This year, we came up with our top picks for safety car accessories. These are topping our Christmas list, and we’re crossing our fingers that we are on the “good” list when Santa pays a visit this year!

Windshield/Dashboard Car Mount holder for touch screen smart phones: This sweet little gadget turns your iPhone or Android into a GPS in no time. Put your phone where you can see it and easily access your music, GPS, speakerphone, etc. The best versions have a quality suction cup that is easy to attach and remove from any solid surface, rotates, and has a no-slip grip so your mobile device isn’t going anywhere. Make using a mobile device in the car hands free with one of these mounting systems.

Bluetooth Speakerphone Wireless Car Kit: So you don’t have one of those fancy Bluetooth systems built into your car for hands-free calls? No problem, for around $45, you can get a kit to have Bluetooth wirelessly in your car. And, the best part? Move it to another car anytime! This nifty little Bluetooth transmitter clips right on your visor and transmits your calls through your car’s speaker system. Once you pair your phones, the transmitter automatically remembers it the next time you get in the car.

Bluetooth Hands-Free Kit for Mobile Devices: If you’re looking for more features than just a Bluetooth speakerphone, this is your gadget. Listen to music, make calls, and send texts all hands-free through your car’s speakers with this feature-rich Bluetooth system.

First Aid Kit: A good first aid kit is often thought of as unnecessary and is easily over looked. You never know when you are someone else could benefit from your having it, and many European countries actually require drivers by law to have one in their vehicles at all times. There are first aid kits made specifically for storage in a car and some essentials you might someday find yourself needing. It never hurts to have some extra bandages and cold packs on hand, right?

We wish you and yours a very happy (and safe) holiday! Here’s hoping you get everything on your wish list!

As humans, we tend to personify things in our lives. We like to think the things we care about most – everything from our pets to our gadgets – have a personality, attitude, and feelings. This has never been truer than it is with our cars. Today is national “Name Your Car” day, so we did some research and learned how to properly name your car (just in case you haven’t already). 

A few pointers:
• Make sure you meet your car before naming her; each car has a personality all its own and that should be taken into consideration before naming your new ride.
• Modify the car make or model to find a name that flows. How about Frank the Ford or Heidi the Honda?
• Avoid naming your car anything embarrassing (e.g., dumpling, muffin, or ducky). Your car should not be confused with your sweet little terrier!

Now get out there and get creative. It’s time to give your trusty ride the name it deserves!

When you are driving, what is the most common color of car that you see? You probably see a lot of red, white, black and silver, right? These have been the main car colors for years and years, with white being the most popular color in recent years. That is, until now.

Your color of choice for a car might have a reflection on what kind of person you are. Red sometimes is associated with flashiness. White may show sophistication. Yellow could symbolize being happy and cheery. So what about brown? Brown you say? Yes! Brown is increasing in popularity and might just be the hot new luxury color of choice.

Many automakers are now using brown as a premium color, comparable to the sleek, traditional black. Buyers are associating brown with quality and comfort. The earthy tone might remind you of something warm and comforting like coffee or chocolate. And seriously, who doesn’t like chocolate?

More prestigious brands like Porsche, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and BMW are offering the brown option for their cars. If those are a little out of your price range, no worries. Ford, Nissan, Toyota, and Hyundai also have new vehicle color selections in brown, too. This choice is definitely different, yet impressive. So if you want to turn heads, think about choosing brown!

So what do you think: Is brown the new black?