Fig Newton's Haberdashery Faux Paw

No, say it aint so.  Cam Newton, quarterback of the NFL Carolina Panthers, showed up for a press conference wearing this outfit....

I was going to make the picture full sized but I didn't want to hurt anyone's eyes. I know, you are saying to yourself, Kim, the last post you did was about football. What gives?  Well, just look at the picture and ask yourself, would I go out of the house dressed like this, man or woman?

What is it with male sports celebrities who dress as if they turned out all the lights in their bedroom when they were dressing, don't own a mirror, don't follow the advice of their stylist, don't have a stylist, or whatever.  The only thing I can come up with is Cam got lost in the women's section of Nordstroms, liked what he saw and made what the retail trade calls an "impulse purchase." Now, some people may call this a "repulsive purchase." Who am I to judge?  (Okay, all right, perhaps I might be doing that just a bit but really, on what rack did he find this stuff?//)  Surely he must have asked a salesperson of indeterminate gender what they thought of the look. Well, he changed his tune this week by showing up in a bowtie and blue blazer. I ask you out there in Football America, will the real Cam Newton please stand up?  Or at least open up the latest edition of GQ? If not GQ, how about trying these Etsy retailers for something waaaaay better than a pink blazer, capri pants, and a bowtie.......

TeeDenim is a great store with fun vintage clothing for men.  I love the "Mystery" items they offer. Great for the guy who wants to be turned out well without the price tag. The clothes looked loved.
  You can find this fun offering at
https://www.etsy.com/listing/162945977/mystery-sweater-patterned-sweater?ref=shop_home_feat_2

And one must have accessories to boot. You can find this at JooJoobs, has lots of great handtooled accessories for men.                             

https://www.etsy.com/listing/160390859/mens-leather-wallet-ultra-slim?ref=shop_home_feat_3

 NoSlipSuspenders has what I think Cam truly needs, cuz if he buys the suspenders, surely the very hot woman comes with them????
https://www.etsy.com/listing/157124087/leather-suspenders-for-men?ref=sc_1&sref=sr_810a7dfbb7d006f1d3c100962fe6a0f4cfb8f8ffe8898df5b243ff55583ffec6_1411507278_14709778_man&sref2=MTU3MTI0MDg3%3AbWFu%3AMTQ3MDk3Nzg.%3AbWVucyBjbG90aGluZw..%3Ady4w%3AMTQxMTUwNzI3OA..%3AMzoxNDExNTA3Mjc4OmlQY0lSVWtFYl91REludzhqdlFnZ2lVVWROaEM6NmQ5MDY0NDZiNWNhOTc2YzdiZjZlZjc4ZTJhNTMzMmVmZmYxYzVkMzJiN2VkNGQxNGExYjgxYzk2M2RiN2Y0Mg..%3Ad7cc0f4d55171d11afa0aa64210ff844ae12249b&ga_search_query=mens+clothing&ga_explicit_scope=1&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery




                Well time to head out to someplace, because it's 5:00 someplace!!  Until next time...

My Etsy store?  designbayou

The Alphabet of Football

Yep, Fall is in the air and no matter where you live, you just cannot escape the fact that this is football season.  Whether it is high school, college, or professional, it's the time of year we get out our seasonal regalia, fire up the grill, and show up with all the team spirit we can muster for the weekend. Football is now the biggest spectator sport in the United States, the NFL now a multi billion dollar business.  NCAA football can't be far behind... with all due respect to the "amateur" athletes that comprise college football teams. We have the SEC, PAC 12, ACC, SWAC, as well as YAC, PAT, TD, YPC, FG, YPC, QB, SS, OLB, LS, and I could keep on going.

My husband is a diehard Mississippi State Bulldog fan while I root for the New Orleans Saints. Sort of a house divided but not as bad as some homes/marriages I have witnessed. As in most states, there is an awesome in-state rivalry and many people date and marry someone from the "other school." I have witnessed some really ugly stuff on weekends in those mixed marriages, many couples who cannot be in the same room when their alma maters' play one another.  I think pro fans are even worse. I make this last statement with a fair amount of certainty because I used to live in Philly.  'Nuf said.

But rivalries aside, Fall and football season can be a really fun time of the year.  The best for some people is tailgating.  In New Orleans, tailgating starts the afternoon of the day before in downtown.  No matter what the day, rain or shine, they don't care.  Perhaps it is just another excuse for partying in New Orleans, not that anyone ever needs an excuse in New Orleans to party. The sights, the sounds, the cries of laughter and recognition of someone you may not have seen in a long time permeate the atmosphere of any tailgating party.  But food always takes center stage!!!!

