Best New TV Show...This Is Us
I was hooked from the very first episode. The writing is phenomenal. To be able to show the viewer the past and present of characters within each episode is a new approach that works surprisingly well. The casting is great, too. I especially love how all of the younger versions of Kate, Kevin, and Randall look and act like their grown up versions.
Best Fashion Trend...Less Skinny Jeans
Skinny jeans were in style so long that mom jeans even had a tapered leg. We're finally seeing boot cut as the preferred option again and even a few wide leg pant styles. My chicken legs thank you for the change.
Best New Album...Beyoncé "Lemonade"Holy hell...Bey ain't messing around. She came back with a vengeance on this album (and stole the Super Bowl half time show without even trying). Maybe she's making the most of the tabloid headlines, but some great songs came out of it. We've seen her collaborate before, but "Don't Hurt Yourself" featuring Jack White was an unexpected direction.
Best Make Up Product...Eye Lid Primer
At first, I thought that make up companies were just trying to take our money by making a primer for every part of your face. Eye lid primer, though, really makes a difference. I can now work a ten hour day and still have eye shadow on my lids...as opposed to running down my cheeks, in the creases, or the oh so familiar vanishing act.
Best Comeback...Michael Phelps
He has always been a beast, but something was off in 2012. The personal struggles mimicked those that we saw in the pool. Flash forward to the 2016 Rio Olympics where he dominated and showed growth as a man, father, and soon to be husband. He says he is retiring, so luckily we always have this image to remember him by.
Sometimes I prefer a motivational quote or a cat video, but Women IRL is just so real (which is good because IRL stands for In Real Life). It is nice to see that so many other women are comfortable with sharing the not so perfect side of life.
Best Response to Tabloid Trash...Jennifer Aniston
After years and years of being judged for...well, everything, Jennifer Aniston finally spoke out to the Huffington Post. Here is a link to her inspirational For the Record contribution.
Best Quote...When They Go Low, We Go High
I will admit it. I could have used this quote about ten years ago. It is so easy to fight back with even more toxic words when someone comes at you with some trash. Thank you to Michelle Obama for giving me this guideline which now helps me when I read the daily trash...a.k.a. Facebook political opinions.
So, here's to you, 2016. You have taught us a lot and also shown us we have even more to learn. Here's hoping that 2017 is full of laughter, more open-mindedness, and reasons to celebrate life.