#BAGLADIESLIVE WEEKEND: #GMSUMMERSERIES AT @WOLF_TRAP FEATURING LIONEL RICHIE AND CEELO GREEN

What do you get when you mix good people, social media, live music ...Oh and whips?! A fabulously intimate and exclusive affair which is exactly how I would describe last week's General Motors Summer Series at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA which featured a live Lionel Richie concert with guest, CeeLo Green.

I'm always down to mingle. Click here for tips from a previous post. And mingle I did amongst some of my fave Blogger buds like Julia Coney from All About the Pretty and Richeen Ariel from The District Insider. 

Unlike the above pic, Julia and I kept it tame.

We dined on cocktails and hors d'oevures while dishing all about the latest Cadillac models which included the 2015 Cadillac Escalade. A beast of a luxury utility vehicle and the next generation in the Escalade model. The design, craftsmanship, bells and whistles elevate this model to another level. Although I might've initially been a tad intimidated, as you can see I clearly got comfy with it and had fun exploring the spacious interior of one particular model in a beautiful candy apple red color. It's safe to say that I look forward to putting #heelstothewheels and getting to know the 2015 Cadillac Escalade better.

Plush Interior

That Escalade grille had a nice smile

I saved the "cookie."

And to think, the night didn't even end there. To top it off after gabbing it up with General Motors executives and representatives from the always especially accommodating MSLGroup, myself and the other attendees were escorted to our "orchestra" seats for the show. I had my Mom in tow which made the night that much more fun. One, she gained a whole new perspective into that which I do and she got to see one of her fave artists. I thought I knew all of Lionel Richie's songs. I didn't have anything on my Mom and to look over and see her on her feet, waving her hands in the air, was the best. This show was one of the best I've ever seen and mind you, I've seen Michael Jackson live. Lionel took it all the way back to the Commodores and hit everything from Brick House to Dancing on The Ceiling which my Mom almost was. For a split second, I felt really old knowing every song word for word until I realized that it was just my Parent's good taste in music. Mixing the nostalgia of good music with modern automotive luxury, can't be beat and when placed against the backdrop of the fabulous venue that is Wolf Trap ...And on that note. Be sure to visit WolfTrap.org for upcoming shows and if Lionel Richie is coming to your neck of the woods, take it from me, don't miss it.

Whoa-Whoa Zooooom!

Nail swagging on show tix 

Prep for the event featuring an Asos print bodycon dress and Forever21 Vest

Myself and the crowd were mostly on our feet the entire show

My Mom practically dancing on the ceiling 

My Mom and I

 Follow my automotive chronicles and excursions on Instagram and Twitter at @bagladies via hashtag #heelstothewheels.

What's your fave Lionel Richie song? Mine is surely Zoom ...

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New season lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen. Follow on Twitter and Instagram

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#HeelsToTheWheels: Kia Ride & Drive at #Blogalicious5

Did you know? I'm a bit of an automotive enthusiast. And you better not be thinking, "but you're just a girl." I had a monthly automotive column in the print edition of Sister2Sister for 3 + years. I loved and still love putting my "heels to the wheels" of new cars. I'm not a grease monkey by any stretch but I do love keeping in the know about what automotive brands are doing. How brands are incorporating technology and making vehicles more functional and amongst Bag Ladies Radio listeners, the style of a vehicle is big topic of dish. You know, the aesthetics. The same as I want my heels to make me look good, I want my vehicle to do so also. 

One of the most popular events held during #Blogalicious5 was Kia's Ride and Drive. Kia was this year's Blogalicious 2013 Title Sponsor. And for the entirety of the 3-day Blogalicious weekend, Kia made three of their models available. Attendees could literally take their pick and cruise the streets of downtown ATL accompanied by a Kia Motors rep who offered tidbits about the functionality and pointed out key features.

I put #HeelsToTheWheels of the 2014 Kia Sorento. I literally had to ditch my responsibilities as this year's Blogalicious 2013 Social Media Partner for just a bit ...Shhhh. A 2013 Top Safety Pick, the Kia Sorento is extremely spacious with third row seating yet from the exterior, amazingly compact. It definitely has a distinct look and feel that dispels the notion you might otherwise have of Kia. As I navigated the streets of downtown Atlanta with my assigned Kia rep and my backseat driver and friend Dorothy Redmond (an auto enthusiast also), the ride was smooth. The features, fuel economy and size make the 2014 Kia Sorento a world-class crossover.

I particularly loved the Panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade which allowed me to open and close with the push of a button. It was a gorgeous day (see the blue sky and the view was gorgeous. The audio system had me at the first jazz tune. I hadn't gotten my fix while at Blogalicious so to relax to the sounds of some good jazz was heaven for me and come to find out, the accompanying Kia rep was a jazz fiend also and we had good dish regarding some of our fave artists. The Bluetooth, Back-Up Warning System and Push-button start were just a few of the other features which caught my eye. I am always on the go and never not busy so a vehicle which allows me to stay mobile yet not miss a beat and look good too, always lends appeal. And even better at a preferable price point. The 2014 Kia Sorento starts at $24,100.00

I won't name names. But I wasn't the only attendee swooning over Kia

Kia got much love as you can see upon closing out the 2013 Blogalicious weekend with a cocktail reception. I wasn't the only one swooning over their 2014 lineup.

What do you think of Kia? Which Kia vehicle do you like most? Could you see yourself putting #HeelsToTheWheels in the Sorento?

P.S. - Thanks to Kia for the goodie bags. Upon Social Media Manager, Marissa Lorenzo's insistence, I grabbed three bags for my kids. They most love the stuffed animal and the pen/stylus.