Ah, tailgating in America didn't really get into full swing until about 1990.  Prior to that, pregame parties were pretty much at home or in the 'hood. Nowadays, people show up with barbeque grills, sausage and peppers, Philly cheesesteaks, burgers and dogs, toasted buns, slaw, potato salad, deviled eggs, antipasti, grilling corn, you name it, it's there for the cooking and eating.  To prove my point, when I searched for "tailgating" in Etsy, no less than 11,998 results came up (seriously, try it!!!). It boggles the mind to see what lengths people go to join in the fun.  I found party invites, game day "kickasserole" plates, NFL shoes (I coveted a pair myself...),  pillow covers, blankets, underwear (really!!!), dresses, tumblers, ice scoops,  labels for plastic water bottles, aprons, outfits for toddlers, wine glasses, headbands, utensil caddies, cookies and cupcakes, and about 11, 980 more items. Below are some shops that are truly fun and unusual, neat stuff to stay in the tailgating spotlight..

Found at Sentimental Decor, you have to admire this team spirit and this great wreath!  What a fabulous Christmas gift for a Cowgirls..... er, Cowboys fan. Tamara, the owner, will do a custom request for you, too. You know you want it......

https://www.etsy.com/listing/202570660/dallas-cowboys-wreathfootball-wreathnfl?ref=sr_gallery_14&ga_search_query=tailgating&ga_explicit_scope=1&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery 



Make a fashion statement .. or have your little girls make a fashion statement with this outfit.  Make it yours and the fun is endless!!
                                                                            
https://www.etsy.com/listing/119726240/football-tutu-leg-warmers-set-tailgating?ref=shop_home_feat_3
Found this prize at BornTuTu Rock.


Just to show you how seriously some people take tailgating, here is the ultimate wedding invitation...... one has to admire a woman with true team spirit.
You can find it at girlsatplay.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/82489417/bridal-shower-football-tailgate-party?ref=sr_gallery_27&ga_search_query=tailgating&ga_ref=auto2&ga_explicit_scope=1&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

Well, it's 5:00 somewhere and looking at all this tailgating stuff has me all worked up to go eat and drink.  'Till next time!!

My etsy store?  designbayou

A Life Worth Living????

Yes, I have been absent for a while.  I believe some wise person once said "Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans."  How true.  Well, a while back, I mused on the virtues of bacon because everything is better with bacon.  It just is, no denying that fact. Bacon adds that wonderful warmth and creaminess to whatever you are making. No self-respecting Southern woman would ever cook without bacon as the basis for most everything.

I wondered what the limits of bacon in everything just might be.  So did someone else and they even wrote a cookbook about it called... drum roll, please..  Bacon!!!!!  (James Villas author and published John Wiley and Sons)  The pictures are gorgeous, and I learned that differing countries have different types of bacon.  Who knew? There are all kinds of mouthwatering recipes using all kinds of bacon, from bacon pies, to warm salad dressings, to quiches, to an unspeakably good corn and bacon souffle, to pretty much everything.


All this being said, a medical ailment has done the impossible in my life.  I CAN NO LONGER EAT BACON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Seeing as I almost worship at the altar of bacon, this is quite a depressing thought. No more BLT and avocado sandwiches that are slathered in garlicky mayo, no more warm bacon salad dressing over my goat cheese and beet salad, no more chopped and sauteed bacon mixed with warm cherry tomatoes over my pasta, no more bacon wrapped meatloaf, no more pate with bacon, no more bacon pumpernickel bread, no more wild rice with bacon and oysters, no more baked beans with bacon. Guess what?  No more bacon cookies!!!!!  In the words of Lucy, the beloved character from Peanuts, ARGHH!!!!!!  Considering the active role bacon plays in my gastronomic repertoire, I must ask myself  Is this a life worth living? My doctor said I could always try turkey bacon.  Are you kidding?  Sounds almost sacrilegious. Blasphemous?  Maybe.

Well, for those who can still continue to imbibe in the world's' most tasty food, think of me when you take that first fabulous bite of whatever it is you are eating.  And have pity on those of us doomed to turkey bacon.


In the meantime, check out the cool stuff on Etsy that makes bacon all worthwhile.


This is from Lucy's Art Emporium and what better way to express one's undying love for you... or bacon??

https://www.etsy.com/listing/91433453/i-love-you-more-than-bacon-greeting-card?ref=sr_gallery_40&ga_search_query=i+love+you+more+than+bacon&ga_ref=auto6&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

Or try cjsultimatefoods, a shop that looks unbelievably great.  I can smell it though my computer...


https://www.etsy.com/listing/167559600/bacon-jam-the-original-6oz?ref=shop_home_feat_1


And last but not least, you can decorate with bacon fabric.  The possibilities are endless!!!!


https://www.etsy.com/listing/125738553/realistic-food-cotton-fabric-4-options?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=bacon&ga_ref=auto2&ga_explicit_scope=1&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery


Well, until next week, it's 5:00 somewhere.

My Etsy store?  designbayou...