The Gadget Football Fans Must Have

This post brought to you by Slingbox. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Venus Trapped in Mars.

Let's throw it back to Halloween 2014. Let me paint the picture for you. 

I was at a Halloween party, and this particular Halloween party was on November 1st. I'm still not sure why it was thrown the day after Halloween, perhaps so everyone could get a 75% off costume from Party City. November 1st was a Saturday, and thus, coincided with a Tennessee Volunteers football game. This particular game was against an SEC East rival, South Carolina. I do everything in my power to never miss a Vols game against an SEC opponent, so while everyone at the party was sitting outside by the fire pit, I was inside by myself watching the game. 

These were all CB's friends at the party, and we were still a relatively newer couple at the time. I felt bad that I wasn't socializing with everyone, and was worried that I was making a bad impression. When South Carolina took a 42- 28 lead with 4:52 minutes to go, I reluctantly turned the game off and went outside. 

While I was sitting outside, without access to the game, I missed one of the best comebacks and most exciting finishes in Tennessee history. No biggie. The Vols overcame a double digit deficit to bring the game into overtime, then won 45-42 in a thrilling overtime finish. 

I saw none of this, only a crackling fire and a Facebook timeline filled with status updates that read something like this, "THAT WAS THE BEST GAME I'VE EVER SEEN IT WOULD HAVE SUCKED SO BAD TO MISS THE END OF THAT GAME BECAUSE YOU WERE SITTING BY A CAMPFIRE." (I paraphrased there a bit.) 

Still bitter a year later, I can't tell you how excited I was to learn about the coolest gadget that you're absolutely going to NEED if you're a sports fan, the Slingbox500. I picked mine up at Best Buy, and I know it's already going to be a game changer -- pun intended of course. If you already pay for cable services, which I do, the Slingbox500 lets you watch live and recorded shows, movies and sports. There are no extra cable subscriptions, and no additional monthly fees.

I'm basically a free woman now! I'm no longer chained to the couch during my team's games, or even worse, forced to watch at the bar with the other team's fans.  You can watch football on your phone, tablet, computer or even on other TV's in your house!!

Veenie requested that, going forward, we watch every Sunday NFL game at the park...

Now that I won't miss anymore of the Vols games, maybe that means our field goal kicker won't miss anymore 43 yard attempts???!?!?! Here's hoping, bless his heart!

Inspiration and Ideas For Your Outdoor Christmas Decor

This post brought to you by At Home. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Venus Trapped in Mars.

I'm THAT girl. 

I'm that girl who wants to celebrate everything in a big way, particularly firsts. This is our first Halloween in the new house, this is our first Christmas in the new house, this is our first New Years in the new house, this is our first rainy Sunday in the new house... let's celebrate! 

I can't say that I'm sorry about getting super excited over things. Life is too short to not celebrate as often as possible. So this Christmas, seeing as it is our first Christmas in the new house, I want to do it big. Not only will we be having multiple parties during the holiday season this year, but it will also be my very last birthday in my 20s. Why not go all on out decorating, and maybe even a little earlier than usual? 

Here's my thought process on Christmas decorations this year....

I'm that girl (yes, again, that girl) who leaves her Christmas decorations up well into January, and sometimes even until February. So what I'm thinking is that if I decorate earlier this year, perhaps I'll be more willing to take them down at a reasonable time?!? 

Well, that's my goal at least, don't hold your breath. 

A few days ago I went to check out the At Home Christmas Decor, at the At Home location that is just down the street from my work. The selection blew me away, not only was everything so beautiful, it was all organized by theme. They had 15 different themes that you could choose from. You could easily design your whole house, I'm talking every single room, with the Christmas decor they had available at everyday low costs. They also had 101 varieties of artificial Christmas Trees, in their Tree for Me section.  

We haven't gotten to use our patio as much as we would like since it's been so hot, so I knew I wanted to start by doing a Christmas makeover to the patio. I was able to get a ton of items, for not a lot of cash. 

They had a wide variety of glittered feathers and artificial flowers, which were all very affordable. I was able to get enough to build two complete centerpieces.  I took some battery operated string lights they had for sale (ONLY $4.99!!) and put those in the bottom of the vase. I think they came out pretty cute, if I do say so myself! 

I'm a sucker for anything deer related this time of year, so there was no question that this little sequined guy was coming home with me. 

I dressed Veenie up in her Santa costume, because why not, and CB and I hung out on the patio all night. He was oohing and ahhing over how great it looked, which made me feel much better about decorating this early! 

Whenever you're ready to start decorating for Christmas, whether it's right now or after Thanksgiving, you should totally check out At Home's Christmas Decor! 

So, when do you plan on decorating for Christmas this year?? Has anyone already started? At the very least, I say bust out the Christmas tunes November 1st. Trust me on this one! 

The Best Gameday Playlist

I'm always on the hunt for great playlists. As of late, I've been on the hunt for the best gameday playlist. I honestly find awesome playlists in weird places. For example, one of my favorite going out playlists is this one. I'm somewhat mortified to admit that because of the name, but seriously, check out the songs. How good are those? If you like rap, that's your playlist. I also dig the playlists that Spotify puts together, like Rap Caviar. Helene is another great playlist maker too, you should follow her if you don't already. 