All new fall lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen.  Follow on Twitter and Instagram @bagladies.

Whipping It Back and Forth In The 2011 Cadillac SRX

Heated seats, a place to hide shopaholic paraphernalia, Dual Screen DVD and did I say, heated seats? At first glance, the 2011 Cadillac SRX will certainly draw your attention but even if it doesn’t, what may be lacking on the outside is certainly made up for, on the inside. The Cadillac brand does itself great justice because the newly designed 2011 SRX provides sleek, visual appeal and although classified as an SUV, the 2011 SRX embodies a luxury only matched by Lexus RX 350, Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLK but at a much more cost effective price. It’s no longer the disappointing 2010 version which more closely resembled a station wagon and left consumers very much disenchanted. Once behind the wheel you will fastly realize why the 2011 Cadillac SRX is the best-selling vehicle amongst luxury crossover SUV’s.

Although you don’t necessarily associate an SUV with compactness, the SRX doesn’t weigh as heavy as the cargo volume, height and width might suggest. I know because during a Holiday shopping spree which I embarked on with full intent to shop for everyone but myself, I deterred and was surprised by the cargo space of which I utilized to hide certain items. The SRX has a rear cargo shade which can be used to separate items as needed…”all the better to hide my dear”, and a floor cargo area as per the hidden cargo management system. Cadillac uses the word “hidden” in the term so how can one expect it to be used for any other purpose? I (an admitted “shopaholic”), actually forgot about the items I placed in that floor cargo space but thankfully remembered before the scheduled pick-up time.

Cadillac is a recognizable brand and the grille with the Cadillac crest garners attention. I received quite a few thumbs up while in transit and engaging in the life that is me, Lady Erin for the week that I had the pleasure of whipping the 2011 Cadillac SRX back and forth. The presentation which is what I’m most immediately drawn to in a vehicle, is such that it’s a pleasure every time you put the SRX on the road and even moreso because the keyless access and remote start ensures that it’s ready to go. For those not familiar, per DMV.org, “A remote starter allows you to start your car or truck using a key-fob remote control―without going outside. If you left the heat or A/C on, it turns on when the engine does. Your car can warm up cool down, so it's nice and comfortable when you get in.” But as much as a remote starter is great, when I first see heated seats as per any vehicle’s specs, I’m in love. And trust, if you’ve never rested your "cold as ice" bottom on heated seats on a winter morning, you don’t know what you are missing.

The SRX is high-tech luxury and includes fabulous features so every time I left the office and stepped up (I’m only 4’11”), and into the SRX, I didn’t miss a beat. Everything from the standard touch screen and easy to use OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation (rises out of the dashboard), which allows you to specify the details of where you need to be and results in voice led Turn-by-Turn instructions on how to get there along with real time weather and traffic data. And although I primarily listened to El Debarge’s newest release, Second Chance during my time spent with the 2011 Cadillac SRX, the AM/FM/XM/CD radio with MP3 capability and 8-speaker Bose audio is not to be overlooked.

The Bluetooth for Phone allowed me to maintain constant and safe hands free contact with Madame Myra and handle all Bag Ladies Radio bizness while traveling to and fro. The rearview camera is a luxury that I absolutely love. It lessens the work required when it comes to backing up or parking. It’s like another set of eyes and combined with the alert which notifies you if too close to another vehicle or curb, you can park quickly, safely and with virtually no effort …it may even afford you bragging rights because you simply can’t park poorly with this feature.

The SRX comfortably seats five and includes luxuries some of which are standard, others of which are optional such as leather seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, Ultra View panoramic sunroof (like having a skylight in your car), and iPod integration port.

As I am a “Bag Mommy”, the rear Dual Screen DVD’s lessened the “don’t touch me”, “you’re too close to me”, “stop looking at me” arguments because it was suppressed by, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, “Daddy Daycare” and “Toy Story 3”. As a Parent, this feature perhaps outweighs all others because nothing can compare to the comfort and peace of quiet kids. Can I get an Amen!!

The walnut matte interior made for great “eye candy”. And various compartments from the doors to the seats, ensure you ain’t driving around with junk everywhere. You can stash stuff everywhere and out of the way. The front cup holder provided a perfect base for my Febreeze Pomegranate Reed Diffuser …you know I’m all about aesthetics ;-). Cup holders don’t have to be just for beverages. The smooth handling further complimented by front-wheel drive with traction control and StabiliTrack electronic stability control made for, to put it simply, a great ride. Turns and cuts were effortless. Handling was light. And the 3.0L, V6 Direct Injection provides robust power and allows you to go from 0 to 60mph in just 8.2 seconds with 265hp.

Although it’s been argued that the 2011 Cadillac SRX versus the 2010 model, is slightly heavier and affords less mileage, regardless of the specs and numerous design changes, it’s all about how you feel as a consumer and driver behind the wheel and as long as your preferences are met which definitely can and will be either by way of standard features or optional add-on’s, the 2011 Cadillac SRX is definitely worthy of consideration. The 2011 Cadillac SRX is rugged yet fabulously classy whereas I felt just as comfortable kicking it in my Add Down “Gloss Puffer” Jacket and UGG “Cassady” boots as I did in my Lanvin for H&M dress and Badgley Mischka “Humbie 2” pumps.

Sometimes our love of automobiles is discounted simply because we are women but we love to whip it back and forth in a fabulous ride, just as much as the next ...man. I enjoyed doing so in the 2011 Cadillac SRX. The starting MSRP is $34k.

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Lady Erin

Producer/Host, Bag Ladies Reality Radio

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Up next, 2011 Buick Regal CXL Sedan