SCORE BIG With These GAME DAY Finds!

As a college football coach's wife, I feel it's my duty to share some the best game day gear as the football season gets rolling. 

Here are some of my favorites that you will see me sporting in the stands this season:

1. Blinged out Football Tumbler....I mean we all need to stay hydrated on game days! You will definitely see me drinking from this fabulous tumbler all season long.

https://livelovegameday.com/products/crystal-football-blinged-out-40-oz-tumbler-pre-order-ships-8-15

https://livelovegameday.com/products/limited-edition-pink-crystal-football-blinged-out-40-oz-tumbler-pre-order-ships-8-20

2. Boutique Football apparel that will share your love for the game. Plus, Under the Lights, is owned by a Coach's wife!

Game Day Footballs Sequin T-Shirt – Under the lights designs

Stylish Sequin Football Patch Babydoll Dress – Under the lights designs

3. A Chanel inspired clear bag....a MUST! We know we have to wear clear bags on game day, but we don't have to compromise our style. Love all these affordable clear bags on Amazon!

WOG2008 Clear Bag Stadium Approved PVC Clear Purses for Women Transparent Shoulder Bag for Concert Sports

https://www.amazon.com/YING-YUMEI-Fashion-Crossbody-Handbag/dp/B096V254KS/ref=mp_s_a_1_28?crid=2GDAL5M4SDT99&keywords=clear+stadium+bag+with+pearls&qid=1694467561&sprefix=ckear+stadium+bag+with+pearls%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-28

Limited-time deal: MOETYANG Transparent Clutch Clear Purse Crossbody Shoulder Bags Stadium Approved Bags

4. More SPARKLY Game day looks for the WIN!

https://lmaeboutique.com/products/touchdown-sequin-football-shorts

PORRCEY Juniors Short Sleeve Sequin Funny Dress Shirts

Football Sequin Fleece Hoodie

White And Gold Sequin Football Short Set

https://www.theimpeccablepig.com/products/queen-of-sparkles-sequin-football-tee-white

5. For The Babes! We can't forget about the Kiddos. Here are my faves for the littlest fans.

https://www.judithmarch.com/products/mini-kids-football-lover-tutu

https://underthelightsdesigns.com/search?q=football+tutu

https://underthelightsdesigns.com/products/football-swaddle-47-x-47

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1110334362/football-hair-bow-real-football-bow-nfl

6. Accessorize...accessorize.….ACCESSORIZE! Never underestimate the power of great accesories on game day. I ordered from this boutique last season. Great quality and wonderful customer service....SCORE!

https://fanglam.com/products/football-bangle-bling-bracelets

https://fanglam.com/products/football-micro-pave-rhinestone-dangles

https://fanglam.com/products/sports-ball-zipper-wallet

7. A great one stop shop to accessorize and gear up for game days!

https://mixedlaundryapparel.com/products/x-o-football-beaded-wristlet

https://mixedlaundryapparel.com/products/50-yard-line-beaded-mini-pouch

https://mixedlaundryapparel.com/products/enamel-football-helmet-bangles

https://mixedlaundryapparel.com/products/basketball-football-hanging-earrings

8. STEP UP your SHOE GAME!

https://birdrockbaby.com/products/football-baby-moccasins

https://charisdoxa.com/products/football-high-heels

DIVA BLACK Rhinestones Cowboy Bootie | Women’s Western Boots – Betsey Johnson

9. For those chilly games in the Fall.....

https://livelovegameday.com/products/black-corduroy-sequin-football-cropped-jacket

https://livelovegameday.com/collections/football/products/football-blanket

HommomH Sports Fleece Blanket 40" x 50" American Football Field Green Lawn Popular Sports Game Team Competition Vivid Lightweight Fuzzy Cozy Soft Warm Throw for Man Boy Teen, Air Conditioning

https://www.judithmarch.com/products/game-day-football-denim-jacket

10. Because we can't forget to celebrate the Win with some fabulous tailgating/party items.

https://www.orientaltrading.com/football-inflatable-buffet-cooler-a2-12_4626.fltr

WONDERTIFY American Football Field Green Apron, Bib Apron with Adjustable Neck for Men Women,Suitable for Home Kitchen Cooking Waitress Chef Grill Bistro Baking BBQ Hairdresser Cobbler Artist Apron

DEI Football Grill Tools, 17"l, Mulitcolor

Large Insulated Football Shaped Tub Cooler for Tailgating By Picnic Plus

Keg-a-Que Football Grill – Keg Products LLC

https://www.target.com/p/tovolo-set-of-2-football-ice-molds/-/A-82689012

https://www.partycity.com/football-drink-dispenser-3.5gal-909758.html

I Choose My Family….My #FootballFamily

What does #footballfamily mean? For those of you who might not know, it’s a hashtag I tend to use regularly on social media. Last fall I found myself knee deep into it………..

