What the What?! Prada Shoes with Chrome, Fins, and Taillights?

I'll go ahead and preface with this - a fashionista I am not.  I'm a jeans and tee shirt gal, and if I wear a dress it means I'm going someplace fancy.  That said - I do love a nice pair of pumps.  And I do love the aesthetic of classic cars.  Have I ever thought of marrying the two?  In a word, no.  But that's not stopping Prada!  

Feast your eyes on these - I don't even know what to call them - astounding shoes.  Yes, those are taillights, a la 50's hot rods.  The other designs sport flames or sleek, understated curves.  Garish?  Most definitely.  Is that a bad thing?  Not really!  I have some couture-conscious friends who would absolutely love to rock these with an edgy rockabilly look.  

Would I wear them?  Maybe not, but that's an unfair question.  I don't have anything to wear with them. These shoes are fashion hot rods - if the rest of your outfit can't keep up with them, you're going to be left in their dust.  

We featured these designs on the Ask Patty Pinterest board (hey, you pinners, follow us!), and  if you're just burning and yearning for more, head past the jump for all the Prada Hot Rod shoes you can handle, including a gallery of other designs and a video featuring these bad-to-the-bone shoes in action.

CarCare.org: Steps to a “Greener” Car

It doesn’t matter if the car you’re driving is new or old, big or small. There are preventive maintenance steps every vehicle owner can take to make sure their car is as “green” or environmentally friendly as possible, according to the Car Care Council.

By following a few simple preventive maintenance steps, you can help protect the environment by improving gas mileage, which in turn saves money at the pump.

Infographic: Tax Refunds Drive Vehicle Related Purchases

It's time for another infographic!  This one comes from Ebay motors, and this time, the topic is a bit of a 'well, yeah' for me, but it's still a cool infographic and I'm admittedly a sucker for these things.  Some neat statistics here, and it warrants the question - are you applying some of your tax refund to your wheels?  Let us know in the comments!  Head past the jump for the infographic.

We Love: Sears Craftsman AssureLink Garage Door

In 2012 the Sears Craftsman brand is celebrating their 85th year in the hardware industry and they have a lot to be happy about. “For the last 85 years we have earned the love and trust of consumers and we do not want to deviate from that,” Craftsman Product Director Derek Voigt said. Earlier in the month Craftsman released their latest technology in their garage door segment which consists of two models of doors. There is the chain drive door and and belt drive steel reinforced (very flexible but no difference in durability) model. 

Volvo Test Drive Goes Off-Road Gratefully Not Off A Cliff

Volvo states in a recent press release that, "The 2012 XC70 Cross Country wagon has a zest for life and the great outdoors" and that "the XC70 is a unique crossover that blends the versatility and practicality for safely transporting people and their gear with the rich heritage of Volvo's 50-plus years in the premium wagon sector".

I tested the versatility, zest for the outdoors and safely transporting people in the 2012 XC70 Cross Country wagon during a recent Volvo media event in Scottsdale Arizona with co-driver and auto writer for The Epoch Times based in Dallas, Jo Ann Holt. The course was called the Apache Loop or better known at the Apache Trail Scenic Byway. The map and instructions mentioned a 22 mile stretch of unpaved road we would traverse during the 172 mile loop. I imagined a well groomed unpaved road, well I was not even close. The drive over that 22 mile stretch turned into more of a potholed largely un-groomed shake, rattle and roll nerve racking test of driving skill and even a blood pressure elevating blond moment, (I lost the keys for 20 minutes in an area so isolated there was no cell phone reception and was rescued by some very kind and helpful middle aged tourists). This challenging drive was punctuated with rapturous moments gazing at nature's beauty in fact so magnificent at times I almost wept.

Volvo XC60 with Polestar is One Hot Chili Pepper to Drive

"The aroma of good chili should generate rapture akin to a lover's kiss." Motto of the Chili Appreciation Society International.

When you think of Volvo you always think safety, right? My recent test drive showed a new more sexy racy side to Volvo after driving the Volvo XC60 T-6 R-Design. It had an extra hot chili pepper ingredient called Polestar. This Volvo is more like a cross between the safest car you will ever drive and a tightly wrapped sexy turbo charged race car.

Day one of the Volvo Sun ..With a Little Fun media event was a magical round trip drive in from the luxurious Montelucia Resort and Spa in Scottsdale to Sedona and back. The drive was 279 miles winding our way through spectacular Arizona desert landscapes, Prescott National Forest then up and over the newly dusted snowy mountains into the awe inspiring red rock formations of Sedona. My co-Driver was the ever cheerful auto writer Jo Ann Holt and we enjoyed a Mexican lunch with the Volvo team in Sedona. The drive back was mostly highway driving which gave us both the opportunity to test the vehicle for various driving terrains and conditions.

