for a Razorback tailgating party. 

Say thanks

This soft and cosy ruffled red throw would make a great hostess gift, and it's only $39 at Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

Houseguest?

If you'll be staying with friends or family for a game, keep the Razorback spirit alive all weekend by packing red PJ's to lounge around in (although I really don't recommend striking "sexy" poses like the model below if you ever want to be invited back).  I like these from Victoria's Secret because they can double as long-johns to layer under your jeans and sweater if the game day weather turns cold. 

Genius!

Like it or not, leggings are a game day staple.  I especially love them tucked into tall boots with a long red sweater.  These leggings from Anthropologie are fleece-lined so your legs stay toasty on game day.  $18. 

Because a girl can't wear red from head to toe

These leather mocassins with a ribbon bow look so comfy, and would be cute on game day with skinny dark jeans and red sweater or trench coat.  They aren't red, but I'm adding them to the blog because you always need comfy basics to finish off your red game day outfit! 

Cute as pie!

And perfect for serving pie!  Speigel has a whole set of red and white polka dot stoneware, including mugs, a cake pedestal, and these cute dessert plates.  $39 for a set of 4.