Tailgating with CoraLee

Despite an upsetting loss to A&M over the weekend, I am so proud of our Arkansas Razorbacks for nearly pulling out a victory against a really great opponent. No one expected us to do that well and it was a sight to see. Fun game to watch, indeed!

Also? We sat at the same table as some A&M fans at the hotel restaurant while we watched the game, and the six of us had a ball. Later, some Mizzou fans joined us since the restaurant was short on tables and we had some extra chairs. A bunch of fellow SEC-ers sharing a table...it was beautiful. Like a Pepsi commercial or something ; )

Okay, so tailgating. For any football fan, the proper tailgate party almost as important as the game itself.

My least favorite part of tailgating, though? Lugging a bunch of stuff to the tailgating spot. With lawn chairs, 15 bags of random food items, plus (now) baby stuff, it's enough to make me cringe.

My friend Courtney L. from CoraLee Boutique emailed me a couple of weeks ago to see if I'd be willing to try out one of her collapsible Market Totes for our next tailgate or potluck gathering. Best part? They can be personalized with your initials or name...holla!

They hold a lot of stuff, you guys. I mean, a lot. I was even able to get my 9 x 13 casserole dish down into the bottom of it pretty easily.

I gotta say, for any of you out there who enjoy tailgate parties or just potluck dinners in general, I think it's a great thing to have on hand. The tote collapses completely and stores flat. When you're ready to use it, simply pop it into place, put up the handles and fill it to your heart's content. And since we're in the thick of fall wedding season, I plan on getting a couple of these for engagement/wedding gifts for some of our couple friends.

A quick pic before work this morning. More coming on this shift dress I'm wearing on Thursday.

Courtney also sent along this Scarlett Strand Necklace (only $17!) since she knew I had a thing for Razorback red ; ) Naturally, I loved it. Courtney has tons of other adorable necklaces, bracelets, rings and more available on her boutique's website.

Now, I cannot talk tailgating without talking about food, too. I wanted to pass along a couple of dip recipes, which have made it into my circulation twice already this football season.

Mexican Corn Dip

1- 11 oz. can of Mexicorn
1- 11 oz. can of regular corn
1/2 block cream cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1 Tbsp. tabasco sauce
1 cup Mexican blend shredded cheese
1 appointment with your cardiologist for a cholesterol check after you consume this. Kidding. But maybe...

Drain both cans of corn. In a slow cooker, (I use my smaller slow cooker for this recipe), combine both cans of corn, cheese, cream cheese, mayo, tabasco and onion powder. Cook on high for an hour, then flip it to low and continue cooking and stirring occasionally until it's nice and bubbly. Serve with some sort of chippage.(I prefer tortilla chips, but it's your world.)


Cajun Spinach and Artichoke Dip

2 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup jalapeño peppers, chopped finely
1 tsp. cajun blend seasoning, (we like Tony Chachere's)
1 (12 oz.) jar of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped well
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 (10 oz.) package of frozen spinach, thawed and drained

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mix your cream cheese, mayo, peppers and cajun seasoning in a bowl until nice and smooth. Add in your spinach, artichoke hearts and parmesan cheese. Dump it all into a baking dish. Bake in oven for 35-45 minutes, or until it's nice and bubbly.

Enjoy with pita chips (our personal favorite, with this recipe), crackers or bagel chips. Heck, enjoy it with wood chips...it'd probably still be tasty.
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Gameday Market Totes, cute necklaces and dip. As my girl Martha Stewart would say, "It's a good thing."

Gameday Part II: {Ready with Riffraff}

The pre-gameday celebrations continue around here tonight with one of my very favorite new tops, perfect for tailgating this fall. 

My friends at Riffraff pretty much outdid themselves on this year's fall gameday collection. Just like football itself, their collection kicks a whole 'lotta tail. 

{And guess what? There's something there for girls from just about every conference and school; colors and patterns to represent nearly every alma mater.}

Seen here: the Samantha Tunic 

 

I was immediately drawn straight to the pattern and loose tunic style of this top, which I must say, accommodates a growing baby bump quite nicely. The pattern would also be perfect for all my 'Bama girls, (wink, wink!)

