Photography: The Leica M 60 Edition

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One of my favourite car brands is Audi. I grew up with my dad driving an Audi 5000 that he shipped over from Germany when we were a young family of travelers. That car took us to Florida every summer, and I learned to drive standard on that car. When I grow up (if ever?), I’d love to have an Audi. After my obsession with the Fiat 500 came to an end a few years ago, I began to develop an interest in the Audi Q7 (and the Q5, too).

I’m totally not a car girl. I could live a life without a car and be perfectly happy (as long as I could walk everywhere that I needed to…I don’t love the lengthy commutes of public transit). But the Audi Q5 (it’s a better size for me) – oh, I just love it!

Anyway – so when I heard that the classic camera-brand, Leica, partnered with Audi for a special edition, I had to investigate.

The Leica M Edition “Leica 60” is a beautiful piece. It celebrates 60 years of the Leica M and was created in collaboration with Audi Design.

60-YEARS-LEICA-M-LANDSCAPE_teaser-480x320 DESIGN_teaser-480x320

leica-m-edition-audi-designboom05

Leica M 60

leica-m-edition-audi-designboom01

photo via DesignBoom

Isn’t it lovely? It combines old-school style and the photography needs of the future. I just love it.

Cars: A New Favourite

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Okay. So in recent years, I shared my love of the Fiat 500. I still think the Fiat 500 is a spunky little car, and if I had a ton of money, I’d buy it as a second summer car. I have learned, however, that I prefer larger SUVs/cars that can fit a lot of stuff in them. You know, for those times you’re in Cambridge and you need to transport a random table home (I’ll share that story one day!).

I currently drive a Toyota Rav 4, and I’d recommend it to just about everyone. Even though the tires are giving me issues at the moment, I hate spending money to keep it maintained, and I have absolutely no interest in learning about cars (it’s rare that I don’t want to learn about something, trust me), my Toyota Rav 4 is awesome and has never let me down.

But…one day…I’m going to need a new car. My latest car obsession? The Audi Q7.

Audi Q7Isn’t it nice? Do you know anyone who has one? Have you driven it? Do tell! I don’t know anything about this vehicle, but I’m pretty sure I match it. My parents had an Audi forever, so I feel completely connected to the company.

Side note: In all my years of driving, I’ve never had to drive in such wet conditions as shown in the photo above (why do car photos have to be extreme?), but if I did, it’s good to know that the Audi can handle the weather.  Audi_Q7_HeadlightIt’s a good looking car, and I’d love to take one for a test drive (while I dream about the possibility of owning one).

-1Time to save those nickels…

Personal: Saying Goodbye to My Jeep

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Can we take a moment to mourn the loss of my Jeep?

Jeep-

The transmission broke last week and it just wasn’t worth it to put more money into the car so yesterday my dad arranged for my Jeep to be taken to the scrap yard. Oh, I’m sad. Although I haven’t driven it for a while, I was – and am – attached to this car.

Jeep

Jeeps have been my favourite car since forever*. While mine guzzled gas, I absolutely loved driving it. We all know that I like the Fiat 500 but I love my Jeep. I used it to commute to university every day during my undergrad, to drive from Kingston to Toronto countless times during my Master’s, and to move and start my PhD in London (not to mention all the driving to work over the years). Me and my Jeep have been on so many long trips together and so it’s no wonder I’m sad. It’s the end of an era.

Jeep -

What about you? Are you attached to your car?

*Long before the Fiat 500.

Photos by BG.

Why I Want a Fiat 500: Reasons 301-400

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Okay – so I gave everyone a break last week and decided to not write a Fiat 500 related post. White Cabana was beginning to look like a blog devoted to Fiats rather than one devoted to design in white. My family was getting especially annoyed with all my babbling about this car and I can imagine that some White Cabana readers may not be as entertained by my Fiat 500 posts as I imagine they are (I do try to entertain you though).

source

For those of you following this blog and my tweets, you already know that I am a big fan of the Fiat 500. I wrote about my initial interest for this speedy little car in this post. Since then I began a series of Fiat 500 posts related to reasons why I want one of these cars (one, two, three). I have even taken one for a test drive and even though it was red, I loved it. I don’t own one (yet) but I do think that when I do buy a car this is the one for me.

Today, in the fourth installment of this series of posts, I list reasons 301 to 400 for why I want a Fiat 500.

