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Warner Brothers Studio Lot Tour

The Warner Brothers Studio Lot Tour was our Sunday activity in Los Angeles and the best part was going on the active sound stage of the TV series All American! WOW! I still can’t get over how much fun that really was.

It starts out when you are in the parking garage and they tell you to follow the elevator to the Looney Tunes! Bugs Bunny and Tweedy were always my favorites and guess who was waiting for me? After we checked in we were told we could make our way over to the entrance at our own pace even though our tickets were timed when we bought them. They have their own Starbucks and encourage you to bring drinks on the tour itself. First you are led into a room with various pieces of memorabilia that you can read at your own pace. Then they ask you your group size and you are brought into different areas for a short film and to meet your tour guide for the day. You are then led outside to a waiting extended safari type golf cart. This is the part where I was so happy to see how clean they keep the lot and all of the areas we saw. It was very much like being in a Disney Park or inside of a working television show filming. Everything everywhere you looked, it was perfect.

They took us to the first set of buildings and then told us to look at all of the buildings exteriors. None of them have the traditional address numbers or even a company name on the outside. There was only 1 building that had anything on the outside. A very no muss no fuss, Warner Brothers Television. We were driven around on these electric carts and it seems like most of the carts driven around the lot are electric as well. Some areas look like you just walked into that town. Stars Hollow looks just like they left yesterday. I know Gilmore Girls is a very famous show, but I think the most famous show to film on that lot is Friends. You can even take a photo with the original fountain from the opening scenes.

They have an inside area that you can take photos with Friends and Big Bang Theory memorabilia as well as a cafe set up like Central Perk. None of these activities are timed and you can stay there as long as you like, once you are done you are able to move onto the next set up. The only thing that is timed is your actual tour with the guide. When you book your tickets, you have lots of options to choose from. Just in case you were wondering, we did the standard studio tour for $73 each.

Chicago Auto Show – 2025

This year is off to a bang! So far 3 great events and its only the first part of 2025!

The Chicago Auto Show will not disappoint this year if you attend. There are so many fun things to see, from the Ford Bronco hill, to the special edition Fiat and the new BMW i7… Oh yes! That car has some ROOM in the back! The show started back in 1901 and has come a long way to 2025, the EV – electric vehicles section has doubled and there are quite a few options on the economy and luxury side, more on that later. Did you also know that the show is over 1,000,000 square feet and has over 4,000 people working to make this show come to life.

Something I thought was also interesting is that cars.com has been around for 25 years! The internet, and/or electric power has really changed the auto industry in my opinion for the better. You, as the consumer, have the power to research anything and everything about a car even before you go to a dealer to see it in person. I know that when I bought my new car in 2023, I did A LOT of internet research and still went to I don’t know how many dealers and tried I don’t know how many cars, but I am happy with my choice. A 2023 Hyundai Venue in bright red! My Grandma always said that if she bought a brand new car it would be red!

That color red is what drew me to the next cars! There are sooooooo many red options at the auto show! Some more expensive than others, and also some that are made of LEGOs which was a first for me. I love looking at all the new options and models.

 

Next up was my test drive with the all new Ford Bronco. My driver was a part of a team of specially trained race car drivers. To me this added an extra element of excitement because I felt like I was with someone who knows how to really handle the vehicle and take it to the extreme. The other test drive was with Jeep and WOW! They took it to the next level with a full 42-degree climb up a man made hill inside of a showroom! Crazy and amazing at the same time.

Chevrolet showed off the new Corvette ZR1, and then I was invited to an event with BMW and introduced to the all new i7.

The i7 is in my top 5 cars at the show! Speaking of that, here are my top 5!

5. Jeep Grand Wagoneer – CAS 2025 custom paint and interior

The 2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer has a luxurious interior with premium materials, a 12-inch touchscreen, along with the ability to customize not only the exterior color but also the interior.

4. BMW i7

High-Performance Electric Powertrain: The i7 offers multiple powertrain options to suit different performance preferences:
eDrive50: Features a single electric motor producing 449 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, enabling acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. bmwblog.com
xDrive60: Equipped with a dual-motor setup delivering 536 horsepower and 549 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. bmwblog.com
M70: The most powerful variant, producing up to 660 horsepower and 1,015 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. bmwblog.com

3. Fiat Topolino

Available in markets outside the United States, the all-electric quadricycle is ready to contribute to the expansion of urban electric mobility, providing an accessible and all-electric version that encloses all the freshness of the Fiat 500.