Seen here: Stone Dangle earrings // Black and Gold Fringe bracelet (sold out)

Seen here: Black and Gold Fringe Bracelet (sold out) // Shining Stones Bracelet in Clear

And, can we talk accessories for a sec? Yeah, love these. 

Go see my friends at Riffraff if you live in NWA, down on the Fayetteville square! And keep an eye out this summer for their new location opening in Dallas, TX! You can follow them for exclusive details on the new store on Instagram at riffraffdallas

Of course, you can always shop the gazillion looks on their website, too. Fast shipping and the best customer service this side of the Mississippi. 

Alright, ladies. I'm off to catch up on some True Blood with the husband. See you bright and early right back here!

Gameday Ready: Part I

It's that blessed time of year, friends. The time when we huddle 'round the TV every Saturday and watch our favorite teams take the turf. It's football season, y'all.

And it's a beautiful thing.

I decided to make things easy, I'd break it down by colors this year rather than school. So have fun checking out my favorite items for Gameday 2014!

Lush Maxi Dress // Soprano Stripe Skater Dress // China Beach Dress

Effortlessly Casual Blouse from Savoir-Faire // Risky Business Top // Co-Ed Co-Op Maxi Dress

Razorback Retro Dress in Charcoal from Riffraff // Switch it Up Reversible Tote (Red + Gold) from Riffraff // Samantha Shift Dress from Riffraff

Spirit Tunic OU // Texas Tech Jersey // Not So Basic Skirt in Royal Blue // Ohio State Vintage Dolman

Leopard Sweater Clemson University // Blue Jersey Tee // LSU Sequin Dolman Top // Arkansas Made Tank

One You Won't Forget Maxi Dress // Gameday Houndstooth Scarf // Hey There Flare Top in Black

Down on the Chattahoochie Aztec Dress from Riffraff // Crimson Romper // Lock it Down Dress from Riffraff 

In Knots Open Back Tank from Maude // Pure Sugar Orange Maxi // Fringe at Last Vest in Rust // Pleated V-Neck Woven Blouse

Red Wool Floppy Hat // Oasis Bound Sunnies // Boss Lady Oversized Clutch 

Yours Truly Baily Dress // Show Your Colors Necklace (Purple + Gold) from Riffraff // Finley Shorts in Purple

Annie Bow Back Tank // Show Your Colors Necklace (Gold + Black) from Riffraff // Textured Animal Print Peplum Top

Riffraff // Savoir-Faire // Maude Boutique // Red Dress Boutique // Blue Door Boutique // Nordstrom // OCJ Apparel // Impressions 

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Stay tuned for Part II tomorrow and I'll show you how I styled three of my very favorite pieces from Riffraff! It's what I'll be wearing to the first Razorback tailgate (with cooler weather, of course!)

What We Can Learn from Peyton Manning

Okay, I'll be honest. I really didn't have a dog in the fight in this year's Superbowl. Stephen and I tend to root for players we like versus teams, if that makes sense. (I guess if we had to pick a team, we'd choose the Niners or Patriots. We like the coaches and many of the players.)

But we like Mr. Manning a lot, no matter which team he's taking to the Bowl.

Here's why:

When asked this morning by a reporter if he was embarrassed by his team's performance last night, he said, "It's not embarrassing at all. I'll never use that word. There's a lot of professional football players in that room, that locker room, who put a lot of effort into being here and playing in that game. The word 'embarrassing' is an insulting word to tell you the truth."

It got me to thinking. How easy is would it have been for him to have said, "Yes. I'm ashamed. We played terribly and I knew we were sunk from that first bad snap."

Instead, he stood up for his team, his friends. He wasn't letting anyone pick on his family. I guarantee you that he didn't enjoy the outcome of that game or the numbers on that scoreboard. But instead of cursing and yelling and acting fed up, he put on a brave face and stood up for the guys he calls teammates.

It made me take a closer look at how I react when things don't go my way. Do I place blame on others to save face or, like Peyton, do I let those around me know that, no matter what, I'm proud of them? 

I think I'll choose to be like Peyton. 

Food for thought as we kick this week off...

