Iced Irish

Image from Peanut Butta Runna

 

 

This is pure genius: freeze coffee in ice cube trays, fill a glass with the cubes, and top with Bailey's.  This could work really well in a big thermos for tailgating on early morning game days.  Yum!

 



Sangria two ways

Option one: Easy Mango Peach Sangria (recipe and image both courtesy of LifeHack.org) -

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 cup Grand Marnier
• 1 bottle Viognier
• 1 mango, chopped
• 2 peaches, cut into thin wedges
• 1/4 cup mint

Preparation:
In a saucepan, cook the sugar and water until the sugar dissolves; transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until cold. Stir in the Grand Marnier, Viognier, mango, peaches and mint and serve over ice.
Serves: 2-3

Note: Voigner is a dry, crisp white wine, so you can easily substitute Pinot Grigio for Voigner in this recipe. 

Option two: Sangria on the porch at Ciao Baci!

Will you be calling the hogs in Little Rock next weekend?  Ciao Baci is a cozy restaurant and bar in the Hillcrest neighborhood, close to War Memorial Stadium.  Ciao Baci is known for its gorgeous wrap-around porch and its delicious sangria - perfect for an early fall football weekend!

Vintage Arkansas glass - hostess gift

Staying with friends for a Razorback game this season?  Don't arrive empty handed - Southern guests know the importance of a thoughtful hostess gift.

 

This vintage white and red Arkansas glass is available on Etsy (from shop Jewelcard) for only $5.  Fill it with a small red flower arrangement, and it will make a beautiful and unique hostess gift.  This would be great paired with a nice bottle of wine. 

Personalized Platter

This adorable serving platter is available at Blue Bird Gift Company on Etsy for $40 - and that includes personalization!  What is it about the South - we put our names on everything!  I don't think I've ever seen a monogram I didn't love. 

It's in the details

According to InStyle Magazine, Nars Jungle Red is the best red nail polish of 2012.  They say that the bright, true red has the "perfect balance of warm and cool tones," and flatters all skin types.  Is it really any different from the red polish you wore in 2011?  Probably not . . . but if you're in the market for a new red nail polish, here's a great one to try.  $18, available at Sephora. 

Instant party

Photo credit: Nearness of Distance

So, usually I like to recommend tailgate gear and decor that you can use year after year.  It's better to invest in a gorgeous red serving platter to set the theme rather than buying dozens of Razorback paper plates each football season.  The exception to the rule: BALLOONS!  Yep, simple red (or red and white) helium-filled balloons are available at just about every grocery store, are unbelievably cheap, and set a party atmosphere better than almost anything else (okay, so booze and music probably come in first and second, but balloons are a close third!).  For a recent party I got a dozen helium balloons from my neighborhood Kroger - six red and six white - for only 99 cents!  Now, the cashier seemed a bit confused, so I can't guarantee that that's the standard price, but according to the Internet, you should easily be able to get a dozen balloons just about anywhere for under $3.  Mine came already decked out with tons of curly red ribbon and held down by heavy clips, which made decorating with them a breeze.  Another great source for simple helium-filled balloons: the dollar store!  There is pretty much no easier, faster, and cheaper way to turn your house into an instant watch party.

 

Easy game day tabletop

 

 

Last weekend, Ross and I threw a fun Razorback-themed wedding shower for my brother and his fiancee.  Here are a few (instagrammed - yes, that's a verb now) photos of the table.  We served a simple spread of fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, tomato basil tortellini salad, yeast rolls, cupcakes, and brownies.  The table setting was simple, too - black tablecloth, red and white runner, and a white pitcher filled with glads and pom-poms for the centerpiece.  Finishing touches were Razorback plates, a Razorback tin bucket for serving the rolls, and cute homemade cupcake toppers in red, white, and black. 

Southern Living Tailgate Checklist

Image courtesy of Southern Living

Seems a bit much to me - I say, bring an insulated soft cooler of food and cocktails (premixed in a water bottle), and weather-appropriate layers if necessary.  Done!


But here's what Southern Living recommends:

Game-Day Checklist

Don't leave home without these outdoor essentials. Shop at www.tailgatetown.com for some cool tailgating toys.

• Outdoor chairs and folding tables
• Tailgate tent or canopy
• Packed coolers
• Matches/lighter and charcoal (for a portable grill)
• Cookware and utensils
• Condiments
• Bottle opener
• Paper towels, napkins, and wet wipes
• Plates, cups, plastic ware
• Trash bags
• Extra blankets
• Rain gear (umbrella, poncho, boots)
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Bug repellent
• Bottled water
• Camera, binoculars
• First aid kit
• Your tickets!

Weddings at War Memorial?!

I had no idea!

Image courtesy of http://www.wmstadium.com/

I was checking the War Memorial Stadium website for information about the Razorback game this Saturday, and I stumbled upon this fun bit of info:

Saturday, September 15th, 5:30 to 8:00, "Wedding" . . . no additional information. 

Now I'm curious!  Anyone ever attended a wedding at a football stadium? 

Touchdown Tea

Image courtest of taylortakesataste.com

From the geniuses at www.intoxicology.net, PGD is excited to bring you Touchdown Tea - a simple, yummy, and SEC-appropriate tailgating libation.