This famous and evocative name is the one that opened the way to urban mobility and immediately evokes the first Fiat 500. Produced by FIAT from 1936 to 1955, the Fiat 500, commonly known as the “Topolino”, literally invented the idea of mobility for people.
The new Topolino perfectly embodies the Dolce vita and the Italian spirit of FIAT. As a vehicle that aims to bring a smile to a smile, the Topolino brings to the streets a new conception of the Dolce vita, joy, optimism and fun. The Topilino is a new electric mobility device that has been designed for a wide audience, including younger customers, families and city lovers.
It fits perfectly with FIAT’s democratic mission to provide sustainable and accessible urban mobility solutions for all.

2. 2015 Lamborghini Huracan with a custom paint job from Snagzart, this brought out the kid in me with the Rugrats design on the car.

1. 2025 Rolls-Royce Phantom – The best thing I can say to describe this car is that it is a car you want to be driven in not drive yourself.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is the epitome of luxury and craftsmanship, representing the pinnacle of the British automaker’s offerings. Here are some key details about the Phantom:

Unmatched Luxury and Craftsmanship:

– The Phantom features exceptional attention to detail, with hand-crafted materials such as wood veneers, leather upholstery, and hand-stitched elements. Every car is tailored to the owner’s specifications, including unique color choices, embroidery, and custom finishes.

– The interior is like a private sanctuary, with options such as bespoke seating, advanced sound systems, and advanced climate control to ensure maximum comfort.

Powerful V12 Engine:

– The Phantom is powered by a 6.75-liter V12 engine, which provides a smooth yet powerful driving experience. With around 563 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, it can accelerate with effortless grace, despite its size and weight.

Advanced Technology and Comfort Features:

– It features advanced technology, including the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Audio system, night vision cameras, and a custom infotainment system that integrates seamlessly with its luxurious interior.

– The car also comes with high-end soundproofing, making it one of the quietest vehicles on the road, offering a serene driving experience.

Presence and Exterior Design:

– The Phantom’s exterior design is unmistakable with its large imposing grille, the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, and meticulously designed lines that create an aura of elegance and grandeur.
– The car’s design is timeless and remains one of the most recognizable luxury vehicles in the world.

Price and Exclusivity:

– The Rolls-Royce Phantom is priced at over $450,000, depending on customization, making it one of the most expensive cars in the world. Its exclusivity, and the level of personalization available to buyers further cement its status as a symbol of wealth and sophistication.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom isn’t just a car; it’s a symbol of unparalleled status and a testament to fine British engineering and design.

 

Consumer Electronics Show – CES – 2025

The Consumer Electronics Show – CES in Las Vegas with Delta Air Lines!

I got up super early and flew in just for the day, I was invited by Delta Air Lines and they also gave me a ticket for the CES 2025 show. Ed Bastian, the CEO for Delta Air Lines, was scheduled to deliver a keynote speech and I was one of the lucky people invited to the event. But more on that later, when I got to MDW I was pleasantly greeted with the sight of the new lounge and boy I am excited! This is a part of the Priority Pass family and I was able to get access thanks to my Platinum American Express card. That card also got me into many Delta Air Line lounges last year too! That is now limited to 10 days per year.

There was a very cool integration with Delta Air Lines and CES, I was able to pick up my conference credentials at the airport and get a Delta Air Lines goodie bag! I then quickly jumped into an Uber and arrived at the show and was able to explore until 3pm when I was told to arrive at the Sphere. It was fun to meet up with 2 Delta Air Lines employees who were also in town for the keynote. They were a part of the 1000 employees that were invited to attend. I got my ticket from the Skymiles Life Facebook Group. I highly recommend everyone sign up for the FREE group and all the amazing travel advice that comes from the travel community.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/skymileslife

As an Delta Air Lines Reserve American Express cardholder I was granted access to a private lounge where they had heavy appetizers and drinks with a flight theme! The signature drink featured clouds and a metal airplane stirrer. The highlight was the engraved luggage tags made out of a Delta Air Lines Boeing 747 airplane! All of us were waiting in line so long that the employees recognized the problem and found a solution so we could all enjoy the beginning of the keynote. They gave us the option to pick them up at a specific merchandise booth after the keynote was complete. Thank you to who ever thought of that!

During the keynote at CES, Delta Air Lines unveiled so many things aimed at enhancing the travel experience. Here are the top five highlights: 4K HDR In-Flight Entertainment, AI-Powered Concierge Service, Enhanced In-Flight Connectivity, Exclusive SkyMiles Member Benefits and Sustainable Aviation Initiatives.