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P.S. - Props to the Seahawks for coming out to "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve. LOVED IT. Oh, and a Superbowl trophy well-deserved!!

P.P.S. - I was elated to see that Red Hot Chili Peppers's Anthony Kiedis is still alive. After the substances that the man has probably ingested during his lifetime, I'm in awe. Californication blared on my CD player (remember those?) in high school 24/7 and it was just dandy to see those guys on the stage again. Thanks for keep real music alive, boys. 

(And I kind of loved the collab with Bruno Mars. Two very good acts, in my opinion.)

Fall. Or as I like to call it, the most wonderful time of the year.

Not only is this the longest blog post title in the history of A Blonde Ambition, (I think...but I really didn't dig too deeply to confirm that factoid). But a season dedicated to various cream cheese-based dips, SEC football, colorful leaves, scarves, boots and babies named Caroline, (if you are Stephen and me), deserves a lengthy post title, yes?

If I had to sum up a few reasons why I adore fall, I might mention:

Wreaths

I'm a sucker for a beautiful wreath. Doubly a sucker if it contains acorns/burlap/burnt orange/mustard/other autumnal elements. I've been rocking the same fall wreath from Target for the past four years, but it might be time to get a new one. The rich mustard colors have since faded to a nice pastel, custard shade, (i.e. not cute). I'd take any or all of these:

By Privileged Door on Etsy

via TwoInspireYou on Etsy

Chocolate and Cream Hydrangea Wreath from...you guessed it: Etsy

I don't even mind that it's surrounded by chevron planters. And that's really saying something ; )
Find 'er here.

Scentsy

My husband gives me such a hard time about the amount of Scentsy we purchase, but I'll be darned if he doesn't walk in at least once a week and go, "Woah? You baking? That smells amazing!" And then I say something to the effect of, "Nope! It's just a Pumpkin Roll Scentsy bar." And then he looks crestfallen, suddenly realizing that dessert will not be eaten, but rather smelled.

I recently put in an order with my Scentsy gal Megan and here's what made the cut:

If you don't have a Scentsy rep, contact Megan and put your order in. Even if it is 1,000 steamy degrees outside, we can still pretend it's fall, can't we? Scentsy is my favorite way to do just that.

Halloween Movies

I'm not talking slasher films here, I mean cinematic gems like Halloweentown, Halloweentown Two: Kalibar's Revenge (don't act like you haven't heard of it), Hocus Pocus and Casper, (the one with teen sensations Christina Ricci and Devon Sawa.) Don't think I haven't already spent time planning an October line-up for our Netflix. Obviously, Stephen is thrilled.

Having Babies

What? Like YOU don't love having babies in the fall, too? Psssshhhh. It's my favorite pastime. But in all surrrrrriousness, I'm pleased as cider-flavored punch to be welcoming our little mini this season.

College Football 

Because, let's face it, football is the most awesome sport ever. I mean, how many people would turn out to tailgate in 150 degree heat and humidity for a polo match. None. Because polo is pretentious and probably doesn't involve hot wing eating.

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And that friends, is all she wrote. About fall. For now. Until next week. Probably.

Confessional/Dip Friday: {Link-Up}

Since this week's topic for CF was "grab bag", I decided to throw caution to the wind (or Velveeta into the crockpot) and blog about...DIP!!

You know, that amazing manna from heaven?

Well, since college football started back last night, I felt it fitting to throw some dip at'cha. Here are a few of my very favorite dip recipes that you can often find the hubs and me devouring on any given game day:

Nothin' Fancy Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 can of chili (we like Wolf brand)
• 1 block Philadelphia cream cheese
• Half a small bag of sharp shredded cheddar cheese

1. Coat the bottom and sides of a 9 x 9 glass dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Melt the cream cheese in the microwave until it's soft and lump free, so that you can easily spread it.
3. Spread melted cream cheese onto the bottom of the dish.
4. Top that layer with the entire can of chili, spreading evenly. Top THAT layer with the cheddar.
5. Now, put the dish uncovered into the microwave for 2.5 minutes or so, until cheese is bubbly.

You can thank me later.