301. I love talking about it. And writing about it too.

302. It’s a perfect car for summer driving.

303. I would drive myself to the pool to cool off this summer if I had a Fiat 500.

304. I would bring my nephews too.

305. My license plate would be right at home on the Fiat 500.

306. Fiat added cup holders to the 500 before bringing it to North America (source).

307. The rims are emblazoned with the Cinquecento logo. Love this attention to detail.

308. It’s midnight and I’m writing about the Fiat 500.

309. It’s midnight and I’m also reading about the latest in Fiat 500 news.

310. It’s midnight and I’m wondering why I decided to begin this series of posts.

Fiat Art – Toronto Auto Show

311. Grazie means thank you in Italian. I’d say this if I got a discount on a Fiat 500.

312. A Fiat 500 requires stylish driving shoes. I’ve got plenty ready to go.

313. My sunglasses are ready to be worn in a Fiat too.

314. I could drive to Bayfield, Ontario in a Fiat 500.

315. I’d drive through the Hamlet of Varna on my way to Bayfield.

316. And I’d be sure to slow down in this 50km/hr zone (see #315).

317. Erica (@ECmothdesign) loved my last Fiat 500 post.

318. Erica (@ECmothdesign) thinks Fiat should discount the car for me/us.

319. Erica (@ECmothdesign) thinks we’d both look darling in them.

320. Erica is a smart, stylish and successful woman. I think Fiat should listen to her.

at the Montreal Auto Show

321. I could buy a Fiat 500 bocce set to match the car.

322. I don’t really know how to play bocce ball.

323. But I could learn.

324. I learned how to play Scopa a couple of weeks ago.

325. I’m getting back to my Italian roots one game at a time.

326. It would be nice to have an Italian-designed car to carry around my Scopa cards & bocce ball set.

327. How many decks of Scopa cards would fit in the trunk? Any guesses?

328. How many bocce ball sets could fit in the trunk? Any guesses?

329. I could also carry around the Scopa cards in this handy seat compartment (see photo below).

330. I’m not sure a whole Bocce ball set would fit in this compartment (see photo below).

Fiat interior

331. The Sport has 16″ cast aluminum wheels.

332. To tell you the truth, I can barely see the difference between the 15″ wheels on the Pop & Lounge and the 16″ on the Sport.

333.The Sport has a rear spoiler.

334. I’ve never had a car with a rear spoiler before.

335. What’s the point of a rear spoiler anyhow? Anyone know?

336. The Sport has fog lamps.

337. I’d have to figure out how to turn the fog lamps on. And then I’d drive in the fog.

338. Bright chrome door handles is a standard feature on the Sport.

339. I figure I could check my make-up in the shiny handles. Right?

340. I still don’t know what red brake calipers are. Anyone?

341. I’m still surprised that air conditioning is an optional feature. I think this isn’t right. But I still like the Fiat.

342. The Fiat 500 Sport has TomTom navigation.

343. I’d have to figure out how to work the navigation technology.

344. Hmm – seems like I have to learn a lot what with the navigation & blue tooth technology.

345. Since when did driving a car get so complicated

346. The head rests can be tilted forward & backward. Woah. Wild.

347. It has keyless entry. So cool.

348. It also has a tire pressure monitoring system. I’d love this!

349. I already know how to put air in my tires.

350. One less thing to learn if I got a Fiat 500 (see #337, 343, 349).

Fiat boots

351. I would have to get these boots. Not sure I’d wear them but I’d have to get them.

352. The Lounge has a vehicle information centre.

353. What is a vehicle information centre?

354. Twitter followers have lots of good things to say about the Fiat 500. @Milnoc did this Fiat 500 review.

355. Yes – people on Twitter are still sending me Fiat news.

356. I find it really interesting that automatic transmission is an option on so many cars in Canada…including the Fiat 500. Don’t most people drive automatic?

357. Seems to me like car companies – including the Fiat 500 – are just suckering people in to make more money with the automatic transmission feature.

358. I know how to drive standard and automatic so would it be wise to invest in standard to save some money?

359. Two of my uncles like the Fiat 500.

360. The Fiat 500 gives me lots to talk about with said uncles.

361. This week I’ve been teaching both of my nephews (1 and 2 years old) to say Fiat.

362. My dad has changed the words of Jingle Bells – instead of “one horse open sleigh”, he sings “Fiat 500”. My 2 year old nephew laughs at this. And corrects him. Sweet, right?

363. My nephews would look so cute in Fiat apparel. They look good in white.

364. On my last four trips to Toronto (driving on the 401 for two hours) I have only seen one Fiat 500.

365. My sister thinks this is weird (see #364).

366. I think it’s kind of weird too (see #364, 365) but I’m trying not to think about it.

367. If I had a Fiat 500 I might be the only one driving from London to Toronto on a regular basis.

368. Talk about prime advertising opportunity (see #367).

369. Oh – and I’d drive from Toronto to London too. That’s a lot of kms worth of advertising time.

370. If Scott Schuman (of The Sartorialist) snaps a photo of it – it must be cool.

photo by Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist)

371. I’d probably need to keep a regular supply of biscotti in the Fiat 500. For guests. And for me too.

372. If I had a Fiat 500 I could stop writing these posts (sometimes in the middle of the night – when I’m losing sleep over all of this car stuff).