Six Common Car Care Habits that May Be Causing Harm to Your Vehicle

That Simple Car Wash Could End Up Costing You
More Than You Bargained For
 
Everyone enjoys a great looking car, but many consumers are unaware of some every day habits that can harm your paint finish. Keeping your car in shape helps to avoid costly damage down the line, which is why Meguiar’s®, the world’s leading surface care company, wants car owners to know how to protect their cars. Meguiar’s reveals six common ways consumers neglect their cars, and easy routine changes to help prevent each.

1. “Using Dishwashing Detergent to Clean the Exterior” – Most household detergents are formulated to strip everything off the surface, including the wax protection on your car. While this might be great for your dishes, your car is now defenseless against the elements. Meguiar’s suggests using a pH balanced car wash product, like Meguiar’s Gold Class Shampoo and Conditioner, that removes loose surface dirt and debris without damaging the car’s surface.

2. “Parking Under Trees” – Although it’s tempting to take advantage of parking in the shade, it’s actually one of the most damaging things you can do to your paint finish. The damage caused by items falling from above like tree sap and bird droppings, is actually greater than leaving your car in the sun, because sap and bird droppings, if not removed quickly enough, can permanently damage your paint finish.

3. “Neglecting Headlights” – Dull, hazy, and oxidized headlights are the first giveaway sign of a neglected car. Not only are they unattractive, they can also be a safety concern as they make it difficult to see the road ahead and avoid potential hazards. To maximize the brightness of your headlights, try using Meguiar’s Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit™.

 4. “Leaving Spilled Food and Drinks” – Forgetting to clean up spills is not only unsightly, it can also lead to permanent stains and unpleasant odors in the interior of your car. Meguiar’s recommends leaving a few terrycloth towels and Quik Interior Detailer™ in the trunk in case of emergencies. Cleaning up spilled food right away is key to getting the entire stain out. To tackle any foul odors, Meguiar’s recommends also having a bottle of Odor Eliminator handy.

5. “Using Just One Bucket" – By using just one bucket when washing, you end up transferring dirt back onto the car, which can create swirl marks and defeats the purpose of your wash. Meguiar’s suggests using two buckets: a plain water bucket for rinsing the wash mitt and a wash solution bucket for retrieving fresh suds to continue cleaning. Using a Grit Guard in each bucket also helps to trap loose dirt particles, preventing them from transferring back onto your car.

6. “Using Too Much Product on Your Vehicle” – When applying wax to protect the surface of your vehicle, a common mistake is to use too much product in one application. Not only is this wasteful of the product, but it also creates extra work when removing the product. To get the most out of your wax, Meguiar’s suggests a single uniform thin layer of wax. If you are worried about coverage or protection during tough winter months, a second uniform, thin layer may be applied.

Expert Advice AskPatty.com

 

Think PINK for Valentine's Day: AutoTex PINK offers 15% off frameless blades for February

NAIAS/Detroit Auto Show Proved Auto Makers Are Listening..

This month featured the country’s most revered auto show NAIAS’, Detroit Auto Show.  Upon first thought of the show chills of excitement made me giddy to be able to see the latest models for 2012 and beyond. Car manufacturer’s attended from across the globe and provided more than enough options when it came to new vehicles coming soon (or within the next year) to local dealerships.
The theme from the major auto players seemed to be adding diversity to vehicles so they could perform at multiple levels.  The line-up was immense while advances in safety, and technology were very clearly enhanced.

The show was also a way for manufacturer’s to show they have not only been listening to consumers but they have been heeding the call and meeting their needs.  One of the most buzzed about vehicles at the show (which has been kept tightly under wraps) was the new fully redesigned Ford Fusion.  No longer a big brother version to the Focus, the Fusion is now completely its own unique car.  It has midsize sized feel with a streamlined and sporty vibe. The Fusion will be offered with eco-options such as the pure electric Energi and the Fusion Hybrid models which will be released in Fall.  The coolest aspects of the Fusion Energi is that it takes half of the time to charge an Energi than most other electric cars within its class and it more than doubles the amount of electric drive time.

Ford then continued to show their eco-friendlier side by announcing they will be launching six electric and hybrid cars releasing this year to early next. They are the Ford Focus, Fusion (standard, hybrid and Energi), C Max Energy, C Max Hybrid, and Ford's Transit Connect Van.  Fusion Hybrid designers say they look to the release and the capabilities of the hybrid in achieving up to 47 miles per gallon later this fall. 

Neglecting Your Car's Engine? It Can All Add Up...

Brought to you by Purolator Filters

You always have a ‘choice,’ even where something simple is concerned – even something as simple as your car’s engine air filter. Say you’ve been driving around without having changed your car’s engine air filter in a while. You can choose to buy one for $15-20 and install it yourself or perhaps with the helping hand of a friendly parts store clerk. Or, down the road, you may find yourself shopping for a laundry list of parts and a reliable repair shop.

Under these circumstances, your shopping list could include:

• Piston rings - $120

• Full gasket set - $175

• Connecting rod bearings - $80

• Main bearings - $80

• Machine work - $600

• Repair shop labor to remove/reinstall engine and parts - $1,200

• Labor to disassemble and reassemble engine - $750 

  Total $3,005