I started writing this blog with tears filling my eyes on a flight back to South Dakota last fall. Airport goodbyes with my husband never seem to get any easier….especially this past season. I missed my family being all together. As many of my readers know, my husband, got the head football coaching job at the University of Idaho right before Christmas of 2021 (#GoVandals), and my head has been spinning ever since.

Jason and I decided together that we would let our son Jax, a senior in high school, finish his 2022 football season with his team in SD. He has moved a lot as a coach’s kid, and I just could not imagine moving him from his team the last year of high school football. This move was his 8th move as a coach’s kid…..so I was more than willing to sacrifice for him to give him that final football season as a Bobcat.  👦🏼🖤🏈❤️🐾.

This ended up being our longest coaching transition yet….over 11 months to be exact. I’ve went through covid, a sick baby in the hospital, trying to potty train (failing miserably btw🤦🏼‍♀️), babysitters canceling on me last minute before flights, building a house in another state, a flat tire driving to the airport on my way out to ID, and I probably would easily bore you rattling on any more. After it is all said and done…I have traveled well over 100+ hours back and forth from ID to SD. What can I say I am a sucker for a guy with dark curly hair, blue eyes, and a whistle😍🖤🏈💛🙋🏻‍♂️. 

I am pretty sure there may have been some of you that thought I chose my son over my husband.…..Jax’s senior year over my husband’s first year as a head football coach. Well, I could not disagree with you more…..I chose my family. I tried to do my best juggling it all to make everyone happy….and I would be lying if I said I didn't struggle a bit through it all…..there were a lot of tears.

I wanted to stay to see my son’s final season…. playing football under those Friday night lights as a Bobcat. I also chose to get up at 4 in the morning to catch the first flight Saturday morning…..battling a flat tire before the Drake game…..so I could kiss my husband after his first win as a head football coach. I chose to miss one of my senior’s away games so that I could watch one of his younger brother’s 6th grade football games. I missed a lot of my 6th graders games traveling back and forth to Idaho. I couldn’t do it all….but I chose my family!

My message to every coaching family is that there is no right answer on when to move your family when you are in transition. I firmly believe that you have to do what is best for your family at that time….whatever that may be. There is a lot of pressure put on you as a coach’s wife as far as when you should move. Don’t listen to the outside noise, trust your gut, and think about you and your family first. 

As far as what is best for you and your family….only you will know the answer to that……Not other coaches wives…..not the fans…..not even your extended family. And let’s be 100% real….family still does not have a clue about what you go through daily as a coach’s wife👧🏼👦🏼👦🏼👦🏼👦🏼🙋🏻‍♂️🏈🙋🏼‍♀️🤹🏼‍♀️.

On a final note, I could not end this post without a thank you. The support I received from my friends & fellow coaches wives was amazing. Especially the ones that checked in on me……that took the time to be there because they care……that understood and related to what I was going through. You know who you are….you are truly the REAL MVPs! Because, let’s be real….you find out who truly cares when times are tough. 

We finally made it to the light at the end of the tunnel. My family….all together again in our Idahome. This Coach’s Wife could not be happier👧🏼👦🏼👦🏼👦🏼👦🏼🏠🏔️🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏻‍♂️🖤💛🏈✌🏼's⬆️.

Score Fashionably BIG on Game day!

Football is just around the corner ladies and we all need to be getting ready for game day. I am always hunting around for fashionable new treasures to wear during football season. 

“Gearing Up for Game Day,” was one of my most viewed blogs a few years back….so I thought I would bring it back….giving you some of my new favorite finds for the football season.