373. I would write other Fiat 500 related posts. Obviously.

374. What music would you recommend I listen to while driving this car?

375. Just browsed through the Fiat 500 Canada Facebook page. Nice photos. I’d definitely add a few of my own.

376. I’m going to try and go to the Fiat (and other cars) meet-up in Woodbridge, Ontario tonight that @MaranelloFiat told me about. I’ll post about it if I go.

377. If I had my own Fiat 500, I’d probably take it to the Thursday night meet-up.

378. And I’d have a gelato at La Paloma.

379. If I had a Fiat 500 I’d drive it to Leslieville (Toronto) and have a yummy pizza at Lil’Baci.

380. Pizza, just like the Fiat, makes many Italians proud to be Italian.

381. I generally go for a simple margherita pizza. I wonder what the Fiat folks go for?

382. I wonder if any of the Fiat folks know how to make pizza.

383. I’m getting side-tracked with my reasons, I know. What do you expect? I am coming up with 500 reasons afterall.

384. I would drive my Fiat 500 to Toronto to visit Johanne.

385. I would drive my Fiat 500 with Johanne to the next LG Fashion Week in Toronto.

386. I would drive my Fiat 500 to Kingston, Ontario to visit friends.

387. I would drive my Fiat 500 to Ottawa to visit my friend (and loyal White Cabana reader) Shannon.

388. I might even drive my Fiat 500 to New York City to visit my family.

389. It would be easy to drive and park around NYC.

390. There was a red Fiat 500 in the movie Letters to Juliet.

Letters to Juliet

391. I haven’t seen this movie…yet.

392. The fact that there’s a Fiat 500 in this movie makes me want to see it.

393. I think the actors drive a red one in the movie (thanks Erica for the tip).

394. The Fiat 500 has been a great conversation starter.

395. Did you ever play that game, (Name a colour) punch buggy, no punches back? My sister and I did every time we saw a VW bug (the original). It occupied a lot of our time on summer road trips to Florida. I wonder if there’s a similar game for Fiat 500s? There should be right?

396. For any Fiat 500 Canada product related concerns you can call 1-800-521-9900.

397. Maybe I should call this number (see #396) to discuss my concern about my growing Fiat 500 obsession.

398. Did this person really buy three white Fiats?

399. Apparently Fiat is going to release a larger version in Canada in the spring. I don’t want the larger version.

400. I have mixed feelings about the fact that there are only 100 more reasons to list in this Fiat 500 series of posts. Any recommendations?

Why I Want a Fiat 500: Reasons 201-300

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Yes – I’m still obsessed with the Fiat 500.

Since I wrote my first post about this little Italian car here, I have read loads of reviews, snapped photos of it up-close and taken it for a test drive. I’ve also been learning more about the Fiat 500 through the Fiat Canada, Italy and USA people on Twitter.

If you’re a regular reader of White Cabana (which of course I hope you are!), then you will have read my first 200 reasons why I want a Fiat (here and here). Today I’m listing reasons 201-300. Happy Monday reading everyone!

Okay, andiamo (let’s go):

201. It’s just 3.55 metres long.

202. I think my Jeep might be 4.5 metres long. Big difference.

203. The Fiat 500 is the first compact car to achieve a 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP impact tests.

204. Because I’m worth it (in the words of L’Oréal).

205. Although my car fanatic uncle thinks a Honda Civic is a great affordable car, it’s just not for me.

206. A standard feature of the Sport is cruise control.

207. I love cruise control. Especially when I’m driving from London to Toronto on the 401.

208. Another standard feature is a chrome exhaust tip.

209. I don’t think I’ve ever paid attention to an exhaust tip before.

210. It’s customizable.

Fiat 500 in Bianco Perla (pearl white)

211. An available option on the Sport are heated seats.

212. Don’t you think heated seats should be a standard feature for Canadian cars?

213. Another available option on the Sport is a security alarm.

214. Again, don’t you think a security alarm should just be a standard feature on cars?

215. You can plug in your I-Pod.

216. I spend a lot of time talking about it.

217. I spend a lot of time reading reviews about it.

218. I spend a lot of time blogging about it.

219. I want to spend a lot of time driving it.

220. I want to stop crying at gas stations because of this:

221. Apparently this wouldn’t happen with the Fiat 500.

222. It is often the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning.

223. I think I need a Fiat 500 intervention or something.

224. I really like the @fiatontheweb people.

225. I also like the @FiatUSA people.

226. I also like the @Fiat500Canada people.

227. The two strangers I met at the bar last weekend had good things to say about the Fiat 500.

228. Yes, that’s right, the Fiat 500 is a great conversation starter at bars. Who knew?

229. I want to talk about my actual Fiat 500.

230. I want to stop talking about my dream Fiat 500.

231. If I don’t get a Fiat 500, I don’t know what other car I would get.

232. I don’t want a Ford Focus even though people have recommended it to me.

233. Tonya thinks I should get one for my birthday (July 25th).

234.@JenSpinner thinks my reasons are “quite adorable”. Thanks Jen! I think the Fiat 500 is adorable!

