The All New 2013 Ford Fusion… “The Rose that Grew from Concrete”
November 19th, 2012 by ChristenThe All New 2013 Ford Fusion has been given a new spotlight on the road as the star in the new “The Rose that Grew from Concrete” ad campaign. Unveiled today, “A Rose” …inspired by Tupac Shakur’s, “The Rose that Grew from Concrete.” campaign features the stunning midsize sedan that offers a distinct style and functional design that Ford lovers has learned to love.
The campaign, called “A Rose,” debuts today and includes a TV advertisement in which consumers witness members of a Ford product team creating a breakthrough product by chiseling a large block of concrete into the all-new midsize sedan. The ad, which features Andre Royo from HBO’s “The Wire,” includes a voiceover reciting the late Tupac Shakur’s poem, “The Rose That Grew from Concrete.” “The all-new Ford Fusion is such a breakthrough vehicle for Ford,” said Shawn Thompson, Ford manager, Multicultural Marketing. “The late Tupac Shakur’s poem, “The Rose That Grew from Concrete,” is the perfect description for the way the new Fusion’s design came to be. As it’s described in the words of the poem, the Fusion is a clear testimony of what we can do if we keep our dreams.
“This campaign breaks completely away from anything we’ve done in the past to introduce consumers to a new vehicle utilizing a poem by one of hip hop’s most celebrated artists,” Thompson added. “This campaign, like the poem, has an inspiring message at its core.”
The fully integrated campaign also includes radio and print ads in addition to a digital execution featuring a series of Web videos that will live on www.ford.com/brandnew. The videos feature interviews with some of the team members behind the design of the all-new vehicle. The Web videos can be found on the Ford Fusion YouTube channel and Ford Fusion Facebook page beginning today. The question is, will we see a new Tupac hologram sighting at Ford dealership near you? Check out the new commercial spot and let us know what you think below…
Looking for more tech savvy car news? Something BIG is coming… a unique automotive website for women, by women…Stay tuned…
Diva Does NASCAR… A Toyota Racing Experience (#ToyotaWomen)
October 16th, 2012 by ChristenThere comes a time, when after trying something new you’re rewarded with an uncontrollable surge of electricity and unexpected feeling of pride – and for me, this weekend’s NASCAR experience was IT! It’s no secret that I’m a fan of fast cars (I’m from the Motor City…duh!) however, being immersed in hundreds of technically-supercharged cars and learning about the business and community that makes NASCAR then multi-billion industry that it is. Over the weekend, I was an invited guest of the Toyota Racing Team to for a weekend of NASCAR fun during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in Charlotte, NC.

50 Shades of Chocolate: So the M&M guys wouldn’t let a Diva drive away in their car, but they did pose for a chocolatey photo!
Kicking off this fast-paced Toyota Racing experience included fun in the sun at Joe Gibbs Racing Shop for a NASCAR fan fest! At Joe Gibbs Racing, fans got to interact with several of NASCAR driving superstars including Kyle Busch and Joey Logano – and we got to pick the brain of the man himself – Coach Joe Gibbs.During an intimate Q&A session, we were introduced to several unique members of the Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota Racing Team. Bryan ‘Boris’ Cook shared the highs and lows as a NASCAR Digital Marketing Manager, while Maggie Martin discussed the ins and outs of being a Sponsor Services Account Manager for Dollar General (the title sponsor behind Friday’s Nationwide series race). Breaking one of the many myths of NASCAR (you know, the one that says African Americans aren’t into NASCAR racing) – Toyota Racing’s Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. explained his start and love of racing. As the first African American driver to earn a pole in the NASCAR Nationwide Series – just two weeks ago, he has a lot to celebrate (in addition to is 19th birthday just last week.)
Upon arrival to the Charlotte Motor Speedway Friday night, luxury accommodations quickly followed as I was ushered to the Toyota Racing Suite to enjoy the Dollar General 300 / Nationwide Series Race and dinner in grand style.