Here’s my top 10 websites/boutiques to score big on game day:

1. Mixed Laundry Apparel! This one stop shop has great game-day tees, earrings, handbags, and more. They offer FREE SHIPPING with any order over $65. Plus, I love that this online boutique is owned by a coach’s wife.

https://mixedlaundryapparel.com/products/50-yard-line-beaded-dangle-earrings

https://mixedlaundryapparel.com/products/crossbody-football-purse

https://mixedlaundryapparel.com/products/football-beaded-dangling-earrings

https://mixedlaundryapparel.com/products/clear-crossbody-bags

2. “The kick is good”. Charis & Doxa has shoes made for the passionate fan/coach’s wife. Each shoe is made with the same material as an authentic football. Why not start your game day outfit off on the right foot in their Touchdown Series. I own their flats and the heels, and I’ll definitely be adding the wedges to my collection soon🙋🏼‍♀️🏈👠😍!

https://charisdoxa.com/

3. The extra point is good when donning this “football tee.” Sweet and Sublime is still my favorite shop for one of a kind tees. I stumbled upon this amazing Facebook page through my work on the Board of Directors for the AFCWA (American Football Coaches Wives Association). They have amazing/high quality tees….and that’s not even the best part! This shop, owned by a coach’s wife, will even customize it for you! Different T-shirt styles, team colors, names, monograms, and more! Now I would say that is a touchdown!👚🏈🙌🏼

https://m.facebook.com/groups/501020953579200

4. Haute Threads. This Etsy boutique will take your team t-shirt and recycle it into a cute dress or shirt. Any team….any shirt-they can convert into something that will certainly turn heads on game day. She’ll also work with you on fabric to fit your own personal style. They are super cute and give you a one of a kind, custom look on game day.👚♻️👗🏈

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HauteThreadsBoutique

5. Don’t fumble this “ball.” I randomly found this boutique browsing pinterest, and I had to have this bag for Vandal game days. She will even make the accent fabric in your team colors.👛🏈

http://www.facebook.com/groups/mapleandsunshinevip

6. Not just for the Friday Night Wife. I fell in love with t-shirts on the Friday Night Wife Shop last year. They’re so soft and have the cutest designs. I am a Friday night football mom and college football wife on Saturday….so I am always looking for cute/neutral tees to wear in the stands. Their gear helps the Football wife/mom represent on game day!🏈👚🙌🏼

USE CODE: FALL10 to receive 10% off

https://fridaynightwives.com/shop/

7. All about the babes on Game Day! Being a mom of 5, I have always loved having my kiddos geared up for game day. From football dresses, moccasins, jerseys, custom hair bows, or dresses. These are some of my favorite looks to doll up your babes for the football season.👶🏼🎀🏈

https://www.etsy.com/listing/833080553/football-hair-bow-super-bowl-hair-bow?utm_source=OpenGraph&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

USE CODE: SAVE15 to get 15% off till 9/30/32

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1264699538/football-hair-bows-toddler-football-hair?utm_source=OpenGraph&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

USE CODE: KIND10 to receive 10% off

https://www.etsy.com/listing/943333087/touchdown-long-sleeve-milk-silk-dress?utm_source=OpenGraph&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

https://www.etsy.com/listing/114219704/football-leg-warmers-team-colors-ruffle?utm_source=OpenGraph&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

https://birdrockbaby.com/collections/baby-moccasins/products/football-baby-moccasins?variant=47123626826

8. What’s an extra Amazon package?? Rhinestone Football Clutch….ummmmm…..YES PLEASE!  A football  handbag like that is sure to be a Touchdown with any outfit. Plus, finding treasures like these sequined mini jersey dresses, rhinestone football studs, or my favorite football tote, which I have carried for years to haul all the important game day essentials. This just confirms….can you ever really go wrong on Amazon?!?!🙋🏼‍♀️🏈📦

https://a.co/d/f8RJoEo

https://a.co/d/fow5pxw

https://a.co/d/efqyUdl

https://a.co/d/5iB1VdE

https://a.co/d/fdATWmM

9. Coach’s Leather. I found this great little shop on Etsy years ago that was started up by a football coach and his wife. They have adorable Mrs. Coach earrings, keychains, wallets, and business card holders, all made out of recycled game used footballs. They are an ideal gift for you or your favorite coach. Use the promo code BEAUTYBABESANDBALL and you’ll get free shipping on any order.....SCORE!!!!!♻️🏈

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoachsLeather

USE CODE: BEAUTYBABESANDBALL and you’ll get free shipping on any order.....SCORE! 

