Jennifer & Miley: Year of the Queens

Jennifer Lawrence rules the acting world. Miley Cyrus rules the music industry. Both are under 25. 2013 has been the biggest year yet for the two stars and 2014 can only have bigger and better (we hope!) things in store for them, and their loyal fans, too! The two are very different, but still very similar, in my opinion. And it's my blog, so, yes, my opinion actually does matter here!

Jennifer Lawrence was just named Associated Press's Entertainer of the Year. The recognition doesn't come as a surprise. She won an Oscar, SAG Award and Golden Globe for her role as the widowed Tiffany in Silver Linings Playbook beating out Meryl Streep (and she wasn't afraid to, jokingly, let everyone know it!). While winning that Oscar, she fell up the stairs to the stage and we still loved her.  She killed the red carpet during awards season, wearing Dior each time. Handled a wardrobe malfunction flawlessly at the SAG Awards. She's the star of The Hunger Games trilogy, which is proving to be much more than your average novel-turned-film. She was on the cover for Vogue's September issue. She's also received a 2014 Golden Globe nomination for her role as the comedic, yet psychotic, wife to Christian Bale in American Hustler, and another Oscar nod on the horizon. This year is already shaping up to be a good one for her!

The thing I like the most about the two girls is that they aren't afraid to speak their minds. They're sassy and honest, a trait we can all appreciate. They don't care what people think about them and don't hide who they are just because they're at an event or being interviewed. This is something we can all learn from! Take note readers: be yourself and say how you feel. Simple enough, right? Let's not forget the major leap they each made in chopping off all their locks!

Miley Cyrus is my age and maybe that's the reason I cannot stop rooting for her. In the last few years she has (not quite in this exact order) fallen in love, gotten engaged, been cheated on  (and by the lyrics in her new album, she found out herself she had been cheated on), fired her entire management team and handles almost everything herself, broke off her engagement, dressed up as a teddy bear and twerked on Robin Thicke (it was a joke, people!), released a beautiful album, swung naked on a wrecking ball, smoked a blunt on stage, commanded the twittersphere, landed the cover of numerous magazines like Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Cosmo and Rolling Stones (she did, however, lose the cover of Vogue after her VMA performance. whomp.), had the most views of a music video on VEVO, sang with a cat crying diamonds and had one of her dogs die all while being in the public eye. We may not understand all of her motives, but she is a strong girl and even a smart business woman! She's recreated herself to the public with her appearance and social media platforms all on her own. No matter if you love her or hate her, you are talking about her! You are waiting to see what she does next and she doesn't care if you are booing or cheering because she got you to watch her. You don't have to agree with what she does, but she does it with power and confidence. Can you say the same for yourself? (I smell New Year's Resolutions..)

Here are a few of my favorite looks this year from these lovely ladies:

Love them or hate them, these power women aren't going anywhere, and I couldn't be happier.

ALL HAIL THE QUEENS!

As if I could pass up this throwback...

2014 Must-Haves

That time is upon us yet again, ladies and gentlemen: the start of a new year. This will not be a post for the weak. We don't want anyone making a New Year's Resolution they can't keep! If you know you're going to let that new gym membership go to waste after the first of February (or let's be honest, mid-January), don't buy it! It is better to start the year off with a positive attitude and a new take on things. Start slow and easy! You cannot expect yourself to change your life in 3 days when that ball drops, and you shouldn't be putting that kind of pressure on yourself to do so. Now that my 30 seconds of motivation is over...Let's get on to what kind of things you should be putting on yourself this year: clothes, makeup, shoes. This is just a short list of a few of my favorite things that I want or have and think will be a perfect companion to you in 2014.

First on my list.. drumroll please..

PARTYSKIRTS

You may not have entered the party with a significant other to kiss when the clock strikes midnight, but show up in one of these babies and you just might find one! They're flirty, fun and sophisticated. They're 100% silk, which makes for a beautifully saturated color. In various gem tones, patterns and lengths, you'll want to get your hands on at least one of these in 2014. 

Fun Fact: PARTYSKIRTS was created by sisters Lauren and Mariel Armstrong simply because they couldn't find the perfect party skirt and now they've turned it into an amazing company!

They are a little pricey, but a classic piece like this will never go out of style. Sometimes investments need to be made ladies! Once you see the styles below, you'll know why I've been drooling over all of them, + why they're worth the small dent in your Visa (or AmEx girl, go 'head) statement next month.

 TIP: Check out the "After Party" section of their website for the skirts on sale!

Lady Length in Navy

http://www.skotapparel.com/collections/classics/products/navy-lady-length

Classic in Oxblood

http://www.skotapparel.com/collections/after-party/products/oxblood

Elizabeth and James Nirvana

(Black and White)

Our favorite TV twins are at it again! If you didn't know, Elizabeth and James is one of the lines Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have created. This is their first fragrance since the tween line they had at Walmart back in the day. (Don't lie. You owned at least half of it. I literally still have my MK&A hair dryer that my mom and I use at home 10+ years later. Sad? Maybe. True? Absolutely.)

 Ashley said they had been working on the project for two years and that "black took about a year and a half to finalize, and to get to a place where we were happy." Naturally, there are two scents. Nirvana Black is, literally, a darker scent that mixes violet, sandalwood and vanilla. Nirvana White is florally, musky and mixes lily and peony. They don't hit stores until January, but Sephora just had a two week preview and I was lucky enough to test them before they went back in hiding until the new year. Personally, I favored Nirvana Black. I can't really decide why, but that will definitely be the one I purchase next month. A new scent might be exactly what you need in 2014!

Step away from that Bath & Body Works Body Mist (seriously) and splurge a little! 

That's what this year should be about: treating yourself.

When you look (or smell) good, you feel good!

I'm not saying you need to go on a spree and max out your credit cards, not that I would judge you at all if you did, but even one special item can put a little spring in your step, whether it's at work or at school, and your positive energy can lead to great things!

Nirvana's ad campaign

Nirvana Black and Nirvana White

Urban Decay Naked3

The latest Naked palette did not disappoint! All 12 rose-hued shades are never-before-seen and it is my favorite of the Naked trio. They'll make you want to never see another palette again! The shades range from shimmery pale pinks to a matte black with rosy flecks. I've found that the worst part about having this palette, is wanting to wear all 12 shades at once. Cliche, but so very true. If you're fair-skinned like I am, this palette was made for you! I also have the Naked2, but will now be reserving those shades for evening and night affairs and for when I get a little color in the summer (LOL JK I'm pale 365). If you have a darker skin tone, spring for the original Naked palette.

Fur Jacket

(of any kind!)

When I was 8 or 9, my best friend and I had matching fur jackets from The Gap. They were the color of my golden retriever Molly and absolutely huge. We were killin' it at a young age and now over a decade later I found myself searching for another fur jacket. I finally found the perfect one at H&M and at only $25! Don't worry: it's not nearly as big as my old one. If you don't think you can pull off fur, you're not trying hard enough. You can do it if you want to! Take a risk this year and jump into a pile of fur or, like I said earlier, start slow, and go with a vest.

They keep you feeling warm and looking great!

http://www.hm.com/us/product/17303?article=17303-A

Well, that's all for now, kiddies. I hope that you enjoyed my little list and that you will let it help you create your own list of must-haves! Make a promise that you will treat yourself to something special in 2014 and have fun while doing it.

Happy New Year!