Savini FINALLY Releases Behind the Scenes Photos of the Holly Madison Shoot...

A long, long time ago, Holly Madison graced the cover of Dub Magazine with her Pink Porsche. The same issue I received at SEMA 2010. However, a few weeks ago, Savini released the behind the scenes photos from the Dub Shoot.

P.S. I really wished Savini would have brought this car to SEMA. She practically runs Las Vegas.

Update: DJ Pauly D Graces Cover of Upcoming Dub Magazine

Star of MTV's Jersey Shore, and Bernie's favorite guido DJ Pauly D will grace the cover of the upcoming issue of Dub Magazine. Appearing on the cover an issue after The Situation, Pauly talks about the new one-of-a-kind Suzuki GSX-R that South Philly's own Killer Kreations gave to Pauly with some personal touches.




P.S. And if you follow the show, everybody knows that he G-T-L'd before the shoot... Can't wait to read this issue.

Source: DD

Bernie's Top 5 Car Rentals in 2011

Anyone who knows me knows that I rent cars. I'm not like the folks in Atlanta who would rent a car just to go to the club and pretend it's theirs. Most of my rentals were out of town ones or traveling to a car show outside the metro Atlanta area, plus I had two unexpected rentals because my boo on four wheels (My Envoy) was being serviced or being repaired.

So I compiled a list of my top five rentals of this year with the pros and cons of each, where, why, how long it was rented, etc... I'm sure everyone can guess the number one car.

5. 2012 Dodge Avenger. Rented from Alamo for transportation for a week while transmission was being repaired.
My most recent rental, and I liked it. The Avenger is the smaller version of the Charger, which is what made me to pick it. Plus it was black on black. The interior stitching was a nice touch, and for a vehicle that had the base package, it came with useful perks- especially the audio and driving controls on the steering wheel. It served it's purpose, however would Bernie buy one: NO... Why own an Avenger if you can own a Charger?

4. 2010 Dodge Charger. Rented from Alamo for car show in Georgia for one day. Having experience with leaving tire skid marks on the road with a Charger, I decided to rent another one. I always liked the Charger, but would Bernie buy one: NO... Everyone and their mother has one. It's perfect if you want to blend in with everyone else and not stand out. You can't go to a car show without seeing at least 10 of them. I believe that everything that you do to a Charger has been done.

3. 2011 Nissan Rogue. Rented from Alamo in Los Angeles and drove to Vegas and back for four days. My first time driving a Nissan but what really surprised me is that it had the ability to go 160 MPH... and this was the base package. It was a cute CUV, but the size of it is a fraction smaller than the Murano. It was great on the road and it was able to fight through the Santa Ana Winds, Jim Jones sounded great coming out of the stock sound system, but would Bernie buy one: Nope. I'll get a Murano instead- the difference between the two is that Murano has a V6 engine (which means more horsepower. I like pickup in my vehicles), and it's a bit more high-end and a tab more cargo space. But if you don't care about a V6 engine, extra amenities, or a little less space- then the Rogue is the car for you.

2. 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport. Rented from Alamo in Boston and drove to Providence RI for one day. I had a serious Blond moment in this truck, but I LOVED IT. I got it because the original vehicle class I rented wasn't available, so I picked the four door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport. This was the vehicle where I realized how short I was, because there is no graceful way to get in or out of it. The Wrangler really could use a running board, but it would take away from the ruggedness of it. It performed GREAT on I-95, even in the rain in Boston. Talk about a perfect vehicle. Would Bernie buy one: As awkward as I was entering and exiting this truck, I would buy one. Oh and T.I. sounded great coming out of the sound system. Yes I listened to T.I. while I was in Boston and Providence... but I didn't try to find Pauly D.
P.S. The blond moment was that I didn't know how to roll down the windows. The controls were in the middle panel by the audio system, not on the doors like in most vehicles.

1. 2011 Ford Mustang 5.0 GT. Rented from Avis in Los Angeles and drove to Vegas for one day. I already created a post about this experience, but the only thing that I do not like about this car is that it's a very low car and you can feel the road. I wouldn't drive this on the Cross Bronx Expressway like I was driving it on I-15. But I sure tested out the 412 Horsepower. Would Bernie buy this: Yes I would... in black. What a 30th birthday gift this would be... I really did love this car. Thank god for Avis for having that special that particular time I was there. Great vehicle for California and Vegas... you know, places that have sunshine almost all year.