Touchdown Tea
1 oz Jack Daniels
2 oz Lemonade
2 oz Sweet Tea

PGD has a Facebook page!

Yep, you can now follow us on Facebook and share all your great tailgating pictures and ideas right on our wall! 

So, please head on over to Facebook and LIKE Project Game Day!

Project Game Day Facebook Page

Purse police

No more giant purses: The U of A has issued new size restrictions for bags allowed into Reynolds Razorback Stadium

 

 

New Bag Policy for Razorback Football Games:

 

This policy reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to recommendations from Department of Homeland Security. Except for bags required for child care or medical conditions, all bags, back packs, fanny packs, camera and binocular cases or other similar items and purses larger than 14” long (side-to-side) x 10” wide (front to back) x 10” deep (top to bottom) are prohibited. All purses allowed into the stadium will be searched. Containers measuring 14” long x 10” wide x 10” deep will be placed at each entry to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, shuttle pick up locations and selected parking lots. Purses that do not fit into the container will not be permitted inside the stadium.

 

More information available here. 

Tailgate nap break

 

 

Sweet baby Rose Unger proves that there is an exception to every rule: passing out at the tailgate party in the middle of the day really can be adorable!  It looks like little Rose is even dreaming about calling those hogs!

 

Thanks to her wonderful mama Kelly Scott Unger for this photo. 

Fun for the whole family

 

Nope, I'm not just talking about day drinking on the War Memorial golf course.  I'm talking about baggo, game of champions!  

 

Woo Pig Sooie!  Make no mistake - these kiddos were SERIOUS about winning!

 

 

Need another reason to finally invest in a baggo set?  Rather than packing separate toys and games for the kids, just bring along one game that can entertain everyone.  Georgia Grace and Phillip, pictured above, of Hot Springs, have clearly been practicing.  They'll be the team to beat in the under-ten circuit this year.  Thanks to Sarah Longtin for the awesome photo.

 

 

Order a Razorback baggo set here. 

 

It's almost jacket weather

I'm not crazy about it paired with white jeans, but this lightweight ivory jacket would look great layered over a simple red tee and paired with dark-wash skinny jeans.  And because it's from Ember, you know it's a great price - only $58!

End of Summer Sales!

Although tailgating is a quintessential fall activity, end of summer clearance sales can be great opportunities to stock up on supplies. 

Next time you're at Target, Home Depot, Walmart, etc., check out their summer clearance sales - I can almost guarantee you'll find great deals on grills, outdoor folding chairs, solar lanterns, coolers, string lights, outdoor serving platters and pitchers, and more!

Food safety may not be exciting

 

but when you're planning your next tailgating party, keep these essentials in mind:

Photo credit: click here.

Which Foods are Safe to Serve?

Single-serving, pre-packaged portions are the safest. Consider offering sandwiches, cookies, or other food items in individual, food-grade plastic bags or film wrap. This will minimize the number of people who come in contact with the food.

Dry foods or those high in sugar are almost always safe. Breads, rolls, cakes (without cream filling), fresh fruits and vegetables, cookies and crackers are safe. Use caution when serving cooked or processed foods such as lunch meat, hot dogs, vegetables and salads.

High-protein foods like meat, milk and dishes containing egg are potentially hazardous.

Be cautious with marinades.

Potatoes, rice, custards, puddings, pies, gravies and stuffings should be served with extreme caution. Time and temperature control of these foods is extremely important.

The life of most deli meats and foods is short. Roast beef, chicken breast, and turkey have a shorter refrigerator life than processed meats or cold cuts.

Follow these simple steps to ensure safety:

• Buy reasonable quantities.
• If food won't be served soon, store in a cooler immediately.
  When you get home, properly wrap and freeze deli meats that won't be eaten within two to four days.
• REMEMBER most food poisoning bacteria can NOT be seen, smelled, or tasted.
• Bacteria multiply fastest between temperatures of 40 and 140; it's what we call the Danger Zone

If in doubt, throw it out! Keep hot foods HOT (above 140° F) and cold foods COLD (40° F or below)

More food safety resources from the Food Safety Project:

• Picnic Safety
• Time Out for Take Out if you use take-out foods for your tailgate party
• Special Care for Special Foods: Ground Beef, Poultry, Hot Dogs, Luncheon Meats, Eggs and Mayonnaise

I'm not usually a fan of rompers, but . . .

If you're going to wear a romper, at least make it red and white!

This red and white romper from Ember Boutique in Little Rock seems to have been designed just for Arkansas fans.  Rompers can be tricky to pull off, so make sure it fits properly (it really should not be tight anywhere!).  But if you've got the figure to rock a romper, it can be a perfect mix of cute and casual, and this one is a great price at only $40. 

Sheer Stripes

This lightweight red and white striped hoodie would be the perfect layering piece for early fall games.  It's available at Ember in the Heights in LR.  I love this shop - nothing over $75, and new clothes every week.  Like the Facebook page here. 

Put a hog on it

Woo Pig Sooie!  Little ones will look adorable in this chevron-print Razorback dress from Etsy.

Etsy seller Monkey Style Boutique is selling this cute baby girl's Razorback dress for $35.  The best part?  By ordering your cutie this little dress, you'll be supporting an independent business owner based right here in Arkansas!