Watching American Idol has been a family activity around my home for years. Each week, my son Ben and I would sit on the couch to watch (and sing along with) the weekly competition, and he often told me “Mom, YOU should try out for American Idol!” We watched pretty much every season -- including all the sponsored Ford music videos and commercials -- and always voted for our favorites.

Last week, the remaining three American Idol finalists competed to see who would make it to this week’s finale. As Kree Harrison, Angie Miller and Candice Glover anxiously awaited the results, a tearful conclusion revealed that it would be Angie Miller who would go home, leaving Kree and Candice to battle it out for the American Idol crown.

Yep, I sure do! Ever get so busy you don't know what day of the week it is? Yep, I sure do! So here's the weekly American Idol post that was supposed to go up on Thursday, but didn't actually get onto AskPatty until today. Mea Culpa!

As part of each episode, the final American Idol finalists are competing in weekly  ‘Missions’ to complete some sort of fun competition that emphasizes their own personalities – so, things like singing, philanthropy, fashion, etc. This week's American Idol mission, "Music Design Mashup" divided the four finalists into two teams and gave each pair carte blanche to custom design their own 2014 Ford Fiesta.

After months of fierce competition, it's down to the final four contestants, and Ford is giving us the inside scoop on what's happening in the last weeks of American Idol. Each week, our inside source is sending us some very special behind-the-scenes photos to help keep AskPatty readers on top of each week's winners!

"Jenny from the block" has a new licensing deal with FIAT, and is featuring her ner partner in an upcoming music video for her song "Papi."  Now, I'm not sure when the video will be released, or how (do any of the "music" channels still show videos?), but in the meantime, FIAT has a condensed, 30-second version of the video as a preview and television advertisement.  

Now, I certainly am not going to begrudge JLO her choice of brand partners, a girl's gotta eat, and according to FIAT, they're approaching their partnership with Lopez from an angle of empowerment: 

"[She] fits perfectly with the brand not because of who she is but because of what she is - authentic, passionate, modern and a fighter determined to stand out from the rest"

Sounds great, right?  Well, take a look at the 30-second spot after the jump, and then we'll talk.

Today is Flag Day, here in the States.  You may wonder what exactly that means - after all, the Fourth of July is traditionally celebrated as America's birthday.  Does our flag need a day of its own?  Well the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. A schoolteacher at a Wisconsin Public School decided, with his pupils, to observe June 14 (the anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'.  In numerous magazines and newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, Cigrand continued to enthusiastically advocate the observance of June 14 as 'Flag Birthday', or 'Flag Day'.  Consequently, on June 14, 1891, the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia held a Flag Day celebration, and eventually Flag Day was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. 

Slash is a rock icon, without a doubt.  I can't say I'd recognize his face if I saw it, because to be honest, I've only seen his face a handful of times, as it's usually lost behind his monumental hair, trademark top hat, and of course, the sunglasses.  Nonetheless, his recognizable mug was found on at least one tee shirt in my closet a few years back, and my copy of Guns 'n Roses debut album was a frequent spinner in my bedroom stereo.  But why am I blogging about the iconic guitarist on the Auto Advice for Women blog?  Well, his 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Sports Coupe, that's why. This amazing car, perfect for Slash's meticulously kept bad-boy rocker image, hits the auction block this month.  Yup, it's for sale - he's auctioning the thing for charity, so if you're a refugee of the hair metal years like a certain blogger I know, and if you have a few extra bucks lying around, this may be the chance of a lifetime.  Auction details after the jump.

The "Swagger Wagon" folks have done it again, to hilarious effect. The "minivan rap" for the Toyota Sienna is new and creative and yet oh-so-familiar, as two self-absorbed, suburban parents (the "Sienna Family") show how the mundane details of raising kids (and their ride) are as hip as they are... or so they believe. 

Toyota teamed with comedy director Jody Hill to create this series of Web videos featuring the all new Sienna - the first minivan made "with adults' minds in mind." The campaign is really catching on: My son is singing the Swagger Wagon rap tune by Black Iris Music around the house, and one YouTube viewer says, "My wife and I have been throwin' up swagga signs at folks all week!" 

Kudos to Toyota for poking fun. See the rest of the Swagger Wagon videos here.

Joanne Helperin Consumer Marketing Director, Blog Editor AskPatty.com, Inc. www.askpatty.com Connect with Us View Our Compliance Statement Subscribe to our RSS Feed Subscribe to our E-News

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Think car ads have lost their luster since those fabulous car commercials from the Superbowl? Then give a paw -- I mean a hand -- to Kia Motor's advertising company, David & Goliath. They've created a new video featuring the popular hamsters to market the Kia Soul using the classic track, "The Choice Is Yours" by '90s hip-hop group, The Black Sheep. It compares the highly-personalizable Soul to boxy "competitors" - such as a toaster. Starting at under $14,000, the award-winning 5-door Soul appeals to both the practical, value-conscious family and the music- and style-focused hipster. Both the car and the video are worth a look.

Speaking of hamsters, it so happens that I'm planning to get a new hamster for the family soon. Call me crazy (Jody did!), but I'm actually planning to rescue one rather than buy it at a pet store. I've already got a cage set up, and I'm taking suggestions for names! Ideas, ladies?

by Joanne Helperin

AskPatty.com Consumer Marketing Director, Blog Editor

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