I've rented seven cars this year, and the two that wasn't listed was the Dodge Caliber that my insurance company set up for me to use while my Envoy was being fixed after the accident. And the second was the 2011 Chevy HHR. Both cars can be summarized by the same statement: It was alright, but it wasn't anything to write home about.

Sadly, this wasn't the first year where I excessively rented cars. 2006 was a very good year as well. Some people do drugs, some people drink, some people gamble, some people shop. I rent cars.

A post about Car Rental Tips will be coming soon...

Presenting the Hyundai Veloster Courtesy of Automotive Rhythms

(Photo from CarSpyShot.com)

Every year at SEMA as well as CES, Automotive Rhythms has the pleasure of hosting a test drive of a specific vehicle as a part of the week's festivities. Last year, they used the Hyundai Equus- which was Hyundai's answer to a luxury car. This year, they went with the Hyundai Veloster and honestly speaking it surprised me ESPECIALLY for a compact car.

When it comes to compact cars, we tend to prejudge them and our prejudgements are usually correct. Trust me, I know. My mom had a Chevrolet Chevette (it can't get anymore compact then that). I've test driven the Smart Car. No matter who makes them, they all follow the same mold- a tiny car with two doors, hatchback, bare minimum in the car, and the MSRP is around $9995 (aka what my 2003 GMC Envoy is worth now). But I'm one to admit when I'm wrong, and ladies and gentlemen, I was proven wrong with the Hyundai Veloster.

(Photo from CarSpyShot.com)

Regardless of size, I always give a car the opportunity to show me what it's made of. I pulled up, and thought "Ehhh, cute car." But I got a little closer and got to see all of the things that the Veloster has to offer. Things that you would see in other vehicle classes... but not in a compact car.

I'm a bit on the shy side as well as introverted, so I caught up with Jeff of Automotive Rhythms and he gave a great rundown of the Hyundai Veloster... Check this out...



I'm not kidding, I need to work on the shyness thing, but being introverted isn't going away. He gave a specific list of what the car has to offer, but I couldn't get past the controls on the steering wheel, navigational system, and the fact that there will be a turbo engine coming soon.

But at the end of the day, my heart belongs to SUVs (large and crossovers), Ford Mustangs with the 5.0 GT trim level or higher, and the Bentley Continental GT. If I were to mess with a Hyundai, it would be the Genesis.

Bernie's Car Show Coverage: SEMA 2011 (Day 2)

Luckily SEMA's so large that you need more than a day to see everything, and sometimes with the time you alloted to see things, it's still not enough time. I continued my second day (SEMA's third) by doing what I do best-- take photos. Check out Bernie's SEMA Coverage...

(The cutest Scion xB ever... if you look closely, they crystalized certain parts of the car.)

(Like the tail light)

(Still love this magazine. Sometimes you get tired of the same automotive magazines that showcase mediocre photography. Just saying my own personal opinion...)

(Lowriders making an appearance. But there weren't as many as there were last year. Almost disappointing.)

(Fully customized Kicker-Sponsored car, complete with clear trunk door to showcase the mini-waterfall. It's not the first time I've seen a waterfall inside of a vehicle, but it's not common. Love the detail in the black paint.)

(YES!!! The car I've been waiting to talk about. The latest model Dodge Charger, painted matte black but with glossy black dual racing stripes. And did I mention that it was completely blacked out.)

(This particular Fiat was popular. The matte olive green forced people (including me) to stop in their tracks)

(Now this car was very popular. It had to be one of the most popular cars outside. I hated the cheap linoleum flooring that the car was parked on. Should have just left it parked on the concrete.)

(The owner of this Nissan is a Japanese guy, so don't let the crystals fool you. So cute...)

(And they weren't kidding. Don't believe me?)

(Chevy took a Z71, the one with the most horsepower, and used it as a canvas for a history lesson)

(And West Coast Customs bought my boyfriend- the Tron themed Audi R8. And he looks even better in person, I was willing to take this off of their hands. Note: My lover is that Ford Super Snake by Galpin Auto Sports)

(For about 5 minutes, I wanted her job.)

So, the customization shop with the most impact on the entire show, wasn't Platinum Motorsports or Galpin Auto Sports, but it was actually West Coast Customs. WCC took out an entire section of the South Hall and not only showed off their projects, but had a DJ playing more house music than what I cared to hear (note: not everyone from Long Island fist pumps. Don't let Jersey Shore fool you.) as well as WCC held classes.)