My favorite genre is without a doubt rap music, but I know as well as anyone that you can't just play rap music over and over at your tailgates. You need a playlist that combines a wide variety of genres that will appeal to everyone. I've put together a playlist on spotify that I think does just that. This gameday playlist has rap, country, pop, rock, classic rock, southern rock, EDM and everything in between. I even threw in an Ozzy Osbourne song, because, why not? 

The best part? It's long enough to play for your entire tailgate without repeating a song! Hit shuffle, press play and you're good to go! Click the picture above, or click here to subscribe to my gameday playlist on Spotify! 

I'll also embed it for you below! 

And just because I probably don't plug my stuff enough, don't forget to tag your sports related photos on instagram with the hashtag #gamedayvibes! 

Drink On Fleek || Raspberry and Basil Whiskey Cocktail

I'm getting super pumped for Halloween over here. I wish I could say that we're having this massive raging party -- wait, do I wish I could say that? -- but it sounds like just a handful of friends are going to be coming over for a few drinks before we hit up my old hood, Deep Ellum. No one has agreed on Deep Ellum yet, but I always want to go there and assume everyone else does too. Happy Sarah, happy life. That's the old saying right?

This will be the very first time I've ever had trick-or-treaters. CB has been asking our neighbors for the scoop on Halloween in our area, and they say it is absolutely nuts and goes for hours. Our neighborhood, although still very urban, has kids and families everywhere you turn. I mentioned on Monday that my costume is part of a 3 person group, and is 80s inspired. Considering I wasn't even alive for the majority of the 80s, I seriously doubt any kid that comes to our door will know who we are. 

Side note, Tennessee plays Kentucky on Saturday night at 7pm. I will not be capable of answering the door during this time, but I'm certain I will scare children from the sounds of my shrieking at the television. I read an article yesterday that said Tennessee is simply 4 plays from being undefeated this season. That is sickening.  

If you're looking for a cocktail to make for a Halloween party this weekend, I've got a great one for you today! Last year I made A Beautiful Mess's Candy Corn Jello Shots, and while they were very pretty, they were not even remotely edible. This is more than likely my fault, I'm sure it was user error. We'll put these under the Pinterest Fail category.

This year I'm going to make this whiskey concoction, since I know everyone at the party, myself included, is a Jack Daniels fan. If whiskey isn't your thing though, check out my full list of cocktails here. 

|| Ingredients ||  

1/2 Oz Whiskey (As a Tennessee girl, I prefer Jack, always)

3 Basil Leaves

6 Raspberries

1 tbsp. sugar

Sparkling Water

|| Directions ||  

Muddle Raspberries, Basil, Sugar and Whiskey in the bottom of your cocktail glass. Add crushed ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with basil -- I had a massive leaf which I thought looked cool, you certainly don't need one that large!! -- and raspberries. 

What are you guys being for Halloween this year??? Follow me on snapchat and insta to find out what our 80s trio costume is! 

The One Thing I've Been Too Ashamed To Tell You

I have something to tell you guys that I've been putting off and putting off and putting off. It's a very sensitive subject for me, and I'm confident that you're going to judge me for it. Some of you will click unfollow, some of you will be kind enough to stick around, but I'm sure you will forever have this information I'm about to give you engrained into the back of your mind. 

I have to be strong though, I can't put this off any longer and still feel as if I've been true to myself and to this blog. I'm so scared that you'll never look at me the same way as you once did. I'm petrified that no one will support anything I do, ever again. 

This is something that I feel I have to do for me though. 

You see, this is regarding my boyfriend, Pete. 

I love pizza, I love it so much, but I have a favorite kind of pizza and in my 28 years on this planet no pizza has ever compared. I've had pizza in Chicago, I've had pizza in New York. I've had pizza for breakfast and pizza late at night after the bars have long closed down. I've had paper thin crust, I've had the deepest of dishes. I've had gourmet pizza that costs as much as a bottle of Patron for a single slice, and I've had 3 for 1 pizza out of the 7/11 spinning heater that sits next to the cash register. 

None compare. I want them to compare, I really do. I desperately do. Do you think I like living with this stigma? I'm a self-professed pizza addict, I desperately want to love some really hipster pizza place, or only eat pizza that is shipped directly to me by carrier pigeon right from the streets of NYC. 

I've tried pizza all over Dallas. I've tried pizza from Far North Dallas, South Dallas, West Dallas and East Dallas. I've tried pizza in Deep Ellum, Uptown and Oak Cliff. 

I've had Stonedeck

I've had Serious Pizza

I've had fried pizza

I've had pizza in Florida

I've had pizza in Knoxville

I've had pizza in New York

I've made pizza at home

And yes, sadly, pizza and I have slept together. It was college and we were young and in love. 

Every pizza is a very good pizza. It's a known fact that there is no such thing as bad pizza. 

But to this day, only one kind of pizza is my favorite. 

Only one kind of pizza never lets me down. 

Only one pizza is the best pizza I've ever had. 

Pizza Hut Cheese Pizza Thin Crust Extra Sauce. 

Everyone unfollows in 3...2...1....
Go ahead, let me have it in the comments section. I can handle it.

(You won't believe me when I say this, but it's CB's all time favorite too. How hard are you judging us right now? Scale of 1 to 10?)