2014 is nearly over - as soon as Christmas is finished, next year will come around very quickly! So what I thought I would like to do is to share some of my favourite things of the past year with you: some were newly released this year, while others were just new to me. Either way, I've come across a lot of great stuff throughout 2014 which I'd like to share. Please feel free to continue this as a tag, but credit me as a source. So without further ado, here are my picks of 2014.
Film of 2014
I've seen a lot of really entertaining films this year, so this was tricky. It's so difficult to decide what actually makes 'a good film' - the concept means different things to different people. Highlights for me have included Paddington, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Guest and Pride. But I've decided to go with the film which I felt had the most impressive acting, the most thought-provoking storyline, the best overall composition and best entertainment value.
Runner up: Pride
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| backdoorbroadcasting.net |
Winner: The Imitation Game
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| heyuguys.com |
Book of 2014
I must confess that most of the books I've read this year haven't been new releases - they've just been new to me! I thoroughly enjoyed Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (far from recent!) and decided to see what all the fuss was about with John Green's The Fault In Our Stars. I also adored Phillipa Gregory's The Cousins' War series (comprising The White Queen, amongst others), and devoured the whole series over the course of the summer. The novel which I selected, however, is in no way recent, but was the one which I found the most compelling.
Runner up: When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson
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| rhapsodyinbooks.wordpress.com |
Winner: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
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| readingagency.org.uk |
Television series/programme of 2014
I'm aware that not everyone will be familiar with some of the programmes I review, as many of them are British-based and difficult to track down elsewhere. I cannot recommend British comedy and drama enough - personally, I love the dry wittiness. As ever, Episodes and The Apprentice were highly entertaining from BBC One and BBC Two. Some Girls and Bad Education flew the flag for BBC Three, reminding us how sad it will be when BBC Three is relaunched and revamped online next year. Some of the BBC comedy shorts such as The Vodka Diaries (starring Aisling Bea, Rosamund Hanson, Cariad Lloyd and Gwyneth Keyworth) were also some great finds. The BBC's The Crimson Field was also a fascinating part of the World War One centenary programmes this year. W1A, The Village and Sherlock were also strong contenders. You can read my review of the winner here.
Runner up: Outnumbered (Series 5)
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| radiotimes.com |
Winner: Our World War
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| vimeo.com |
Album of 2014
2014 has seen some pretty colossal albums hit our airwaves. Ed Sheeran's X, Pharrell's Girl and Coldplay's Ghost Stories were big hitters. This was tricky, as so much comes down to personal taste. What I made my decision on was the popularity and sales figures of the albums and also how I personally responded to it.
Runner up: In The Lonely Hour - Sam Smith
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| wikipedia.org |
Winner: A Perfect Contradiction - Paloma Faith
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| wikipedia.org |
Song of 2014
Pinning down one song for the whole of the year is no mean feat. There have certainly been lots of popular songs, like Pharrell's Happy and Iggy Azalea's Fancy, which we have probably had more than enough of by now. The song I chose, though, is one which I personally adored, and I don't think got enough love!
Runner up: Say You Love Me by Jessie Ware
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| pitchfork.com |
Winner: My Type by Saint Motel
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| allindie.com |
Fragrance of 2014
I'm afraid this is a pretty simple one for me - I'll be selecting the fragrance which I wear, and love. The runner up, though, I selected because of how much I liked its scent, packaging, branding and marketing. Although it's a men's fragrance, it's been released as an EDP rather than an EDT, and I think is more appealing for it. I know that some women prefer to wear men's fragrances - if you are one of these, I would highly recommend the runner up here to you.
Runner up: Bleu de Chanel EDP
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| chanel.com |
Winner: Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche EDT
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| chanel.com |
Makeup product (complexion) of 2014
It was fairly easy for me to choose which two products were my top picks of this year, but they are quite different from one another, so your perception of which one really deserved to win might be different. Until recently, Chanel owned Bourjois, so perhaps it's fitting that the two cousin brands feature alongside one another. Clearly, the two hold different positions in the market, so your preference may depend on how important budget is. I think both are truly excellent products, which I wholeheartedly recommend. It was tricky to choose one of the Chanel Les Beiges products, as the entire range is superb, so I'm afraid I selected two.
Runner up: Bourjois Radiance Reveal Healthy Mix Foundation
Winner (powder): Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder
Winner (fluid): Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Fluid
Makeup product (eyes) of 2014
I've come across some really great eye makeup products this year. I was pretty certain about my choices, but Bourjois' Khol Contour Eye Pencil and Chanel's Crayon Sourcils Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil are also wonderful products.
Runner up: Bourjois Liner Feutre
Winner: Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara
Makeup product (lips) of 2014
I've tried to select two products which are fairly different, and cover the two main bases of lip products - lip care and lip colour. Both are quite classic, but I think that just credits them well.
Runner up: Vaseline Lip Therapy
Winner: Chanel Rouge Coco Shine ('Confidence', No. 94)
Makeup product (nails) of 2014
The runner up for this one is, again, a classic which you can never go wrong with. However, the winner is a product which I think is practical and innovative - the fan brush means that it only takes one stroke to apply. Compared to brands such as Jessica, it is relatively fast-drying (it takes about fifteen minutes to be touch-dry, and about thirty-five minutes to be completely dry). I love the range of colours and bottle design of both the products, which I strongly recommend.
