Your purse takes real abuse on game day

It gets stuffed with a rain jacket, flats or flip flops, and a bottle of whiskey.  It gets beer spilled on it.  During the game, you have to set it down on the bleachers by your feet, where a little stream of sticky coke will inevitably find it.  So, while you want to look your best on game day, maybe leave your favorite designer bag at home, and bring an inexpensive alternative like this:

Name this cocktail!

This weekend's game against Ole Miss starts early, so it's the perfect opportunity to whip up some brunch-style champagne cocktails for your pre-game festivities.  While mimosas are classic and delicious (I don't think I've ever turned one down), I like this Razorback-red version!

Mix prosecco with pomegranate juice (like POM Wonderful).  Add a splash of Grand Marnier to taste.  Yum! 

This bubbly red cocktail definitely needs a good game day name! 

Rain, rain go away!

The forecast for Saturday is not looking as beautiful as it could be:  high of 75, low of 58, but a 40% chance of scattered thunderstorms. 

So, wear layers since 75 in direct sunshine can get a little too warm, but rainy and windy in the 50's is a bit too chilly.  Bring a rain jacket, and wear shoes that you don't mind getting a bit wet.  If you think about it, toss a small hand towel in your purse to dry off the wet stadium seats if it rains before the game. 

Yes, it's a plaid shirt, but it's about as far from grunge as you can get

This ruffled plaid shirt from Talbots would be look so polished with a black wool skirt, tights, and black equestrian boots. 

Fun art for a kid's room

This fun artwork would be perfect to decorate a little Razorback's room.  $30 on Etsy. 

Hostess gift cuteness

A cute hand-painted bucket like this would be great as a hostess gift.  Fill it with a bag of tortilla chips, a bottle of good local salsa, a tequila, a bottle of margarita mix, and couple of limes.  This one is $23 on Etsy, or make your own with paint pens and ribbon. 

Hot Buttered Rum

For a chilly game day, keep warm with this tasty hot drink.  It takes work, but it gets rave reviews - I bet it will be a huge tailgating hit!

• 2 cups apple cider
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 tablespoons (packed) golden brown sugar
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick

• 3 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup bourbon
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Ground nutmeg

Bring first 5 ingredients to simmer in medium saucepan. Remove from heat; cover and let steep 15 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons chilled butter to saucepan; bring to simmer. Remove from heat. Stir in bourbon and lemon juice. Strain into large measuring cup. Divide hot cider among 4 mugs. Cut 1 tablespoon butter into 4 pieces. Add 1 piece to each mug. Sprinkle nutmeg over.

Top dog

Epicurious.com, a great resource for tailgating recipes, taste-tested all the leading hot dog brands and picked a few favorites.

Best Overall

Epi Top Pick: Nathan's Beef Franks ($4.49 for 8-count pack)
Pros: "This dog has a smoky-sweet spiciness and is perfectly juicy," commented one taster. "I love how it's not mushy like Play-Doh; it has an unyielding consistency and a good wide girth," stated another. One taster said it best: "I knew it was the winner when I tasted it cold and it was still appetizing."
Cons: A bit greasy.

First Runner-Up: Thumann's Beef Frankfurters ($5.99 for 8-count pack; available in more than 38 states, check company Web site for details)
Pros: " There's a pickled sweet aroma, which I could taste in each bite," said one editor. "The neutral color and good, snappy skin made me feel like I was eating a classic New York City street 'furter."
Cons: A little on the skinny side.

Second Runner-Up: Oscar Meyer Premium Beef Franks ($3.99 for 8-count pack)
Pros: "This pick has a very distinct taste," said one taster. "It's nicely seasoned with garlic and an intense smokiness that reminds me of beef jerky." Other judges found it not overly greasy and with just the right firm bite.
Cons: This dog was oddly red and the texture spongy.

A gift for him (that's really for you)

That's the best kind, right? Check out this great cookbook from ESPN:

You'll love the classic tailgating recipes.  He'll love the commentary from ESPN College Gameday hosts.  Only $5.98!

Rock it

With confidence, you could totally pull off a funky accessory like this buffalo plaid hat.  $39.50

Brrrrrr!

For really cold games, you'll be happy to have a warm parka like this red one from Eddie Bauer.  $119. 

Treat your feet

These red ruffle flats from L.L.Bean have a memory foam insole and rubber outsole for extra comfort.  $69. 

What a find!

This awesome Razorback tote from Vineyard Vines is absolutely perfect for carrying all your tailgating gear on game day or packing for an away game.  $95.  Also available in a pale blue fabric with red hogs.

Remember the Razorbacks

I have a great Northface rain jacket.  It works as a lightweight windbreaker and keeps my dry in the rain and can easily roll up and fit in my purse.  In other words, it's perfect for game day . . . but it's pink.  I can't tell you how many times I've wished I'd gotten it in red or at least basic black.  The moral of the story is that, when buying basics like rain gear, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and rain/snow boots, keep in mind that these are the pieces you will be wearing on game day, and plan accordingly. 

Outfit your little one for a rainy game day

Red ladybug rain gear from Macy's. 

$4. Seriously.

Big red ring, $4, Charlotte Russe.

Two birds, one stone

This red wool coat from The Limited combines the classic looks of both a pea coat and a belted trench - so it can look casual and all-American at the game, then polished and refined for work on Monday.  $128. 

Interesting . . .

This unique scarf, described as a "neckscape" on Etsy, is cool and different, but it will still keep your neck warm on game day.  The designer recommends winding it around your neck and securing with a pretty brooch or wearing long and loose like a regular scarf.  $42.

Even little girls want cute shoes

These gray felt wool baby shoes are so cute - they'd be perfect on game day with a red dress and black baby-leggings!  $26 on Etsy.

We're in the South, so dig out that deep fryer

This recipe, courtesy of Food Network, looks amazing (and amazingly easy).  Crispy-fried buffalo chicken and cheddar cheese balls, with blue cheese dipping sauce . . . YUM!  Not for everyday, but perfect for game day.

Ingredients:

• 1 store-bought rotisserie chicken
• 1/4 cup hot sauce (recommended: Frank's Red Hot, the official hot sauce of the SEC)
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 3/4 cups sharp Cheddar
• 1/4 cup freshly sliced scallions
• 1 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups panko bread crumbs
• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the blue cheese dip:

• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup packed blue cheese, broken up
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic

Have oil heated to 350 degrees F.
Pick the meat from the chicken and discard the skin. Place the chicken in a large bowl and add the hot sauce, pepper, cheese, and scallions, and toss to combine. Roll the chicken into 2-ounce balls, about the size of a golf ball.
Place the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs in 3 separate bowls. Roll each ball in the flour, then the egg and then the bread crumbs. Set aside.
When the oil is hot fry the chicken balls in batches. Cook for about 2 minutes per batch. Remove the chicken to paper towel lined plate to drain the excess oil.
To make the sauce, combine all ingredients in a large bowl and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve the chicken alongside the dipping sauce.