My Vacation with the Acura ILX Hybrid

I figured since the LA Auto Show was going on, this was the perfect week to share my final photos of my #WeekWithILX.  (As many of you know, my laptop crashed, so I am just rejoining the Internet world!)  My final weekend was spent driving down to Palm Springs for a little R&R before the crazy holiday season.  It was the perfect time to leave Los Angeles since it was rainy and cold and we were headed to the dry heat of the sunny desert.

Here are some photos of my adventure:  

 No trip is complete without a Starbucks run...

 I really enjoyed the moonroof......no, really.  

 The navigation system came in handy when I missed my exit...typical of me.

 The windmills were a definite sign that we were close to Palm Springs...

 We made it!

 The most perfect view from our ILX moonroof......palm trees!

Once we parked our butts at the Desert Riviera, the most heavenly place in Palm Springs, I went over the Top 3 features we used in the Acura ILX Hybrid on the way down.  

1.  Navigation System:  I am one who constantly uses her iPhone for maps and directions, but I was less distracted as a driver utilizing the in-dash GPS.  I wasn't looking down at my phone and I wasn't pushing buttons while driving...I was safely watching the road.

2.  Backup Camera:  I have this feature in my current vehicle and it is a must for your next vehicle purchase.  The ILX technology was a bit more advanced than my 2008 vehicle because it actually helped you navigate into that parallel parking spot with guidance lines on the screen. Very handy if you are terrible at parallel parking like me.  

3.  Bluetooth:  Again, this is a feature I will say is a must for your next car upgrade.  It takes away the need for the old headset and it allows you to voice dial and talk on the phone hands-free. I know we love to use our phones in the car, but the more we keep our hands on the wheel, the safer we will be.  

 We hopped out of the car and onto the bikes lent to us by Desert Riviera.

 The views!

 The resort!

 The hot tub!

The pool!  (And the only shot you will ever get of me in a bikini.  Great photo trick...lie down flat, your stomach looks flat. 

 There's my significant other.....you get his toes!

 Nap time!

 My toes!

 My new favorite spot in Palm Springs....Desert Riviera.  They book up quickly, so don't miss out. 

A shot of the moon through our moonroof in the ILX on the way home....

For those of you that know me, I am already a big proponent of hybrid technology.  I have owned one for five years and I was thrilled to drive the ILX Hybrid. We went to Palm Springs and back on one tank of gas.  I didn't need to fill up all week.  Hybrids also have a ton of power since the electric motor adds extra torque to the vehicle.  Americans are obsessed with horsepower, but it's torque you really need out on the road.  Torque gets you going, horsepower keeps you going.  

A huge thanks to Larry at Desert Riviera for allowing us to stay and use the hotel room for an extra day.  We appreciate and we will be back...mark my words!  A big thanks to Acura, Brand Influencers, and Acura Insider for giving me a vehicle that impressed me and safely delivered me to all of my events that week.  

To learn more about the Acura ILX, check this out:

Acura has invited me to test the new ILX and share my honest thoughts through social media. I may receive product, access or content, but all commentary is my own.

If you missed my other posts, check them out here and here or enter for one final chance to win a #WeekWithILX here.  

The Friday Five

I haven't done a Friday Five in forever!  I love doing them, so let's kick it off with our winner!

1.  Caption the Photo Contest Winner:  Congratulations to Don B for this quote:  "Only the BEST Jedi have microwave light sabers".  Don, I will be contacting you today for your mailing address so I can send your prize pack.  To see the photo, click here.

2.  Toyota Live Photos:  You all know that I love photo bombing photos, so I am certainly happy to do it under any circumstances.  Here you go, me photo-bombing away!

3.  Google Alerts:  I used to think it was obnoxious to Google Alert yourself, but since we live in a digital world, I know think it is smart.  I met photographer, Franklin Teng, at the LA Auto Show and he took a few photos with me and my pal, Elliot. You never know where the photos are going to turn up. Thanks, Franklin, for the photos and for being so kind.  

4.  Store:  So, I was a bit hesitant to do this, but I have been getting a lot of photo requests.  Instead of everyone sending a SASE, etc, I thought I would do something for charity.  You can check out the available photos here and proceeds, minus my shipping and handling costs, will be donated to the Thirst Project.  I am happy to personalize the photos and I will keep a monthly total of the money donated to a great cause.  I am looking for feedback since this is a work in progress.  Contact me here with feedback and shop here at the store.  