Runner up: Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour
Winner: Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Enamel
Skincare product of 2014
As with my eye makeup, I think I've found the products which now form part of my regular skincare regime. You can see which products I use as part of my daily skincare routine here. I use one of these regularly, and I ask for the other as a gift because of its price - however, it is an outstanding product, with results which are quick to see.
Runner up: Neutrogena Visibly Clear Spot Stress Control Daily Scrub
Winner: Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser
Hair product of 2014
One of the following two is an actual 'hair product' in that it is something you directly use on your hair, while the other is used for styling it. I must admit that I tend to keep it quite simple when it comes to my hair, but these are two great staples to have.
Runner up: Batiste Oriental Dry Shampoo
Winner: Babyliss Boutique Soft Waves Hair Wand
Investment buy of 2014
I've had two major investment buys this year, both of which I have fallen head over heels in love with. I feel like choosing a runner up and a winner is a bit like choosing your favourite child, so I'm afraid I opted for two joint winners.
Winner: Chanel quilted hobo handbag
Winner: Barbour Waddesdon Beadnell Waxed Jacket (Olive)
Restaurant of 2014
Clearly, this one is dependent on where you live as to whether this will really mean much to you, but there are a couple which I have visited over the past year and wanted to mention. The second is the least accessible of the two, but if you happen to be around the South East of England, it's certainly worth a trip.
Runner up: The Berkeley, London (afternoon tea)
It was fairly easy for me to choose which two products were my top picks of this year, but they are quite different from one another, so your perception of which one really deserved to win might be different. Until recently, Chanel owned Bourjois, so perhaps it's fitting that the two cousin brands feature alongside one another. Clearly, the two hold different positions in the market, so your preference may depend on how important budget is. I think both are truly excellent products, which I wholeheartedly recommend. It was tricky to choose one of the Chanel Les Beiges products, as the entire range is superb, so I'm afraid I selected two.
Runner up: Bourjois Radiance Reveal Healthy Mix Foundation
 |
| boots.com |
 |
| chanel.com |
Winner (fluid): Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Fluid
 |
| chanel.com |
I've come across some really great eye makeup products this year. I was pretty certain about my choices, but Bourjois' Khol Contour Eye Pencil and Chanel's Crayon Sourcils Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil are also wonderful products.
Runner up: Bourjois Liner Feutre
 |
| boots.com |
 |
| boots.com |
I've tried to select two products which are fairly different, and cover the two main bases of lip products - lip care and lip colour. Both are quite classic, but I think that just credits them well.
Runner up: Vaseline Lip Therapy
 |
| superdrug.com |
 |
| chanel.com |
The runner up for this one is, again, a classic which you can never go wrong with. However, the winner is a product which I think is practical and innovative - the fan brush means that it only takes one stroke to apply. Compared to brands such as Jessica, it is relatively fast-drying (it takes about fifteen minutes to be touch-dry, and about thirty-five minutes to be completely dry). I love the range of colours and bottle design of both the products, which I strongly recommend.
Runner up: Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour
 |
| chanel,com |
 |
| bourjois.co.uk |
As with my eye makeup, I think I've found the products which now form part of my regular skincare regime. You can see which products I use as part of my daily skincare routine here. I use one of these regularly, and I ask for the other as a gift because of its price - however, it is an outstanding product, with results which are quick to see.
Runner up: Neutrogena Visibly Clear Spot Stress Control Daily Scrub
 |
| neutrogena.co.uk |
 |
| sephora.com |
One of the following two is an actual 'hair product' in that it is something you directly use on your hair, while the other is used for styling it. I must admit that I tend to keep it quite simple when it comes to my hair, but these are two great staples to have.
Runner up: Batiste Oriental Dry Shampoo
 |
| asos.com |
 |
| babyliss.com |
I've had two major investment buys this year, both of which I have fallen head over heels in love with. I feel like choosing a runner up and a winner is a bit like choosing your favourite child, so I'm afraid I opted for two joint winners.
Winner: Chanel quilted hobo handbag
 |
| wikipedia.org |
Winner: Barbour Waddesdon Beadnell Waxed Jacket (Olive)
| barbour.co.uk |
Restaurant of 2014
Clearly, this one is dependent on where you live as to whether this will really mean much to you, but there are a couple which I have visited over the past year and wanted to mention. The second is the least accessible of the two, but if you happen to be around the South East of England, it's certainly worth a trip.
Runner up: The Berkeley, London (afternoon tea)
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| the-berkeley.co.uk |
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| thecurlewrestaurant,co.uk |
Trip out of 2014
I've been out and about a fair bit this year, and have experienced some great places. It was so difficult to choose just two, but I've just about managed. Both of them are experiences which I would wholly recommend. To read more about my trip to The Berkeley for tea, click here to read my blog post.
Runner up: Paloma Faith at The Brighton Centre
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| bn1magazine.co.uk |
Winner: Pret-a-Portea at The Berkeley, London
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| the-berkeley.com |
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year - Ellen x
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