10. Annnnnnd, lastly, the football wife/fan must NEVER forget about Hobby Lobby!  Most of us are fully aware of this little gem, but for those of you who do not know....Hobby Lobby has an aisle they put out every late Summer/Fall packed full of fabulous football items. Tailgating supplies, football pumpkins, front door décor, and more. It’s basically a coach’s wife’s dream. There are always a few new pieces each year, so you can add to your collection every season🏈🛒.

https://www.hobbylobby.com

Real Thoughts From The Coach’s Wife In Transition.

My husband, Jason, was named the head coach at the University of Idaho on December 18, 2021. It was a crazy, exciting time, as we played in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs with South Dakota State University earlier that day and Christmas was right around the corner.

We flew out for the press conference the next day before returning to celebrate Christmas as a family. Jason left after the first of the year to start his new job while I took care of everything (and everyone!) back in South Dakota. As the wife of a college football coach, transitions such as these are common, and most college coaches’ families can relate. Many outside of coaching, however, don’t really understand our lifestyle and all it entails. 

So here are some real and vulnerable thoughts from this coach’s wife in transition......

Everything is not ok. 

I have to laugh out loud thinking this, but it’s really true. Friendly Reminder: Check on your friends or family in transition....we are not ok🤹🏼‍♀️🤣. They may need boxes....wine....a hug. Just be supportive. 

You find out who your real friends are. 

In this coaching profession we’ve gone through plenty of ups and downs. I’ll always remember who has been there cheering us on, but I also will hold close to my heart the ones that have been there to support us when times were tough. 

It does not get easier. 

I am going into my 10th move as a coach’s wife and I have been reminded more than a handful of times that “You’ve been through this before” or that it’s “it’s not your first rodeo.” Yes, I have moved before…..and no, it doesn’t make it any easier. I have moved pregnant more than once, have packed up an entire house after just having a baby, and moved twice in one week because our furniture would not fit through the door in a house my husband picked out, and my list could go on.

You are sad more than you’d like to admit.

I miss my husband. I miss my family together. A new ritual at our house is counting down the days until the next time our “team” is all together again. My kindergartner reminds me everyday “how many sleeps until he sees his Dad.” I love my children because they remind me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

You tend to feel like the odd man out. 

It feels odd to still be living in a town where your husband used to coach. The whole town rally’s around that team and you are no longer part of that. In all honesty it can be really lonely. 

Loyalty is a two-way street. 

Home is where football takes us. This is our livelihood and we will always pour our hearts into the team my husband coach’s for. Unfortunately, you sometimes lose friends over it.

You cannot make everyone happy.

It’s kind of like a trick play that helps win the game....people will love you when it works and you win the game. The next week when a completely different play doesn’t quite work out....they will be lashing out about it all over Social Media. The same goes for families in coaching....not everyone will be happy with the decisions you make....but in the end.....you have to do what’s best for your family. I have to continually remind myself to Ignore any judgment or what I like to call background noise. 

There are always tough decisions no matter which way you turn.

Sometimes as a football family in transition you’re faced with challenging decisions to make. When will you move? When is the next time you’ll see your husband? Will the kids finish the school year? What about your Senior in High School? The list of questions could go on and on. I personally don’t know of many families outside of coaching that have to face these questions/decisions regularly. I have learned throughout the years that there is no perfect answer. The right decision is what you think is best for your family, and sometimes that decision will still be really tough. 

Haters gonna hate. 

Some people just can’t be happy for other people, or are only going to cheer you on if it benefits them. I will be forever loyal to the people in my life who’ve been supportive and had my back....and you better believe I’ll have theirs right back.

Change is good. 

Change can be hard....but it also is good. My family is onto our next football adventure, and I am thrilled because we are returning to a place that we once called home-Moscow, ID. My husband is going into his first year as a Head Coach....and I couldn’t be more proud of him. We’ve loved every stop we’ve had throughout his career for different reasons, but we are so thrilled to be Vandals once again. Transitions are tough, but I am excited for this next journey and to be moving back to a place where we have friends that have been like family to us. I-D-A-H-O....IDAHO....IDAHO....GO GO GO!!!! #GoVandals 🖤🏈💛✌🏼