As the start of the race begun, even from the comfort of the Toyota suite I heard the roaring of these monster engines as each car rounded lap by lap. By the time the drivers were 180 laps into the race, it was clear that a Toyota Racing driver could pull off the win! With just 5 laps to go, Toyota Women guests were escorted down toward the racetrack and inside the winner’s circle to join the rest of the Toyota Racing team in celebration of the Toyota Racing WIN – front and center with none other than Joey Logano! We took photos with Joey and the team, I even got to ask M ZMAX about her racing jumpsuit (I’ve got a costume idea in mind…LOL) ALL in all, there’s no other words that could describe my first NASCAR experience other than amazing, surprising and absolutely spectacular. Talk about a great day for a Diva To Do NASCAR for the first time.
Check out a few of the candids & official Toyota Racing / Toyota Women experience photos below…
(credit: DivasandDorks/Instagram and Toyota Racing)
Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of the Toyota.
Mission Impossible: SoCal #ToyotaWomen Experience (Day 2)
October 8th, 2012 by ChristenWhat happens when you stick a city girl deep in the canyons of Southern California on a camping trip? Well, when Toyota offers you a unique “glamping” experience in the heart of Southern California, you can expect an unforgettable experience of outdoor fun & camping memories, no matter what! (In case you missed it & you’re wondering about what happened on Mission Impossible: SoCal #ToyotaWomen Experience (Day 1) CLICK HERE.)
Glamping: Shorthand for glamorous camping; luxury camping.
As we began Day 2 of our #ToyotaWomen Experience, many of us had an idea of what a “glamping” experience would entail but had no clue or prior camping experience at the el Capitan Canyon Resort specifically. Luckily, that didn’t even matter, because the el Capitan Canyon Resort absolutely did not disappoint.
From the outside, the log cabin decor gave the ambiance of lumberjack fun – however, the decor within each cabin was far from forrest-like. In fact, my luxe bathroom came complete with a bubblers dreamy 3ft deep bathtub bubble bath, huge vanity mirror and a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding campgrounds and forrest. During the day, the campgrounds were filled with hummingbirds floating around with glee, curious deer poking around from behind trees and knucklehead woodpeckers (one in particular was so intent on breaking through my bathroom window, that he may have suffered a self-inflicted concussion and knocked his self out cold…LOL)
In true “glamping” fashion, I decided on pairing a little extreme camping fun with some well needed relaxation. With a variety of options available, which included hiking, biking and more I decided on something a little out of the ordinary for this diva…
I took a paddle, a kayak and went for a dip in the Pacific Ocean…
…Alone
… And I can’t swim!
Talk about extreme! LOL! Lucky for me, the great guys at Santa Barbra Adventure Company were excellent teachers, guides and made me feel comfortable while kayaking up and down the Pacific coast! In between exhausting strokes, I spotted schools of fish, pelicans hunting for prey & even a few sea lions. During the kayaking excursion, I’m happy to say that I held my own while paddling up and down the 1 1/2 mile stretch of pure Pacific Ocean goodness.
To reward my body after the extreme “glamping” adventure, I had to chance to wind down with a relaxing 60-minute deep tissue spa massage, followed by a moment to relax at the pool and enjoy dinner and a bonfire at the el Capitan Canyon Resort. It’s amazing, how a camping experience (no matter at what age) can teach a person so much about themselves and others. There’s no way I would’ve ever considered kayaking in the Pacific Ocean or would’ve made such great friendships with amazing women from across the country, if it hadn’t have been for Toyota and this SoCal #ToyotaWomen experience.
If introducing this Diva to a great automotive brand while broadening horizons with unforgettable experiences was the goal of the Toyota Women’s Influencer Network program, then I’m proud to say MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of the Toyota.
Divas Drive In Heels: Fall Car Care Tips That’ll Save You Money
October 2nd, 2012 by ChristenDid you know that October is National Fall Car Care Month? It’s true, and however you slice it – summer has long gone along with the days of cross-country road trips and the crisp weather of autumn has ushered in only a few months of automotive preparation before the old man winter comes knocking on your windshield. Check out a few auto tips that’ll help save you time, save you from preventative car repairs and save your holiday spending budget below…
Lighten up your key chain
Does your car key share a chain with a dozen or more other keys? That’s a pretty heavy load hanging off the car key when it’s in the ignition.The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure.To add years of service to your ignition switch, purchase a lightweight key chain that allows you to separate your ignition key from the others. Drive with only the ignition key in your ignition. If your ignition key “sticks” when you try to turn on the car, it’s a warning that your ignition switch is about to fail. Replace it before you get stranded.