235. Small is hot! (Thanks @JenSpinner for sending me the link to this article.)

236. I want to drive the Fiat 500 to garage sales this summer.

237. I want to drive the Fiat 500 to the beach this summer.

238. I want to drive the Fiat 500 to Bayfield this summer.

239. I want to drive to Toronto in the Fiat 500.

240. I love this Fiat 500 commercial:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVRoq6QzUcQ&w=480&h=390]

241. I devote a lot of my time to the Fiat 500 Canada website.

242. I would drive it to the next Canadian Design Blogger meet-up.

243. I would encourage Fiat Canada to sponsor the next Canadian Design Blogger meet-up.

244. I would definitely buy this book: Fiat 500: The Autobiography

245. I would buy this book too: Fiat 500 by Alessandro Sannia

246. I might as well buy this one while I’m at it: Fiat 500 by Lorenzo Ramaciotti & Gianni Cancellieri

247. I wonder how Zucchero would sound in the Fiat 500.

248. I might put some San Pellegrino in the cupholders.

249. You could fit a matching Fiat bike in the trunk:

The Fiat 500 & Fiat bicycle

250. Apparently it has a pollen filter.

251. The seats are structured so that it’s like they are giving you a hug. Aw.

252. I would drive over to Caviar 20 to say hello to Troy.

253. I would drive over to La Merceria to say hello to Sandra.

254. I wonder how many boxes of Alessi products would fit in the trunk.

255. Panoram Italia might be interested in a “Fiat gives blogger a car” story. Just sayin’.

256. Another available option on the Sport is a subwoofer.

257. I don’t even know what a subwoofer really does – I don’t think I need this. It’s a cool word though.

258. I’ve never needed to say the word subwoofer in Italian.

259. Apparently subwoofer is altoparlante per suoni bassi (in un set stereofonico) in Italian. Woah.

260. I like this Fiat 500 commercial:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0883bb08zD4&w=640&h=390]

261. I would drive to the bookstore (see #244, #245, #246)

262. I could post my driving outfits on Fashion in Motion.

263. A standard feature on the Sport are “red brake calipers”.

264. “Red brake calipers” means absolutely nothing to me. Any ideas?

265. The Fiat 500 is made/assembled in Poland & Mexico.

266. I’m a fan of Poland & Mexico.

267. Although, I do wish it was fully made in Italy. That would make it really extra Italian.

268. Because why shouldn’t I feel like I’m in Italy on my morning commute?

269. Fiat and fashion go together.

270. Exhibit A (re: #269).

271. Exhibit B (re: #269).

272. Jordana and fashion go together too.

273. Exhibit C (re: #272).

274.The Fiat 500 took the top spot in the small category for customer satisfaction in the 2011 JD Power and Associates survey (read more here).

275. If I’ve done the conversion correctly, if you want to buy a Fiat 500 Sport in Bangalore, India the cost would be approximately $32,000 CAD.

276. The price in Canada for an outfitted Sport is about $25,000 CAD.

277. Interesting to comparison shop across countries, that’s forsure.

278. You can download Fiat 500 wallpapers for your computer.

279. You can also download Fiat 500 screensavers.

280. The interior buttons look good.

Fiat interior buttons

281. The Pop has 35 safety and security features.

282. The Sport has 16-inch aluminum wheels.

283. The Lounge has chrome interior accents.

284. I heart Fiat.

285. According to Fiat Germany, the 500 wants me.

286. The feeling is mutual.

287. Can Fiat help me make this happen?

288. Fun, vintage, refined – three adjectives that describe the Fiat 500. I like these words.

289. The Fiat 500 has knee bags. Cool.

290. My grandfather owned a Fiat Balilla.

Fiat Balilla (image)

291. My grandfather also owned a Fiat Belvedere.

Fiat Belvedere (image)

292. Fiat fans run in our family. (Did I say that already?)

293. Re: Safety: “Despite the highly compact nature of the design, the tapered bumper structure and rounded front profile award the new Fiat a high standard of pedestrian protection” (via Fiat 500 India).

294. The Fiat 500 was designed by Fiat Centro Stile.

295. The Fiat 500 was built at the company’s Tychy plant in Poland.

296. Read more about Tychy, Poland here.

297. The rear features a chrome handle in the shape of a bicycle saddle.

298. I love how each country has different Fiat 500 accessories.

299. When I go to India, I would totally have to buy this:

Fiat 500 flash drive

300. My dad called me annoying over the weekend. I don’t think he wants to read another 200 reasons why I want a Fiat. I think he wants Fiat to deal with me.

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