Oh, give me a home dip, where the buffalo roam...
(Photo via recipleaser.com)

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients

• 4 clean chicken breasts
• 1 Bottle of  Hot sauce (12 oz.)
• 12 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup Mexican cheese
• 1 cup Ranch dressing
• Tortilla chips

1. Cook the chicken breasts in water until done.
2. Cut the chicken into small chunks or cubes .
3. Place the chicken in a bowl and pour the wing sauce over it, mixing well.
4. In an oven-proof dish, add the cream cheese and pour the chicken on top of it. Add the cheese over it and also sprinkle some ranch dressing.
5. Bake for about half an hour at 325 degrees.

Tell me this doesn't make you wanna dive in face first.
(photo via Food Network)

Charleston Dip

Ingredients

• 1/2 - cup mayonnaise
• 1 - 8oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1 - cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 - cup grated monterey jack cheese
• 2 - green onions, finely chopped
• Dash of cayenne pepper
• 8 - Ritz crackers, crushed
• 8 - slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (I prefer center-cut bacon for its thickness.)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2. In a medium bowl, mix the mayonnaise, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, monterey jack cheese, green onions and cayenne pepper. 

3. Transfer the mixture to a shallow baking dish. 

4. Top mixture with cracker crumbs and bake for 15 minutes, or until heated through. 

5. Remove the pan from the oven and top with the bacon.

6.  Serve immediately with corn chips, bagel chips or crackers.

Sufficiently hungry yet?

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Let's Just Talk.

Sometimes in blogland, it's nice to just write a few random thoughts down instead of having a carefully orchestrated post.

Today, friends, is one of those times.

Here's what's on my mind, mid-week:

• Would y'all want to do a dip recipe link-up in place of Confessional Friday this week? Just a thought. A thought that stemmed from seeing a Philadelphia Cream Cheese pop-up ad in my browser. This is how my mind works, you see. 

• I'm le tired. Baby Caroline enjoys practicing her Rockette-like kicks from around 10 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. or so. I'm pleased as punch that my tiny dancer is already working on proper form and technique, but I wake up every morning feeling (and looking) like a zombie from Walking Dead. I've heard other moms say they slept better after they had the baby. Is this true for any of you girls?

• I'm a bit afraid of having to wear shoes that require me to buckle them. Sometimes after I bend down, I wonder if that might be the time I'm not able to get up again. Asking a pregnant woman at 8 and a half months to gracefully bend over is like asking Miley Cyrus to teach an etiquette class. A very bad idea, indeed.

• College football begins tomorrow night! Hallelujah and amen. I can hear the angels singing now. Do you hear them, too? Their song sounds a bit like...

• My husband has been giddy all week because of college football starting back up and his energy is infectious. ESPN is on constant play in our living room and Razorback yard flags are being put up all over our subdivision. I had a dream last night that we went to the hospital to have the baby and my regular OB had been replaced by ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit. 

What's on your mind today?

Gameday Ready: {Outfit Pics feat. Riffraff}

It’s late summer and I'm well into my third trimester, so that means dresses like this Loose Knit Piko Tank dress are reigning supreme in my wardrobe rotation right now.

This black tank Piko dress (yep, they come in dresses) c/o Riffraff is the perfect way for this mama-to-be to feel stylish and comfy for early tailgates this fall when it's still plenty warm. If you aren't familiar with the Piko line, you MUST get that way. It's the softest material ever!

I styled mine with my favorite ASOS pumps, a cheetah print belt from Old Navy (last year), and tons of bracelets. Oh, and a little face decoration, too : )

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So many fun things going on at Riffraff right now, including their new Game Day Collection! And, Riffraff is the official outfit sponsor of Jen Bielema, wife of AR football coach Bret Bielema, for the 2013 season. Big things happening for this much-loved local store, indeed!

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P.S. - Speaking of shopping locally, remember a while ago when I told you girls about American Native Goods, the handmade line of leather goods made by my friend Bobby and his brother Clayton? Well, the fantastic team at Arkansas Life is featuring them in this month's issue! Take a look at this beautiful spread about their company and the exciting things in store for this inspiring duo. 

Photos via Arkansas Life