Don’t fill up if you see the tanker
If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly necessitating repairs.
Place a towel under baby seats
All manner of food bits and liquids can accumulate under a baby seat, where they can permanently stain the upholstery. Place a sheet of heavy plastic and an absorbent towel under the seat to prevent damage, and re-secure the seat according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Tape saves light covers
A cracked taillight or turn-signal cover, if left alone, may allow your light compartment to fill with water and cause some real damage. A good short-term fix is to tape over the crack. Use the red or orange tape that’s made for this purpose.You can purchase it at many automotive parts stores.
Beware the wet thumb
If you top off your tires at a service station, check to see if there’s moisture coming from the air pump. Simply depress the pin inside the inflator valve with your thumbnail. If your thumb gets wet, advise the station manager that his tanks need to be drained and go to a different station. Moisture, trapped inside a tire, can cause pressure variations and corrode rims.
Do you have any unique car care tips that you know and love? Help your fellow heel driving sista out and share your tips below…
Mission Impossible: SoCal #ToyotaWomen Experience (Day 1)
October 2nd, 2012 by Christen
What happens when you wrangle a diverse group of bloggers from across the country for a unique Toyota drive? Things, stop getting polite and start getting real…
On Monday, a special group of bloggers were given a mission – a mission to prove how the 2012 Toyota Camry could stand up to an end-of-summer, all-girls road trip up the California coast. Lizz (AmIAFunnyGirl.com), Leila (DontSpeakWhinese.com), Chelsea (ThePaperMama.com) and I, set off on an adventure heading north on Highway 1 from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara, California. Not only did the Camry withstand four statuesque bloggers with big personalities within it’s plush leather-trimmed, ultra-suede seats but it also engulfed the massive luggage trail of 4 suitcases, 5 backpacks, a pail and shovel within the spacious 15.4 cubic ft trunk. Camry is more luxurious,with a redesigned interior.It’s more advanced,with new available multimedia systems with EntuneTM. And the Camry Hybrid LE now offers an EPA-estimated 43 city mpg rating – which means getting the most out of your gas no matter where your inner city road trips may lead you.
While on the road, we discovered a few oceanside sights as well as stopped by a local Super Mega Target to shop & purchase donations for the Santa Barbra Food Bank. Toyota partnered with Target to supply each of us with $25 gift cards to make the donation purchases, and Target accommodated each one of us with an additional $10 in credit towards the purchase of additional food/personal items to donate. Our #ToyotaWomen mission garnered close to $1,000 worth of donations for those in need in Santa Barbra at the Santa Barbra Food Bank.

The Toyota/Target partnership donated close to $1,000 in food and items to the Santa Barbra Food Bank.
Upon arrival to Santa Barbra, we had intimate vineyard tour, wine tasting & dinner at the Sanford Winery in Rancho La Rinconada. Renowned for its Chardonnay as well as Pinot Noir – Sanford Winery is a sacred jewell that has helped put Santa Barbara and the Santa Rita Hills on the map of the world’s great wine regions.
Upon conclusion of dinner, we settled into a unique retreat of “Glamping” (Glam + Camping) at the el Capitan Canyon Resort just 20 miles north of Santa Barbara off the Pacific coast. Armed with the challenge of enjoying the glory of nature in a Southern California environment, we wondered if we could experience the natural beauty of the environment in a camp-like surrounding with all the luxury comforts of SoCal we have come to enjoy and expect?
That’s a mission that only be answered after Day 2. See what happens next, after Day 1 of “Glamping” is complete & discover what challenges are in store for Day 2 of the SoCal #ToyotaWomen Experience….(To Be Continued…)
Curious to see what happens next? Follow DivasandDorks on Twitter & Instagram for the latest #ToyotaWomen photos and check DivasandDorks.com soon for updated photos, links and more…
Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of the Toyota.
