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.  

It's All About the Shoes

It's no secret that I am a shoe aficionado and for some reason I have been taking lots of pictures of my shoes when I am bored. Well, now that I am in Texas for the next month, I am trading in my typical footwear for a more casual shoe that I normally reserve for workouts only.  Yep, my wardrobe involves a sneaker.  While I die a little inside each time I lace up my Nikes, I know that back in my hotel I have a closetful of cute shoes just dying to be worn for an après-work cocktail.  See the evolution of my footwear this week.  From chic to geek........

My new favorite shoe by BCBG and yes, I bought both colors.  I am wearing the gray ones on the left in this photo, but I brought the plum pair to Texas.  I thought it would add a little color to my limited wardrobe while I am here.  It is really hard to pack for a month when the weather fluctuates wildly and you never know whether you will be wearing a tank top or a a puffy coat from one day to the next.  So, maybe my next post should be about how to pack for a month, try to be chic, and scam the airlines when your bag is over 50 pounds?

I had a little sojourn to downtown LA for some civic duties earlier this week and I was going a bit stir crazy waiting for my turn.  What's a girl to do? Take a picture of her favorite BCBG platforms against a background of government-issued speckled tile.   The story of why I was there is WAY more interesting than this photo, but I have to wait until the situation is resolved to write the book.

Ah, my Kelsi Dagger sandals that I bought on a whim from an Moxsie ad on Perez Hilton's site, talk about an impulse purchase!  However, these sandals were worth it.  They are comfortable and they even inspired a guy to chase me down in the airport to find out the designer's name for his wife who coveted my Daggers.  The lovely tile background this time?  Starbucks.

So, the chic footwear ends here as I am digging a pair of Nikes now through October 17th.  Sadly, my Nikes aren't that comfortable and require squishy insoles plus a few Band-Aids to make it through the day.  While I prefer a heel, I don't think anything but a sneaker would make it through a wet day at the State Fair of Texas.  So, Nikes it is against a background of linoleum in my suite's kitchen.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.  Please stop by on Monday here at Red Carpet Closet for a look at the opening weekend at The State Fair of Texas.  Yee Haw!

Scenes from a 3-Hour Delay at Burbank Airport

                                                  
Oh, you know it isn't going to be a good travel day when you are in the Super Shuttle on your way to the airport and American Airlines gives you a call.  "Your 11:55 AM flight is delayed until 2:15 PM."  Um, it would have been nice if I had this information BEFORE I LEFT THE HOUSE.  That delay turned into an eventual 3PM departure.  Okay, so I parked my butt at Starbucks for the free WiFi and here is the result in photos:

It all started with me taking pictures of my Kelsi Dagger bronze sandals.

And then a cheese/cracker/fruit plate with Green Tea at Starbucks.

Reading the tabloids online. Yep, J. Lo and Steven Tyler are the new judges on AI.  Worst kept secret in the industry.  Yawn.

I was so bored I utilized my Photo Booth on my MacBook.

I'm quite bored, but I do like my new $10 hat even if my BF calls me "Strawberry Shortcake".

Oops, not enough barrier cream during my Versa Spray Tan yesterday.  

Relaxing outside of Burbank Airport since I still have 2 hours to go.

Oh look, an airplane.  It's too bad TWA is defunct, I bet they could have gotten me to Dallas faster than American Airlines.

I promised, promised, promised myself I wouldn't buy this week's People.  I don't care about Kate Gosselin, her tummy tuck or her bikini.  Boredom rules, I bought it.  Darn.

Thank goodness for Plants v. Zombies for carrying me through the last hour of my flight delay. 

Well, I made it!  Dallas, Texas.  My home for the next 24 days.

Get ready, because my posts are going to be deep-fried fantastic.  My show begins Friday, so get ready for some Texan-sized fun!

An Open Letter to the City of Detroit

Dear Detroit,

I travel to your fair city for 14-16 days each January over the last 3 years for NAIAS. I come in with the masses for press, industry, and preview week and then stay to greet the public with the latest and greatest in the automotive industry. Your city has had a tough time over the last 20 years and I know the current economy has not helped either. But I have to say, for a city that is broke and needs a renaissance, you sure don't want my money. I don't get it. Don't you want me to spend $4 on a small hot chocolate? I was happy to pay for it, but your Starbucks at the Ren Cen had a line close to 45 minutes long. I tried to get soup and a panini in the lobby at Presto Deli by Andiamo at 6:30 PM. You told me...."Closed". That's odd...industry night went until 9 PM. I would figure that there is money to be made in the last 3 hours of the show. My hotel closed their coffee bar at 5 PM, their restaurants at 9 PM, the one place that does serve good food late won't do take out. I'm tired, I worked all day, why can't I take the food to my room? I am happy to tip the server. I know, I know, you want me to pay $18 for a small salad delivered by room service, but you didn't even offer bread with my expensive greens.

So, here's what I don't understand. NAIAS funnels millions of dollars into your city for two weeks, why aren't you trying to accommodate your visitors? Tell your staff they are going to work longer hours, extra days, make more money, and cater to the visitors to your city. Did you ever see Field of Dreams? Remember, "If you build it, he will come?" Trust me, it would work. I will happily give you my dollars. I don't mind spending a couple of extra bucks for conveniences like shorter lines at Starbucks or grabbing a soup at 9:30 PM when I get off of work. Sometimes I feel like at lot of you just quit trying to make this city shine.

While you are at it, please tell your cab drivers to stop trying to rip me off. I know how much it is from Cobo to my hotel. Don't tell me it is $5 more. I am going to only pay you what the meter says. Oh wait, you forgot to run the meter? I am still only paying the metered rate. Cab drivers are the ambassadors to any city. Just ask the Big Apple. Regulate your cabs and visitors will walk away happier and less disgruntled.

I will be back next year, and I hope to see more businesses open, your city flourishing, and a maybe a few more smiles for the guests who just want a hot meal after 12 hours at work. Come on, Detroit, I know you have it in you!

Now, not all of my experiences were bad. Here are a few gems in the Motor City that deserve my money and your money the next time you visit. They were open extra hours, or they had great customer service, or they just added something special to my trip.

Slow's.....Best St. Louis ribs not in St. Louis:

Zoom Cafe for staying open on the weekends so we had a place to eat lunch:

To The Whitney for being the most fabulous place to eat if you are a "Lady Who Lunches":

And to the pastry chef at Iridescence for making my tummy happy with my lantern dessert and to my server who offered up some great suggestions with enthusiasm and a genuine smile.

Thanks for letting me vent, Detroit. See you in 2011!

xo kb