5.  Farmeeohs:  These are the most delicious cookies on the planet from The Farm of Beverly Hills. We discovered these caloric laden cookies during one of our lunch breaks at LA Live.  They are basically homemade Double Stuffed Oreos with a side of Whoopie Pie.  Um....YUM!  My co-host found the recipe online if you are looking for a mouth-watering holiday dessert.  If you are in LA, hit up The Farm.  You won't be disappointed. 

What's your Friday Five this week? 

First Weekend on Toyota Live in LA!

It's always fun to have guests on Toyota Live and this weekend was no exception.  We had a few fun guests to liven up a very busy weekend at the LA Auto Show.  First up, Tay Zonday, a YouTube sensation from his video, "Chocolate Rain".  If you haven't seen it yet, where have you been?  He has over 74 million hits.  When I first interviewed him for The Web Files in 2009, he "only" had 34 million hits.  Tay has one of the best voices in the world in terms of depth and vocal quality.  It was awesome to have him open up the show.

Our scheduled guests for the show included Toyota NHRA drag racers, Del Worsham and Alexis DeJoria.  Del's top speed in one of his top fuel dragster?  Only 327 MPH.  Pretty impressive from a world champion.  Alexis comes to the NHRA with an interesting background as her dad owns the Paul Mitchell hair care and the Patron tequila empire.  You wouldn't expect someone with that background to enter the NHRA circuit, but she's an incredible driver with an exciting future after her big win in Seattle this year.

Me, Del Worsham,Trackside Tina, Alexis DeJoria, and Matt Troyer after the show.

Finally, I love this photo (see below)!  You look at a photo like this and think, "what the heck is going on?"  Well, it's your turn to caption the photo.  Leave your quote in the comments below.  I will pick a winner on Monday, November 28th.  I have a great prize for the ladies filled with makeup and mani/pedi goodies.  If a gentleman wins, don't worry, I will find something good for you in the KB prize closet.  Ready, set...be creative!

What the heck is going on here?

First Weekend: LA Auto Show

I made it through the first weekend of the LA Auto Show with a hoarse voice and some sore feet, but the crowds were the largest I have seen in five years.  Maybe it is a sign that the economy is rebounding?  Sunday proved to be the most challenging in terms of crowds, traffic, and chaos thanks to the city allowing the American Music Awards, the LA Auto Show, and the Lakers game to occur at the same time at the same complex.  Phew, that's a lot of people in one place.  Here are a few highlights including a visit from Chelsea Sexton, EV proponent whom you might recognize from the fascinating documentary, Who Killed the Electric Car? (add it to your Netflix queue.) and a clip of the show.  If you live in Chicago, Detroit, or New York, Toyota Live will be hitting your city in early 2011.

Me and Chelsea Sexton

Bossing my co-host around on the LED wall.

Lots of crowds at the show.

Press Week at the LA Auto Show

It's that time of year again when the big automotive companies roll out their big eco-friendly debuts at the LA Auto Show.  It's no secret that I host a show for Toyota as you have seen photos over and over again on this blog here, here, and here, but I also get the opportunity to participate in press week.  This year, I was giddy because Toyota launched a new demonstration RAV4 EV partnership with Tesla.  If you aren't familiar with the CEO, Elon Musk, I encourage you to read this fascinating Wired magazine profile on him.  He's basically a rock star in the automotive industry:  he's young, he's rich, the ladies love him, and he made his fortune developing PayPal.  Elon is now rocking the automotive industry with electric vehicles.  It really was a dream come true for an alternative fuel vehicle geek like me....Elon Musk in person!  

Check out a few other fun photos from my week.  If you are in the LA area, my shows begin today at the top of every hour through Sunday, November 28th.  Just look for me on the JumboTron at the Toyota Live stage.

This is what it is like to be surrounded by automotive paparrazzi.....

Don't tell anyone I ate a Mercedes cupcake.....

The new badging on the RAV4 EV demo vehicle:

Here it is!  My nerd brain is so happy to see more options for alternative fuel vehicles coming to market.  You do know I drive a hybrid, right?

My co-host drove a perfect game in the Toyota Star Safety System driving simulator.

 Me......uh, not so much.  Stay away from me on the road!

Whoa!  Scary overhead lighting makes my hair look green.  Time to add some low lights the next time I sit down with my stylist.  Photo courtesy of Mingle Media TV.