Imported From Detroit: Chrysler Drives “MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL” To Broadway
September 28th, 2012 by Christen
As a “motor city gal living in the city of dreams,” I was beyond thrilled to hear that the Motown story would be descending upon New York City in the form of a musical and one of Motown’s biggest supporters the Chrysler brand has been announced as the driving force behind the arrival to Broadway.
“The Chrysler brand is honored to be part of this epic event that details the history of Motown, celebrates the music of its time and shares with the world how the city of Detroit serves as a source of inspiration. It’s extraordinary events such as these that helped to define the values of the Chrysler brand.” – Olivier Francois, Chief Marketing Officer, Chrysler Group LLC.
Thursday night, as a guest of the Chrysler brand – I had the pleasure of enjoying a luxury evening filled with ground travel in the 2013 Chrysler 300, attending a very special preview of MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL as well as the celebrity-filled after party event and Liberty Theater. The preview event, held at the Nederlander Theater hosted MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL producer Kevin McCollum, director Charles Randolph-Wright, Smokey Robinson and Mr. Berry Gordy himself gracing the Nederlander stage to share their enthusiastic joy regarding the show and anticipation of it’s release next year. The cast performed select numbers from the musical which included original Motown hits like “Dancing In The Streets”, “Ball Of Confusion” and “You’re All I Need”. This intimate event was host to many of the Motown music family & friends including Aretha Franklin, Jesse Jackson, Star Jones, Gayle King, Al Sharpton and more.

The cast of “Motown: The Musical” along with Berry Gordy at the preview event – presented by Chrysler in NYC.
MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL opens on Broadway at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46 Street) on April 14, 2013 following preview performances beginning March 11, 2013. Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL is the real story of the one-of-a-kind sound that hit the airwaves in 1959 and changed America forever. This amazing show charts Motown founder and Detroit native Berry Gordy’s incredible journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross and The Supremes, Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Marvin Gaye and many more. In addition to the story of the music, it also shares intimate stories behind the music such as the budding romance between Diana Ross & Berry Gordy as well as how his music shattered barriers and shaped a nation. If you’ve ever enjoyed the made for tv movies such at “The Temptations” or “Jacksons: The American Dream” then you’ll absolutely enjoy the music, dancing and story of MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL on Broaday.
MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL on Broadway previews begin March 11th 2013 and tickets are on sale now. For more information visit Chrylser’s blog and MotownTheMusical.com
Are you ready to see MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL on Broadway? What are some of your favorite Motown hits? Share below…
AT&T “Texting & Driving: It Can Wait” To Battle The 100 Most Deadliest Days Of The Year
May 15th, 2012 by ChristenTake out your wireless device. Read the last text message you sent or received aloud. Would reading or responding to that text message from behind the wheel be worth the risk of getting into a car accident or worse? The reality is that no message is so urgent that it is worth diverting attention from the wheel and risking lives in the process.

In the survey 1,200 teens revealed that while 97 percent of them know texting while driving is dangerous…
- 43 percent admit to sending a text while driving
- 75 percent say the practice is common among their friends
- 77 percent of say adults warn against risks, but text & drive ‘all the time’
In today’s digital age, teens and adults alike are staying connected by texting. For many, the allure of quickly reading and responding while driving can be tempting. According to the AT&T Teen Driver Survey, almost 90 percent of teens expect a reply to a text or email within five minutes or less. This becomes dangerous when the habit hits the road because drivers that text while driving are 23 times more likely to be in a crash according to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

Will you reconsider texting and driving from now on? Would you stop others from texting while driving? Sound off below…
Divas Drive In Heels: 2014 Chevy Impala Invades NYIAS (First Look)
April 4th, 2012 by Tech StaffAt the 2012 New York International Auto Show Chevrolet has unveiled the new 2014 Chevrolet Impala. Far from the Impalas of yesteryear, the 2014 Chevy Impala runs in the lines of luxury sedans unlike any of it’s predecessors before.





















































































