(They bought Will.I.Am's interesting car that I've talked about before)

(And they bought the customization car that's been in the news lately- Justin Bieber's Batmobile)

(WCC had four classes going on- Interior, Electronics, Wheels and Tires, and the safest class to take when you have nails: Wrapping a car using vinyl. Surprise, surprise, I was the only girl in the class. But above happens to be one of my instructors, who sadly had on a Boston Red Sox hat.)

(The guys jumped at their chance to wrap a vehicle the West Coast Customs way, but I had to get my hands on some vinyl, and I did. I actually wrapped the right side (aka the side that's closer to you guys) of the lower front hood. P.S. West Coast Customs was filming their show at SEMA, so don't be surprised if you see me)

(To continue with my point about models, I'm well aware that most people aren't like Status Wheels and don't have a budget to hire Playboy Playmates (like Miss February of 2009: Jessica Burciaga). Get your mind out of the gutter, I only knew who she was because she was on Girls Next Door)

(Mad Mike made my day. And he is just as charismatic in person as he is on TV)

(Chevy's Hot Wheel edition Camaros were very poopular. I love the paint job, hate the color...)

(Blink 182 has their own edition of a Honda Civic. A part of me thinks that groups/solo acts that have longevity should have their own special edition of a car.)

(Gorgeous... Burgundy Chromed Ford Mustang and it's not even the Super Snake.)

(The Bugatti Veyron brought to you by Platinum Motorsports. The black and white combo looks great, I'm not a big fan of the red.)

(This is the shopping cart I need when I go to Walmart, Target, Ikea, etc...)

To see the rest of the photos, check out Bernie's SEMA (Day 2) gallery at BeTrueATL.com And Vegas... See you next year!!!

P.S. And you know I had to get the video of Justin Bieber's car...


I blame a cross between bad nerves and having my hands full when recording the video. But who else has the video?

Bernie's Car Show Coverage: SEMA 2011 (Day 1)

I made my triumphant return to Vegas for SEMA. It was my second year there, and I did things a little different so I would have a more productive visit there. So, the airline prices were a little high and I decided to fly to LAX and get a car and drive to Vegas. I've done it before and I'm sure it won't be my last time doing it. My car for the time being happened to be a Nissan Rogue and it was so cute, even though it wasn't the Ford Mustang 5.0 GT I had before.

I dragged myself out of bed early (remember I'm programmed to be on East Coast time) and I arrived to SEMA to get my media pass, take advantage of the free media breakfast, and headed outside before the shuttles came so I can get some photos. I know you don't care about my day, so onto the photos...

Before the photos, I did give a sneak preview by using the camera on my phone. But now, these photos are straight from my DSLR, with some commentary...

(Lexani brought some toys with them)

(And you know Platinum Motorsports was too far behind with the #PML tag on their cars)

(Hipnotic Wheels had a Mercedes Benz wearing my favorite wheels from their line)

(Asanti showed off not only their wheels, but their grilles as well.)

(This is a Chrysler 300 with a Chevy Camaro front bumper)

(Check out the Diabla themed interior)

(And the trunk too...)

(The Tony Stewart Chevy Camaro that Mobil Oil showed off. Check out the video on my YouTube Channel)

(Another reason I like SEMA, they use real models- girls that look good, not girls who are lied to by two guys who claim that they "look good". Not sure of what I mean- go to any car show in the Southeastern part of the US. No car show model should look rough. I really need to start my car show modeling agency)

(The Chrysler Sebring Convertible that's being converted into a Bentley Continental GT... well the exterior anyway)

(There were Bentleys, there were Phantoms and Ghosts, there were Lamborghinis, and there were Escalades. But THIS CAR stole my heart away, like I was plotting ways to take this off of Galpin Auto Sports' hands. And they saw how I was eying it too. If it came to down to Robinson Cano or this Super Snake, I would go for.... Cano and ask him to buy me a Super Snake.)

(Crying with bottom lip quivering)

(Then to make matters worse, Galpin Auto Sports parked the Ford Mustang Boss Edition next to it. I can't win...)

(Showoffs)

(Japanese anime wrapped onto an Infiniti)

(Detailed shot. So cute...)

(Giovanna Wheels had a great booth)

(Ummmm....)

(This Swift Escalade can provide plenty of entertainment)

(Matte colors were pretty popular at SEMA, but not just the generic black and charcoal grey. Olive Green surprisingly looked good.)

(Some nice engine work)

(The airbrushing looks so lifelike)

(You know I have to end on a high note and we know what this license plate stands for.)

I have a lot more photos in my gallery, so check out Bernie's SEMA Photos, Day One at BeTrueATL.com

Stay tuned for Bernie's SEMA Photos Day 2