Ready for Some FOOTBALL!

We are less than a week away from the official kickoff to the college football season and I couldn't be more excited!

As most of you know, I went to Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and as with most SEC schools, it's all about the Fall and football!

It's a BIG deal even when you're not in the town where your alma mater is.

Every year the Charlotte area SEC school alumni associations come together as one for a 'Kickoff Party'.

This started many years ago and I have only missed a few over the years.

This year was extra special because it was Shelby's first time!

Our alumni group went all out to make us standout in the crowd by hand painting this Tiger eye for our tent.

Great for photo ops, even for my Virginia Tech Hokie hubby.

One of our alumni members owns Painting with a Twist here in Charlotte and was nice enough to be on site giving everyone a chance to do a little painting.

Just like last year our Arkansas fan friends met up there with us.

Shelby got snuggles from Miss Katie.

New to the group this year was Missouri and Texas A&M.

Little weird but welcome to them!

My little Tiger.

Shelby was one of MANY babies there this year.

A fun family event.

Now bring on the games!!!!!

The COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF IS ON!!!

Does your town do something like this either for SEC, ACC, Big 10, etc??

Brad's Last Hoorah and Fun Game Day Gear!

While I was off getting my fix of Fall in the mountains over the weekend Brad was enjoying what I like to call, his last big 'hoorah' before Shelby arrives.

For months he and his friends have been planning a bus trip down to South Carolina to see the Virginia Tech Hokies play Clemson.

Among the group were several people who traveled in from Northern Virginia and Blacksburg but there were also others that live here in Charlotte.

I knew EARLY on, I wouldn't be going and that it would be Brad's last 'blowout' party weekend before baby.

Well, it was.....

After what I will call a 'late' night on Friday with the crew, his alarm went off at 5:45am Saturday morning to ensure he was on the bus that was set to leave Uptown Charlotte at 6:30am.

Needless to say, it was a long day but one full of lots of fun but in the end a loss for the Hokies.

Brad's not an over the top Hokie fan like many, but he did manage to sport a new piece of game day gear in Clemson that sparked quite a bit of interest.

A new Olly Oxen visor.

I discovered this NC preppy company while at the SEC kickoff party last month and instantly fell in love!

Brad said he even had a bartender at one of the Clemson bars that recognized the Olly Oxen brand.

Created by Raleigh designer Charlotte Guice in 2009, her approach to game day gear is simple and elegant.

No logos.

Instead simple in order to move from the football game to the formal occasion.

Olly Oxen carries a variety of products including game day flasks, that would make a perfect groomsmen gift for weddings.

To fun, preppy game day scarves for the ladies.

Of course, I'm digging the purple and gold Louisiana scarf to wear as I cheer on my Tigers.

But aside from their State Pride collection, they carry an entire Collegiate collection including the Mountaineer scarf for any of you App State fans.

And, then there is their bowtie collection.

Perfect for game day or any other day!

Of course, I'm only chipping away at the iceberg.

Go and check out Olly Oxen's entire line by visiting them via web, Facebook, or on Twitter.

I think they make perfect gifts for that football fan in your family this Christmas or just for fun.

I know Brad really likes his!

Charlotte's SEC Kickoff Party - GEAUX Tigers!

Football is in the air!!!!!!!!

I absolutely LOVE college football and am counting down the days until kickoff!

A lot of that has to do with being raised here in the South, and of course, going to college at LSU.

Despite North Carolina being ACC Country, Charlotte has a huge SEC presence.

Every year there is an SEC Kickoff party before football season begins and people always show up in droves.

This year was no different.

It was held last night at IceHouse restaurant and bar in the South End.

We went straight after we left work so people were just starting to show up.

They made it a tailgate atmosphere with each school setting up a tent.

Some schools didn't actually have tents to represent their university so they improvised using plain ones and putting signs up on the front.

Of course, LSU didn't have that problem!!!

The weather could not have been more perfect.

Fall AND football are in the air!!!

This is my VERY..VERY FAVORITE time of the year.

I get giddy about it!

These pictures were taken around 5pm to 6:45pm.

And.. this is 6:45pm and on...

The place really got packed.

They had live music, free food, beer specials and more.

I don't care what anyone says, the SEC is by far the best athletic conference around.

So great to see all the fans come together as one.

We met up with a bunch of friends at the event and because I can't drink a real beer this year I settled on an O'Douls.

The first one I've tried and I have to say, it tastes like a real beer!

I might have to look into non-alcoholic wine!

Our Arkansas fan friends Katie and Josh were out and about for the fun.

And, Dan and Angela from the LSU Alumni group.

I shopped and shopped for a maternity LSU shirt online with no luck.

I ran to Target at the last minute and settled on a plain purple shirt and paired it with my LSU beads to look festive.

Even the dogs were looking dapper in their school colors!

It was such a great event.

Better than years before.

There was even a cornhole tournament between the schools.

Josh represented Arkansas.

Not to mention, I saw TONS and TONS of people I haven't seen in quite some time.

And, even blog friends like Rachel from In No Simple Language!

Are you a football fan? 

SEC? ACC?

Are you excited about kickoff??

LSU vs. TN Weekend - Part Deux - GAME DAY!

Game Day came early since the game had a 3:30pm kickoff.

We headed out to campus and set up our tailgate.

 We tailgated on frat alley since Brad's cousins are only 3-years out of school there at UT.

One of his cousin's boyfriends was president of ATO a few years back so we tailgated near their house.

 LSU Purple and Gold in the sea of Orange!

Representing!

 Even the dogs were decked out for game day!

I was glad to see other LSU fans tailgating near us.

 Tailgating near the frat houses brought back some memories.

At the Sigma Chi house they had pledges saving parking spots for actives.

 Thanks to cousins Mike and Kathy who brought most of the tailgate gear!

 Thanks to cousin Billy for hosting us the entire weekend!

We had a blast!

 Fall football season complete with a good tailgate is my favorite time of the year!

 You wouldn't be in the South without FireFly vodka at your tailgate.

 Cousin Katie and her boyfriend who graduated from UT just 3-years ago.

 One of the best parts of the day was when one of my life-long friends came and visited us!

Ty and I went to grammar school in Baton Rouge together and LSU.

He travels to several of the away games each year.

So great to see him and catch up!

 Brad in front of the ATO house.

These guys like to get their party on!

This is where we used the bathroom and when we first got there some freshman girl and puked all over the bathroom.

Talk about really bring back some memories!

 Then we made our way to Neyland Stadium for the big game!

 Brad has nicknamed the stadium the 'House of Snooze'.

He couldn't believe how quiet a stadium that seats 102,000 fans could be.

He was right.

Even our LSU section was more enthusiastic than their fans.

 Overall, good times in good ole' Rocky Top!

 Oh, and did I mention that the Tigers won?

YEP!

38 to 7!

We're still #1 BABY!